Synopsys Unveils Ultra Ethernet and UALink IP: A Game Changer for AI Accelerator Infrastructure
Wednesday, Dec 11, 2024 9:33 am ET
Synopsys, a leading provider of electronic design automation (EDA) software and IP solutions, has announced the industry's first Ultra Ethernet and UALink IP solutions. These innovative products are designed to address the growing demand for high-bandwidth, low-latency interconnects in AI and high-performance computing (HPC) architectures. This article explores the significance of these new IP solutions and their potential impact on the tech industry.

The Ultra Ethernet IP solution enables up to 1.6 Tbps of bandwidth, allowing for the connection of up to one million endpoints in a single network. This high-speed, low-latency interconnect is ideal for scaling out backend networks, supporting the development of systems that can handle massive data workloads. The solution consists of a PHY, MAC, and PCS controller, along with verification IP, providing a low-risk path for designers developing large-scale systems.
The UALink IP solution is designed for AI accelerator to AI accelerator connections, supporting rates up to 200 Gbps per lane. This high-density interconnect enables efficient data transfer between AI accelerators, mitigating critical bottlenecks in AI hardware infrastructure. The solution includes a controller, PHY, and verification IP, ensuring seamless integration and accelerated verification.
These IP solutions leverage Synopsys' extensive expertise in PCIe and Ethernet IP, ensuring a standards-based, low-risk approach to scaling AI and HPC architectures. The patented error correction implementation in the Ultra Ethernet IP provides up to 1.6 Tbps of bandwidth with ultra-low latency, enabling real-time processing for AI workloads.
The industry leaders, including AMD, Astera Labs, Juniper Networks, Tenstorrent, and XConn, are collaborating with Synopsys to scale the HPC and AI accelerator ecosystem. This collaboration demonstrates the industry's confidence in Synopsys' ability to deliver innovative, high-quality IP solutions that meet the demands of emerging technologies.
In conclusion, Synopsys' Ultra Ethernet and UALink IP solutions are poised to revolutionize the AI and HPC infrastructure landscape. These high-bandwidth, low-latency interconnects enable efficient memory sharing and data transfer between AI accelerators, mitigating critical bottlenecks and optimizing performance. With the support of industry leaders and Synopsys' extensive expertise in PCIe and Ethernet IP, these IP solutions offer a low-risk path for designers developing large-scale, high-performance systems. As the tech industry continues to evolve, Synopsys' innovative IP solutions will play a crucial role in driving progress and innovation in AI and HPC architectures.