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Gigabit Ethernet Media Access Controller (GEMAC)

 

Status:

Discontinued

Part Number:EF-DI-1GEMAC-SITE

License:

SignOnce

Program:

LogiCORE

The GEMAC core is being replaced with the Xilinx Tri-mode Ethernet MAC. For new designs, please refer to the Tri-mode Ethernet MAC product page.

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Documentation
Device Family Support
  • Virtex-5 FXT
  • Virtex-5 LX
  • Virtex-5 LXT
  • Virtex-5 SXT
  • Virtex-4 FX
  • Virtex-4 LX
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  • Virtex-II Pro
  • Virtex-II
  • Spartan-3A
  • Spartan-3A DSP
  • Spartan-3AN
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Product Discontinuation Notice

This IP Core has been discontinued. Effective Date: 08/31/2009

Xilinx provides a parameterizable LogiCORE™ IP solution for the 1 Gigabit per second (Gbps) Ethernet Media Access Controller function. The GEMAC core is designed to the IEEE 802.3-2005 specification. The GEMAC core supports two PHY side Interface options: a GMII Interface or RGMII Interface. In addition, Xilinx comprehensive 1 Gigabit Ethernet solution includes flavors of Gigabit MAC and PCS/PMA IP Core products. The Xilinx Gigabit Ethernet MAC solution also includes a configuration with a built-in Processor Local Bus (PLB) interface (PLB GEMAC). This configuration is delivered through the Xilinx Embedded Development Kit (EDK). The GEMAC LogiCORE IP seamlessly integrates with the 1000BASE-X PCS/PMA or SGMII core and provides the choice of three options to interface with PHY devices : 1000BASE-X or Ten bit Interface (TBI) or SGMII.

Key Features

  • Single-speed full-duplex 1 Gbps MAC controller
  • Designed to IEEE 802.3-2005 specification
  • Cut-through operation with minimum buffering for maximum flexibility in the client side interface
  • Configured and monitored through an optional independent microprocessor-neutral interface
  • Interfaces directly to the Ethernet Statistics core for powerful statistics gathering
  • Optional flow control through MAC Control pause frames; symmetrically or asymmetrically enabled
  • Optional support of VLAN frames designed to IEEE 802.3-2005 specification
  • Optional support of "jumbo frames" of any length
  • Optional address filter with a selectable number of address table entries
 
Interfaces
  • 8-bit internal data path and back-end interface - 125 MHz operation
  • MDIO interface to manage objects in PHY layer
  • Choice of GMII, or RGMII interface options allows direct interfacing between Xilinx FPGAs and industry standard ASSP PHY devices
    • 125MHz for 1 Gpbs bandwidth - 8-bit wide interface in both Tx and Rx directions, allows direct interfacing between Xilinx FPGAs and industry standard ASSP PHY devices
    • RGMII interface (4-bit wide DDR) running 125 MHz for 1 Gpbs bandwidth

Related Information

 
 
 
              
 1. What are the features of the GEMAC Core?

The core supports full-duplex operation, and is designed to the IEEE 802.3-2002 standard specification. In addition, it provides support for VLAN frames and JUMBO frames of unlimited length. It also provides optional network management features including statistics gathering and flow control. The GEMAC core can be configured and monitored through a processor independent interface, providing users the additional flexibility to pick the ideal processor for their applications.

 2. What interfaces does the GEMAC IP core support?
The new GEMAC core is a parameterized core which may be configured with any one of the following three interfaces:
  • One incorporates an 8-bit Gigabit Media Independent Interface (GMII) running at 125 MHz to provide up to 1 gigabit per second (Gbps) total bandwidth
  • One incorporates an 4-bit Reduced Gigabit Media Independent Interface (RGMII) running at 125 MHz (DDR) to provide up to 1 gigabit per second (Gbps) total bandwidth
  • Together with 1000BASE-X PCS/PMA or SGMII core
    • Another which incorporates an integrated PCS/PMA for 1000BASE-X PHY layer
    • A third interface which incorporates a 1000BASE-X PCS with a Ten Bit Interface (TBI)
    • Supports SGMII
 3. What Xilinx FPGA families and speed grades does the GEMAC core support?
GMII ConfigurationRGMII
Virtex™-5 (-1)
Virtex-4 (-10)
Virtex-II Pro (-5)
Virtex-II (-4)
Spartan™-3 (-4)
Spartan-3E (-4)
Spartan-3A/3AN/3A DSP (-4)
Virtex-5 (-1)
Virtex-4 (-10)
Virtex-II Pro (-5)
Virtex-II (-4)
Spartan-3 (-4)
Spartan-3A / 3AN (-4)
 4. Which Xilinx Software version supports this core?
Please see the data sheet for the latest supported Xilinx Software version.
 5. What are the target applications for this product?
The GEMAC core is ideally suited for the development of Gigabit communications and storage equipment. Applications include switches, routers, servers, and networking interface cards on high-performance desktop computing systems.
 6. What is the availability, cost and licensing terms for the GEMAC core?

The GEMAC core is available now as part of the Gigabit Ethernet MAC solution . It is sold with a site license, which allows you to access the core and any additional updates which may be made available for a period of one year from your date of purchase.

The following is also included with your GEMAC purchase:

 7. Are there any pinout restrictions for the GEMAC core?

The are no pinouts restrictions for the GEMAC core.

 8. Are there any features that can be omitted to reduce the resource utilization of the core?

Yes. The following features may be omitted when customizing the GEMAC core via the CORE Generator:

  • Address Filter with a selectable number of Address Table entries
  • Management interfaces and MDIO
 9. What PHYs is the core compatible with?

Stratos Lightwave RJK-ST11 and R14K-ST11 Optical Transceivers have been tested with the 1000BASE-X PHY configuration of the GEMAC.

The core has been designed to be compatible with industry standard GE PHYs with GMII interfaces and 1000BASE-X compatible optical modules. Please contact your Xilinx FAE for more details on the latest interoperability testing status.

 10. Is RGMII support available?

Yes. RGMII is an option in 1 GEMAC core.

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 11. Has the GEMAC core been verified in hardware?

Yes. Xilinx has successfully completed IEEE hardware conformance testing of the 1000BASE-X PHY configuration of this core at the University of New Hampshire Interoperability Lab (UNH IOL) using the Xilinx ML320 board as the test platform.

Contact your Xilinx FAE to request a copy of the reports.

 12. How can I evaluate the core?

To try out the GEMAC see the IP Release Notes which include information on known issues, new features and patches (with a "Simulation-only Evaluation"), follow the instructions regarding Xilinx ISE software requirements, Service Pack levels and IP Update installation requirements described on  the GEMAC Product page.

 13. Where can I find a list of known issues?

See the IP Release Notes which include information on known issues, new features and patches

 14. What other Ethernet solutions does Xilinx provide?
The GEMAC core is part of the Xilinx Platform FPGA Connectivity solution, which addresses all aspects of system connectivity in high-performance designs. Xilinx provides the most comprehensive gigabit Ethernet MAC offerings in the programmable industry. In addition to the GEMAC core, Xilinx also provides a 10/100 Ethernet MAC core with OPB or PLB interface for embedded MicroBlaze™ and PowerPC® solutions, a standalone Tri-Mode Ethernet MAC core, a standalone XAUI core, and a 10 Gigabit Ethernet MAC core.

View a complete listing of Xilinx Ethernet IP solutions.

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