Ethernet for FPGA = GEDEK

“Plug and Ping” Ethernet for FPGAs !

Did you once evaluate the possibility of connecting an FPGA to Ethernet and transferring data to/from a PC for example ? Did you reach the conclusion that it was very difficult and involved a lot of complex and bulky parts ?
Then it’s time to re-consider !!!
Our GEDEK IPs (1G, 2.5G, 5G and 10G) offer a new paradigm.

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Ethernet ? Yes…

Ethernet is pervasive in the Computing and Telecom world, and there is no easier way to link Processing units together, with distances from a few inches to thousands of miles. The connectivity is also pervasive and cheap, and the speed excellent : Gigabit Ethernet has been around for a very long time and now 2.5G and even 10G Ethernet are the new standards.

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… but …

Ethernet is easy for CPUs and motherboards but was so far a real pain to implement in FPGAs. The reason being it typically required: a Processor, an Ethernet MAC, an SGDMA, External Memories, a Real Time Operating System, a software Ethernet stack, and custom embedded software!
All that to end up with a bulky and expensive solution that is unable to reliably sustain the transfer rate that Gigabit allows (even with no other task to take care of).

That’s why we invented GEDEK : a processor-less Hardware Ethernet stack!

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ALSE GEDEK IPs change everything !

No processor is required, no external memory, 100% bandwidth is guaranteed in both directions simultaneously, no RTOS, no software development, no FPGA development, no PC-side development, and all this in a tiny footprint, for a very low cost and no (zero) royalty.

Our GEDEK IPs are absolutely unique on the market, so be prepared to revise your ideas about Ethernet, to give up inferior standards and performance (from RS232, HDLC, to USB, USB2 etc), to get rid of platforms and drivers issues, and to enter the wonderful world of Ethernet!

Our initial GEDEK IP supported both Fast Ethernet (100 Mbits) links where Gigabit performance is not required (Fast Ethernet is cheaper than GbE and runs on less power) and for Gigabit Ethernet (and dual-mode).

We have now a successor : our 10GEDEK IP, which is described in a separate article.

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For what kind of FPGAs ?

Our GEDEK IPs are available on most FPGAs from all vendors (Altera / Intel, AMD / Xilinx, Lattice, Microchip…), and a lot of demo platforms are readily available. GEDEK comes with “batteries included”: the PC-side is also provided, for Linux or Windows so there is no (zero) development required to build a complete solution.

Using GEDEK, adding Ethernet connectivity to any FPGA design usually takes less than one day.

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Want to know more ?

Take a look at our Introduction to GEDEK.

The next step will be to fill in our Information Request Form and tell us about your application.

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Most of the time, and thanks to our GEDEK solution, Ethernet is the most efficient & cost-effective way to link a PC and an FPGA (as compared to USB or PCIExpress for example).

GEDEK can also be used to link FPGAs together or to connect to Gigabit Ethernet equipments (like GigE Vision cameras).

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