Xgmac

[Altera_Forum]

Hi, 

Is it possible to implement 10GMAC Ethernet with XGMII protocol on altera board DE2-115 cyclone 4 E?  Thanks

[Altera_Forum]

I think you'll struggle to do so in Cyclone IV, let alone interfacing a 10G MAC to a Cyclone IV on an existing Dev board. 

 Look through Altera's "10-gbps ethernet reference design user guide (https://www.altera.com/content/dam/altera-www/global/en_us/pdfs/literature/ug/archives/10g_ethernet_user_guide.pdf)". It talks exclusively about Stratix devices. You'll need a higher end part on custom hardware or a development board design for the purpose.  Cheers, Alex

[Altera_Forum]

Thank you for your answear. 

 Is it even ****ible or just hard to acumplish?

[Altera_Forum]

Without trying it (which I haven't) I wouldn't know. I don't think I'd consider Cyclone IV if a project's requirements called for a 10Gb interface... 

 Having said that, Altera's "10-gbps ethernet mac megacore function user guide (https://www.altera.com/content/dam/altera-www/global/en_us/pdfs/literature/ug/10gbps_mac.pdf)" mentions Cyclone IV GX. So, a Cyclone IV GX device is clearly an option.  Cheers, Alex

[Altera_Forum]

Cyclone IV GX in the F484 package support either 4 or 8 serdes transceivers capable of running up to 3.125Gbps in XAUI mode. Four lanes at 3.125Gbps XAUI is what you need for a 10G etherNet interface, assuming an external 10G etherNet PHY. You can't do a 10G etherNet physical interface directly on the Cyclone IV GX, you must have an external 10G PHY connected to four serdes lanes.