Parade Technologies has a new USB Type-C 10 Gigabits/sec retimer, the PS8818, that supports both USB 3.1 Gen 2 and DisplayPort 1.4a Alternate Mode. The PS8818 is designed to drive the USB Type-C receptacle on a USB host system that supports USB 3.1 up to the Gen 2 data rate (10 Gigabits/sec) and DisplayPort Alt Mode, as a video source, up to HBR3 (8.1 Gigabits/sec link rate).
The PS8818 is specifically configured to support a host device, such as an SoC (System-on-Chip), or combined CPU-GPU, that already includes the port configuration switch to select between USB and DisplayPort Alt Mode lane configuration. The PS8818 serves as a high-speed signal repeater, restoring signal integrity for either the USB or DisplayPort signals, depending on what’s plugged into the USB Type-C receptacle. The PS8818 complements Parade’s existing family of USB Type-C port configuration switches that also include the repeater function.
Host devices today are beginning to integrate the USB / DisplayPort Alt Mode lane switch to decrease device pin count and simplify PCB layout, both of which contribute to smaller device form factors. But at these extreme data rates, PCB traces beyond a few inches still need a repeater to deliver compliant signals from the system’s USB Type-C receptacle. The PS8818 is unique in that it can serve as a repeater for either USB or DisplayPort, or two lanes of each which is often required for driving a docking station, for example.
The PS8818 is available in 4x6mm 40-pin and 3.1×4.4mm 34-pin QFN RoHS compliant, halogen free packages. Samples are shipping now.
