Low Latency 40-Gbps Ethernet IP Core User Guide

ID 683745
Date 3/08/2021
Public
Document Table of Contents

3.2.2.2. LL 40GbE IP Core TX Data Bus with Adapters (Avalon-ST Interface)

The LL 40GbE IP core TX datapath with adapters employs the Avalon-ST protocol. The Avalon-ST protocol is a synchronous point-to-point, unidirectional interface that connects the producer of a data stream (source) to a consumer of data (sink). The key properties of this interface include:

  • Start of packet (SOP) and end of packet (EOP) signals delimit frame transfers.
  • The SOP must always be in the MSB, simplifying the interpretation and processing of incoming data.
  • A valid signal qualifies signals from source to sink.
  • The sink applies backpressure to the source by using the ready signal. The source typically responds to the deassertion of the ready signal from the sink by driving the same data until the sink can accept it. The readyLatency defines the relationship between assertion and deassertion of the ready signal, and cycles which are considered to be ready for data transfer.The readyLatency on the TX client interface is zero cycles.

The client acts as a source and the TX MAC acts as a sink in the transmit direction.

Figure 13. TX Client to MAC Interface with Adapters (Avalon-ST)
Table 17.  Signals of the Avalon-ST TX Client InterfaceAll interface signals are clocked by the clk_txmac clock.

Signal Name

Direction

Description

l4_tx_data[255:0]

Input

TX data. If the preamble pass-through feature is enabled, data begins with the preamble.

The LL 40GbE IP core does not process incoming frames of less than nine bytes correctly. You must ensure such frames do not reach the TX client interface.

You must send each TX data packet without intermediate IDLE cycles. Therefore, you must ensure your application can provide the data for a single packet in consecutive clock cycles. If data might not be available otherwise, you must buffer the data in your design and wait to assert l4_tx_startofpacket when you are assured the packet data to send on l4_tx_data[255:0] is available or will be available on time.

l4_tx_empty[4:0]

Input

Indicates the number of empty bytes on l4_tx_data[255:0] when l4_tx_endofpacket is asserted.

l4_tx_startofpacket

Input

When asserted, indicates the start of a packet. The packet starts on the MSB.

l4_tx_endofpacket

Input

When asserted, indicates the end of packet.

l4_tx_ready

Output

When asserted, the MAC is ready to receive data. The l4_tx_ready signal acts as an acknowledge. The source drives l4_tx_valid and l4_tx_data[255:0] , then waits for the sink to assert l4_tx_ready . The readyLatency is zero cycles, so that the IP core accepts valid data in the same cycle in which it asserts l4_tx_ready .

The l4_tx_ready signal indicates the MAC is ready to receive data in normal operational model. However, the l4_tx_ready signal might not be an adequate indication following reset. To avoid sending packets before the Ethernet link is able to transmit them reliably, you should ensure that the application does not send packets on the TX client interface until after the tx_lanes_stable signal is asserted.

l4_tx_valid

Input

When asserted l4_tx_data is valid. This signal must be continuously asserted between the assertions of l4_tx_startofpacket and l4_tx_endofpacket for the same packet.

l4_tx_error

Input When asserted in an EOP cycle (while l4_tx_endofpacket is asserted), directs the IP core to insert an error in the packet before sending it on the Ethernet link.

This signal is a test and debug feature. In loopback mode, the IP core recognizes the packet upon return as a malformed packet.

Figure 14. Traffic on the TX and RX Avalon-ST Client Interface for Low Latency 40GbE IP CoreShows typical traffic for the TX and RX Avalon-ST interface Low Latency 40GbE IP core.