Interfacing Artifical Intelligence Modules
Purchased AI modules have very powerful AI engines, but often only provide a PCI Express root port interface. Several peripheral modules such as Ethernet NIC, UART or DMA can then be coupled via this interface using the PCIe multi-function feature. Typischerweise kommt in diesen Anwendungen ein FPGA zum Einsatz, das die PCI-Express Endpoints und die Logik der Peripherie enthält.
Application example with the NVIDIA AI Modules – Xavier, XavierNX, Orin, OrinNX.
For example, to equip one of the NVIDIA modules with 4 separate Ethernet NICs, the Multi-channel HCC IP Core with multi-function option is used.
An Ethernet MAC is attached to each PCIe function, which is connected to the external PHY and establishes the Ethernet link.
The included Linux kernel mode driver ensures that the Ethernet links are connected correctly to the operating system.
