Altera's revolutionary MultiCore embedded architecture is an innovative combination of three different types of PLD structures: look-up tables (LUTs), like those found in FLEX 10K and FLEX 6000 devices; product-term blocks, like those found in MAX 7000 devices; and enhanced embedded memory blocks, like those found in FLEX 10KE devices. See Figure 2. Together, these structures make the integration of complex functions, such as megafunctions, an easy and efficient process.
Figure 2. APEX MultiCore Architecture
The MultiCore architecture is made up of logic array blocks (LABs), each consisting of 10 FLEX 6000 logic elements (LEs). These are combined into a new hierarchical structure called a MegaLAB structure, which is a "LAB of LABs." Each MegaLab structure contains 16 LABs and an advanced embedded structure called an embedded system block (ESB).
The MultiCore architecture enhances the continuous metal FastTrack Interconnect routing structure by introducing a fourth level to the routing hierarchy. In addition to the global row and column interconnect, the MegaLAB interconnect connects all LABs and the ESB within a MegaLAB structure. It allows for increased performance by using local routing instead of global routing resources, as shown in Figure 3. A local interconnect also connects the LEs within the same LAB to adjacent LABs, as in the FLEX 6000 LAB interleaving.
Figure 3. MegaLAB & FastTrack Interconnect Routing Structures
Unlike other APEX devices, APEX 20KC devices feature an all-layer copper interconnect structure. All-layer copper interconnects use copper for all metal layers, optimizing the performance-critical high-speed interconnects typically found in metal layers 1 through 5. Considerable performance benefits are made possible using copper interconnects as they have lower resistance than aluminum interconnects.
MultiVolt Interface
The trend toward higher system performance requirements and lower supply voltages makes it imperative that devices support multiple low-voltage I/O standards. APEX devices support the Altera MultiVolt I/O interface for 5-V, 3.3-V, 2.5-V, and 1.8-V devices. APEX 20KC and APEX 20KE devices support all four voltage interfaces; APEX 20K devices can interface with 5-V, 3.3-V, and 2.5-V devices.
Low-Voltage I/O Support
All APEX devices offer user-selectable I/O support for the LVTTL and LVCMOS standards(1). APEX 20KE and APEX 20KC devices also support the SSTL-2, SSTL-3, AGP, CTT, HSTL, GTL+, LVDS, and LVPECL standards. True-LVDS circuitry has been specifically incorporated in the APEX 20KC and APEX 20KE devices as a key high-performance I/O interface solution. More information on APEX I/O support can be found on the APEX I/O Support, APEX LVDS Support, and APEX True-LVDS Solution pages.
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