PCI-SIG Reveals PCIe 7.0 Specifications, Launch Expected By 2025

The next-generation PCIe (Express) 7.0 specifications have been revealed by PCI-SIG, the organization responsible for PCIe standards, ushering in a new era in the industry.

Introducing PCIe 7.0: The Next Generation of High-Speed and Energy-Efficient Connectivity from PCI-SIG

[Press Release]: The development of the PCI Express (PCIe) 7.0 specification, which was first announced at US DevCon in June 2022, is making steady progress. We are proud to share that version 0.5 is now ready for member review, thanks to the dedicated efforts of our technical work groups. This version serves as the official initial draft of the specification, taking into account all the valuable feedback from our members following the release of Version 0.3 in June 2023.

The PCIe 7.0 specification, set to be fully released in 2025, remains on schedule with this update. The following feature goals are incorporated in the PCIe 7.0 specification:

Delivering 128 GT/s raw bit rate and up to 512 GB/s bidirectionally via x16 configuration
Utilizing PAM4 (Pulse Amplitude Modulation with 4 levels) signaling
Focusing on the channel parameters and reach
Continuing to deliver low-latency and high-reliability targets
Improving power efficiency
Maintaining backward compatibility with all previous generations of PCIe technology

The objective of PCIe 7.0 technology is to provide a flexible interconnect solution for data-heavy industries such as 800G Ethernet, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Hyperscale Data Centers, HPC, Quantum Computing, and the Cloud. As the demands for high bandwidth in these areas continue to increase, the PCIe technology will progress by prioritizing channel parameters and reach, as well as enhancing power efficiency.