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Chapter 1

Getting Started

The PCI interface provides a fully verified, pre-implemented PCI bus interface available in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions with support for operation at 33 MHz and 66 MHz. This guide defines the supported design flows for both the 32-bit and 64-bit interfaces targeting devices based on the Virtex and Spartan architectures. In addition, an example design is provided in both Verilog-HDL and VHDL that lets you simulate, synthesize, and implement the interface to understand the PCI design flow.

About the Example Design

The example design is a simple user application provided as a training tool and design flow test. The example design consists of the user application Ping, and supporting files for simulation and implementation. The PCI32 interface ships with the ping32 design, and the PCI64 interface ships with the ping64 design. The examples in this document reference ping64. If you are using the 32-bit core, substitute ping32 for ping64.

The Ping design includes a testbench capable of generating simple read and write transactions. This stimulation generation capability is used to set up the configuration space of the design, and then perform some simple transactions. In addition, a special configuration file is provided, and the testbench makes assumptions about the size and number of base address registers used.

Users may change the core options related to implementation, that is, the options that relate to the selected FPGA architecture. However, users must not change core options that alter the functional behavior of the PCI core; such changes cause unpredictable results in the simulation of the example design. For custom designs, users have the flexibility to change the PCI core configuration as described in the PCI v3.0 User Guide.

Step-by-step instructions using supported design tools are provided to simulate, synthesize, and implement the Ping example design.

Additional Documentation

For more information about the PCI interface core, see the following documents, located on the PCI product page:

•PCI Release Notes

•PCI User Guide

Further information is available in the Mindshare PCI System Architecture text, and the PCI Local Bus Specification, available from the PCI Special Interest Group site.

PCI v3.0.151 Getting Started Guide

www.xilinx.com

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UG157 August 31, 2005

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Xilinx PCI v3.0 manual Getting Started, About the Example Design, Additional Documentation
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PCI v3.0 specifications

Xilinx PCI Express (PCIe) v3.0 technology represents a significant leap in performance and efficiency for high-speed data transfer applications. As a critical interface standard for connecting peripheral devices to a host system, PCIe v3.0 introduces numerous enhancements that ensure faster data rates, increased bandwidth, and lower latency, meeting the rigorous demands of modern computing environments.

One of the standout features of PCIe v3.0 is its increased data transfer rate, which doubles the bandwidth compared to its predecessor, PCIe v2.0. This version supports a maximum theoretical bandwidth of 8 GT/s (gigatransfers per second) per lane, leading to an aggregate bandwidth of up to 32 GB/s with four lanes operating simultaneously, which is crucial for applications in data-intensive fields such as telecommunications, data centers, and high-performance computing.

Xilinx’s PCIe v3.0 solutions incorporate advanced error-handling mechanisms and improved power management. The technology employs a robust 128/130b encoding scheme that minimizes overhead while ensuring data integrity. Additionally, PCIe v3.0 supports native high-speed signaling, which not only reduces power consumption but also enhances signal quality, leading to greater reliability in data transmission.

The flexibility of Xilinx’s PCIe v3.0 implementation makes it ideal for various applications, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, and video processing, where rapid data throughput is paramount. Moreover, Xilinx provides extensive support through its Vivado Design Suite, enabling developers to easily integrate PCIe functionality into their designs while optimizing performance for specific applications through customizable settings.

Another key characteristic is the backward compatibility with earlier PCIe versions. This ensures that existing hardware can leverage new capabilities without necessitating a complete overhaul of the infrastructure, enhancing investment protection for users. The inclusion of additional features such as enhanced message signaling and the ability to support up to 64 thousand in-flight transactions further boosts the efficiency of data handling in a multi-threaded environment.

In summary, Xilinx PCI Express v3.0 technology is a powerful solution that combines high bandwidth, reduced latency, and enhanced reliability, making it an essential component for advanced computing architectures. Its robust features, coupled with Xilinx’s design tools and support, provide developers with the resources needed to push the boundaries of data transfer capabilities in a growing range of applications.
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