Altera Launches Production of Agilex 7 FPGA M-Series for Enhanced Performance

Altera introduces the Agilex 7 FPGA M-Series

Today, Altera Corporation, a heavyweight in the world of FPGA innovations, has dropped some exciting news: they’re kicking off production shipments of their new Agilex 7 FPGA M-Series. This isn’t just any FPGA; it’s the industry’s first high-end, high-density FPGA that boasts integrated high bandwidth memory and support for the latest DDR5 and LPDDR5 memory technologies. With over 3.8 million logic elements, the Agilex 7 FPGA M-Series is tailored for applications that demand top-tier performance and memory bandwidth. Think AI, data centers, next-gen firewalls, 5G communications infrastructure, and even 8K broadcast equipment.

Meeting the Demand for Speed and Efficiency

As our digital world expands—thanks to the explosive growth of AI, cloud computing, and video streaming—the need for higher memory bandwidth and better power efficiency is skyrocketing. Enter the Agilex 7 FPGA M-Series. This powerhouse is designed to tackle these challenges head-on, delivering high logic densities and a robust memory interface that not only accelerates data throughput speeds but also minimizes those pesky memory bottlenecks and Latency issues.

What’s really impressive? The Agilex 7 features a hardened memory Network-on-Chip (NoC) interface that can deliver memory bandwidth of up to an astonishing 1 TBps. That’s achieved using in-package HBM2E and hardened DDR5/LPDDR5 memory controllers. Plus, with its second-generation Hyperflex architecture, it offers more than double the fabric performance-per-watt compared to rival 7 nm FPGAs. Talk about a game changer!

Real-World Applications: Where Agilex 7 Shines

So, where can we expect to see the Agilex 7 FPGA M-Series making waves? Here are a few key use cases:

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Data Centers

: In the bustling world of cloud data centers, the Agilex 7 FPGA M-Series provides the high memory bandwidth and performance fabric needed for speedy processing and efficient data handling of generative AI models.

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Networking

: When it comes to next-gen firewalls, this FPGA ensures high-performance data paths, deep memory buffers, and robust connectivity.

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Broadcast Equipment

: In the realm of 8K ultra-high-definition video, the Agilex 7 M-Series delivers the necessary high-bandwidth connectivity to facilitate massive data transfers between the image sensor pipeline and the FPGA.

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Test and Measurement Equipment

: It’s also paving the way for advancements in Gigabit Ethernet technologies, enabling the development of next-gen 800 GbE test equipment.

Take, for instance, the AI company Positron, which has opted for the Agilex 7 FPGA M-Series. They’re reaping the benefits of a memory-optimized architecture, achieving over 93% bandwidth utilization—far beyond the typical 10-30% seen in GPU-based systems. This leap allows Positron to deliver 3.5 times better performance per dollar and 3.5 times greater power efficiency compared to leading GPUs when running large language model inference workloads. As Thomas Sohmers, CTO and Founder of Positron, puts it, this advancement is a real game changer.

Key Features That Set Agilex 7 Apart

Let’s break down what makes the Agilex 7 FPGA M-Series so special:

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DDR5 and LPDDR5 Support

: With hardened controllers that support up to 179 GBps, it’s ready for the latest generation memory standards, providing higher bandwidth and lower power consumption.

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In-Package HBM2E Memory

: Offering up to 32 GB of high-bandwidth memory, it delivers peak memory bandwidth of up to 820 GBps.

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Network-on-Chip (NoC) Functions

: These provide high-bandwidth, resource-efficient access to both in-package and on-board memory resources.

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Advanced Transceiver Capabilities

: With hardened Intellectual Property (IP) for PCIe 5.0, Compute Express Link (CXL) 2.0, and 400G Ethernet, its transceivers operate at up to 116 Gbps—the highest in the industry.

A Bright Future Ahead

The Agilex 7 FPGA M-Series is more than just an upgrade; it’s a significant leap forward in FPGA technology. By merging HBM memory, DDR5, LPDDR5, and a high-density FPGA fabric, Altera is empowering customers to tackle even the most demanding memory-intensive workloads with unparalleled efficiency and performance. As Deepali Trehan, Head of Product Management and Marketing at Altera, puts it, this is a transformative moment for the industry.

The Agilex 7 FPGA M-Series is now in production and shipping to customers worldwide, with a promising lifecycle anticipated to last until 2035. If you’re curious to learn more, don’t hesitate to reach out to your local Altera sales representative or check out the Agilex 7 FPGA product page for additional details.

Technology Explained

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Agilex: Agilex is a technology that is used in the computer industry to help streamline the development process. It is based on the Agile methodology, which is a set of principles that focus on delivering high-quality software quickly and efficiently. Agilex helps to break down complex tasks into smaller, more manageable pieces, allowing developers to work on each piece independently. This helps to reduce the time it takes to develop a product, as well as improve the quality of the final product. Additionally, Agilex helps to reduce the risk of errors and bugs, as well as improve communication between developers and stakeholders. By using Agilex, companies can create better products faster and with fewer resources.

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DDR5: DDR5 (Double Data Rate 5) is the next generation of memory technology for the computer industry. It is a modern day improvement on earlier DDR technologies, with faster speeds, greater bandwidth and higher capacities. DDR5 enables higher resolution, seamless gaming experiences and faster data transfer rates, making it an ideal choice for high-performance computing and 4K gaming. With its greater RAM compatibility, DDR5 provides faster buffering times and raised clock speeds, giving users an improved overall work system. DDR5 is also optimized for multi-tasking, allowing users to multitask without experiencing a significant drop in performance, increasing the productivity of digital tasks. As an ever-evolving technology, DDR5 is paving the way for the computer industry into a new and powerful era.

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FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) are a type of technology used in the computer industry. They are integrated circuits that can be programmed to perform specific tasks. FPGAs are used in a variety of applications, including digital signal processing, networking, and embedded systems. They are also used in the development of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms. FPGAs are advantageous because they can be reprogrammed to perform different tasks, allowing for greater flexibility and faster development times. Additionally, FPGAs are more energy efficient than traditional processors, making them ideal for applications that require low power consumption.

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GPU: GPU stands for Graphics Processing Unit and is a specialized type of processor designed to handle graphics-intensive tasks. It is used in the computer industry to render images, videos, and 3D graphics. GPUs are used in gaming consoles, PCs, and mobile devices to provide a smooth and immersive gaming experience. They are also used in the medical field to create 3D models of organs and tissues, and in the automotive industry to create virtual prototypes of cars. GPUs are also used in the field of artificial intelligence to process large amounts of data and create complex models. GPUs are becoming increasingly important in the computer industry as they are able to process large amounts of data quickly and efficiently.

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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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LPDDR5: LPDDR5 is a type of computer memory technology that is used in many modern computers. It stands for Low Power Double Data Rate 5 and is the latest version of the LPDDR memory standard. It is a type of dynamic random access memory (DRAM) that is designed to be more power efficient than its predecessors. It is used in many modern laptops, tablets, and smartphones to provide faster performance and longer battery life. LPDDR5 is also used in some high-end gaming PCs and workstations to provide faster loading times and smoother gaming experiences. It is also used in some servers and data centers to provide faster data processing and storage.

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PCIe: PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard for connecting components such as graphics cards, sound cards, and network cards to a motherboard. It is the most widely used interface in the computer industry today, and is used in both desktop and laptop computers. PCIe is capable of providing up to 16 times the bandwidth of the older PCI standard, allowing for faster data transfer speeds and improved performance. It is also used in a variety of other applications, such as storage, networking, and communications. PCIe is an essential component of modern computing, and its applications are only expected to grow in the future.

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