SPI-3
Encyclopedia
SPI-3 or System Packet Interface
Level 3 is the name of a chip-to-chip, channelized, packet interface widely used in high-speed communications devices. It was proposed by PMC-Sierra
based on their PL-3
interface to the Optical Internetworking Forum
and adopted in June of 2000. PL-3 was developed by PMC-Sierra in conjunction with the SATURN Development Group
.
interfaces . A typical application of SPI-3 is to connect a framer device to a network processor. It has been widely adopted by the high speed networking marketplace.
There are several clocking options. The interface operates around 100 MHz. Implementations of SPI-3 (PL-3) have been produced which allow somewhat higher clock rates. This is important when overhead bytes are added to incoming packets.
) was a highly successful interface with many semiconductor devices produced to it.
System Packet Interface
The System Packet Interface family of Interoperability Agreements from the Optical Internetworking Forum specify chip-to-chip, channelized, packet interfaces commonly used in synchronous optical networking and ethernet applications. A typical application of such a packet level interface is between...
Level 3 is the name of a chip-to-chip, channelized, packet interface widely used in high-speed communications devices. It was proposed by PMC-Sierra
PMC-Sierra
PMC-Sierra is a fabless semiconductor company which develops and sells devices into the communications, storage, printing, and embedded computing marketplaces.-Corporate history:...
based on their PL-3
PL-3
PL-3 or POS-PHY Level 3 was the name of the interface that the Optical Internetworking Forum's SPI-3 Interoperability Agreement is based on. It was proposed by PMC-Sierra to the Optical Internetworking Forum and adopted in June of 2000. The name means Packet Over SONET Physical layer level 3...
interface to the Optical Internetworking Forum
Optical Internetworking Forum
The Optical Internetworking Forum is a non-profit, member-driven organization founded in 1998. It promotes the development and deployment of interoperable networking solutions and services through the creation of Implementation Agreements for optical networking products, network processing...
and adopted in June of 2000. PL-3 was developed by PMC-Sierra in conjunction with the SATURN Development Group
SATURN Development Group
The SATURN Development Group was an important industry forum that enabled the specification of chip-to-chip interfaces for the communications industry. It was co-founded in 1992 by PMC-Sierra and Sun Microsystems. Several significant specifications were completed through its actions including...
.
Applications
It was designed to be used in systems that support OC-48 SONETSonet
Sonet may refer to:* Sonet Records, European record label* Synchronous optical networking * Saab Sonett...
interfaces . A typical application of SPI-3 is to connect a framer device to a network processor. It has been widely adopted by the high speed networking marketplace.
Technical details
The interface consists of (per direction):- 32 TTL signals for the data path
- 8 TTL signals for control
- one TTL signal for clock
- 8 TTL signals for optional additional multi-channel status
There are several clocking options. The interface operates around 100 MHz. Implementations of SPI-3 (PL-3) have been produced which allow somewhat higher clock rates. This is important when overhead bytes are added to incoming packets.
SPI-3 in the marketplace
SPI-3 (and PL-3PL-3
PL-3 or POS-PHY Level 3 was the name of the interface that the Optical Internetworking Forum's SPI-3 Interoperability Agreement is based on. It was proposed by PMC-Sierra to the Optical Internetworking Forum and adopted in June of 2000. The name means Packet Over SONET Physical layer level 3...
) was a highly successful interface with many semiconductor devices produced to it.