Altera SerialLite III Streaming MegaCore Function - Manual (Page 7)

• Low protocol overhead
• Low point-to-point transfer latency
• Uses the hardened Native PHY IP core (Arria 10 devices) or Interlaken PHY IP core (Stratix V and
Arria V GZ devices) to reduce soft logic resource utilization
SerialLite III Streaming Protocol Operating Modes
The protocol defines two operating modes for different applications: continuous and burst mode. This
section defines these two operating modes, and describes the targeted application models and their key
characteristics. The following table shows the key differences of the two operating modes.
Table 2-1: Continuous vs. Burst Mode Characteristics
Characteristics Continuous Mode Burst Mode
Buffering Minimal Burst size
Can connect directly to a data converter (ADC,
DAC)
Yes No
Asynchronous clock and data recovery support No Yes
The IP core that you generate can be in either mode. There is no parameter option to select between
continuous and burst modes. The selection depends on how you provide data at the Avalon-ST TX
interface.
Continuous Mode
A SerialLite III Streaming link operating in continuous mode accepts and transmits user data over the
link, and presents it on the user interface at the receiving link at the same rate and without gaps in the
stream. When operating in this mode, a link implementing the protocol looks like a data pipe that can
transparently forward all data presented on the user interface to the far end of the link.
Continuous mode is appropriate for applications that require a simple interface to transmit a single, high
bandwidth data stream. An example of this application is sensor data links for radar and wireless
infrastructure. With this mode, data converters can connect to either end of the link with minimal
interface logic. This mode requires both ends of the link to operate from a common transceiver reference
clock.
Burst Mode
A SerialLite III Streaming link operating in burst mode accepts bursts of data across the user interface and
transmits each burst across the link as a discrete data burst.
Burst mode is appropriate for applications where the data stream is divided into bursts of data. An
example of this application is uncompressed digital video where the data stream is divided into lines of
display raster. This mode provides more flexibility to the clocking and also supports multiplexing of
multiple data streams across the link.
Note: The minimum required gap between bursts is 2 user clock cycles in standard and advanced
clocking modes on the transmit side. Therefore, the user must provide two extra user clock cycles
between an end of burst and the start of the next burst.
2-2 SerialLite III Streaming Protocol Operating Modes
UG-01126
2015.05.04
Altera Corporation About the SerialLite III Streaming IP Core
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