Description

M.2 M-key Stack FMC is an FPGA Mezzanine Card that allows you to connect up to 2x M.2 M-key modules to your FPGA or MPSoC development board. Both of the module ports have their own independent 4-lane PCIe link to the FPGA/MPSoC for maximum throughput. On-board 100MHz oscillators provide precision clock sources for the modules and the FPGA/MPSoC. A carrier-side FMC connector enables this mezzanine card to be “stacked” with an additional FMC, significantly enhancing the capabilities of a single FMC connector.

For more detailed information, including specifications, technical documents, tutorials and example designs for the latest version of Vivado, please visit the product website.

• Supports 2x M.2 NGFF M-key PCIe modules (M.2 modules not included)
• Supports up to 4 lanes PCIe Gen4 per module
• Mezzanine-side HPC FMC connector interfaces with LPC or HPC FMC carriers that have connected gigabit transceivers
• Carrier-side HPC FMC connector interfaces with an optional second FMC card
• 2x 100MHz oscillators supplies clock for both FPGA and SSD
• EEPROM containing board identification
• Reference designs for several FPGA and MPSoC Evaluation boards
• Straightforward tech support

Frequently asked questions

How does this product compare with FPGA Drive FMC Gen4?

The M.2 M-key Stack FMC is equivalent to the FPGA Drive FMC Gen4 but the key difference is that it can be used with a second mezzanine card that can be “stacked” on top of it. Since the M.2 modules only require gigabit transceivers, the M.2 M-key Stack FMC allows the FMC I/O pins to be used by a second mezzanine card rather than being left unused and inaccessable. The M.2 M-key Stack FMC is differentiated by the following main points:

1. It can be “stacked” with a second FMC that has access to all I/O signals except the gigabit transceivers and associated clocks.
2. It is physically shorter with the mounting holes to support M.2 modules of length 30mm and 42mm. It requires an extension to support M.2 modules of length 60mm, 80mm and 110mm.
3. It has an I2C I/O expander that can be used optionally to drive the M.2 module resets.

What mezzanine cards can be stacked on the M.2 M-key Stack FMC?

Any standard mezzanine card that does not require gigabit transceivers or the clocks associated with them. The M.2 M-key Stack FMC uses all of the gigabit transceivers and associated clocks, but it passes up all other I/O, clocks and power supplies to the second mezzanine. Read more about this in the datasheet: Stack FMC concept

What are the compatible target boards?

The compatible boards section of the product documentation lists all boards that are compatible with the M.2 M-key Stack FMC, and it also describes the requirements for compatibility.

Where can I find the example designs?

The product website contains information about the example designs.

Where can I find the datasheet?

The datasheet can be found on the product website.

Do I need any purchased IP to use FPGA Drive?

The minimum requirement for interfacing an FPGA with an M.2 NVMe SSD is a PCIe IP core, however, these days many FPGA development boards have an FPGA with integrated PCIe block. If your FPGA board has an integrated PCIe block, and it can be routed to the gigabit transceivers of the FMC connector without timing issues, you will not need any purchased IP to use the M.2 M-key Stack FMC. The reference designs rely on the Xilinx PCIe integrated block and they allow an M.2 NVMe SSD to be accessed in PetaLinux. In that use case, the NVMe protocol is handled by the operating system, or more specifically by the embedded microprocessor. If you have an application where the NVMe protocol must be handled in the FPGA fabric, you may require purchased IP.

What is the maximum read/write speed achievable with M.2 M-key Stack FMC?

See this article for a complete answer.

What accessories come with the M.2 M-key Stack FMC?

M.2 M-key Stack FMC comes with:

• 2x machine screws for fixing the M.2 modules to the mezzanine card
• 2x machine screws for fixing the mezzanine card to the carrier card
• 4x stand-offs for fixing a second FMC to the mezzanine card

What does NOT come with the M.2 M-key Stack FMC?

M.2 M-key Stack FMC does not come with a M.2 modules; they can however be easily purchased from several online retailers such as Amazon.