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Chapter 2

Installing and Licensing the Core

This chapter provides instructions for installing and obtaining a license for the PCI interface core, which you must do before using it in your designs. The PCI core is provided under the terms of the Xilinx LogiCORE Site License Agreement or the Xilinx LogiCORE Project License Agreement, which conform to the terms of the SignOnce IP License/Project standard defined by the Common License Consortium. Purchase of the PCI core entitles you to technical support and access to updates for a period of one year.

Important note: Please visit the PCI/PCI-X lounge frequently to make sure that you are using the latest version of the core. You can always download the most up-to-date version of the core from the product lounge.

System Requirements

Windows

Windows® 2000 Professional (Service Pack 2-4)

Windows XP Home (Service Pack 1); Windows XP Professional (Service Pack 1)

Solaris/Linux

Sun Solaris™ 8/9

Red Hat® Enterprise Linux 3.0 (32-bit and 64-bit)

Software

ISE 7.1i or higher (Service Pack 4)

Note: If necessary, ISE 7.1i Service Packs can be downloaded from

http://www.xilinx.com/xlnx/xil_sw_updates_home.jsp?update=ip&software=7.1i

Installing the Core

You can install the PCI core in three ways:

Using the CORE Generator IP Updates Installer, which displays a list of compatible updates from which you select the desired core or core update

Performing a manual installation of the appropriate ISE CORE Generator IP Update

Directly downloading it from the PCI lounge, a secured area of the PCI product page

Note: The first two methods apply to configurations of the core delivered through the CORE Generator. To access the CORE Generator full product license or to download the core directly from the PCI lounge, you must purchase the core.

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 Installing and Licensing the Core, System Requirements, Installing the Core

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.