GN2406-INE3

Overview

The GN2406-INE3 is a quad repeater and re-timer device designed to enhance the reach and robustness of high-speed serial links by compensating for transmission losses and resetting crosstalk and jitter budgets. It features Gennum’s reference-free Clock and Data Recovery (CDR) architecture, eliminating the need for an external reference clock. Each channel supports independent locking to data rates from 9.95 Gbps to 11.3 Gbps, with backward compatibility for half-rate (5 Gbps) and quarter-rate (2.5 Gbps) modes via automatic rate detection. The device integrates high-sensitivity limiting amplifiers at the input, making it suitable for optical modules where standalone amplifiers are typically required.

Feature Summary

• Reference-free CDR architecture with automatic locking from 9.95 Gbps to 11.3 Gbps
• Integrated limiting amplifiers with adjustable loss of signal threshold
• Programmable output de-emphasis to compensate for up to 28 dB of loss
• I2C control interface with automatic configuration loading from E2PROM

Applications

• Optical modules for Infiniband SDR/DDR/QDR
• Active copper cable assemblies for 40Gb/s and 100Gb/s Ethernet
• Re-timers on line cards for QSFP, parallel optical, and SFP+ modules
• 10 Gbps serial backplane re-timers

Procurement Notes

Verify that the specific ordering suffix matches the required package and temperature grade. Confirm pinout compatibility if substituting with related models like the GN2405, as they share physical dimensions but differ in internal circuit topology. Ensure system design accounts for the single 3.3V supply requirement and I2C communication protocols.

Selection Notes

Select the GN2406 when the application requires integrated limiting amplifiers for receive paths in optical modules or active cables. Choose this over the GN2405 if the design does not require input equalization for trace compensation but needs high-sensitivity reception. Verify that the target data rates fall within the 9.95 Gbps to 11.3 Gbps range or utilize the bypass feature for other speeds.

Part Context

The GN2406 is part of the Gennum ClearEdge family of high-speed serial link conditioners. It is fully pin-compatible with the GN2405, which features an input equalizer instead of limiting amplifiers. This compatibility allows designers to swap between transmit (GN2405) and receive (GN2406) functions using the same footprint while optimizing for specific signal integrity challenges such as trace loss versus receiver sensitivity.

Replacement Considerations

The GN2405 is a direct pin-compatible alternative. Use the GN2405 if the application requires input equalization for transmit paths rather than the integrated limiting amplifiers found in the GN2406.