Synopsys introduces New Ultra Ethernet and UALink IP Solutions for Industry Use

A Game-Changer in High-Speed Connectivity

Today, Synopsys, Inc. is shaking things up in the tech world with the launch of the industry’s first Ultra Ethernet IP and UALink IP solutions. These innovative products include everything from controllers to PHYs and verification IP, all aimed at meeting the skyrocketing demand for high-bandwidth and low-Latency connections in high-performance computing (HPC) and AI accelerators. As data centers evolve to handle the processing of trillions of parameters in large language models, the need for efficient and rapid interconnects is more critical than ever. Synopsys is stepping up to provide a comprehensive, low-risk solution that promises to enhance AI architectures, both in scale and performance.

Setting the Stage for the Future

Neeraj Paliwal, senior vice president of IP product management at Synopsys, emphasized the company’s long-standing commitment to innovation. “For more than 25 years, we’ve been at the forefront of delivering top-tier IP solutions that help designers integrate standards-based functionality seamlessly,” he said. With the introduction of Ultra Ethernet and UALink IP, companies now have a head start on developing a new generation of high-performance chips and systems that are primed for future AI and HPC infrastructure. But what does this mean for you, the end user? It means faster, more efficient systems that can handle the growing demands of AI.

Ultra Ethernet IP: A New Standard

So, what’s in the new Synopsys Ultra Ethernet IP solution? Let’s break it down. This offering includes a comprehensive suite made up of PHY, Mac, and PCS controllers, as well as verification IP. It’s designed to scale out backend networks to support up to a staggering one million endpoints in a single network. Imagine the possibilities!

The 224G Ethernet PHY IP has already proven its worth at major tradeshows like ECOC, OFC, and DesignCon, showcasing its broad interoperability. Plus, with a patented error correction implementation, the Ultra Ethernet MAC and PCS controller IP can deliver up to 1.6 Tbps of bandwidth with ultra-low latency. This is crucial for real-time processing in AI workloads, where every millisecond counts.

Seamless Integration and Validation

Integration is a breeze, too. The MAC and PCS IP support an interface to the higher layers of the Ultra Ethernet stack, providing a full silicon implementation for switches, AI accelerators, and smart NICs. And let’s not forget about verification and validation. The Synopsys Ultra Ethernet verification IP ensures that protocols keep pace with rapidly evolving standards, allowing for quicker and more efficient validation of AI and HPC systems.

Juniper Networks is already on board with this technology. Their PTX10002-36QDD Packet Transport Router has introduced the industry’s first 800GbE capability, leveraging Synopsys Ethernet IP. Debashis Basu from Juniper highlights that they will continue to collaborate with Synopsys to transition into the 1.6TbE era, aiming to enhance scale, reliability, and performance in data center networks. As AI workloads grow exponentially, this partnership is vital to creating more efficient and cost-effective networks.

UALink IP: A Leap Forward for AI Compute

Now let’s turn our attention to the Synopsys UALink IP solution. This powerhouse is designed to scale up computing fabrics, supporting up to 1,024 AI accelerators. Think about that—more power, more efficiency, and less waiting around for data transfers. The UALink PHY IP is engineered for data-intensive AI workloads, providing a whopping 200 Gbps per lane.

What’s even more exciting? The UALink Controller IP is optimized for latency and features memory-sharing capabilities, which help alleviate bottlenecks in AI hardware infrastructure. With built-in protocol checks, the UALink Verification IP ensures quick and reliable verification for AI hardware, streamlining the entire process.

Industry Collaboration: The Key to Success

Industry leaders are already rallying around these new technologies. Kurtis Bowman from the UALink Consortium praises Synopsys for its commitment to creating a scalable, high-performance data center ecosystem tailored for the demands of AI models. AMD’s Robert Hormuth echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in developing robust, scalable solutions for large-scale AI and HPC.

Chris Petersen from Astera Labs highlights how new interconnect technologies like UALink are essential for supporting the rapid growth and complexity of AI workloads. Meanwhile, Tenstorrent’s David Bennett notes that the low latencies and high bandwidths of the upcoming UEC and UALink standards will enable ultra-efficient interfaces for AI compute.

Gerry Fan from XConn wraps it up nicely by pointing out that hyperscalers face immense connectivity challenges as AI model parameters and compute requirements continue to surge. With XConn’s UALink switches and Synopsys’ new UALink IP, system architects can look forward to deploying high-performance, standards-compliant systems for future AI computing and networking architectures.

What’s Next?

If you’re excited about these advancements, you’ll want to mark your calendar. The Synopsys Ultra Ethernet IP solution, including MAC and PCS, PHY, and verification IP, is set to hit the market in the first half of 2025. The Synopsys UALink IP solution, featuring controller, PHY, and verification IP, is expected to follow in the second half of 2025. The future of AI and HPC connectivity is looking brighter than ever, and Synopsys is leading the charge. Are you ready for the revolution?

Background Information

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About AMD:

AMD, a large player in the semiconductor industry is known for its powerful processors and graphic solutions, AMD has consistently pushed the boundaries of performance, efficiency, and user experience. With a customer-centric approach, the company has cultivated a reputation for delivering high-performance solutions that cater to the needs of gamers, professionals, and general users. AMD's Ryzen series of processors have redefined the landscape of desktop and laptop computing, offering impressive multi-core performance and competitive pricing that has challenged the dominance of its competitors. Complementing its processor expertise, AMD's Radeon graphics cards have also earned accolades for their efficiency and exceptional graphical capabilities, making them a favored choice among gamers and content creators. The company's commitment to innovation and technology continues to shape the client computing landscape, providing users with powerful tools to fuel their digital endeavors.

  

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About Synopsys:

Synopsys is a important American software company that specializes in electronic design automation (EDA) and semiconductor intellectual property. Founded in 1986, Synopsys provides tools and solutions for designing and testing complex integrated circuits and electronic systems. Their software aids in the development of semiconductors, electronic products, and software applications, playing a crucial role in advancing technological innovation across various industries. For more detailed information about their products and contributions, you can visit their official website at

  

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Technology Explained

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HPC: HPC, or High Performance Computing, is a type of technology that allows computers to perform complex calculations and process large amounts of data at incredibly high speeds. This is achieved through the use of specialized hardware and software, such as supercomputers and parallel processing techniques. In the computer industry, HPC has a wide range of applications, from weather forecasting and scientific research to financial modeling and artificial intelligence. It enables researchers and businesses to tackle complex problems and analyze vast amounts of data in a fraction of the time it would take with traditional computing methods. HPC has revolutionized the way we approach data analysis and has opened up new possibilities for innovation and discovery in various fields.

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Latency: Technology latency is the time it takes for a computer system to respond to a request. It is an important factor in the performance of computer systems, as it affects the speed and efficiency of data processing. In the computer industry, latency is a major factor in the performance of computer networks, storage systems, and other computer systems. Low latency is essential for applications that require fast response times, such as online gaming, streaming media, and real-time data processing. High latency can cause delays in data processing, resulting in slow response times and poor performance. To reduce latency, computer systems use various techniques such as caching, load balancing, and parallel processing. By reducing latency, computer systems can provide faster response times and improved performance.

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