With rising data-intensive applications like 8K video, edge AI, machine learning, and high-resolution imaging traditional SD cards fall short in speed and efficiency. SD Express, based on PCIe and NVMe protocols, delivers substantial improvement in data rates compared to standard SD interfaces. An SD Express IP Core enables SoC and FPGA designs to support this next-gen SD standard.
iWave has expanded its comprehensive portfolio of IP solutions with the launch of a high-performance SD Express IP core, targeting next-generation embedded applications that demand blazing-fast data throughput with the reliability of SD standards.
What is SD Express?
SD Express is the latest evolution of the SD (Secure Digital) standard, combining the traditional SD interface with PCIe® and NVMe™ protocols to significantly boost performance. While UHS-II/III SD cards offered a notable increase over earlier versions, SD Express cards can achieve very high data rates by leveraging PCIe Gen3 and NVMe interfaces.
This leap in performance opens doors for data-intensive applications like 4K/8K video capture, industrial logging, AI edge computing, and high-speed data backup all in the familiar and compact SD card form factor.
Highlights of SD Express IP Core:
iWave’s SD Express IP is a compact, efficient, and configurable IP core designed to implement the SD Express specification, supporting both legacy SD modes and the latest SD Express mode via PCIe interface.
- Complaint with SD Physical Layer Specification Version 9.1
- Integrates the iWave NMVe host controller with legacy SD controller for non-soc FPGA implementation
- Uses the NVMe part of Linux with legacy SD controller for SOC FPGA implementation
- Support for SD express as well as legacy SD mode
- Software support includes the standard SD driver for Linux and simplified baremetal driver
IP variants
iWave’s SD Express IP is available in couple of variants mainly based on the target SOC/FPGA device.
Linux driver variant for SOC FPGA devices:
- This variant implements the legacy SD mode using iWave SD 3.0 Host controller and implements NVMe host which is part of the Linux kernel over PCIe rootport using the IP available from the FPGA Vendor
- Linux driver is implemented in ARM core of SOC device configures,
- Registers using the AXI4-lite interface, while the AXI4-MM interface is used for data transfer of legacy SD 3.0 controller
Registers using the AXI4-lite interface, while the AXI4-MM interface is used for data transfer of PCIe rootport - Linux driver supports the SD card initialization
- Data transfer over PCIe will be handled by the NVMe driver which is part of the SOC pushes the data to the PCIe root port over AXI4 MM interface
- Identifies the card as standard Mass storage controller –NVMe device in the Linux
Baremetal driver variant with Softcore for SOC or Non-SOC FPGA devices:
- This variant implements the legacy SD mode using iWave SD 3.0 Host controller and implements NVMe host using the iWave NVMe host controller and PCIe rootport using the IP available from the FPGA Vendor
- Bare-metal SD driver is implemented in ARM core of SOC device or soft core instantiated in non-SOC FPGA device to configures,
- Registers using the AXI4-lite interface, while the AXI4-MM interface is used for data transfer of legacy SD 3.0 controller
- Registers of the iWave NVMe controller
- Registers of the PCIe root port IP
- Bare-metal SD express driver supports the SD card initialization and initialization of the NVMe controller
- Data transfer over PCIe will be handled by the iWave NVMe host controller which will be controlled and configured through the bare-metal code. NVMe host controller pushes the data to the PCIe root port over AXI4 Stream interface
- File system is not supported, and user can develop their own logic using the APIs provided
- User can achieve good throughput since the TLP Packets are formed using the NVMe host controller implemented in PL and PS is not involved for same
Use Cases and Applications
iWave’s SD Express IP is positioned to add tremendous value in a variety of markets:
- Edge AI Devices: High-speed logging of inference results or camera streams.
- Industrial and Automotive Systems: Reliable, removable high-speed storage for logs and updates.
- Broadcast Equipment: 4K/8K video recording requiring fast write speeds.
- Consumer Devices: Enhancing user experience in next-gen portable devices with fast boot and data access times.
Integration and Support
iWave provides reference designs and integration support for major FPGA platforms allowing customers to accelerate their time to market. The IP core is also backed by iWave’s experienced engineering team, ensuring smooth adaptation to customer-specific requirements. The iWave’s IP customization services enable modifications to the interface, feature set, or target platform based on customer needs.
With over two decades of expertise in embedded systems and FPGA IP development, iWave has built a reputation for delivering production-proven IP cores and comprehensive engineering support. The SD Express IP core is a continuation of this commitment providing customers a reliable, standards-compliant, and high-performance solution for modern storage demands.
For more information feel free to contact us at mktg@iwave-global.com
