Virtex-4 FX60 FPGA 'first' to feature multi-gigabit serial transceiver

Ismini Scouras

eeProductCenter (06/16/2005 8:33 PM ET)

Chicago—Xilinx Inc. is shipping Virtex-4 field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA) that it claims are the first to integrate multi-gigabit serial transceivers that support speeds of 622-Mbits/s to 10.3125-Gbits/s.

The Virtex-4 FX60 FPGAs support all major serial standards, including PCI Express, Serial RapidIO, Ethernet and Fibre Channel. Virtex-4 FX RocketIO transceivers provide advanced equalization features such as 3-tap transmit pre-emphasis, linear receive equalization, 6-tap decision feedback equalization (DFE) and integrated AC-coupling capacitor to enhance signal integrity at all speeds.

"The Virtex-4 provides system developers with a single-chip platform that can incorporate control processing (PowerPC), complex data processing (customizable DSPs or other processing engines) and high speed I/O," said Steve Berry, president and principal analyst at Electronic Trend Publications. "As the only platform with I/O transceivers from 622-Mbit/s to over 10-Gbits/s, the Virtex-4 can easily support all current interconnect standards, as well as future interconnect standards for many years to come."

Among the first customers to receive initial Virtex-4 FX6- devices is Spirent Communications, which verified the Virtex-4 FX60 device's performance using its patented SmartBits XAUI extender card. The companies claim that the Virtex-4 transceiver functioned almost flawlessly under challenging conditions. Sprirent engineers tested a variety of worst-case data patterns specifically designed to produce the most difficult environments that ensures maximum interoperability with other 10-GbE devices. Bit error rates, jitter, and noise margin were measured across the various patterns.

"The Sprirent SmartBits XAUI extender helped us assure the design goals of the FX60 prior to going to market," said Sandeep Vij, vice president of worldwide marketing at Xilinx.

Virtex-4 FX20 and FX60 devices can be ordered today. Pricing for the FX20 device, with eight serial transceivers, starts at $49.99 for 25,000-unit volumes in December 2005.

Xilinx Inc., 1-408-559-7778, www.xilinx.com