PCI Express High Performance Reference Design

from Altera

Overview

The PCI Express^® High Performance reference design highlights the performance of the hard implementation of Altera's PCI Express MegaCore^® function. The design consists of a chaining direct memory access (DMA) that transfers data between the Stratix^® V GX, Stratix^® IV GX, Arria^® II GX, or Cyclone^® IV GX FPGA's internal memory and system memory. This reference design includes a Windows XP-based software application that sets up the DMA transfers. The software application also measures and displays the performance achieved for the transfers.

Features

• Demonstrate high performance (sustained bandwidth) using the hard intellectual property (IP) implementation of Altera's PCI Express 3.0/2.0/1.1 x1, x4, and x8 IP cores with a chaining DMA
• Increase customer confidence with documented results of extensive benchmarking performed by Altera
  • Benchmarking shows close-to-theoretical bandwidth achieved across lane configurations (x1, x4, and x8) and platforms or chipsets
• Jump-start customer designs or performance evaluation
  • Step-by-step walkthrough instructions, complete design files (including Quartus^® II archive), and Windows XP-based software application provided

Demonstrated Altera Technology

• Stratix V GX FPGAs
• Stratix IV GX FPGAs
• Arria II GX FPGAs
• Cyclone IV GX FPGAs
• Altera^® PCI Express hard IP core

Figure 1. PCI Express High Performance Reference Design

Notes:

1. RC: Root Complex
2. DMA: Direct Memory Access

Related Links

• Stratix V GX FPGAs
• Stratix IV GX FPGAs
• Arria II GX FPGAs
• Cyclone IV GX FPGAs 
• Altera PCI Express hard IP core
• Altera PCI Express solutions
• Altera PCI Express MegaCore IP function
• Stratix IV GX FPGA Development Kit
• Arria II GX FPGA Development Kit
• AN 456: PCI Express High Performance Reference Design (PDF)
• More on Jungo WinDriver

Reference Designs Disclaimer

These reference design illustrations may be used within Altera Corporation devices only and remain the copyrighted property of Altera. They are being provided on an "as-is" basis and as an accommodation, and therefore all warranties, representations, or guarantees of any kind (whether express, implied or statutory) including, without limitation, warranties of merchantability, non-infringement, or fitness for a particular purpose, are specifically disclaimed. Altera expressly does not recommend, suggest,or require that these examples be used in combination with any other product not provided by Altera.