External Memory Interfaces (EMIF) IP User Guide: Agilex™ 5 FPGAs and SoCs

ID 817467
Date 11/18/2024
Public
Document Table of Contents

12.24. Skew

Ensure that all clocked signals, commands, addresses, and control signals arrive at the memory inputs at the same time.

Trace length variations cause data valid window variations between the signals, reducing margin. For example, DDR4-3200 at 1600 MHz has a data valid window that is smaller than 313 ps. Trace length skew or crosstalk can reduce this data valid window further, making it difficult to design a reliably operating memory interface. Ensure that the skew figure previously entered into the Altera FPGA IP matches that actually achieved on the PCB, otherwise Quartus® Prime timing analysis of the interface is accurate.