InterConnect vs. SmartConnect - 2021.2 English

Vivado Design Suite User Guide: Designing IP Subsystems Using IP Integrator

Document ID
UG994
Release Date
2021-10-27
Version
2021.2 English

The Xilinx® LogiCORE™ IP AXI InterConnect and SmartConnect cores both connect one or more AXI memory-mapped master devices to one or more memory-mapped slave devices; however, the SmartConnect is more tightly integrated into the Vivado design environment to automatically configure and adapt to connected AXI master and slave IP with minimal user intervention. The AXI Interconnect can be used in all memory-mapped designs.

There are certain cases for high bandwidth application where using a SmartConnect provides better optimization. The SmartConnect IP delivers the maximum system throughput at low latency by synthesizing a low area custom interconnect that is optimized for important interfaces.

The IP Integrator provides the user a choice to select between the AXI InterConnect and a SmartConnect if the endpoints being connected are AXI4 memory-mapped endpoints.

As an example, consider the design example shown in the following figure, where a memory interface IP needs to be connected to a MicroBlaze™ processor.

Figure 1. Connecting to High Bandwidth Interfaces

When you click the Run Connection Automation link, shown in the following figure, the connection automation provides a choice to instantiate either a InterConnect or a SmartConnect, shown in the following figure.

Figure 2. Run Connection Automation Dialog Box Provides Option to Connect to SmartConnect

Leaving it to the default selection of Auto instantiates a SmartConnect IP to connect the MicroBlaze processor to the Memory Interface IP.