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dncmrc1
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23 days ago
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Stratix 10 Transceiver PHY bonding and multiple TX PLL clock inputs (for DisplayPort TX)

We are using a Stratix 10 L-Tile/H-Tile Transceiver Native PHY to implement a DisplayPort TX and RX.

The transceiver is set as Basic (Enhanced PCS), TX/RX Duplex. The TX PMA is set as Non bonded, with 2 TX PLL clock inputs.

One of the TX PLL clock inputs is driven by a fPLL and used for rates from 1.62G up to 13.5G. The other clock input is driven by two  ATX PLLs (one working as Main PLL, the other as GXT Clock Buffer) and used for 20G rate. This works ok.

The problem is that DisplayPort requires controlled skew between the 4 TX channels. That is, we need bonding for the 4 TX channels. If we set the TX PMA as "PMA only bonding" it seems we cannot have anymore multiple TX PLL clock inputs but just a single one.

How can we use the Stratix 10 PHY to implement DisplayPort TX rates from 1.62G up to 20G with 4 bonded channels (= 4 lanes)?

  • Hi,

     

    After consulting with our DisplayPort (DP) IP experts, it appears that our DP is currently not operating in bonded mode for multi‑lane support. You may want to explore our DP IP.

     

    Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you.

7 Replies

  • dncmrc1's avatar
    dncmrc1
    Icon for New Contributor rankNew Contributor

    Hi,

    We need to generate TX link rates spanning from 1.62G to 20G.

    Are you saying that we can get rid of the fPLL and use only one single ATX PLL with bonding and driving all 4 GXT channels?

    Regards

  • Ash_R_Intel's avatar
    Ash_R_Intel
    Icon for Regular Contributor rankRegular Contributor

    Hi,

    Please follow the guideline in the L- and H-Tile Transceiver PHY User Guide: https://docs.altera.com/r/docs/683621/current/l-and-h-tile-transceiver-phy-user-guide/pma-bonding

    As I understand you need PMA only bonding of the channels. For this, you will need only one ATX pll clock to be driving all the channels.  

    Another important consideration you have to make, is the channel placements. As you need max 20G, you will need to use the GXT channels. 

    Hope this helps.

     

    Regards

    • Ash_R_Intel's avatar
      Ash_R_Intel
      Icon for Regular Contributor rankRegular Contributor

      Yes, you understood it right.

      As 20G can be achieved only by GXT channels and for the clocking at that speed ATX pll is the preferred choice. Refer section 3.1 PLLs of the same document.

       

      Regards

      • dncmrc1's avatar
        dncmrc1
        Icon for New Contributor rankNew Contributor

        Hi,

        It looks like bonding is not supported at rates > 17.4G:

        Also the ATX PLL refuses to configure for 20G with bonding:

        Can you please help?

        Regards