Communications & Networking
Contents Overview Increased performance and programmability Put more digital into wireless signal processing Faster deployment of Internet channels FPGAs at work in wireless base stations Satellite modems simplified	Other Links IP Center IP Catalog Partnerships & Services Tools Technology Solutions System Solutions What's New
Overview
Xilinx and its partners provide the building blocks and expertise for many communications applications. The core solutions and consulting services we provide help customers accelerate time to market, keep pace with industry standards, and address the industry's demands for high performance and low power solutions. Xilinx FPGAs have been used to implement system level building blocks for a variety of applications, including: Wireless: spread spectrum, satellite modems, cellular/PCS base stations, military radios and wireless local loop Cable: modems, spectrum management and test equipment xDSL technologies for high speed data over copper Telecommunications Networking Communications test equipment
Increased performance AND programmability
In the past, specialized DSPs have provided designers a programmable solution, however these processors often failed to deliver the performance required for high data rate applications. Xilinx’ Virtex FPGAs and predesigned system level building blocks achieve the parallel processing performance once realized only with custom ICs. The solution is user programmable to deliver increased flexibility at more attractive price points than can be achieved with DSPs.
Put more digital into wireless signal processing
Configurable hardware digital processing solutions can be deployed closer to antenna systems thereby eliminating analog components. Virtex FPGAs can process incoming data at frequencies in the RF (radio frequencies) and IF (intermediate) frequency range with data sample rates well above 100 MHz.
Faster deployment of Internet channels
FPGAs are capable of integrating complete high speed, high bandwidth communications channels for xDSL, Internet over cable, and wireless networks. The solutions inherent programmability allows system operators to test and verify innovative algorithms in real time –over a real communications channel. Schedule delays typically incurred by the need to develop real time software for multiple DSP processors can be avoided entirely.
FPGAs at work in wireless base stations
Xilinx FPGAs are used in both PCS and cellular wireless base stations to implement complex functions requiring performance beyond the capability of a specialty processors, such as: channelization, filter matching, sequence generation, modulation, error control, and encryption. Xilinx and its partners provide solutions for basic building blocks and high level functions to help you accelerate your deployment of fully programmable base stations to meet multiple voice and data standards. Features of the solutions include: FPGAs connect directly to high-speed A/D converters and process the data through to base-band rates where DSP processors take over. Fully programmable base stations permit the transition to next generation standards while maintaining support for existing standards. PCI and Compact PCI bus cores (33 and 66 MHz) to provide the backbone for integrating board level building blocks.
Satellite modems simplified
Most satcom systems require data rates that exceed the capabilities of DSPs. As a result, FPGAs have become a popular alternative. Designers of satellite base station equipment take advantage of FPGA to implement high performance system building blocks including filtering, modulation and error control. In doing so, they successfully simplify development and avoid the cost and schedule delays associated with custom IC design.
Reconfigurable Radio
Programmable RF/IF blocks are key to implementing a fully programmable communications infrastructure. FPGAs implement hardware solutions defined by a digital bit stream. By simply reconfiguring the FPGA you can support emerging standards, deploy system upgrades, reallocate channels, or perform system maintenance. In addition, fully programmable solutions built with FPGA and DSP processors can be upgraded by sending commands over a network. Xilinx' Internet reconfigurable logic (IRL) technology promises to help make reconfiguration ultimately easy.