Stratix IV GX Dev kit SATA (Serial ATA) protocol

[Altera_Forum]

Dear all, 

 I'm studying in interfaces b/w Stratix4 FPGA chip and other devices using SATA. But I found out that MegaWizard doesn't support SATA protocol. Furthermore, there is no demonstration file except for LOOPBACK test.   Question 1. Does anybody has demonstration files or design applications, or any references related to SATA protocol which operation is verified? I prefer verilog HDL language, and my dev kit has DE230 FPGA chip. I installed Quartus 9.1 in Windows 7.   Question 2. And I wonder wheter Stratix IV GX transceiver supports SATA 3.0 or not. Following is quoted from ALTERA 'AN 577: Recommended Protocol Configurations for Stratix IV GX FPGAs' manual.   --- Quote Start ---  The serial data rates supported by Altera’s Stratix IV GX devices for the SATA and SAS protocols are: ■ Gen1 data rate of 1.5 Gbps, ■ Gen2 data rate of 3.0 Gbps.   --- Quote End ---   But manual for s4 Dev kit and general description say it supports SATA 3.0 with 6.0 Gbps data rate.   Question 3. I figured out MegaWizard supports altgx, and there are variables named 'tx_forceelecidle', and 'rx_signaldetect'. By using above variables, I guess, I can make a module for OOB signals, and other SATA standard protocols. (i.e. COMRESET, COMINIT, COMWAKE, ALLIGN, X_RDY, CRC etc.) But still it's quite a task. I just wonder wheter Stratix 4 GX supports other variables except for 'tx_forceelecidle', and 'rx_signaldetect' or pre-definend modules for SATA protocols.   Thanks for reading, Best regards.

[Altera_Forum]

Hi, 

 yeah we (www.asics.ws) offer a complete SATA Host and Device IP Cores that support SATA Gen 1, Gen 2 and Gen 3 on a Startix 4.  Our IP Core includes a complete SATA PHY (implement using the Stratix 4 transceivers) and includes auto-speed negotiation and link bring up.  All SATA features like power management are supported ....  For more information please drop an email to sales@asics.ws.  Best Regards, rudi

[Altera_Forum]

IntelliProp has 6GHz SATA as well on the StratixIV transceivers. 

 www.intelliprop.com  Nuvation has SATA - don't know about speeds.  www.nuvation.com

[Altera_Forum]

Yes there are other providers, but ASICS World Services, LTD 

SATA Solutions are the ONLY ONE Compliance verified by UNH labs.  UNH labs is an independent testing and compliance lab.  Best Regards, rudi

[Altera_Forum]

Hello Rudi, 

  I just found this post. I wanted to clarify a point that you  made. I know that IntelliProp has taken their SATA core  multiple times to UNH and passed, along with testing  their cores with new designs at SATA plugfests to make sure they work with the newest SATA products available. Also, IntelliProp tests there products versus a multitude  of drives and hosts in there lab. I know this because I  work for IntelliProp and have done this testing. As a side note, I don't know what testing Nuvation does.  Hello Jacobjo,   I hope your system analysis and design has gone well for the Stratix IV. I hope that if you ever need SATA IP, you would consider IntelliProp's cores, along with our competitors. I think we compare well to the market. Please contact info@intelliprop.com if you have any questions regarding the IntelliProp IP.  Thanks,  Ben

[Altera_Forum]

Hi Ben, 

 congratulation on passing UNH testing !  Back when I did my post it seems you guys did not accomplish that test yet !  And of course asics.ws also maintains a complete lab with a multitude of HDDs and SDDs that we use for testing. We continuously obtain the latest drives and ensure that they inter operate with our IP Core as well, both on Altera and Xilinx devices.  Kind Regards, rudi