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Altera Corporation
FLEX 10KE Embedded Programmable Logic Family Data Sheet
ClockLock &
ClockBoost
Features
To support high-speed designs, FLEX 10KE devices offer optional
ClockLock and ClockBoost circuitry containing a phase-locked loop (PLL)
that is used to increase design speed and reduce resource usage. The
ClockLock circuitry uses a synchronizing PLL that reduces the clock delay
and skew within a device. This reduction minimizes clock-to-output and
setup times while maintaining zero hold times. The ClockBoost circuitry,
which provides a clock multiplier, allows the designer to enhance device
area efficiency by resource sharing within the device. The ClockBoost
feature allows the designer to distribute a low-speed clock and multiply
that clock on-device. Combined, the ClockLock and ClockBoost features
provide significant improvements in system performance and
bandwidth.
All FLEX 10KE devices, except EPF10K50E and EPF10K200E devices,
support ClockLock and ClockBoost circuitry. EPF10K50S and
EPF10K200S devices support this circuitry. Devices that support Clock-
Lock and ClockBoost circuitry are distinguished with an “X” suffix in the
ordering code; for instance, the EPF10K200SFC672-1X device supports
this circuit.
The ClockLock and ClockBoost features in FLEX 10KE devices are
enabled through the MAX+PLUS II software. External devices are not
required to use these features. The output of the ClockLock and
ClockBoost circuits is not available at any of the device pins.
The ClockLock and ClockBoost circuitry locks onto the rising edge of the
incoming clock. The circuit output can drive the clock inputs of registers
only; the generated clock cannot be gated or inverted.
The dedicated clock pin (GCLK1) supplies the clock to the ClockLock and
ClockBoost circuitry. When the dedicated clock pin is driving the
ClockLock or ClockBoost circuitry, it cannot drive elsewhere in the
device.
For designs that require both a multiplied and non-multiplied clock, the
clock trace on the board can be connected to the GCLK1 pin. In the
MAX+PLUS II software, the GCLK1 pin can feed both the ClockLock and
ClockBoost circuitry in the FLEX 10KE device. However, when both
circuits are used, the other clock pin cannot be used.