External Memory Interfaces Intel® Stratix® 10 FPGA IP User Guide

ID 683741
Date 9/26/2022
Public

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3.1.8. Intel® Stratix® 10 EMIF Architecture: PLL Reference Clock Networks

Each I/O bank includes a PLL that can drive the PHY clock trees of that bank, through dedicated connections. In addition to supporting EMIF-specific functions, such PLLs can also serve as general-purpose PLLs for user logic.

Intel® Stratix® 10 external memory interfaces that span multiple banks use the PLL in each bank. The Intel® Stratix® 10 architecture allows for relatively short PHY clock networks, reducing jitter and duty-cycle distortion.

The following mechanisms ensure that the clock outputs of individual PLLs in a multi-bank interface remain in phase:

  • A single PLL reference clock source feeds all PLLs. The reference clock signal reaches the PLLs by a balanced PLL reference clock tree. The Intel® Quartus® Prime software automatically configures the PLL reference clock tree so that it spans the correct number of banks.
  • The EMIF IP sets the PLL M and N values appropriately to maintain synchronization among the clock dividers across the PLLs. This requirement restricts the legal PLL reference clock frequencies for a given memory interface frequency and clock rate. The Stratix 10 EMIF IP parameter editor automatically calculates and displays the set of legal PLL reference clock frequencies. If you plan to use an on-board oscillator, you must ensure that its frequency matches the PLL reference clock frequency that you select from the displayed list. The correct M and N values of the PLLs are set automatically based on the PLL reference clock frequency that you select.
Note: The PLL reference clock pin may be placed in the address and command I/O bank or in a data I/O bank, there is no implication on timing. However, for debug flexibility, it is recommended to place the PLL reference clock in the address and command I/O bank.
Figure 9. PLL Balanced Reference Clock Tree