Microchip PCIe® Connects Embedded Compute to the Edge

PCIe in Modern Computing Sparks a Cross-Industry Surge

As data has become the backbone of modern-day computing, the demand for smarter, faster and more connected systems has become increasingly critical. Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe^®) plays a pivotal role in high-speed content transfer, seamless connectivity and scalable performance, fueling data-driven innovations.

PCIe is a high-speed interface standard used to connect various endpoints within a computing platform—including video, storage, networking and AI—with processors.

The technology is widely used in cloud infrastructure, enterprise storage, military, telecommunications and robotics and is ideal for real-time applications like AI/ML, gaming, automotive self-driving cars and industrial automation.

Drive Innovation in Embedded Compute and Edge AI Through Faster Data Exchange Using Microchip PCIe Solutions

Our PCIe solutions enable high-performance Edge AI systems across domains—from storage servers for fast data access and communications systems for real-time network optimization, to ADAS for low-latency sensor fusion, and machine vision for high-speed image analysis.

Fundamental to the Edge AI infrastructure, our PCIe switches offer ultra-fast data transfer in real time, minimal latency and robust multi-device connectivity. Rapid data exchange is essential in Edge AI, where decisions are made at the device level without cloud dependency. By seamlessly directing information across multiple endpoints, Microchip PCIe switches enable scalable performance, minimize bottlenecks and facilitate the fusion of AI, ML and sensor technologies driving smarter, more responsive systems.

Advanced Integration of Features and Endpoints for High-Speed Connectivity and Real-Time Performance

The Microchip PCI100x, PCI12xxx and PCI11xxx families of PCIe switches deliver high performance and cost efficiency for any application where accelerated or specialized computing is used. They are engineered with exceptional design quality, making them highly suitable for demanding automotive and industrial applications.  

Our PCIe switches offer unmatched performance—here’s what sets them apart:

• Offer rich integration of features and endpoints delivering ultra-low latency, high bandwidth, and scalable multi-endpoint connectivity in compact solutions
• Built to comply with modern PCIe specifications, these devices are engineered for long-term deployment, offering future-ready performance, extended lifecycle support, and seamless scalability in evolving edge environments
• Precisely tailored with design rules for high-speed layouts without compromising on stability and performance
• Pre-configured solutions and Microchip’s complimentary design review services—MicroCHECK—together help accelerate time-to-market while potentially saving up to four board iterations for our customers
• Purpose-built with highly integrated features that reduce the need for external components and simplify system design, making it significantly more cost-effective

Building on these core features, our PCIe switch families bring differentiated capabilities tailored for high-speed connectivity addressing diverse application requirements.

Key differentiators that make the Microchip PCI100x family of high-end PCIe switches ideal for data-intensive applications such as data centers, industrial computing and automotive ADAS include:

• Optimization for low-cost embedded system design without compromising on performance
• Up to 16 lane configurations enabling extremely high-bandwidth communication
• Multi-host support through Non-Transparent Bridging (NTB) enables secure domain isolation, allowing independent systems to share PCIe infrastructure without sacrificing performance or reliability
• Embedded processor that enables hardware-based secure boot safeguarding systems against tampering and unauthorized code deployment enforcing data security
• Wide temperature ranges supporting commercial (0°C to +70°C), industrial (−40°C to +85°C) and automotive-grade (−40°C to +105°C) environments with ISO-26262 ASIL-B certification for safety-critical systems
• Data integrity through Automatic Error Reporting (AER) and system functionality to isolate malfunctioning nodes through Downstream Port Containment (DPC), and Completion Timeout Synthesis (CTS) for system reliability

The Microchip PCI11xxx, PCI12xxx families distinguish themselves across diverse applications—including industrial automation, video networking/switching, energy systems, robotics, data center servers and high-performance gaming platforms that demand high integration and versatile connectivity, due to a combination of advanced features:

• Multiple integrated PCIe peripherals including Ethernet (2.5G), USB (10G), programmable General Purpose Input/Output (GPIOs), multiple Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter (UART), Inter-Integrated Circuit (I²C)/Two-wire Interface (TWI) controller and Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) for flexible port architectures
• Precision Time Measurement (PTM) enables coherence across the PCIe fabric and endpoints, critical for time-sensitive applications which is a game changer for robotics, edge AI or synchronized data centers
• Eliminates the need for external USB and Ethernet controllers, thereby reducing BOM cost and freeing up board space, enabling compact designs ideal for space-constrained designs in embedded systems and edge computing
• Extended industrial temperature ranges supporting commercial (0°C to +70°C), industrial (−40°C to +85°C), extended Industrial (−40°C to +105°C)  and automotive-grade (−40°C to +105°C), making them suitable for rugged environments where thermal performance is critical.

Why Choose Microchip PCIe Solutions?

Our PCIe portfolio delivers more than just connectivity—it offers a strategic edge in system design through reliability, innovation and long-term flexibility.

• Proven reliability and performance built for demanding applications, with high-speed switching and robust fault tolerance features
• Broad portfolio and support extensive range of PCIe products backed by detailed documentation and responsive technical assistance
• Seamless system integration with backward compatibility enabling scalable designs and consistent architecture across PCIe generations
• Innovation-driven roadmap featuring continuous enhancements such as PCIe Gen5 support, Precision Time Measurement (PTM), secure boot functionality and on-chip USB/Ethernet integration
• Comprehensive operating system support