Designing with Ethernet MAC Controllers

DEPRECATED COURSE: This course is older and no longer offered with our regular course list. It is only available as a private class.

Please contact the BLT Training Team to schedule a private class.

Become acquainted with the various solutions that Xilinx offers for Ethernet connectivity. Learn the basics of the Ethernet standard, protocol, and OSI model while applying Xilinx solutions via hands-on laboratory exercises. Perform simulation to understand fundamental principles and obtain the knowledge to assess hardware design considerations and software development requirements. Become familiar with Ethernet IP core design architectures, core IP port naming conventions, and signal waveforms.

Skills Gained

After completing this comprehensive training, you will know how to:

  • Describe the basics of Ethernet standard, protocol, and OSI model
  • Identify the various solutions that Xilinx offers for Ethernet connectivity
  • Utilize various Ethernet cores either in a standalone mode or as a peripheral in a processor-based design
  • Use simulation to become familiar with IP core port names and operations
  • Explore the Xilinx-provided example software application using the lwIP stack
  • Integrate Ethernet IP into your design using the Vivado Design Suite

Course Outline

Day 1

  • Introduction
  • Ethernet Basics
  • Network Protocols, Ethernet Interfaces, and Hardware
  • LAB: Exploring Ethernet Frames
    Perform a functional simulation of the Tri-Mode Ethernet MAC LogiCORE® IP. This IP is available through the Vivado IP catalog tool. A Vivado Design Suite project, based on the Tri-Mode Ethernet MAC example design, is provided and includes a simulation testbench. You will use the Vivado simulator to analyze Ethernet frames and identify the components of the frames. You will then modify the testbench to view its effect on core behavior.
  • Physical Layer
  • AXI Interface
  • LAB: Advanced Ethernet Frames
    Perform a functional simulation of a Vivado Design Suite project, based on the Tri-Mode Ethernet MAC example design, that is provided with several simulation testbenches. You will use these testbenches to generate various kinds of frames and observe how the core behaves to these received frames. AXI MAC register configuration commands will be modified to affect the behavior of the MAC core. You will also study various signals involved in identifying frames and classify them into good frames or bad frames.
  • Xilinx EMAC Offerings
  • LAB: AXI Ethernet Example Design
    Create a new Vivado Design Suite project, use the IP catalog tool to generate an AXI Ethernet Subsystem core, and open the Xilinx-provided example design. You will then analyze, simulate, synthesize, and implement the design for the Kintex-7 FPGA.

Day 2

  • 10/100/1000 EMAC Solutions
  • Processor-Based Ethernet
  • LAB: Processor-Based Ethernet Design
    Use the Vivado IP integrator tool to create an Ethernet-based embedded system. The design will be based around the MicroBlaze® processor and the Ethernet Lite controller. The SDK tool will be used to create and build the lwIP Echo Server example software application. This lab encompasses the entire design experience from cradle to grave.
  • 10/25/40/100GE Solutions
  • Ethernet Odds and Ends
  • LAB: Analyzing 10GE MAC Frames
    Investigate the PHY and client interfaces of the 10-Gigabit Ethernet MAC LogiCORE® IP, available in the Vivado IP catalog, by performing a functional simulation. You will use the Vivado simulator to view these waveform signals.

Training Duration:

2 Days

Who should attend:

Engineers who would like to come up to speed on utilizing Xilinx Ethernet connectivity solutions

Prerequisites:

  • FPGA design experience
  • Completion of the Vivado Boot Camp: Basic Training course or equivalent knowledge of Xilinx Vivado software implementation tools
  • Basic understanding of microprocessors
  • Some HDL modeling experience

Version: 2021-03-17_0932
Updated 12-18-2023
©2023 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Xilinx, Inc. is now part of AMD. Xilinx, the Xilinx logo, AMD, the AMD Arrow logo, Alveo, Artix, Kintex, Kria, Spartan, Versal, Vitis, Virtex, Vivado, Zynq, and other designated brands included herein are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.