The Virtex-4 family from Xilinx significantly improves programmable logic design capabilities, making it a potent alternative to ASIC technology. It combines Advanced Silicon Modular Block (ASMBL) architecture with a wide range of customizable features. The three platform families that make up the Virtex-4 FPGAs—LX, FX, and SX—offer numerous feature options and combinations to suit all complicated applications.
PowerPC processors (with a new APU interface), tri-mode Ethernet MACs, 622 Mb/s to 6.5 Gb/s serial transceivers, specialized DSP slices, high-speed clock management circuits, and source-synchronous interface blocks are just a few of the many hard-IP core blocks available for the Virtex-4 FPGA. The fundamental building elements of the Virtex-4 FPGA are upgrades of those found in the well-liked Virtex, Virtex-E, Virtex-II, Virtex-II Pro, and Virtex-II Pro X product families, allowing upward compatibility with designs from earlier generations. Virtex-4 devices are manufactured utilizing a cutting-edge 300 mm (12-inch) wafer process and 90 nm copper technology.
