PEX 8648-AA RDK Hardware Reference Manual, Version 1.2
Copyright © 2010 by PLX Technology, Inc. All rights reserved
1
1 General
Information
The PLX PEX 8648 RDK is a Rapid Development Kit based upon PLX Technology’s ExpressLane™ PEX 8648, a
48-Lane, 12-Port, 3-Station PCI Express Gen 2 switch. The PEX 8648 RDK provides a complete hardware and
software development platform to facilitate getting designs up and running quickly, lowering risk and reducing
time-to-market. The PEX 8648 RDK consists of a base board containing three PEX 8648 hardware modules, an
adapter board that plugs into the Host system, four mini-SAS cables and a SATA cable (used to connect the
adapter board to the base board), and a Software Development Kit (SDK). The SDK is downloadable from the
PLX web site, at
www.plxtech.com/products/sdk
.
This manual primarily focuses on the PEX 8648 RDK base board, and its use with other parts provided as part of
the RDK.
Figure 1
provides a component-side view of the PEX 8648 RDK base board.
RefClk
1:12
Fanout
Configuration Module
SATA
37.34 cm (14.7 inches)
U11
P2
Configuration Module
P3
PEX8648
27 x 27
16
31
0
15
32
47
OPE
N
OPE
N
OPE
N
OPE
N
OPE
N
OPEN
OPE
N
OPE
N
Configuration Module
P1
Figure 1. PEX 8648 RDK Base Board Component Layout
Note: In
Figure 1
and other figures in this manual that represent the base board, the Port-related LEDs indicate a
sample Port configuration. The figures do not show which LEDs are turned ON/OFF to match the indicated Port
width and Port Numbers.
