Master 10 Gig Ethernet with Intel FPGA Phi-IP Cores

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction to the 10 Gig Ethernet Phi-IP Course
2. Overview of Intel FPGA Transceivers and VIP Cores
3. What is a Transceiver?
4. Roles of Ethernet Protocol Layers
5. Zowie Core: 10G Base-R Fi IP Core
6. 10G Base-R Fi IP Core
7. One Gig/10 Gig Ethernet Phi-P Core
8. 10G Base-KR5 IP Core
9. Multi-Rate Phi IP Core
10. Conclusion

🚀 Introduction to the 10 Gig Ethernet Phi-IP Course

Welcome to the online training on the 10 Gig Ethernet Phi-IP course. In this course, we will cover the features and functionality of the transceiver Phi-IP cores used to implement the PCS and PMA layers of the 10 Gig Ethernet protocol. By the end of this training, you will be able to describe the various Phi-IP cores and understand how they can be configured for different 10 Gigabit Ethernet designs.

🎯 Overview of Intel FPGA Transceivers and VIP Cores

What is a Transceiver?

A transceiver is a combination of a transmitter and receiver used to provide high-speed communication in various applications. It allows communication to use different physical mediums depending on the application, such as across a board, backplane, or optical fiber. In the context of the Phi layer, transceivers serve as the interface between the digital realm and the analog transmission domain. Intel FPGA offers a broad portfolio of devices with embedded transceivers that can support 10 Gig Ethernet operation.

Roles of Ethernet Protocol Layers

Before diving into the details of the Phi-IP cores, it's important to understand the roles of the Ethernet protocol layers. The PCS (Physical Coding Sublayer) is responsible for preparing Parallel data for transmission across the physical medium, while the PMA (Physical Medium Attachment) converts the digital signal into an analog stream or vice versa. These layers play a crucial role in ensuring reliable communication at high speeds.

1️⃣ Zowie Core: 10G Base-R Fi IP Core

The Zowie core is used to extend XGMII per the IEEE 802.3 specification. It utilizes four serial channels, each running at a speed of 3.125 gigabits per Second. The core also supports DDR Zowie, which offers double the bandwidth at 6.25 gigabits per second. It can be implemented in various Intel FPGA devices, including Cyclone 4 GX, Arria 2, and Stratix 4 FPGAs.

Features of the Zowie Core

• Full duplex operation
• Hardware-tested and fully compliant with IEEE 802.3 specification
• Built-in features such as lane deskew and alignment, clock compensation, fault detection and reporting, serial loopback, serialization, and deserialization
• Single interface for accessing control and status registers

2️⃣ 10G Base-R Fi IP Core

The 10G Base-R IP core implements a 10.3125 gigabits per second serial stream to an external PMD (Physical Medium Dependent) device, such as an optical module. It utilizes embedded transceivers for the PCS and PMA implementation. This core is fully compliant with the 802.3 standard and supports 64b/66b encoding and forward error correction. It has built-in features like scrambling, descrambling, clock compensation, fault detection, serialization, and deserialization. Access to internal control and status registers is provided through an interface.

Supported Devices and Features

• Supported in Stratix 4 GT and newer devices
• Option to implement PCS in FPGA logic for Stratix 4 GX or GT devices
• DDR Zowie support for configuration versatility
• Advanced features like clock alignment, deskew, and fault detection

3️⃣ One Gig/10 Gig Ethernet Phi-P Core

The One Gig/10 Gig Ethernet Phi-P core targets one gig and 10 gig line-side network applications. It implements an integrated 1000 Base-X and 10G Base-R Ethernet PCS, allowing interface to modules like dual-mode SFP+ or one gig/10 gig copper external PHY. It also provides chip-to-chip interface capabilities. The core features auto-speed detection and manual switching between one gig and 10 gigabit Ethernet. It supports auto-negotiation between different data rates and has optional features like IEEE 1588v2 and synchronous Ethernet (SyncE) support.

Key Features

• Auto-speed detection and manual switching between 1 gig and 10 gig Ethernet
• Auto-negotiation between 10/100/1000 megabit data rates
• Optional support for IEEE 1588v2 and SyncE
• Interface options for different PHY types like SFP+ or copper
• Flexible configuration for various network applications

4️⃣ 10G Base-KR5 IP Core

The 10G Base-KR5 IP core enables the transceiver logic to drive a single 10 gig serial Channel across backplanes. It targets one gig and 10 gig backplane applications, utilizing an integrated 1000 Base-KX and 10G Base-KR Ethernet PCS. This IP core supports auto-negotiation between 1 gig and 10 gig operation and uses link training to configure the transmitter of the link partner for a lower bit error rate. It also incorporates forward error correction to ensure optimal performance across lossy backplane channels, reducing the need for re-transmission.

Key Features

• Designed for one gig and 10 gig backplane applications
• Auto-negotiation between 1 gig and 10 gig operation
• Link training for optimal performance and bit error rate reduction
• Forward error correction for improved reliability
• Support for Intel Stratix 10 FPGAs

5️⃣ Multi-Rate Phi IP Core

The Multi-Rate Phi IP core implements the Ethernet protocol defined in the IEEE 802.3 2005 standard. It supports dynamic reconfiguration between multiple data rates without the need for design regeneration or device reconfiguration. The core can dynamically switch between 10 meg, 100 meg, 1 gig, 2.5 gig, 5 gig, and 10 gig data rates. It utilizes different interfaces depending on the selected data rate, including GMII, USX-GMII, and XGMII. The core also provides access to internal control and status registers for configuration and monitoring purposes.

Key Features

• Dynamic reconfiguration between multiple data rates
• Support for 10 meg, 100 meg, 1 gig, 2.5 gig, 5 gig, and 10 gig data rates
• Flexible interface options depending on the data rate
• Access to control and status registers for configuration and monitoring

✅ Conclusion

In this training, we have explored the features and functionality of the Zowie Core, 10G Base-R FI IP Core, One Gig/10 Gig Ethernet Phi-P Core, 10G Base-KR5 IP Core, and Multi-Rate Phi IP Core. These Phi-IP cores provide various options for implementing the PCS and PMA layers of the 10 Gig Ethernet protocol using Intel FPGA devices. With this knowledge, you can now design high-speed Ethernet systems with ease and versatility. Keep exploring the extensive resources provided by Intel FPGA for further guidance and support.

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🔧 Resources:

• Intel FPGA Website: www.intel.com/fpga
• Intel Quartus Prime Assignments: [Link to be provided]
• Avalon Interface Specification: [Link to be provided]
• Intel FPGA Community Forum: [Link to be provided]

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

Q: What is the difference between the Zowie Core and the 10G Base-R Fi IP Core? The Zowie Core and the 10G Base-R Fi IP Core serve similar purposes but have slight differences in their implementation. The Zowie Core extends XGMII using four serial channels, while the 10G Base-R Fi IP Core implements a 10.3125 gigabits per second serial stream for external PMD connections. The choice between the two cores depends on the specific requirements of your design.

Q: Can the Multi-Rate Phi IP Core support all data rates simultaneously? No, the Multi-Rate Phi IP Core supports dynamic reconfiguration between multiple data rates but not all data rates simultaneously. It can switch between different data rates such as 10 meg, 100 meg, 1 gig, 2.5 gig, 5 gig, and 10 gig depending on the configuration. However, only one data rate can be active at a given time.

Q: How can I access the control and status registers of the Phi-IP cores? You can access the control and status registers of the Phi-IP cores through the available interfaces, such as the Avalon Memory Map and Five Management interfaces. These interfaces provide a standard method for reading and writing to the registers, allowing you to configure and monitor the Phi-IP cores during operation.

Q: Can I implement the Phi cores in Intel Stratix 10 FPGAs? Yes, some Phi cores, such as the 10G Base-R Fi IP Core and the Multi-Rate Phi IP Core, are supported in Intel Stratix 10 FPGAs. These FPGAs provide a high-performance platform for implementing advanced Ethernet protocols, offering enhanced features and capabilities compared to previous generations.

Q: What are the advantages of using Intel FPGA's embedded transceivers in Ethernet designs? Intel FPGA's embedded transceivers offer several advantages for implementing Ethernet designs. They provide high-speed communication capabilities, support various physical mediums, and offer configuration flexibility. These transceivers can be integrated into the FPGA fabric, reducing the need for external components and simplifying the design process. Additionally, Intel FPGA provides comprehensive resources and support for utilizing and configuring these transceivers effectively.