One or more serdesses, that's the question

Hi Jake,

The data is 8 bits LVDS, only 50 MHz. Not a standard protocol. I'm using HSMA-tx and HSMB-tx with corresponding clocks of the Stratix IV development kit. Distance is about 20 cm (8") of matched impedance PCB track.

No, I don't use fanout buffers. I direct go from serdes to (multiple) output pins. What would be the benefit to use a buffer in this case? The functionality doesn't change. And if the load is too high for the serdes, why doesn't Quartus insert the buffers automaticly?

Do you know if there's Altera literature on the use of buffers?

Which one would you use? alt_outbuf_diff? Isn't that one used automaticly when I use LVDS outputs? I'll check the netlist.

Alot of additional questions. Thanks for your respons.

Ton