Stratix V Device Handbook: Volume 2: Transceivers

ID 683779
Date 11/23/2021
Public
Document Table of Contents

1.3.2.3. 8B/10B Encoder

The 8B/10B encoder generates 10-bit code groups from the 8-bit data and 1-bit control identifier. In 8-bit width mode, the 8B/10B encoder translates the 8-bit data to a 10-bit code group (control word or data word) with proper disparity. If the tx_datak input is high, the 8B/10B encoder translates the input data[7:0] to a 10-bit control word. If the tx_datak input is low, the 8B/10B encoder translates the input dat a[7:0] to a 10-bit data word.

Figure 30. 8B/10B Conversion Format

Control Code Encoding

The IEEE 802.3 8B/10B encoder specification identifies only a set of 8-bit characters for which tx_datak must be asserted. If you assert tx_datak for any other set of bytes, the 8B/10B encoder might encode the output 10-bit code as an invalid code (it does not map to a valid Dx.y or Kx.y code), or unintended valid Dx.y code, depending on the value entered. It is possible for a downstream 8B/10B decoder to decode an invalid control word into a valid Dx.y code without asserting code error flags.

Figure 31. Control Word and Data Word Transmission

Reset Condition

The tx_digitalreset signal resets the 8B/10B encoder. During reset, running disparity (RD) and data registers are cleared. Also, the 8B/10B encoder outputs a K28.5 pattern from the RD- column continuously until tx_digitalreset is deasserted. The input data and control code from the FPGA fabric is ignored during the reset state. After reset, the 8B/10B encoder starts with an RD being negative (RD-) and transmits three K28.5 code groups for synchronization before it starts encoding and transmitting the data on its output.

Note: While tx_digitalreset is asserted, the downstream 8B/10B decoder that receives the data may observe synchronization or disparity errors.

When in reset (tx_digitalreset is high), a K28.5- (K28.5 10-bit code group from the RD-column) is sent continuously until tx_digitalreset is low. Because of some pipelining of the transmitter channel PCS, some “don’t cares” (10’hxxx) are sent before the three synchronizing K28.5 code groups. User data follows the third K28.5 code group.

Figure 32. 8B/10B Encoder Output During tx_digitalreset Deassertion

Transmitter Polarity Inversion

The positive and negative signals of a serial differential link may be erroneously swapped during board layout. Solutions such as board re-spin or major updates to the PLD logic are expensive. The transmitter polarity inversion feature of the 8B/10B encoder is provided to correct this situation.

Transmitter Bit-Slip

The transmitter bit-slip allows you to compensate for the channel-to-channel skew between multiple transmitter channels by slipping the data sent to the physical medium attachment (PMA).