As technology advances rapidly, PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) standards continue to evolve, pushing the limits of data transfer speeds. While PCIe 5.0 devices are still being adopted widely, Synopsys recently announced the world’s first PCIe 7.0 IP solution. The latest PCIe 7.0 standard boasts a dramatic increase in data rate, doubling it to 128 GT/s compared to PCIe 6.0’s 64 GT/s, enabling speeds that reach 16 GB/s per lane. This significant leap holds transformative potential for industries that rely on high-speed data transfer, especially in fields like artificial intelligence, data centers, and high-performance computing.

Synopsys’ new PCIe 7.0 IP solution includes controllers, IDE security modules, PHYs, and verification IP, with verification IP already available and other elements slated for full market release in early 2025. This upgrade represents a substantial enhancement in data handling capabilities and efficiency. Compared to PCIe 6.0, the PCIe 7.0 IP can increase interconnect power efficiency by up to 50%, while also doubling interconnect bandwidth without increasing chip size. Additionally, the new PCIe 7.0 PHY IP provides outstanding signal integrity, with each channel capable of supporting speeds of up to 128 Gb/s, ideal for the demands of today’s high-performance computing environments.

A critical component that enables the successful adoption of PCIe 7.0 is the card edge connector, which ensures stable and reliable connections between PCIe 7.0 devices and motherboards. Card edge connectors are pivotal in this high-speed environment, designed to maintain robust electrical connections without signal interference. Their design evolution will be essential as PCIe standards continue to advance, making these connectors increasingly vital for handling growing speeds and maintaining signal quality.

The development of Synopsys’ PCIe 7.0 IP has received strong support from leading tech companies, including Intel, Astera Labs, Enfabrica, Kandou, Rivos, and Microchip. With PCIe 7.0, a single four-lane SSD will have an impressive 64 GB/s throughput, effectively removing the NAND transfer rate bottleneck. However, as the current maximum of 3600 MT/s NAND speed is insufficient to fully support PCIe 7.0, new NAND solutions reaching 4800 MT/s or even 5600 MT/s will likely emerge to accommodate the demand.

While PCIe 7.0 offers enormous potential, it also presents technical challenges, especially in the realm of electrical signal transmission. As data rates increase, parasitic resistance, capacitance, and inductance on the PCB can distort the signal, leading to high error rates. To combat this, PCI-SIG transitioned from NRZ (Non-Return to Zero) modulation to PAM4 (Pulse Amplitude Modulation) with PCIe 6.0, a change carried forward in PCIe 7.0 to better manage higher data rates.

The release of PCIe 7.0 marks a significant milestone in the high-performance computing landscape, promising faster data speeds, enhanced efficiency, and compatibility with a wide range of hardware. As the demand for high-quality card edge connectors grows, businesses should stay updated on these advancements to ensure they are equipped for the arrival of PCIe 7.0 and its next-generation data handling capabilities.