VSC7160
12-PHY Serial Attached SCSI Edge Expander at 1.5Gbps and 3.0Gbps
Low-Cost Single-Chip SAS Edge Expander
Part Details
- 12 Independent Self-Configuring Serial Attached SCSI Edge Expander PHYs
- Any PHY-to-Any PHY Connectivity (Any PHY Can Connect Independently to a Target or Initiator Device)
- Any PHY Can Operate Independently at 1.5Gbps or 3.0Gbps
- Automatic PHY Speed Detection/Negotiation
- ANSI T10 SAS 1.0 and 1.1 Compliant
- Multiple Programmable Output Levels
- Programmable Output Preemphasis
- Programmable Input Signal Equalization
- Serial ATA Drive Support Via Internal STP/SATA Bridging Functions (1 per PHY)
- Multiple Operating Modes (Master, Slave, and Autonomous)
- Link Test and Diagnostics
- Extensive Loopback Modes
- Embedded v3000 Enclosure Management Processor (Stanford-I 32-Bit RISC CPU) for Local Control and SMP Functions
- Up to 44 Register-Accessible General-Purpose I/Os (GPIOs)
- Dual Multimaster I²C Interfaces (GPIO Expansion Through SSC050-01/VSC055 When Operating in Master Mode)
- 16kB Internal User Data SRAM
- External Serial Flash and EEPROM Support
- JTAG-Based Hardware CPU Debug Interface
- Multirate Serial UARTs
- SMP Command/Protocol Support
- Complete Software Development Kit (SDK) and Reference Applications
- 208-Pin TQFP
- 0.18µm TSMC CMOS, 6-Layer Metal
- 5W (typical), 5W (max)
The VSC7160 is a multimode, user-configurable, 12-PHY Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) edge expander. The device provides SAS port expansion as defined by the ANSI T10 Serial Attached SCSI 1.0 and 1.1 specifications for edge expanders.
The VSC7160 is targeted at embedded applications in the midrange and enterprise storage environments. It offers an attractive technology upgrade for those systems that currently employ parallel SCSI technology and have substantial reliance on SCSI-centric applications software or management solutions.
The VSC7160 provides active port expansion for up to 12 connecting PHYs with connections made via an internal nonblocking cross-bar matrix.
Programmable output preemphasis and input signal equalization ensures consistent high signal quality in lengthy in-and-out-of-box backplanes or cable infrastructures.
The on-board CPU in the VSC7160 performs the role of an SMP management application client and can participate in enclosure management functions via I²C or vendor-specific SMP implementations. As the SMP management application client for the expander, the CPU services all SMP requests from the SMP initiator and handles all SMP response functions in master mode.
The VSC7160 is a SAS edge expander containing all the functions needed to implement a 1.5Gbps or 3.0Gbps SAS enterprise server or JBOD system. This part is typically used in distributing SAS signals to an array of disk drives either in a server or an external enclosure. Commonly, two or more "Initiator" ports connect to the SAS SAN and several disk ports connect to drives over a 3Gbps serial backplane. An embedded enclosure management controller, software/firmware compatible with other Maxim enclosure management controllers, configures and monitors both the VSC7160 and the entire enclosure via flexible low-speed interfaces.
The SAS expander device consists of 12 10-bit serializer/deserializers ("SerDes"), per-PHY diagnostics facilities, retiming elasticity buffers, a target/initiator-capable SMP virtual PHY engine, two I²C interfaces, a v3000 CPU, two UARTs, and a variety of general-purpose I/O (GPIO). Each receiver’s incoming data is monitored and checked for 8b/10b violations, data path parity errors, disparity errors, CRC errors, and many other common error conditions.
The VSC7160 is a highly integrated solution that provides high-performance characteristics, expander/enclosure management, as well as industry leading highspeed inputs/outputs that can drive 3.0Gbps signals across existing backplanes.
Customers already using Maxim enclosure management controllers are able to reuse their software from previous products for reduced time-to-market and development effort.
Applications
- Bounded Out-of-Box Connection Schemes
- Direct Attached Storage (DAS) with External Enclosure Support
- Disc-Based Backup Storage
- Enterprise Storage Environments
- Fabric Attached Storage (FAS) Systems
- Fixed Content Storage Systems
- High-End Desktop and Workstation Systems
- JBOD Arrays
- Near-Line Storage Replacement Systems
- Network Attached Storage Systems (NAS)
- Rack-Mount Servers with RAID
- Storage Network (SAN) Appliances
Documentation
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Complete documentation is available upon completion of a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA).
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