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Chapter 4

Designing with the Core

This chapter contains general design guidelines, detailed descriptions about the behavior of each interface, example waveforms, and implementation considerations. To design an application using the SPI-4.2 Lite core, follow the guidelines provided in this chapter.

General Design Guidelines

This section describes the steps required to implement each feature of the SPI-4.2 Lite core into a fully-functioning design integrated with user application logic. Remember that not all designs will require all steps listed in this chapter.

We recommend you to follow the guidelines below for optimum results.

Know the Degree of Difficulty

A fully compliant SPI-4.2 Lite core is challenging to implement in any technology.

The degree of difficulty is significantly influenced by the following:

•Maximum system clock frequency

•Targeted device architecture

•Specific user application

All implementations require careful attention to system performance requirements. Pipelining, placement constraints, and logic duplication are all methods you can use to improve system performance.

Understand Signal Pipelining

Due to the nature of packet protocols, it is important to understand that the SPI-4.2 Lite Sink and Source cores have been pipelined to maximize performance. The 32- or 64-bit data written into the Source core user interface takes several clock cycles before appearing on the SPI-4.2 interface. This is due to the pipelining required to format the packet, create control words, calculate DIP4, etc.

Similarly, SPI-4.2 packets that are received by the Sink core take several clock cycles before appearing on the user interface. This is due to the pipelining required to convert the streaming input bus to an aligned output with packet information, error signals, and so on. The exact latency of the Sink and Source cores will vary based upon core configuration, and is best determined through simulation.

SPI-4.2 Lite v4.3 User Guide

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UG181 June 27, 2008

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Xilinx UG181 manual Designing with the Core, General Design Guidelines, Know the Degree of Difficulty
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UG181 specifications

Xilinx UG181 refers to the User Guide for the Xilinx 7 Series FPGAs, which offers a comprehensive overview of the architecture, capabilities, and features of these powerful field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). Designed to cater to a wide range of applications, Xilinx 7 Series FPGAs are widely adopted in industries such as telecommunications, automotive, aerospace, and consumer electronics.

One of the main features of the Xilinx 7 Series FPGAs is their use of advanced 28nm technology, which enables them to achieve high performance while maintaining low power consumption. This fine process technology not only ensures better power efficiency but also allows for increased logic density. The 7 Series includes several families, such as Artix-7, Kintex-7, and Virtex-7, each tailored for specific application demands ranging from cost-sensitive solutions to high-performance data processing.

Xilinx 7 Series FPGAs also incorporate a rich set of programmable logic resources. This includes Look-Up Tables (LUTs), Flip-Flops, and Digital Signal Processing (DSP) slices that have been optimized for various arithmetic functions. With several thousands of logic cells available, designers can implement complex algorithms and systems directly in hardware for improved performance over traditional software solutions.

In addition to their logic capabilities, Xilinx 7 Series FPGAs feature an array of high-speed serial communication interfaces. These include support for technologies like PCI Express, Gigabit Ethernet, and Serial RapidIO, which facilitate efficient data transfer and integration into enterprise-level systems. The presence of high-speed transceivers also makes them ideal for applications that require fast data handling like video processing or high-frequency trading.

Furthermore, these FPGAs offer extensive memory options, including support for a wide range of external memory interfaces. This versatility allows for the integration of high-bandwidth memory solutions, which is essential for performance-intensive applications. With the introduction of the Memory Controller IP, users can easily connect various memory types, ensuring flexibility in system design.

Finally, Xilinx has made significant strides in development tools for 7 Series FPGAs, providing a robust ecosystem for design engineers. With design suites such as Vivado and SDK, users benefit from a comprehensive platform for deciding, simulating, and implementing designs efficiently. The combination of advanced hardware capabilities and powerful software tools solidifies the position of Xilinx 7 Series FPGAs as a preferred choice for custom digital hardware design across various industries.
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