RapidIO: The Next Generation Communication Fabric For Embedded Application

15.2. ADVANCES IN FPGA TECHNOLOGY

15.2.1. I/O Connectivity Options

A large part of supporting any interconnect technology is providing the physical I/O capability. FPGA vendors realize that without physical I/O, enabling the ecosystem is next to impossible. We see two shifts in thinking when it comes to I/O support.

• FPGA vendors have become active in helping to define specifications such as RapidIO so that they can be realizable in programmable logic.

• A standards body, like the RapidIO Trade Association that governs the development of RapidIO, sees support by FPGA technology as a key requirement to an industry adopting any new I/O capability that would increase the interconnect bandwidth.

Given these shifts, FPGA vendors are now pushing the envelope in I/O design. For example, just as the industry is embracing 3.125 Gbps transfer rates, FPGA vendors have technology that can demonstrate transfer rates even higher than 3.125 Gbps. With their investigation and analysis of these higher bandwidth channels, these vendors are proactive in defining the I/O characteristics of a variety of standards including RapidIO.

While the push to higher transfer rates is driving the development of advanced I/O technology, FPGA vendors also see value in providing support for legacy I/O technology. As a result, a programmable device today can support an array of I/O technologies that allows the system designer to migrate to new technologies such as RapidIO while maintaining the investment in a legacy ...