In Conversation
UltraSCALE
Architecture
ELE Times: What are your views on the entry of UltraScale +
FPGA, SoC and 3D ICs in the LTE-Advanced, and the wireless
5G.
Giles Peckham: 5G is all about securely connecting billions of
devices faster, with a solid connection, almost anywhere. It will
go well beyond the current mobile experience, improving
overall service to help usher in the era of Internet of Things,
with 1000X network capacity for 100X the number of
connected devices and machines.
Over 50 billion connected devices are expected by 2020. As a
result, 5G networks must be more scalable, intelligent, and
heterogeneous. Technologies such as distributed small cells,
massive-MIMO with hundreds of antennas, and centralized
base-band processing via CloudRAN, will dramatically increase
coverage and data throughput. Networks will need to connect
securely through backhaul and optical front haul for processing.
For 5G, Xilinx All Programmable technology is helping solve
capacity, connectivity, and performance challenges. It also
provides the flexibility to support multiple standards, multiple
bands and the multiple sub-networks that enable the many
diverse IoT driven applications of 5G.
Xilinx provides a flexible, standards-based solution that
combines software programmability, multi-standard and multiband hardware optimization, and any-to-any connectivity with
the security needed for 5G networks. Customers can quickly
develop their applications on Zynq MPSoC and UltraScale
FPGAs silicon platforms using Vivado High-Level Synthesis,
SDSoC, and SDAccel software defined environments.
Xilinx’s products offer customers multiple differentiating
advantages vs. other types of solutions. They offer the benefit
of a flexible platform that can give them a 1-2 time to market
advantage vs. ASIC alternatives at a >50% lower total cost of
ownership as well as a scalable future proof platform. The
strength of the advanced 16nm process with new technology
innovations will allow customers to create architectures that
can span 5X the frequency bandwidth at 3X the number of
bands traditionally served with ½ the power consumption of
older technology solutions.
ELE Times: Define megatrends in Xilinx system design and
what are the key challenges?
Giles Peckham: Over 50 Billion devices and machines will be
connected by 2020. Once connected, they must be secure to
deter intruders, right down to the hardware level. As these
devices, machines, systems, and networks become more
context aware, they must adapt to their environments and
demands, being more programmable and software defined.
Staying a Generation
Ahead with an Extra
Node of Value
X
ilinx's new 16nm and 20nm UltraScale
families are based on the first all
programmable architecture to span multiple
nodes from planar through FinFET technologies
and beyond, while also scaling from monolithic
through 3D ICs. At 20nm Xilinx pioneered the first
ASIC-class All Programmable architecture to
enable multi-hundred gigabit-per-second levels of
system performance with smart processing at full
line rates, scaling to terabits and teraflops. At
16nm, UltraScale+ families combine new memory,
3D-on-3D, and multi-processing SoC (MPSoC)
technologies to deliver a generation ahead of
value. Giles Peckham, Regional Marketing
Director, Xilinx Inc discusses the subject at length
with ELE Times. Excerpts.
Giles Peckham
Regional Marketing Director
Xilinx Inc
ELE Times | 58 | November, 2016