PCI and PCI Express Technologies (DS57-6-0)

SynopsisWith the need to support the latest processor family running at GHz clock speed, and the tremendous increase in bandwidth requirement for data transfer in modern day applications, there is a correspondingly need to improve the I/O interface bandwidth performance of the computer system. As such, the original PCI parallel bus based interface, which was the main standard used for the desktop PC, has now essentially be replaced by the serial point-to-point based PCI Express. However, PCI based interface will continue to be used extensively in non-PC based industrial and embedded applications.

Course Highlight
This course will first provide an overview of the PC system architecture, which is primarily responsible for the wide adaptation of the PCI technologies in today computers and embedded systems. PCI bus operation will be covered in detail with emphasis on its various operations. This sets the basis for understanding the high levels operation of the new PCI technology, the PCI Express (PCIe). Various characteristics and low level operations of the PCIe will then be described. Operation issues like link training, flow control and system configuration will also be covered. This is followed by the discussion on the various new features introduced in the latest PCI Express standard, PCIe 2 and PCIe 3 to bring the audience up to date with this continuously evolving I/O technology.

What previous participants say about this course
Answers to the question 'what did you like most about the course'

• "Application and implementation examples that can be related to sufficiently detailed but not too overloading for the introductory course" - 6 Jun 06
• "The flow of the topic being touch, assuming participant have no prior knowledge. Good explaination" - 23 May 07
• "Course cordination to course material & knowledge of instructor" - 23 May 07
• "Fantastic presentation, clear explanation, most details covered" - 28 Jul 08
• "The lecturer is clear and concise in his teaching + presentation of material. He is knowledgeable + has lots to share ~ hence, why a longer course would be great!" - 28 Jul 08
• "Nice animated slides/charts, help in understanding the underlying concepts" - 19 Dec 08
• "Examples given in the presentations (timing diagrams, block diagrams)" - 2 Oct 09
• "Detailed explanation and step by step way of introducing PCI and PCIe" - 5 Mar 10

What You Will Learn

• Clear understanding of the architecture overview of the PCI and PCI Express interface system for modern computer system
• Detailed operations of the PCI and PCI Express, including the commands, protocols and various software programming aspects required to deploy the PCI and PCI Express in computer and embedded systems

Who Should AttendTechnicians and engineers, who work with computer systems and embedded systems that utilize the PCI and PCI Express, in the role of :

• design and development
• product engineering
• application engineering
• testing and test development
• product marketing
• system architect

PrerequisiteExperience or knowledge in digital system operation and design, network OSI model

Course MethodologyThis course is presented in classroom style, with discussion on the concepts taught.

Course Duration3 days, 9am - 5pm

Course StructureDay 1

Overview of PC System Architecture

Fundamental of PCI Bus

• PCI bus system architecture
• Interface signals
• Bus arbitration and transactions
• PCI bus commands

PCI Signal Lines Electrical Characteristics

• Reflected-wave switching
• Signal interfacing

PCI System Configuration

• Host bridge
• P2P bridge
• Header type 0 and type 1
• PCI BIOS

PCI Power Management

Day 2
PCI Express Architecture

• General overview
• Transaction layer
• Data link layer
• Physical layer

PCI Express Operation Issues

• Link training
• PIPE specification
• Power management

Day 3
PCI Express Operation Issues

• Transaction ordering and flow control
• PCI Express configuration

PCI Express New Development

• PCIe 2 features
• PCIe IO virtualization - introduction
• PCIe 3 features overview