Breakthrough Technology from Astera Labs Doubles PCI Express Signal Reach in Servers

System-aware PCI Express® retimers support diverse interconnect topologies, plug-and-play interoperation at speeds up to 32 GT/s

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--()--Astera Labs Inc., a maker of purpose-built connectivity solutions for intelligent systems, today announced the industry’s first Peripheral Component Interconnect PCI Express® (PCIe®) 5.0 retimer technology, specifically designed to remove performance bottlenecks and signal integrity challenges in next-generation servers. This breakthrough, system-aware technology makes it possible for hyperscale data center system designers to create a robust server connectivity backbone tying together processors, workload accelerators and storage nodes over diverse system topologies at speeds up to 32 gigatransfers per second (GT/s).

Servers have been operating with PCIe 3.0 technology for many years. With PCIe 4.0 processors entering the market and the PCIe 5.0 specification now released, system designers are rapidly gearing up for the increased bandwidth enabled by these new standards. “At 16 and 32 GT/s, retimers play a crucial role to achieving diverse system topologies and accelerating the shift to blazing-fast speeds,” said Al Yanes, PCI special interest group (SIG) chairman and president.

“Heterogeneous computing and workload-optimized platforms are redefining the connectivity backbone in the next generation of servers. Specialized semiconductors will help enable this high-speed connectivity backbone and accelerate technology adoption,” said Jitendra Mohan, CEO at Astera Labs. “Our system-aware retimers are designed to empower system designers to easily upgrade from PCIe 4.0 to PCIe 5.0 technology and achieve plug-and-play interoperation without compromising interconnect topologies even at 32 GT/s speeds.”

“The explosion of data and new compute-intensive workloads, like artificial intelligence and machine learning, is driving the need for faster and lower-latency interconnects in data-centric systems,” said Amber Huffman, Intel fellow, Data Center Group. “Intel is embracing and leading the transition with its support for the new PCIe 5.0 specification and the announcement of Compute Express Link (CXL) technology. We are excited that Astera Labs has entered the ecosystem to develop purpose-built connectivity solutions to enable seamless adoption of these technologies.”

Find out more about artificial intelligence and machine learning compute and connectivity challenges in modern servers:

Astera Labs is working with customers and partners now to build PCIe retimers based on its system-aware technology. Get specifications and more information at info@asteralabs.com.

About Astera Labs

Astera Labs Inc., a fabless semiconductor company headquartered in the heart of California’s Silicon Valley, develops purpose-built connectivity solutions for data-centric systems. The company’s product portfolio includes system-aware semiconductor integrated circuits, boards and services to enable robust PCIe connectivity. Partnering with leading processor vendors, cloud service providers, seasoned investors and world-class manufacturing companies, Astera Labs is helping customers remove performance bottlenecks in compute-intensive workloads. For more information about Astera Labs, see www.asteralabs.com.

About PCI-SIG

PCI-SIG is the consortium that owns and manages PCI specifications as open industry standards. The organization defines industry-standard input/output specifications consistent with the needs of its members. Currently, the PCI-SIG comprises over 700 industry-leading member companies. To join the PCI-SIG or for a list of the board of directors, see www.pcisig.com.

Trademarks

Astera Labs and the Astera Labs logo are trademarks of Astera Labs Inc. All other trademarks belong to their respective owners.

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Contacts

Sanjay Gajendra
Astera Labs Inc.
408-250-1825
media@asteralabs.com

Release Summary

System-aware PCI Express® retimers from Astera Labs remove performance bottlenecks and signal integrity challenges in next-generation servers

Contacts

Sanjay Gajendra
Astera Labs Inc.
408-250-1825
media@asteralabs.com