Intel Ug-01166 Altera High-speed Reed-solomon Ip Core User Guide

intel UG-01166 Altera High-speed Reed-Solomon IP Core

About the High-speed Reed-Solomon IP Core

The Altera High-speed Reed-Solomon IP Core uses a highly parallel architecture for large applications that require throughput of 100 Gbps and greater. The IP core is suitable for 10G (such as optical transport networks (OTN)) or 100G Ethernet (IEEE 802.3bj/bm) applications.

Related Links

• Introduction to Intel FPGA IP Cores
  • Provides general information about all Intel FPGA IP cores, including parameterizing, generating, upgrading, and simulating IP cores.
• Creating Version-Independent IP and Qsys Simulation Scripts
  • Create simulation scripts that do not require manual updates for software or IP version upgrades.
• Project Management Best Practices
  • Guidelines for efficient management and portability of your project and IP files.
• Reed-Solomon II IP Core User Guide
  • The Reed-Solomon II IP core is highly parameterizable for low throughput applications.

High-speed Reed-Solomon IP Core Features

• High-performance greater than 100 Gbps encoder or decoder for error detection and correction:
  • Fully parameterizable:
  • Number of bits per symbol
  • Number of symbols per codeword
  • Number of check symbols per codeword
  • Field polynomial
• Multichannels and backpressure for decoders
• Fracturable decoder that supports 100 Gbps Ethernet (GbE), 2 x 50 GbE, and 4 x 25 GbE
• Avalon® Streaming (Avalon-ST) interfaces
• Testbenches to verify the IP core
• IP functional simulation models for use in Intel-supported VHDL and Verilog HDL simulators

© 2016 Intel Corporation. All rights reserved. Intel, the Intel logo, Altera, Arria, Cyclone, Enpirion, MAX, Megacore, NIOS, Quartus and Stratix words and logos are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the US and/or other countries. Other marks and brands may be claimed as the property of others. Intel warrants performance of its FPGA and semiconductor products to current specifications in accordance with Intel’s standard warranty, but reserves the right to make changes to any products and services at any time without notice. Intel assumes no responsibility or liability arising out of the application or use of any information, product, or service described herein except as expressly agreed to in writing by Intel. Intel customers are advised to obtain the latest version of device specifications before relying on any published information and before placing orders for products or services.

DSP IP Core Device Family Support

Intel offers the following device support levels for Intel FPGA IP cores:

• Advance support—the IP core is available for simulation and compilation for this device family. FPGA programming file (.pof) support is not available for Quartus Prime Pro Stratix 10 Edition Beta software and as such IP timing closure cannot be guaranteed. Timing models include initial engineering estimates of delays based on early post-layout information. The timing models are subject to change as silicon testing improves the correlation between the actual silicon and the timing models. You can use this IP core for system architecture and resource utilization studies, simulation, pinout, system latency assessments, basic timing assessments (pipeline budgeting), and I/O transfer strategy (data-path width, burst depth, I/O standards tradeoffs).
• Preliminary support—Intel verifies the IP core with preliminary timing models for this device family. The IP core meets all functional requirements, but might still be undergoing timing analysis for the device family. You can use it in production designs with caution.
• Final support—Intelverifies the IP core with final timing models for this device family. The IP core meets all functional and timing requirements for the device family. You can use it in production designs.

DSP IP Core Device Family Support

DSP IP Core Verification

Before releasing a version of an IP core, Intel runs comprehensive regression tests to verify its quality and correctness. Intel generates custom variations of the IP core to exercise the various parameter options and thoroughly simulates the resulting simulation models with the results verified against master simulation models.

High-speed Reed-Solomon IP Core Release Information

Use the release information when licensing the IP core.

Release Information

Intel verifies that the current version of the Quartus Prime software compiles the previous version of each IP core. Intel does not verify that the Quartus Prime software compiles IP core versions older than the previous version. The Intel FPGA IP Release Notes lists any exceptions.

Related Links

• Intel FPGA IP Release Notes
• Errata for Reed-Solomon IP core in the Knowledge Base

High-speed Reed-Solomon IP Core Performance and Resource Utilization

Decoder
Performance and Resource Utilization for Arria 10 Devices
Typical expected performance using the Quartus Prime software with with Arria 10 (10AX115R4F40I3SG) devices for RS(n,k) where n is the codeword length and k the number of information symbols. The M20K numbers in brackets indicate the M20K usage when you turn on True-dual port ROM.

Performance and Resource Utilization for Arria 10 Devices (Fracturable IP Core)

Typical expected performance using the Quartus Prime software with with Arria 10 (10AX115R4F40I3SG) and (10AX115R2F40I1SG) devices for RS(n,k) where n is the codeword length and k the number of information symbols.

Performance and Resource Utilization for Stratix V Devices
Typical expected performance using the Quartus Prime software with Stratix V (5SGXEA7H3F35C3) devices for RS(n,k) where n is the codeword length and k the number of information symbols.. The M20K numbers in brackets indicate the M20K usage when you turn on True-dual port ROM.

Encoder
Performance and Resource Utilization for Arria 10 Devices
Typical expected performance using the Quartus Prime software with with Arria 10 (10AX115R4F40I3SG) devices.

Performance and Resource Utilization for Stratix V Devices
Typical expected performance using the Quartus Prime software with Stratix V (5SGXEA7H3F35C3) devices.

High-speed Reed-Solomon IP Core Getting Started

Installing and Licensing IP Cores
The Quartus® Prime software installation includes the Intel FPGA IP library. This library provides useful IP core functions for your production use without the need for an additional license. Some MegaCore® IP functions in the library require that you purchase a separate license for production use. The OpenCore® feature allows evaluation of any Intel FPGA IP core in simulation and compilation in the Quartus Prime software. Upon satisfaction with functionality and performance, visit the Self Service Licensing Center to obtain a license number for any Intel FPGA product.
The Quartus Prime software installs IP cores in the following locations by default:

IP Core Installation Path

IP Core Installation Locations

OpenCore Plus IP Evaluation

The free OpenCore Plus feature allows you to evaluate licensed MegaCore IP cores in simulation and hardware before purchase. Purchase a license for MegaCore IP cores if you decide to take your design to production. OpenCore Plus supports the following evaluations:

• Simulate the behavior of a licensed IP core in your system.
• Verify the functionality, size, and speed of the IP core quickly and easily.
• Generate time-limited device programming files for designs that include IP cores.
• Program a device with your IP core and verify your design in hardware.

OpenCore Plus evaluation supports the following two operation modes:

© 2016 Intel Corporation. All rights reserved. Intel, the Intel logo, Altera, Arria, Cyclone, Enpirion, MAX, Megacore, NIOS, Quartus and Stratix words and logos are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the US and/or other countries. Other marks and brands may be claimed as the property of others. Intel warrants performance of its FPGA and semiconductor products to current specifications in accordance with Intel’s standard warranty, but reserves the right to make changes to any products and services at any time without notice. Intel assumes no responsibility or liability arising out of the application or use of any information, product, or service described herein except as expressly agreed to in writing by Intel. Intel customers are advised to obtain the latest version of device specifications before relying on any published information and before placing orders for products or services.

• Untethered—run the design containing the licensed IP for a limited time.
• Tethered—run the design containing the licensed IP for a longer time or indefinitely. This operation requires a connection between your board and the host computer.

All IP cores that use OpenCore Plus time out simultaneously when any IP core in the design times out.

Related Links

• Quartus Prime Licensing Site
• Quartus Prime Installation and Licensing

High-speed Reed-Solomon IP Core OpenCore Plus Timeout Behavior

All IP cores in a device time out simultaneously when the most restrictive evaluation time is reached. If a design has more than one IP core, the time-out behavior of the other IP cores may mask the time-out behavior of a specific IP core . All IP cores in a device time out simultaneously when the most restrictive evaluation time is reached. If there is more than one IP core in a design, a specific IP core’s time-out behavior may be masked by the time-out behavior of the other IP cores. For IP cores, the untethered time-out is 1 hour; the tethered time-out value is indefinite. Your design stops working after the hardware evaluation time expires. The Quartus Prime software uses OpenCore Plus Files (.ocp) in your project directory to identify your use of the OpenCore Plus evaluation program. After you activate the feature, do not delete these files.. When the evaluation time expires, out_data goes low .

Related Links
AN 320: OpenCore Plus Evaluation of Megafunctions

Catalog and Parameter Editor

The IP Catalog displays the IP cores available for your project. Use the following features of the IP Catalog to locate and customize an IP core:

• Filter IP Catalog to Show IP for active device family or Show IP for all device families. If you have no project open, select the Device Family in IP Catalog.
• Type in the Search field to locate any full or partial IP core name in IP Catalog.
• Right-click an IP core name in IP Catalog to display details about supported devices, to open the IP core’s installation folder, and for links to IP documentation.
• Click Search for Partner IP to access partner IP information on the web.

The parameter editor prompts you to specify an IP variation name, optional ports, and output file generation options. The parameter editor generates a top-level Quartus Prime IP file (.ip) for an IP variation in Quartus Prime Pro Edition projects. The parameter editor generates a top-level Quartus IP file (.qip) for an IP variation in Quartus Prime Standard Edition projects. These files represent the IP variation in the project, and store parameterization information.

IP Parameter Editor (Quartus Prime Pro Edition)

IP Parameter Editor (Quartus Prime Standard Edition)

Generating IP Cores (Quartus Prime Pro Edition)

Configure a custom IP variation in the parameter editor. Double-click any component in the IP Catalog to launch the parameter editor. The parameter editor allows you to define a custom variation of the selected IP core. The parameter editor generates the IP variation and adds the corresponding .ip file to your project automatically.

IP Parameter Editor (Quartus Prime Pro Edition)

Follow these steps to locate, instantiate, and customize an IP variation in the parameter editor:

1. Click Tools ➤ IP Catalog. To display details about device support, installation location, versions, and links to documentation, right-click any IP component name in the IP Catalog.
2. To locate a specific type of component, type some or all of the component’s name in the IP Catalog search box. For example, type memory to locate memory IP components, or axi to locate IP components with AXI in the IP name. Apply filters to the IP Catalog display from the right-click menu.
3. To launch the parameter editor, double-click any component. Specify a top-level name for your custom IP variation. The parameter editor saves the IP variation settings in a file named <your_ip>.ip. Click OK. Do not include spaces in IP variation names or paths.
4. Set the parameter values in the parameter editor and view the block diagram for the component. The Parameterization Messages tab at the bottom displays any errors in IP parameters:
   • Optionally select preset parameter values if provided for your IP core. Presets specify initial parameter values for specific applications.
   • Specify parameters defining the IP core functionality, port configurations, and device-specific features.
   • Specify options for processing the IP core files in other EDA tools.
     Note: Refer to your IP core user guide for information about specific IP core
5. Click Generate HDL. The Generation dialog box appears.
6. Specify output file generation options, and then click Generate. The synthesis and/or simulation files generate according to your specifications.
7. To generate a simulation testbench, click Generate ➤ Generate Testbench System. Specify testbench generation options, and then click Generate.
8. To generate an HDL instantiation template that you can copy and paste into your text editor, click Generate ➤ Show Instantiation Template.
9. Click Finish. Click Yes if prompted to add files representing the IP variation to your project.
10. After generating and instantiating your IP variation, make appropriate pin assignments to connect ports.
    Note: Some IP cores generate different HDL implementations according to the IP core parameters. The underlying RTL of these IP cores contains a unique hash code that prevents module name collisions between different variations of the IP core. This unique code remains consistent, given the same IP settings and software version during IP generation. This unique code can change if you edit the IP core’s parameters or upgrade the IP core version. To avoid dependency on these unique codes in your simulation environment, refer to Generating a Combined Simulator Setup Script.core parameters. The underlying RTL of these IP cores contains a unique hash code that prevents module name collisions between different variations of the IP core. This unique code remains consistent, given the same IP settings and software version during IP generation. This unique code can change if you edit the IP core’s parameters or upgrade the IP core version. To avoid dependency on these unique codes in your simulation environment, refer to Generating a Combined Simulator Setup Script.

Related Links

• IP User Guide Documentation
• Intel FPGA IP Release Notes

IP Core Generation Output (Quartus Prime Pro Edition)

The Quartus Prime software generates the following output file structure for individual IP cores that are not part of a Qsys system.

Individual IP Core Generation Output (Quartus Prime Pro Edition)

Files Generated for IP Cores

2 High-speed Reed-Solomon IP Core Getting Started

Simulating Intel FPGA IP Cores

The Quartus Prime software supports IP core RTL simulation in specific EDA simulators. IP generation creates simulation files, including the functional simulation model, any testbench (or example design), and vendor-specific simulator setup scripts for each IP core. Use the functional simulation model and any testbench or example design for simulation. IP generation output may also include scripts to compile and run any testbench. The scripts list all models or libraries you require to simulate your IP core. The Quartus Prime software provides integration with many simulators and supports multiple simulation flows, including your own scripted and custom simulation flows. Whichever flow you choose, IP core simulation involves the following steps:

1. Generate simulation model, testbench (or example design), and simulator setup script files.
2. Set up your simulator environment and any simulation script(s).
3. Compile simulation model libraries.
4. Run your simulator.

High-speed Reed-Solomon IP Core Functional Description

This topic describes the IP core’s architecture, interfaces, and signals.

High-Speed Reed-Solomon Architecture

The encoder receives data packets and generates the check symbols; the decoder detects and corrects errors. The High-speed Reed-Solomon IP core has a parallelized architecture to achieve very high throughout. The inputs and outputs contain multiple data symbols. The fracturable decoder has preset parameters to support 4 x 25 GbE, 2 x 50 GbE and 1 x 100 GbE with parallelism p of 8, 16, and 32, respectively.

High-Speed Reed-Solomon Encoder

When the encoder receives data symbols, it generates check symbols for a given codeword and sends the input codeword together with the check symbols to the output interface. . The encoder may uses backpressure on the upstream component when it generates the check symbols and the parallelism is smaller than the number of check symbols

High-speed Reed-Solomon Encoding
Shows how a codeword is encoded

High-Speed Reed-Solomon Decoder

When the decoder receives the encoded codeword, it uses the check symbols to detect errors and correct them. The decoder is a streaming decoder that allows continuous input data with no backpressure on the upstream component.© 2016 Intel Corporation. All rights reserved. Intel, the Intel logo, Altera, Arria, Cyclone, Enpirion, MAX, Megacore, NIOS, Quartus and Stratix words and logos are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the US and/or other countries. Other marks and brands may be claimed as the property of others. Intel warrants performance of its FPGA and semiconductor products to current specifications in accordance with Intel’s standard warranty, but reserves the right to make changes to any products and services at any time without notice. Intel assumes no responsibility or liability arising out of the application or use of any information, product, or service described herein except as expressly agreed to in writing by Intel. Intel customers are advised to obtain the latest version of device specifications before relying on any published information and before placing orders for products or services.

Codeword Decoding

The received encoded codeword may differ from the original codeword due to the noise in the channel. The decoder detects errors using several polynomials to locate the error location and the error value. When the decoder obtains the error location and value, the decoder corrects the errors in a codeword, and sends the codeword to the output. As the number of errors increases, the decoder gets to a stage where it can no longer correct but only detect errors, at which point the decoder asserts the out_error signal.

High-Speed Reed-Solomon IP Core Parameters

Parameters

High-speed Reed-Solomon IP Core Interfaces and Signals

The ready latency on the Avalon-ST input interface is 0; the number of symbols per beat is fixed to 1. The latency of the decoder is N/P+ (BM speed x R) + 10; the latency of the encoder is 6.
The clock and reset interfaces drive or receive the clock and reset signal to synchronize the Avalon-ST interfaces and provide reset connectivity. The status interface is a conduit interface that consists of three error status signals for a codeword. The decoder obtains the error symbol value, number of error symbols, and number of error bits in a codeword from the status signals.

Avalon-ST Interfaces
Avalon-ST interfaces define a standard, flexible, and modular protocol for data transfers from a source interface to a sink interface. The input interface is an Avalon-ST sink and the output interface is an Avalon-ST source. Avalon-ST interface signals can describe traditional streaming interfaces supporting a single stream of data without knowledge of channels or packet boundaries. Such interfaces typically contain data, ready, and valid signals.Avalon-ST interfaces support backpressure, which is a flow control mechanism where a sink can indicate to a source to stop sending data. The sink typically uses backpressure to stop the flow of data when its FIFO buffers are full or when it has congestion on its output.

High-speed Reed-Solomon IP Core Signals

Clock and Reset Signals

Custom IP Core Avalon-ST Interface Signals

Fractuarable IP Core Avalon-ST Interface Signals

Document Revision History

High-speed Reed-Solomon IP Core User Guide revision history.

© 2016 Intel Corporation. All rights reserved. Intel, the Intel logo, Altera, Arria, Cyclone, Enpirion, MAX, Megacore, NIOS, Quartus and Stratix words and logos are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the US and/or other countries. Other marks and brands may be claimed as the property of others. Intel warrants performance of its FPGA and semiconductor products to current specifications in accordance with Intel’s standard warranty, but reserves the right to make changes to any products and services at any time without notice. Intel assumes no responsibility or liability arising out of the application or use of any information, product, or service described herein except as expressly agreed to in writing by Intel. Intel customers are advised to obtain the latest version of device specifications before relying on any published information and before placing orders for products or services.

A High-Speed Reed-Solomon IP Core Document Archive

If an IP core version is not listed, the user guide for the previous IP core version applies.

Related Links
About the High-speed Reed-Solomon, IP Core on page 3 Provides a list of user guides for previous versions of the High-speed Reed-Solomon IP core. © 2016 Intel Corporation. All rights reserved. Intel, the Intel logo, Altera, Arria, Cyclone, Enpirion, MAX, Megacore, NIOS, Quartus, and Stratix words and logos are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the US and/or other countries. Other marks and brands may be claimed as the property of others. Intel warrants the performance of its FPGA and semiconductor products to current specifications in accordance with Intel’s standard warranty but reserves the right to make changes to any products and services at any time without notice. Intel assumes no responsibility or liability arising out of the application or use of any information, product, or service described herein except as expressly agreed to in writing by Intel. Intel customers are advised to obtain the latest version of device specifications before relying on any published information and before placing orders for products or services.

References

• low.in