Memory Controller - 2020.2 English

H.264/H.265 Video Codec Unit v1.2 Solutions LogiCORE IP Product Guide (PG252)

Document ID
PG252
Release Date
2020-11-24
Version
2020.2 English

The memory controller (MC) is designed to take Read, Write, and Read-Modify-Write transactions from the user interface (UI) block and issues them to memory efficiently with low latency, meeting all DRAM protocol and timing requirements while using minimal FPGA resources. The controller operates with a DRAM to system clock ratio of 4:1 and can issue one Activate, one CAS, and one Precharge command on each system clock cycle.

The controller supports an open page policy and can achieve very high efficiencies with workloads with a high degree of spatial locality. The controller also supports a closed page policy and the ability to reorder transactions to efficiently schedule workloads with address patterns that are more random. The controller also allows a degree of control over low-level functions with a UI control signal for AutoPrecharge on a per transaction basis as well as signals that can be used to determine when DRAM refresh commands are issued.

The key blocks of the controller command path include:

  • The Group FSMs that queue up transactions, check DRAM timing, and decide when to request Precharge, Activate, and CAS DRAM commands.
  • The "Safe" logic and arbitration units that reorder transactions between Group FSMs based on additional DRAM timing checks while also ensuring forward progress for all DRAM command requests.
  • The Final Arbiter that makes the final decision about which commands are issued to the PHY and feeds the result back to the previous stages.

The maintenance blocks of the controller command path include:

  • Blocks that generate refresh and ZQ Calibration Short commands
  • Commands needed for voltage and temperature tracking
    Figure 1. Memory Controller Block Diagram