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Achieving ASIC Timing Closure with Speedcore eFPGAs (WP013)
Achronix's Speedcore eFPGA IP allows companies to embed a programmable logic fabric in their ASICs, delivering to end users the capability to modify or upgrade the functionality of an ASIC after being deployed in the field. This flexibility dramatically expands the solution space that can be served by the ASIC as it can be updated to support changing standards and algorithms. Timing closure is particularly challenging due to the fact that the eFPGA fabric may host any number of designs over the course of device operation. Each of those designs must work independently with the rest of the ASIC, and timing closure can only be said to have been met if all of the possible designs targeting the eFPGA fabric can meet timing.
AI Benchmarking on Achronix Speedster®7t FPGAs (WP999)
Deployments of machine learning networks with auto-regressive critical paths, or recurrence, often poorly utilize AI accelerator hardware. Such networks, like those used in automatic speech recognition (ASR), must run with low latency and deterministic tail-latency for at-scale real-time applications. In this paper, the team at Myrtle.ai presents an overlay architecture for an inference engine which is then implemented on a Speedster7t FPGA. The team further highlights the benefits of the AI-optimized Speedster7t architecture for low-latency, real-time applications.
5G Advanced and 6G Evolution Powered by FPGA Technology (WP031)
5G, 5G Advanced, and 6G bring many technical and commercial challenges that need to be met if the promised benefits of this new cellular technology are to be truly achieved. Any solution in this space must deal with the evolving specifications — FPGA and eFPGA IP technology is critical to the successful deployment of these next-generation network technologies.
Software-Defined Hardware Provides the Key to High-Performance Data Acceleration (WP019)
Across a wide range of industries, data acceleration is the key to building efficient, smart systems. A number of accelerator technologies have appeared to fill the gap that are based on custom silicon, graphics processors or dynamically reconfigurable hardware, but the key to their success is their ability to integrate into an environment where high throughput, low latency and ease of development are paramount requirements. A board-level platform developed jointly by Achronix and BittWare has been optimized for these applications, providing developers with a rapid path to deployment for high-throughput data acceleration.
The Achronix Integrated 2D NoC Enables High-Bandwidth Designs (WP028)
Devices aimed at addressing modern algorithm acceleration workloads must be able to efficiently move high-bandwidth data streams between high-speed interfaces and throughout the device. Achronix Speedster®7t FPGAs can process these high-bandwidth data streams via an integrated new and highly innovative two-dimensional network on chip (2D NoC). This white paper discusses two methods of implementing a 2D NoC and presents an example design to show how the Achronix 2D NoC improves performance, reduces area, and reduces design time when compared to a soft 2D NoC implementation.
Enabling the Next Generation of 5G Platforms (WP029)
Radio access networks (RANs) and associated core network hierarchy, which link end-user equipment to both the central telecom network and the cloud, are essential in building ubiquitous cellular connectivity to expand the number and breadth of use cases that can be supported by the technology. This paper outlines the current status of 5G standards and rollout, summarizes the new use cases 5G RANs need to support and examines the standards evolution to support higher bandwidth and additional use cases. Finally, it also explains how Achronix FPGA technology can be utilized by developers to meet the fundamental challenge facing them.
Reduce Speech Transcription Costs by up to 90% with CAI (WP030)
Conversational artificial intelligence (CAI) uses deep learning (DL), a subset of machine learning (ML), to automate speech recognition, natural language processing and text to speech using machines. Achronix and Myrtle.ai are teaming up to deliver an ASR platform consisting of a 200W, x16 PCIe Gen4-based accelerator card and the associated software which together can sustain up to 4000 RTS concurrently, processing up to 1 million five-minute transcriptions per 24-hour period — reducing costs by as much as 90% versus cloud-based APIs.
Achronix FPGAs Optimize AI in Industry 4.0 and 5.0 (WP027)
Industry has come a long way over in the last three hundred years. Machines were first introduced in the 1700s, mainly water and steam driven, introducing the Industrial Revolution in the late 1700s. Automation and computer technology would enter the picture in the late 1960's, paving the way for the eventual automation, artificial intelligence (AI) and networked solutions of today. Although it might appear that humans are no longer in the picture, Industry 5.0 is bringing us full circle by combining the precision and efficiency of robotic systems, driven largely by AI, with the ingenuity and real-time thought of the human mind — all leading to more optimal manufacturing environments.
Achronix Speedcore embedded FPGA (eFPGA) IP includes look-up-table, memory, and DSP blocks. Each of these blocks are designed to be modular to allow the definition any mix of resources required for a custom end system.
The Achronix 7nm Speedster7t FPGA family is specifically designed to deliver extremely high performance for demanding applications including data-center workloads and networking infrastructure. The processing tasks associated with these high-performance applications, specifically those associated with artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) and high-speed networking, represent some of the most demanding processing workloads in the data center.
Designers need a way to protect their source IP, and that is often achieved by way of encrypted RTL. The Achronix tool flow using ACE and Synplify Pro supports the use of encrypted IP to enable protection of all or part of an IP's RTL.
This Application Note provides the steps to attain enumeration from a non-enumerated device with a PCIe interface and from an already enumerated device.
Many users transitioning to Achronix FPGA technology are familiar with existing FPGA solutions from other vendors. Although Achronix technology and tools are similar to existing FPGA technology and tools, there are some differences. Understanding these differences is necessary to achieving the very best performance and quality of results (QoR).
This application note details certain specific design elements that, with certain coding constructs and constraints, can improve timing performance or lower resource utilization.
Accurate timing constraints and proper understanding of timing analysis reports are critical to successful FPGA design projects. This application note introduces ACE users to the structure of ACE timing reports generated during an ACE place-and-route run.
Speedcore User Interface Timing Sign-off Methodology (AN009)
Timing sign-off between the host ASIC and the Speedcore boundary is one of the most crucial steps in ensuring proper integration of a Speedcore instance into a customer's SoC.
The input and output paths between the host SoC and a Speedcore instance are an important test component. It is essential to have a structure that ties seamlessly to the SoC's test flow without requiring special functions such as loading a bitstream in the Speedcore instance.
The Achronix Speedster®7t family is a revolutionary FPGA architecture highly optimized to meet the growing demands of AI/ML and high-bandwidth data acceleration applications. Specifically designed for these high-bandwidth workloads, the Speedster7t FPGA family features a revolutionary new 2D network on chip (NoC) and a high-density array of AI/ML optimized machine learning processors (MLP). Blending FPGA programmability with ASIC routing structures and compute engines, the Speedster7t family creates a new “FPGA+” class of technology.
The Achronix Accelerated Networking Infrastructure Code (ANIC) is a modular suite of SmartNIC IP blocks optimized for Speedster®7t FPGAs and the VectorPath® Accelerator Card, offering high-performance networking for application acceleration.
Speedcore IP is embedded FPGA (eFPGA) that can be integrated into an ASIC or SoC. Customers specify their logic, RAM and DSP resource needs, then Achronix configures the Speedcore IP to meet their individual requirements.
Real-Time ASR Accelerator for Data Centers (PB036)
A real-time automatic speech recognition (ASR) accelerator for data centers, featuring industry-leading WER, concurrent real-time streams, and lowest latency — all running on a single VectorPath accelerator card.
Developed jointly with BittWare, the VectorPath® S7t-VG6 accelerator card is designed to reduce time to market when developing high-performance compute and acceleration functions for artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), networking and data center applications.
Achronix Semiconductor Corporation is a privately held, fabless semiconductor corporation based in Santa Clara, California and offers high-performance FPGA solutions. Achronix’s history is one of pushing the boundaries in the high-performance FPGA market.
The Achronix Tool Suite works in conjunction with industry-standard synthesis tools, allowing FPGA designers (for both standalone and embedded) to easily map their designs into Achronix FPGA technology. Achronix provides ACE together with an Achronix-optimized version of Synplify Pro from Synopsys, the industry standard for producing high-performance and cost-effective FPGA designs.
The Speedster7t FPGA family provides multiple GDDR6 subsystems enabling full utilization of the high-bandwidth efficiency of these interfaces. This guide provides the details for implementing the GDDR6 IP in custom designs.
This user guide describes how to use Synplify Pro from Synopsys to synthesize a design and generate a netlist for implementation in Achronix devices. Suggested optimization techniques are also included.
The Achronix tool suite includes synthesis and place-and-route software that maps RTL designs (VHDL or Verilog) into Achronix devices. In addition to synthesis and place-and-route functions, the Achronix software tools flow also supports simulation at several flow steps (RTL, Synthesized Netlist, and Post Place-And-Routed Netlist). This guide covers the simulation flow for Achronix devices.
This guide is a reference manual for ACE, used for placing, routing, configuring, and debugging Speedcore eFPGAs and Speedster FPGAs. ACE works in conjunction with third-party synthesis and simulation tools to provide a complete design environment for Achronix FPGAs.
At startup, Speedster7t FPGAs require configuration via a bitstream. This user guide details the programming process through one of four available interfaces in the FPGA configuration unit (FCU), the logic controlling the configuration process.
The power user guide covers the Achronix default power and signal integrity sign-off methodology with all relevant sign-off conditions. Also covered are power rail integration guidelines, power supply sequencing, power-on reset, and ESD guidelines.
Design for test (DFT) is an important consideration for Speedcore eFPGAs from the perspective of both Achronix and the ASIC integrator. The programmable nature of Speedcore eFPGAs deliver the inherent benefit of being able to use the programmable logic fabric to test itself. This guide describes Speedcore eFPGAs from a testability perspective and outlines the general features and methodologies that Achronix uses to achieve the necessary coverage.
