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HD3SS3412RUAR: A Special-Purpose Differential Switch

Texas Instruments manufactured HD3SS3412RUAR as

an analog differential switch for special-purpose devices, especially PCIe devices.

In this article, you will learn about this differential switch’s capabilities.

How Does a Differential Switch Work?

A differential switch is also called the differential pressure switch. It works by

noticing the pressure or voltage differences between the two points in a system; in this
case, a circuit board.

Once the pressure or voltage differences are noticed, the switch helps to balance the
differences by switching to the channel that follows the predefined value.

Now, HD3SS3412RUAR works in a similar way, especially with the use of a

high-speed switch capable of switching up to four (4) differential channels. That way,
it can help these multiple channels to establish multi-connections.

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The Analog Switching Capability

HD3SS3412RUAR is an analog switch for special-purposes. What this means is that

it doesn’t always tow the path of conventional (general-purpose analog switches),
which serve all purposes.

Due to the special designation, HD3SS3412RUAR’s analog switch with

special-purpose uses is ideal for routing signals via a dedicated Solid State Device
(SSD). The routing also includes provisions for special features and functionalities
that are hitherto, missing on the general-purpose analog differential switches.

Multiple Switching Capabilities

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HD3SS3412RUAR supports the switching of purposes across multiple paths. For

example, using the high-speed passive switch capable, the switch can support the
following:

 Four (4) differential channels

 Support for two full PCI Express (PCIe) x1 lanes from one source to up to 2
target locations inside a server application or PC.
 It also supports applications that enable connections between multiple source
devices. An example of this types of devices is a shared peripheral between
two platforms.

Multi-Interface Support

Interfaces play a role in the connections established with a differential switch.

HD3SS3412RUAR’s supports multiple interface standards.

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Common Package Footprint

HD3SS3412RUAR is one of the ideal differential switches for circuit boards

and consumer electronics with limited space.

It is because of the common package footprint, optimized into the small 3.5-mm x
9.0-mm, 42-pin WQFN package.

This package is also available in a common footprint, shareable among many vendors.

Excellent Signal Conduction

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Conducting the signals from one channel to the other might not always be simple.
Therefore, using a mechanism to regulate that is very essential. That is the reason for
integrating a Single Control Line (SEL pin) inside HD3SS3412RUAR. This pin aids
the control and conduction of signals from one path or channel to the other. It can also
be used to conduct the signals backwards.

Full Temperature Operation

HD3SS3412RUAR also supports the temperature use from a single supply voltage of
3.3 volts up to a full operating temperature of 85˚C.

Technical Attributes

The table below represents the technical attributes of this differential switch:

Attributes Description
Mounting Style Surface Mount Technology (SMT)
Typical Application PCI Express (PCIe)
Core Feature Bi-Directional
Number of Channels 4
Package/Case 42-WFQFN Exposed Pad
Operating Temperature (minimum to maximum) Between 0˚C and 70˚C
Multiplexer/Demultiplexer Circuit 2:1
-3db Bandwidth 8GHz
On-State Resistance (Maximum) 80hm
Voltage – Supply, Single (V+) Between 3 volts and 3.6 volts
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HD3SS3412RUAR Application Considerations

HD3SS3412RUAR is ideal for the PCI Express (PCIe) Gen III applications; examples
being the following:

 Shared I/O Ports

 Desktops and notebooks PCs
 PCI Express (PCIe) backplanes
 Storage area networks and servers

However, there are more applications or use cases for this differential switch. It can
also be used with other high-speed data protocols, especially if those protocols have
up to <1800 mVpp of differential amplitude and a common-mode voltage of <2.0
volts.
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It also supports the DisplayPort 1.2 and the USB 3.0 applications.

AC Coupling Caps Consideration

Considerations are also to be made for the AC Coupling Caps. HD3SS3412RUAR’s

optimization for this is to offer the 0603 capacitors and the 0402 capacitors.

You must avoid using the C-packs or the 0805 size capacitors, but stick to the above.

With that being said, optimizing the capacitors involves setting and matching the
value of the 0.1 µF capacitor with the ± signal pair.

To ensure a symmetric placement of the AC Coupling Capacitors (Caps), it is better

to do that along the TX pairs. Do that by placing the caps on the top-routed TX pairs
on the system board.

Although the above is one of the best ways to place the capacitors, there are a number
of other options worth exploring. See them below:

1. Coupling the Capacitors on the Both Sides of the Switch

The AC Coupling Capacitors can be placed on both sides of the HD3SS3412RUAR

differential switch.

Doing this is required only when the common-mode voltage on the system board is
above 2 volts.

As a way of balancing the performance, the less than 2-volts biasing voltage is to be
used alongside the common-mode voltage.

2. Capacitors’ Placement between the Switch TX and the Endpoint TX

HD3SS3412RUAR’s AC Coupling Capacitors can also be placed between the switch

and the endpoint TXs.

The placement has to be balanced with the biasing of the switch by either the host
controller or the system.

3. Placement on the Host and Endpoint Transmit Pairs

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This is the third configuration option for HD3SS3412RUAR’s differential switch’s

capacitors. In this case, the AC Coupling Capacitors are placed on both the host
transmit pair and, on the endpoint, transmit pair.

The performance is further balanced with the biasing of the lower switch with the host
controller and that of the upper switch by the endpoint.

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Concluding Thoughts on HD3SS3412RUAR

HD3SS3412RUAR is a high-performance differential switch, capable of switching

the performances and signal transmission across 4 channels. With the bi-directional
(MUX/De-MUX) type of differential switch, it facilitates the routing or transmission
of high-speed signals between two locations on a circuit board.

However, note that the HD3SS3412RUAR is optimized for special-purpose

differential switching applications, most especially the PCI Express Gen III
applications. Also, you can use it to route or switch signals in a couple of selected
high-speed data protocols and applications. Other than that, it is not to be used with
any other (unsupported) application.

Lastly, take note to use the accurate AC Coupling Capacitors’ placement so you don’t
distort the signal routing process.

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