Visible to Intel only — Ixiasoft
Visible to Intel only — Ixiasoft
4.5.1.1.1. RMII
RMII uses a single centralized system-synchronous 50 MHz clock source (REF_CLK) for both transmit and receive paths across all ports. This simplifies system clocking and lowers pin counts in high port density systems, because your design can use a single board oscillator as opposed to per port TX_CLK/RX_CLK source synchronous clock pairs.
RMII uses two-bit wide transmit and receive datapaths. All data and control signals are synchronous to the REF_CLK rising edge. The RX_ER control signal is not used. In 10Mbps mode, all data and control signals are held valid for 10 REF_CLK clock cycles.
Interface Clocking Scheme
EMACs and RMII PHYs can provide the 50 MHz REF_CLK source. Using clock resources already present such as HPS_CLK1 input, internal PLLs further simplifies system clocking design and eliminates the need for an additional clock source.
This section discusses system design scenarios for both HPS EMAC-sourced and PHY-sourced REF_CLK.
GUIDELINE: Consult the PHY datasheet for specifics on the choice of REF_CLK source in your application.
Make sure your choice of PHY supports the REF_CLK clocking scheme in your application. Note any requirements and usage considerations specified in the PHY’s datasheet.
- HPS-Sourced REF_CLK
- PHY-Sourced REF_CLK
I/O Pin Timing
Account for routing delay differences from the REF_CLK source to REF_CLK input pins between the HPS EMAC and PHY
If RX_CLK is routed daisy-chain from source to MAC to PHY or source to PHY, you must account for the flight time difference as both REF_CLK loads will see the clock at different times.
GUIDELINE: Take into account routing delays and skews on the data and control signals to ensure meeting setup and hold as specified in the HPS SoC Device datasheet and PHY datasheet.
Signal length matching is not necessary unless you have signal lengths in excess of 24”, in which case you must perform some basic timing analysis with clock delays versus data delays.
The period is 20 ns with the 50 MHz REF_CLK and remains at this frequency regardless of whether the PHY is set to 10Mbps or 100Mbps mode.
All clocking in the HPS EMAC is based on the RX_CLK, so the Tco and PCB flight time of REF_CLK from either the EMAC or PHY can be ignored. Typical board traces up to 12 inches yield only 2 ns of flight time and Tsu of RXD to RX_CLK is 4 ns minimum, well under the 20 ns period.
There is a 2 ns hold requirement of RXD versus RX_CLK which is easily satisfied as well because the Tco of TXD with respect to RX_CLK for either the MAC or the PHY is typically over 2 ns. For Intel® Arria® 10 SoC device, the Tco of TXD with respect to RX_CLK is 7 ns to 10 ns.
GUIDELINE: Ensure the REF_CLK source meets the duty cycle requirement.
There is no jitter specification for the REF_CLK, but there is a duty cycle requirement of 35% to 65%. This requirement is met by Intel® Arria® 10 PLLs and clock outputs for GPIO or for the TX_CLK signal coming from the HPS IP specifically.