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Aurora 64B/66B

 

AXI Interface Support:

  • AXI4-Stream

Bundled With:

Both ISE and Vivado

License:

Xilinx End User License

Program:

LogiCORE

Design Tools Support:

  • Vivado Design Suite
  • ISE Design Suite

Product Details
Documentation
Device Family Support
  • Zynq-7000
  • Kintex-7 -2L
  • Kintex-7
  • Virtex-7
  • Virtex-7 -2L
  • Virtex-7 XT
  • Virtex-6 -1L
  • Virtex-6 HXT
  • Virtex-6 LXT
  • Virtex-6 SXT
  • Virtex-5 FXT
  • Virtex-5 TXT

Free LogiCORE™ IP design enabling the use of multi-gigabit transceivers for Xilinx FPGA

Aurora is a LogiCORE™ IP designed to enable easy implementation of Xilinx transceivers while providing a light-weight user interface on top of which designers can build a serial link.  Aurora 64B/66B is a scalable, lightweight, link-layer protocol for high-speed serial communication.  The protocol specification is open and available upon request. The IP is free of charge from CORE Generator™ tool and is licensed for use in Xilinx silicon devices.

Aurora is typically used in applications requiring low-cost, high data-rate, scalable and flexible means to build a serial data channel.  Its simple framing structure can easily be used to encapsulate data from existing protocols, and its electrical requirements are compatible with commodity equipment. Aurora can be used to provide increased performance without high FPGA resource costs, software redevelopment, or exotic physical infrastructure.

Key Features

  • Low resource costs with very low transmission overhead (3%)
  • Scalable throughput from 750 Mbps to over 200 Gbps
  • Support for GTX and GTH transceivers
  • Bonds maximum 16 transceivers running at any supported line rate
  • Full-duplex and simplex channels
  • Automatically initializes and maintains channel
  • Flexible framing interface with unlimited frame sizes
  • Data streaming using infinitely long frames and simplified interface
  • Aurora 64B/66B protocol specification v1.2 compliant (64B/66B encoding)
  • Optional built-in flow control
  • Delivered as both Verilog or VHDL source code
  • Error detection using Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC-32)
  • Hot-Plug detection support for 7 series
 

Applications
Aurora 64B/66B can be used in any application that requires serial point-to-point connectivity. Example applications include:

  • Chip-to-chip links. Significantly reduce the trace count on PCBs with minimal FPGA resource costs. Examples: Line cards, multi-device partitioning, high-speed ASIC-FPGA connections
  • Board-to-board and backplane links. Increase system throughput using existing cables, connectors, and backplanes. Examples: Short-reach optics, ATCA Backplanes.
  • Streaming data applications. Infinite frames with arbitrary Idle insertion make it easy to stream data through Aurora channels. Examples: Data cell transfer with low overhead, Video streams.
  • One-way connections. Aurora simplex channels enable low cost, high-speed serial links in a single direction. Examples: Video data offload, long-haul data transfer.

Aurora System

Aurora Channel Block Diagram
 
 
 
 
 
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