Finding the Ideal Tap Setting Value - 9.0 English

Tri-Mode Ethernet MAC LogiCORE IP Product Guide (PG051)

Document ID
PG051
Release Date
2023-11-07
Version
9.0 English

AMD cannot recommend a singular tap value that is effective across all hardware families. AMD does not recommend attempting to determine the tap setting empirically. In addition to the clock-to-data phase relationship, other factors such as package flight time (package skew) and clock routing delays (internal to the device) affect the clock to data relationship at the sample point (in the IOB) and are difficult to characterize.

Perform a complete sweep of tap settings during your initial system test. If possible use a test range which covers at least half of the clock period. This does not imply that all values must be tested as it might be simpler to use a large step size initially to identify a tighter range for a subsequent run. Additionally, it is not necessary to characterize areas outside the working range. If an IODelay is used on both Clock and Data then ensure this test range covers both clock only and data only adjustments. At the edge of the operating range, system behavior changes dramatically. In four tap settings or less, the system can transition from no errors to exhibiting errors.