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Unraveling PCIe 6.0 Loopback and Digital Near-End Loopback Feature

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PCIe spec has given a specific LTSSM state named Loopback, which is intended for test and fault isolation use.

Basically, it gives a mechanism that involves looping back the data that was received in the Loopback LTSSM state. The entry and exit behavior are specified, and all other details are implementation-specific. Loopback can operate on either a per-lane or configured Link basis.

PCIe 6.0 specification has improvised terminologies as follows:

  • A Loopback Lead is the component requesting Loopback
  • A Loopback Follower is the component looping back the data

Entry to Loopback LTSSM State

As per PCIe 6.0 spec, the Loopback Follower device enters Loopback whenever two consecutive TS1 Ordered Sets are received with the Loopback bit set.

The loopback bit is encoded as follows based on the encoding:

  • In 8b/10b and 128b/130b encoding, Loopback uses bit 2 (Loopback) in the Training Control Field of TS1 and TS2 Ordered Sets
  • In 1b/1b encoding, Loopback uses an encoding of bits 3:0 in the Training Control field of TS1 and TS2 Ordered Sets

Figure-1: Loopback LTSSM state

Figure-2: Training control Encodings for loopback in TS Ordered Sets for 1b/1b encoding

Introduction of Digital Near-End Loopback (DNELB)

PIPE6.0 defines a new feature called Digital Near-End Loopback (DNELB), which facilitates HVM testing by toggling signals via functional testing in Loopback mode. It introduces paths for looping back data like LB0, LB1, LB2, LB3, LB4, and LB5 for the PIPE interface and LB0, LB3, LB4, and LB5 for the SerDes interface. Based on the path selected by the controller or MAC, the PHY would undergo training in NELB mode.

Figure-3: Loopback Paths for DNELB

Once the LTSSM state is negotiated to enter the Loopback LTSSM state, MAC would write on the PHY NELB control register with the desired position and enable the set. Then, upon receiving the desired acknowledgment, the MAC becomes free to train the NELB.

Figure-4: PHY Near-End Loopback Control Register

Figure-5: Near-End Loopback Status Register

The exit from the NELB is done when the MAC clears the enabled bit from the PHY NELB control register, and once the desired acknowledgment is received, the MAC becomes free to do normal operation.

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