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Wireline
Flex Ethernet (FlexE) and MTN
FPGAs implement FlexE and MTN to turn Ethernet into a flexible multichannel link.
Flexible Ethernet, Isolated Flows
The Flex Ethernet protocol aggregates multiple Ethernet flows on a single optical interface with an option to adjust the capacities of individual MAC flows up and down, while keeping flows entirely isolated.
FPGAs augment a packet switch/router system or implement the uplink of an edge system with FlexE, offering the foundational functions plus a FlexE IP core and an Ethernet Multi-MAC IP core, and can combine FlexE with OTN protocols.
The Challenges, and Why FPGA
The Challenge
Isolating Multiple MAC Flows
Networks need multiple isolated MAC flows on a single optical interface.
Why FPGA
FlexE IP Core
A FlexE IP core keeps individual flows entirely isolated from each other.
The Challenge
Adjustable Flow Capacities
Operators need to adjust individual MAC flow capacities up and down.
Why FPGA
Ethernet Multi-MAC IP Core
Multiple parallel MAC functions support adjustable capacity per flow.
The Challenge
Combining FlexE with OTN
Networks often need to combine FlexE with OTN transport protocols.
Why FPGA
Unified FlexE + OTN Design
Altera FPGAs make it easy to combine FlexE with OTN protocols.
Why Altera
Foundational FlexE Functions
Flexible transceivers, FEC, and Ethernet PCS provide the FlexE foundation.
FlexE & Multi-MAC IP Cores
Dedicated IP cores implement FlexE groups and parallel MAC functions.
Scalable 100-600 Gbit/s Capacity
Total capacity scales from 100 to 600 Gbit/s across one or more groups.
OIF & ITU-T Standards Compliance
Designs comply with OIF FlexE 2.1 and ITU-T G.8312 MTN standards.
Get Started
More Wireline Applications
NFVi
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End-to-End Security
Line-rate Crypto including MACsec and IPsec, plus post-quantum support on Agilex® FPGAs, from access to core, with security you can update in the field.
Gateway
FPGAs implement flexible, reconfigurable hardware acceleration for network gateways.
Routing/Switching Overlay
FPGAs power high-speed routing and switching with integrated crypto and memory.
OTN, B100G OTN, and FlexO
FPGA-based Virtual ASSPs for OTN, Beyond-100G, and FlexO transport up to 800G.
Private Line Emulation (PLE)
FPGAs enable bit-level transparent OTN transport over IP and Ethernet networks.
EPON-GPON / 10G / 25-50G PON
FPGAs implement scalable OLT MAC solutions from GPON to 50G Asymmetric PON.
Common Questions
Flex Ethernet carries multiple Ethernet flows with adjustable capacity while keeping the flows isolated. MTN builds on FlexE for metro transport. FPGA implementations combine FlexE and Multi-MAC functions with the physical-interface building blocks, providing a multichannel transport architecture rather than a single fixed-capacity Ethernet flow.
FlexE allows several isolated MAC flows to share the transport interface with individually adjustable capacities. A single-channel Ethernet connection becomes a flexible multichannel solution, letting an edge uplink or switch/router design allocate capacity to its client flows rather than treating them as one undifferentiated connection.
FlexE IP handles the flexible transport groups, while Ethernet Multi-MAC IP supplies parallel MAC functions with adjustable capacity. They work with transceivers, FEC and Ethernet PCS, so client processing and the physical-link configuration must be considered together when integrating the FPGA data path. Explore 100–600 Gbit/s FlexE and Multi-MAC architecture
Plan around the documented 100–600 Gbit/s total capacity across one or more groups. Higher-rate extensions are described as possible future adaptation, not a guarantee for the listed implementation. The chosen group arrangement, FPGA interfaces and IP configuration must support the capacity required by the application.
Combining FlexE with OTN lets an FPGA design connect flexible Ethernet client handling with optical transport functions. Programmable logic supports both protocol paths alongside transceivers, FEC and Ethernet PCS, with the chosen interfaces and IP determining the implemented transport architecture rather than a universal combined configuration. Explore Ethernet PCS and FlexE interface resources