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Domestic Replacement for 89104 PCIe Switch Chip - High-Performance PCIe 5.0 Domestic AI Server Expansion, Supporting Hygon/Loongson/Phytium, etc.

#人工智能

Below is a detailed analysis of the high-performance PCIe 5.0 AI server expansion solution for the domestic replacement of the 89104 PCIe Switch chip:

I. Core Domestic Replacement Chip: TL63104 Controller

  1. ‌Technical Specifications‌

    • Supports full PCIe 5.0 speed (32 GT/s), offering 96+8 Lanes configuration, with an aggregated bidirectional bandwidth of up to 128GB/s (x16 mode)1.
    • Supports multi-mode topologies:
      • ‌Basic Mode‌: Expands PCIe interfaces, supporting multi-level cascading;
      • ‌NT Mode‌: Enables multi-PCIe domain interconnection, supporting NTB and DMA features;
      • ‌P2P Mode‌: Direct transmission between any ports, reducing latency and improving bandwidth utilization19.
    • Integrates SM2/SM3/SM4 national cryptographic algorithm engines, meeting domestic security requirements1.

  2. ‌Interface Expansion Capability‌

    • Upstream Interface: PCIe 5.0 x16 (gold finger);
    • Downstream Interfaces:
      • 1× PCIe 5.0 x16 (10146070-113Z0LF connector);
      • 4× PCIe 5.0 x16 (G97V24332HR cable interface);
      • 2× PCIe 5.0 x4 (G97V21352HR cable interface)1.

II. Application Scenarios and Replacement Advantages

  1. ‌GPU Expansion Solution‌

    • Supports multi-GPU parallel interconnection, enabling high-speed data transfer between GPUs via P2P mode, meeting the high bandwidth demands of AI training29.
    • Compatible with domestic platforms such as Hygon, Loongson, and Phytium, offering customized backplane design capabilities29.

  2. ‌Hot-Swap and High-Availability Storage‌

    • Supports standard/forceful hot-swapping, suitable for dynamic expansion of NVMe storage devices;
    • Enables hot device replacement through reserved PCIe resources (Base Switch mode) or software management (Synthetic Switch mode)9.

  3. ‌Key Advantages over Broadcom 89104‌

    • ‌Cost and Supply‌: Broadcom PEX89104 (SS26 series) prices have surged to $20,000/chip due to shortages, while the domestic solution significantly reduces supply chain risks10;
    • ‌Performance Comparison‌: TL63104 achieves ultra-low latency of 115ns under a non-blocking switch architecture, comparable to Broadcom's PEX89000 series18.

III. Industry Technology Trends and Compatibility

  1. ‌PCIe 5.0 Ecosystem Adaptation‌

    • Perfectly matches PCIe 5.0 SSDs (e.g., NVMe drives with 10,000 MB/s read/write speeds), eliminating storage bottlenecks47.
    • Supports collaborative operation with 400G network cards (CX7 models), optimizing Scale-Out network expansion35.

  2. ‌Technology Route Controversy‌

    • NVIDIA GB200 and AMD MI400 attempt to replace PCIe Switch with NVLink/CXL, but they rely on custom CPUs (such as Grace), whereas domestic platforms still require PCIe Switch for standardized expansion35.

IV. Deployment Recommendations

  • ‌Selection Priority‌: Adopt TL63104 switch boards in domestic AI servers, replacing Broadcom 89104/89144;
  • ‌Topology Design‌:
    • For multi-GPU clusters, P2P direct connection mode is recommended to reduce latency;
    • In high-availability storage scenarios, enable NT mode for cross-domain redundancy19.
  • ‌Supply Chain Assurance‌: Prioritize suppliers like Sienovo that offer fully domestic customized services2.

Note: TL63104 has been validated on mainstream domestic platforms (Hygon/Loongson) and can be seamlessly integrated into existing PCIe 5.0 server architectures without modifying underlying drivers12.

63104 PCIe Switch Chip - Domestic High-Performance Solution Overview The 63104 is a domestic high-performance PCIe 5.0 Switch chip, designed specifically for data center and server applications requiring high speed, high bandwidth, and flexible configuration. As the first domestic Switch chip to support the PCIe 5.0 protocol standard, the 63104 not only fills a gap in the domestic market but also, with its excellent technical characteristics and reliability, has become the sole choice for domestic PCIe Switch chips.

Core Functions and Features High-Speed Transmission Supports various PCIe speeds: from 2.5GT/s to 32GT/s, offering broad compatibility. Lane Configuration: Supports 96+8 Lanes, capable of meeting the demands of different application scenarios. Flexible Working Modes Basic Mode: Used to expand the number of downstream devices, maintaining a single PCIe topology. NT Mode: Achieves multi-domain interconnection via Non-Transparent Bridge (NTB), supporting cross-host data exchange. Powerful Processing Capability Built-in Cortex-R5 processor: Supports ARMv7 and Thumb-2 instruction sets, offering powerful processing capabilities and low power consumption. Rich peripheral interfaces: Including I2C, JTAG, UART, SPI, etc., facilitating system integration and debugging. Security and Reliability Security Certification: Supports SM2, SM3, SM4 encryption algorithms, ensuring the security of data transmission. Temperature Monitoring: Integrates PVT sensors to real-time monitor the chip's internal process, voltage, and temperature conditions. Design and Manufacturing Advanced Packaging Technology: Adopts HFCBGA packaging, featuring compact size and good heat dissipation performance. Complies with International Standards: Adheres to the latest PCI Express specifications and other relevant industry standards. Application Scenarios Basic Mode Suitable for situations requiring an increased number of PCIe ports, such as when PCIe Lanes are insufficient in CPU servers, the 63104 can provide effective expansion.

NT Mode Excels in environments requiring high availability, for example, enabling real-time backup and rapid failover between servers in a data center via NTB, enhancing overall system stability and security.

P2P Transmission Particularly suitable for the GPU server domain, significantly improving data transmission efficiency and reducing latency by directly connecting different GPUs or PCIe SSDs.

Conclusion As the sole domestic PCIe 5.0 Switch chip, the 63104, with its advanced technology and broad application scope, is an ideal choice for building next-generation high-performance computing platforms. It not only signifies a major breakthrough for China in the high-end semiconductor field but also provides customers with more reliable and cost-effective solutions. Choosing 63104 means choosing the future!

This document outlines the main features and technical advantages of the 63104 and emphasizes its unique position in the domestic market. We hope this helps you better understand this innovative product and its potential value.

Sienovo provides complete domestic PCIe switch PCIe 4.0/5.0 solutions.

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