Expanded I3C ecosystem now includes firmware, software and hardware, accelerating product qualification and adoption for DDR5 solutions
As DDR5 continues to gather momentum in the industry, the I3C interface is gaining acceptance as a high-speed control interface for applications requiring faster communication between host and peripheral or slave devices. I3C’s 12.5 MHz speeds significantly outpace current and legacy solutions, such as the I2C 1 MHz speed and analogue passive quick switches.
For this, Renesas Electronics’ IMX3102 2:1 bus multiplexer, IMX3112 1:2 bus expander, and DDR5 SPD Hub SPD5118 devices provide maximum design flexibility for engineers implementing I3C Basic as a system management bus for control plane designs across a variety of applications, including data centre and server applications, enterprise, factory automation, and communications equipment. The IMX and SPD devices are ideal when there may be multiple masters, a large number of endpoint devices, and long traces – all of which can impact bus complexity and signal integrity.
The expanded I3C portfolio ecosystem enables both software and hardware customers to design in the Renesas IMX and SPD products with confidence.
“Industry transformations such as the migration of control plane designs to the faster and more robust I3C standard require broad ecosystem support at both hardware and software levels to be successful,” said Rami Sethi, Vice President and General Manager of the Data Center Business Division at Renesas.
Recently, AMI, a firmware and software solutions partner, qualified the Renesas I3C bus extension products for its MegaRAC SP-X Remote Management Firmware. Having the I3C devices on AMI’s approved vendor list enables an easy migration path for customers shifting their DDR5 platforms and boards from I2C or other legacy expansion specifications to the new high-speed I3C specification.
“The next-generation I3C interface meets industry needs driven by aggressive data centre growth and increased demand for security infrastructure and more efficient hardware in industrial, automotive, and telecommunications systems. AMI is proud to qualify these latest DDR5 I3C Bus Extension and SPD Hub Devices from Renesas in its MegaRAC SP-X Remote Management Firmware,” said Kelly Bryant, Chief Product Officer at AMI.
Renesas’ I3C devices and evaluation boards are available now.
