184 Intel® Xeon® Processor E5-1600/E5-2600/E5-4600 Product Families
Datasheet Volume One
7.9.3 Intel QuickPath Interconnect Signal Quality Specifications
Signal Quality specifications for Differential Intel® QuickPath Interconnect Signals are
included as part of the Intel QuickPath Interconnect signal quality specifications.
Various scenarios have been simulated to generate a set of layout guidelines which are
available in the appropriate Platform Design Guide (PDG).
7.9.4 Input Reference Clock Signal Quality Specifications
Overshoot/Undershoot and Ringback specifications for BCLK{0/1}_D[N/P] are found in
Tabl e 7-24 . Overshoot/Undershoot and Ringback specifications for the DDR3 Reference
Clocks are specified by the DIMM.
7.9.5 Overshoot/Undershoot Tolerance
Overshoot (or undershoot) is the absolute value of the maximum voltage above or
below VSS, see Figure 7-11. The overshoot/undershoot specifications limit transitions
beyond VCCD or VSS due to the fast signal edge rates. The processor can be damaged
by single and/or repeated overshoot or undershoot events on any input, output, or I/O
buffer if the charge is large enough (that is, if the over/undershoot is great enough).
Determining the impact of an overshoot/undershoot condition requires knowledge of
the magnitude, the pulse direction, and the activity factor (AF). Permanent damage to
the processor is the likely result of excessive overshoot/undershoot.
Baseboard designs which meet signal integrity and timing requirements and which do
not exceed the maximum overshoot or undershoot limits listed in Tabl e 7-24 will insure
reliable IO performance for the lifetime of the processor.
Notes:
1. These specifications are measured at the processor pad.
2. Refer to Figure7-11 for description of allowable Overshoot/Undershoot magnitude and duration.
3. TCH is the minimum high pulse width duration.
4. For PWRGOOD DC specifications see Table 7 -22.

7.9.5.1 Overshoot/Undershoot Magnitude

Overshoot/Undershoot magnitude describes the maximum potential difference between
a signal and its voltage reference level. For the processor, both overshoot and
undershoot magnitude are referenced to VSS. It is important to note that the overshoot
and undershoot conditions are separate and their impact must be determined
independently.
The pulse magnitude and duration, and activity factor must be used to determine if the
overshoot/undershoot pulse is within specifications.
Table 7-24. Processor I/O Overshoot/Undershoot Specifications
Signal Group Minimum
Undershoot Maximum
Overshoot Overshoot
Duration Undershoot
Duration Notes
Intel QuickPath Interconnect -0.2 * VTT 1.2 * VTT 39 ps 15 ps 1,2
DDR3 -0.2 * VCCD 1.2 * VCCD 0.25*TCH 0.1*TCH 1,2,3
System Reference Clock (BCLK{0/1}) -0.3V 1.15V N/A N /A 1,2
PWRGOOD Signal -0.420V VTT + 0.28 N/A N/A 4