Abstract

PCIe linear redrivers are designed to compensate for signal distortion caused by insertion loss from traces and other elements in the path of a PCIe signal. This is done through special CTLE amplifiers that boost the high-frequency content of incoming signals. This process of equalization, or EQ, is one of the fundamental tools of PCIe signal conditioning across different product categories. While simpler at a theoretical level than the additional digital processing capabilities offered by PCIe retimer, the analog properties of equalization already have complexities that can be confusing to engineers who are new to the field of signal integrity. This application note can explain the background and operation of PCIe redriver equalization in an intuitive and detailed way to assist engineers in planning and using TI PCIe redrivers in designs.