The CAST UDPIP core implements a UDP/IP hardware protocol stack that enables high-speed communication over an Ethernet Link.
Silicon IP Cores
The TCPIP-1G/10G core implements a complete TCP/IP Hardware Protocol Stack. More capable than many offloading engines, it allows systems to connect to an Internet Protocol (IP) network and exchange data using the TCP protocol without requiring assistance from — or even the presence of — a system processor.
The core acts either as a server or a client and, without assistance from the host system, it autonomously opens, maintains, and closes TCP connections. The system integrating the TCPIP-1G/10G core can configure network parameters and preferences by accessing its control registers, and the core is then able to receive and send data via streaming data interfaces.
The highly configurable core can adapt to different applications and diverse system requirements. The maximum number of simultaneous TCP sessions is configurable at synthesis time; it can be as high as 32,768 for devices like data servers, or as small as 1 for edge devices requiring minimum silicon area and power. Further user options include implementing a DHCP client that allows the core to automatically be assigned an IP address, enabling or disabling support of the reassembly of out-of-order TCP packets data, and integrating a UDP hardware stack with multicast support (IGMPv3). Finally, users can choose the packet processing mode, either cut-through or store-and-forward. In cut-through mode, the payload data are delivered to the host system as they arrive without any internal packet buffering and before the packets’ integrity can be validated. As a result, the core operating in cut-through mode features extremely low latency and requires less memory, but it cannot reassemble out-of-order packets and it may deliver data that will subsequently be marked as corrupted. Under the store-and-forward mode of operation, the core will always deliver verified, in-order packets, but will have higher latency and require more memory resources.
The TCPIP-1G/10G core is rigorously verified and available in RTL source or as a targeted FPGA netlist. Its deliverables include a testbench, synthesis, and simulation scripts, and comprehensive user documentation.
The TCPIP-1G/10G core is available in synthesizable Verilog RTL and FPGA netlist forms. Its deliverable package includes everything required for successful implementation:
Sample designs integrating the TCPIP-1G/10G with third-party or CAST’s Ethernet MAC and/or memory controller IP cores are available upon request. Such integrated designs are readily available for devices from all the major FPGA vendors. Please contact CAST to learn more details.
Its high bandwidth, low latency, and autonomous operation make the TCPIP-1G/10G core suitable for a variety of systems, including data and web servers, NIC cards, network security, network storage, electronic trading, industrial systems, and automotive ethernet.
The TCPIP core receives and transmits TCP packet data and forwards other traffic from the Ethernet MAC to the application and vice versa. It also receives and transmits ARP requests and responses, and responds to ICMP echo reply messages. Optionally the core can also support the UDP and DHCP protocols.
The core consists of the following modules:
The TCPIP-1G/10G can be mapped in any Altera FPGA device, provided sufficient resources are available. The FPGA resources required for the implementation of the core depend on its configuration. The following table provides sample implementation data for a few out of the many possible configurations of the core.
Configuration | FPGA Resources | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Store & Forward |
Max Sessions |
Max Server Sessions |
Max Ports |
Max Rules |
DHCP Client |
Logic (ALMs) |
Memory (M20Ks) |
No | 4 | 2 | 4 | 4 | Off | 16,034 | 98 |
No | 4 | 2 | 4 | 4 | Off | 17,112 | 98 |
Yes | 4 | 2 | 4 | 4 | Off | 18,969 | 118 |
Yes | 64 | 32 | 64 | 32 | Off | 19,348 | 128 |
Yes | 256 | 128 | 128 | 64 | Off | 21,325 | 152 |
Yes | 1,024 | 512 | 256 | 128 | Off | 27,984 | 291 |
Table 1. FPGA resources requirements for the TCPIP-1G/10G core with one UDP channel per direction, no OoO packet reordering, and clocked at 156 MHz on an Agilex device.
The above table does not list all configuration options. Please contact CAST to get characterization data for your configuration and target device.
The TCPIP-1G/10G can be mapped in any AMD FPGA device, provided sufficient resources are available. The FPGA resources required for the implementation of the core depend on its configuration. The following table provides sample implementation data for a few out of the many possible configurations of the core.
Configuration | FPGA Resources | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Store & Forward |
Max Sessions |
Max Server Sessions |
Max Ports |
Max Rules |
DHCP Client |
Logic (LUTs) |
Memory (RAMBs) |
No | 4 | 2 | 4 | 4 | Off | 19,082 | 32 |
No | 4 | 2 | 4 | 4 | Off | 20,589 | 32 |
Yes | 4 | 2 | 4 | 4 | Off | 22,422 | 38 |
Yes | 64 | 32 | 64 | 32 | Off | 23,586 | 41 |
Yes | 256 | 128 | 128 | 64 | Off | 26,003 | 49 |
Yes | 1,024 | 512 | 256 | 128 | Off | 34,325 | 109 |
Table 1. FPGA resources requirements for the TCPIP-1G/10G core with one UDP channel per direction, no OoO packet reordering, and clocked at 156 MHz on an ARTIX™ Ultrasclale+ device
The above table does not list all configuration options. Please contact CAST to get characterization data for your configuration and target device.
The TCPIP-1G/10G can be mapped in any Lattice FPGA device, provided sufficient resources are available. The FPGA resources required for the implementation of the core depend on its configuration. The following table provides sample implementation data for a few out of the many possible configurations of the core.
Configuration | FPGA Resources | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Store & Forward |
Max Sessions |
Max Server Sessions |
Max Ports |
Max Rules |
DHCP Client |
Logic (LUT4s) |
Memory (RAMBs) |
No | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | Off | 35,871 | 82 |
Yes | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | Off | 41,719 | 105 |
No | 64 | 32 | 32 | 32 | Off | 43,489 | 96 |
Yes | 64 | 32 | 32 | 32 | Off | 50,068 | 120 |
Table 1. FPGA resources requirements for the TCPIP-1G/10G core with one UDP channel per direction, no OoO packet reordering, and clocked at 62.5 MHz on a CertusPro NX device.
The above table does not list all configuration options. Please contact CAST to get characterization data for your configuration and target device.
The TCPIP-1G/10G as delivered is warranted against defects for ninety days from purchase. Thirty days of phone and email technical support are included, starting with the first interaction. Additional maintenance and support options are available.
Software Tools
Related IP Protocols