Xilinx Launches Virtex-6 HXT FPGAs for 40 and 100 Gbps Line Cards

Xilinx has introduced the new Virtex-6 HXT Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) that have the ability to support 100 Gbps and 40 Gbps line cards.

The Virtex-6 HXT FPGAs have versatile port configurations such as 10x10 Gbps, 1x100 Gbps, 4x10 Gbps, and 1x40 Gbps. It also supports the optical needs of communication devices without requiring expensive re-timer circuits.

The Virtex-6 HXT units conveniently interface to CFP, XFP, and SFP+ optical modules at maximum line rates of 11.18 Gbps. They also deliver improved signal integrity and enhanced jitter performance, thus eradicating the requirement for external conditioning circuits. The improved jitter performance offers system designers the margin needed to develop sturdy high-speed interfaces.

The Virtex-6 HXT FPGAs are optimized for applications that need high-speed serial connections. Combination of 11.18 Gbps GTH transceivers and 6.6 Gbps GTX transceivers enables the Virtex-6 HXT FPGAs to provide high serial bandwidth. The design of the devices is optimized for 10G signaling that include Decision Feedback Equalizer (DFE), Receive (Rx) linear equalization, and Transmit (Tx) pre-emphasis to meet the demanding jitter needs.

The devices also have a large number of SERDES potentials, more BRAM, high total transceiver count, and enhanced EQ and DFE circuits. The Virtex-6 HXT’s design topology separates the analog circuits from the loud digital logic and IO, and offers better noise performance. Xilinx has also validated the interoperability of Virtex-6 HXT FPGAs with optical transceiver providers such as Avago Technologies.