As artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC) applications push the limits of data throughput and latency, Microchip Technology Inc (Nasdaq: MCHP) has introduced the Switchtec™ Gen 6 PCIe® Switch family, the industry’s first PCIe Gen 6 switches built on a 3-nanometer process node. These switches are designed to support up to 160 lanes, offering unmatched connectivity density for large-scale AI systems while delivering lower power consumption and enhanced security.
Earlier PCIe generations often led to bandwidth constraints as data moved between CPUs, GPUs, memory, and storage, resulting in inefficient use of compute resources. PCIe 6.0 doubles the bandwidth of PCIe 5.0 to 64 GT/s per lane, eliminating these bottlenecks. Switchtec Gen 6 switches enable high-speed, low-latency interconnectivity between CPUs, GPUs, SoCs, AI accelerators, and storage devices, allowing data center architects to fully unlock the capabilities of next-generation AI and cloud infrastructure.
“Data center designs are evolving rapidly in the AI era, moving toward architectures where compute resources function as shared pools,” said Brian McCarson, Corporate Vice President, Data Center Solutions Business Unit, Microchip. “By advancing our Switchtec product line to PCIe 6.0, we are providing technology that enables direct, efficient communication between key compute elements, delivering the most powerful and energy-efficient switch we have ever developed.”
The new switches act as high-performance interconnects, enabling direct, simplified links between GPUs within server racks—critical for minimizing signal loss and maintaining ultra-low latency in AI fabrics. The PCIe 6.0 standard introduces Flow Control Unit (FLIT) mode, lightweight Forward Error Correction (FEC), and dynamic resource allocation, which together improve data transfer efficiency and reliability, particularly for the small data packets typical in AI workloads. These enhancements increase overall throughput and reduce effective latency across the system.
The Switchtec Gen 6 PCIe switches feature 20 ports and 10 stacks, each with hot- and surprise-plug controllers, and support advanced functions such as Non-Transparent Bridging (NTB) for multi-host isolation and multicast for one-to-many data distribution. The devices are equipped with robust error containment, extensive diagnostics, a broad range of I/O interfaces, and an integrated MIPS processor. Bifurcation options of x8 and x16 are supported, along with multiple reference clocks per stack. Hardware security is strengthened with a hardware root of trust and secure boot, leveraging post-quantum safe cryptography in line with the CNSA 2.0 standard.
The Switchtec Gen 6 family is supported by Microchip’s ChipLink diagnostic software, which provides a full suite of debug, analysis, configuration, and monitoring tools through an intuitive GUI. ChipLink can connect via in-band PCIe or sideband interfaces such as UART, TWI, and EJTAG, enabling flexible troubleshooting during design and deployment. The PM61160-KIT Switchtec Gen 6 PCIe Switch Evaluation Kit further supports system prototyping and testing with multiple interface options. Switchtec Gen 6 PCIe switches are available for sampling to qualified customers. Interested organizations can contact Microchip sales representatives or authorized global distributors for more details.
Microchip Technology Inc is a leading provider of smart, connected, and secure embedded control solutions. Headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, the company’s product portfolio spans industrial, automotive, consumer, aerospace and defense, communications, and computing markets. With a comprehensive suite of development tools and system solutions, Microchip supports customers throughout the design lifecycle—from concept to deployment.
