Intel® Cyclone® 10 LP Core Fabric and General Purpose I/Os Handbook

ID 683777
Date 2/15/2023
Public
Document Table of Contents

2.5.3. Maximum Block Depth Configuration

The Set the maximum block depth parameter allows you to set the maximum block depth of the dedicated memory block you use. You can slice the memory block to your desired maximum block depth. For example, the capacity of an M9K block is 9,216 bits, and the default memory depth is 8K, in which each address is capable of storing 1 bit (8K × 1). If you set the maximum block depth to 512, the M9K block is sliced to a depth of 512 and each address is capable of storing up to 18 bits (512 × 18).

Use this parameter to save power usage in your devices and to reduce the total number of memory blocks used. However, this parameter might increase the number of LEs and affects the design performance.

When the RAM is sliced shallower, the dynamic power usage decreases. However, for a RAM block with a depth of 256, the power used by the extra LEs starts to outweigh the power gain achieved by shallower slices.

The maximum block depth must be in a power of two, and the valid values vary among different dedicated memory blocks.

This table lists the valid range of maximum block depth for M9K memory blocks.

Table 9.  Valid Range of Maximum Block Depth for M9K Memory Blocks
Memory Block Valid Range
M9K 256 - 8K. The maximum block depth must be in a power of two.

The IP parameter editor prompts an error message if you enter an invalid value for the maximum block depth. Intel recommends that you set the value of the Set the maximum block depth parameter to Auto if you are unsure of the appropriate maximum block depth to set or the setting is not important for your design. The Auto setting enables the Compiler to select the maximum block depth with the appropriate port width configuration for the type of internal memory block of your memory.