External Memory Interface Handbook Volume 3: Reference Material: For UniPHY-based Device Families

ID 683841
Date 3/06/2023
Public
Document Table of Contents

3.4.8. Arria® 10 EMIF Architecture: PLL Reference Clock Networks

Each I/O bank includes a PLL that can drive the PHY clock trees of that bank, through dedicated connections. In addition to supporting EMIF-specific functions, such PLLs can also serve as general-purpose PLLs for user logic.

Arria® 10 external memory interfaces that span multiple banks use the PLL in each bank. (Previous device families relied on a single PLL with clock signals broadcast to all I/Os via a clock network.) The Arria® 10 architecture allows for relatively short PHY clock networks, reducing jitter and duty-cycle distortion.

In a multi-bank interface, the clock outputs of individual PLLs must remain in phase; this is achieved by the following mechanisms:

  • A single PLL reference clock source feeds all PLLs. The reference clock signal reaches the PLLs by a balanced PLL reference clock tree. The Quartus Prime software automatically configures the PLL reference clock tree so that it spans the correct number of banks.
  • The IP sets the PLL M and N values appropriately to maintain synchronization among the clock dividers across the PLLs. This requirement restricts the legal PLL reference clock frequencies for a given memory interface frequency and clock rate. The Arria® 10 EMIF IP parameter editor automatically calculates and displays the set of legal PLL reference clock frequencies. If you plan to use an on-board oscillator, you must ensure that its frequency matches the PLL reference clock frequency that you select from the displayed list. The correct M and N values of the PLLs are set automatically based on the PLL reference clock frequency that you select.
Note: The PLL reference clock pin may be placed in the address and command I/O bank or in a data I/O bank, there is no implication on timing.
Figure 90. PLL Balanced Reference Clock Tree