Microchip Technology and Micron are demonstrating a PCIe 6.0-based storage system at FMS 2026, the annual memory and storage industry conference being held in Santa Clara, California, from Aug. 4 to Aug. 6.

The demonstration combines Microchip's Switchtec PCIe 6.0 switch with Micron's 9650 NVMe solid-state drive (SSD).

PCIe switches distribute PCIe connectivity from a central processing unit (CPU) to multiple devices, including SSDs and graphics processing units (GPUs), enabling high-bandwidth communication across data center systems.

According to Microchip, the demonstration connects the entire data path—from the host processor to the SSD—using PCIe 6.0 technology to illustrate the real-world performance benefits of the new standard.

PCIe 6.0 supports transfer rates of 64 gigatransfers per second (GT/s) per lane, doubling the bandwidth available under PCIe 5.0.

Microchip's sixth-generation Switchtec PCIe switch is manufactured using a 3-nanometer process technology.

The device includes multicast functionality, allowing data to be distributed simultaneously to multiple endpoints, as well as secure boot capabilities based on post-quantum cryptography.

The switch also supports disaggregated infrastructure architectures, enabling storage resources to be pooled and dynamically allocated across servers as needed.

"Improving data center performance cannot be achieved through any single component alone," said Brian McCarson, Vice President of the Data Center Solutions Business Unit at Microchip.

"By combining the strengths of switching and storage technologies, we aim to demonstrate a scalable architecture for next-generation AI platforms," he added.

The PCIe 6.0 ecosystem is beginning to move into commercial deployment following AMD's recent launch of Venice, the first server CPU to support the new interface standard.

At FMS 2026, several companies are showcasing PCIe 6.0 products, including Samsung Electronics and Kioxia with PCIe 6.0 SSDs, as well as South Korean fabless semiconductor company FADU, which is presenting a PCIe 6.0 SSD controller.

Dutch semiconductor company NXP Semiconductors will supply ultra-wideband (UWB) chips to BMW for use in next-generation vehicle access and occupant detection systems.

NXP announced on Aug. 4 that its Trimension NCJ29D6 automotive UWB chipset will be integrated into selected 2026 BMW Group vehicle models.

BMW plans to use the technology to support its Digital Key Plus feature, which allows drivers to use smartphones and smartwatches as vehicle keys. The system will also enable occupant detection functions capable of identifying people or pets left inside a vehicle.

UWB is a wireless communication technology that can measure distances between devices with accuracy down to a few centimeters. In the automotive sector, it has primarily been used for digital keys and secure vehicle access control.

NXP said the NCJ29D6 is the first automotive UWB chip to integrate radar functionality.

By transmitting radio signals inside the vehicle and analyzing reflected waves, the chip can detect subtle movements such as human breathing, allowing the system to determine whether occupants remain inside the cabin.

According to NXP, the integrated architecture enables automakers to add multiple UWB-based features using the same hardware platform.

"Automakers can add UWB-based functions such as kick-motion recognition, intrusion detection and automated charging on the same hardware platform," said Markus Staeblein, Senior Vice President of Secure Car Access at NXP.