External Memory Interfaces Agilex™ 7 F-Series and I-Series FPGA IP User Guide

ID 683216
Date 3/29/2024
Public
Document Table of Contents

3.4.2. Intel® Agilex™ 7 F-Series and I-Series Hard Memory Controller Rate Conversion Feature

The hard memory controller's rate conversion feature allows the hard memory controller and PHY to run at half-rate, even though user logic is configured to run at quarter-rate.

To improve efficiency and help reduce overall latency, the hard memory controller and PHY run at half rate when the rate conversion feature is enabled. User logic runs at quarter-rate.

The rate conversion feature is enabled automatically during IP generation whenever all of the following conditions are met:

  • The hard memory controller is in use.
  • User logic runs at quarter-rate.
  • Running the hard memory controller at half-rate does not exceed the fMax specification of the hard memory controller and hard PHY.

When the rate conversion feature is enabled, you should see the following info message displayed in the IP generation GUI:

PHY and controller running at 2x the frequency of user logic for improved efficiency.