PCI Express is the third-generation Peripheral Component Inter-connect technology for a wide range of systems and peripheral devices. Incorporating recent advances in high-speed, point-to-point interconnects, PCI Express provides significantly higher performance, reliability, and enhanced capabilities—at a lower cost—than the previous PCI and PCI-X standards. Therefore, anyone working on next-generation PC systems, BIOS and device driver development, and peripheral device design will need to have a thorough understanding of PCI Express.

PCI Express System Architecture provides an in-depth description and comprehensive reference to the PCI Express standard. The book contains information needed for design, verification, and test, as well as background information essential for writing low-level BIOS and device drivers. In addition, it offers valuable insight into the technology's evolution and cutting-edge features.

Following an overview of the PCI Express architecture, the book moves on to cover transaction protocols, the physical/electrical layer, power management, configuration, and more. Specific topics covered include:

* Split transaction protocol
* Packet format and definition, including use of each field
* ACK/NAK protocol
* Traffic Class and Virtual Channel applications and use
* Flow control initialization and operation
* Error checking mechanisms and reporting options
* Switch design issues
* Advanced Power Management mechanisms and use
* Active State Link power management
* Hot Plug design and operation
* Message transactions
* Physical layer functions
* Electrical signaling characteristics and issues
* PCI Express enumeration procedures
* Configuration register definitions

Thoughtfully organized, featuring a plethora of illustrations, and comprehensive in scope, PCI Express System Architecture is an essential resource for anyone working with this important technology.

MindShare's PC System Architecture Series is a crisply written and comprehensive set of guides to the most important PC hardware standards. Books in the series are intended for use by hardware and software designers, programmers, and support personnel.