Xilinx delivers PCIe Gen3 hard block and 1866 Mb/s DDR3 solution

Clive Maxfield

June 27, 2012

Clive Maxfield

The folks at Xilinx have just announced their solution for designs using the Virtex-7 field programmable gate array (FPGA) integrated block for PCI Express x8 Gen3 with DDR3 external memory, providing developers with all the building blocks needed to get started on PCI Express Gen3-based designs immediately.

The Xilinx integrated blocks for the PCI Express Gen3 standard along with support for 1866 Mb/s high speed memory interfaces in mid-speed grade devices allow users to design systems that meet high system bandwidth requirements needed in communications, storage, server applications, and more.

With a 40 percent performance advantage versus competing memory solutions, Xilinx allows users to accelerate productivity by offering maximum memory data rates in its mid-speed grade devices as well as built-in capabilities in its Virtex-7 XT devices for single-root I/O virtualization and multi-function end points to address the emerging needs in Data Center and cloud computing.

"Customers have the components they need to implement high-performance PCI Express x8 Gen3-based designs at the lowest BOM cost by using a mid-speed grade device," said Ketan Mehta, Xilinx PCI Express Product Manager. "In addition, Xilinx enables the highest productivity levels with industry-leading transceiver technology that provides automated tuning capabilities to quickly bring up a functioning link, including auto-adaptive Decision Feedback Equalization (DFE). This dramatically accelerates development time by simplifying the set up and use of the high-speed serial transceivers that support the PCI Express Gen3 standard."  


Virtex-7 XT and HT FPGAs are the first generation of Xilinx All Programmable devices that integrate hard IP cores for the PCI Express Gen3 standard. Both Kintex™-7 and Virtex-7 FPGAs feature1866 Mb/s DDR3 external memory interfaces to further bolster the PCI Express system throughput. Xilinx's PCI Express Gen3 video demonstrates the integrated block operating on a Virtex-7 X690T FPGA with an off-the-shelf PCI Express Gen3 system.

The following video shows a demonstration of Xilinx's 1866 Mb/s DDR3 external memory interface using a mid-speed grade device on a Kintex-7 325T FPGA board:


For designs that do not use an integrated block for the PCI Express Gen3 standard, soft IP core support is available through Xilinx Alliance Program members, including Northwest Logic and PLDA.

Availability
All the elements needed for PCI Express x8 Gen3-based designs are now available, including the Virtex-7 X690T FPGA with an integrated PCI express block, ISE Design Suite 14.1 software tool support, a DMA engine provided by third-party Xilinx Alliance Program members, and a 1866 Mb/s DDR3 external memory interface.

Watch the demonstration video of the Virtex-7 X690T FPGA with the integrated block for the PCI Express Gen3 standard. Visit the PCI Express standard page on Xilinx.com or contact your local sales representative for more information.

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