DDR3 SDRAM Controller

General Purpose DDR3 Memory Interface Controller

The Lattice Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (DDR3 SDRAM) Controller IP Core is a general-purpose memory controller that interfaces with industry standard DDR3 memory devices compliant with JESD79-3C, DDR3 SDRAM Standard. This IP provides a generic command interface to user applications.

This IP supports the following Nexus devices in Lattice Radiant: CrossLink™-NX, Certus™-NX, Mach™-NX, and CertusPro™-NX. It also supports the ECP5 and LatticeECP3 devices in Lattice Diamond.

Resource Utilization details are available in the DDR3 SDRAM Controller (Lattice Radiant) and DDR3 SDRAM Controller (Lattice Diamond) User Guides.

Features

Nexus

  • Memory data path widths of 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, 64, and 72 bits.
  • x4, x8, and x16 device configurations
    • Interfaces to DDR3 SDRAM at speeds of up to 400 MHz/800 Mbps in speed grade 8 ECP5 devices and speed grade 9 LatticeECP3 devices
    • Programmable burst lengths of 8 (fixed), chopped 4 or 8 (on-the-fly), or chopped 4 (fixed)
  • x8 and x16 device configurations
  • Programmable burst lengths of 8 (fixed), chopped 4 or 8 (on-the-fly), or chopped 4 (fixed)

ECP5 and LatticeECP3

  • Memory data path widths of 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, 64, and 72 bits
  • x4, x8, and x16 device configurations
  • Interfaces to DDR3 SDRAM at speeds of up to 400 MHz/800 Mbps in speed grade 8 ECP5 devices and speed grade 9 LatticeECP3 devices
  • Programmable burst lengths of 8 (fixed), chopped 4 or 8 (on-the-fly), or chopped 4 (fixed)

Jump to

Block Diagram

  • DDR3 SDRAM Controller IP Core diagram for Nexus devices
  • High-level block diagram illustrating the main functional block used to implement the DDR3 SDRAM Controller IP Core functions
  • DDR3 SDRAM Controller IP Core diagram for ECP5 and LatticeECP3 devices
  • The DDR3 memory controller consists of 3 sub modules: Memory Controller (MC) module, Physical Interface (PHY) module, and Clock Synchronization Module (CSM)

Comparison Table

The table outlines the differences between the Lattice Nexus platform and the older LatticeECP5 and LatticeECP3 FPGA families in terms of speed, data widths, and configuration options.

Lattice Device/Platform Nexus ECP5 LatticeECP3
Max Interface Speed 400 MHz / 800 Mbps 400 MHz / 800 Mbps 400 MHz / 800 Mbps
Supported Data Widths -8, -16, -24, -32 -8, -16, -24, -32, -40, -8, -16, -24, -32, -40, -48, -56, -64, -72
-48, -56, -64, -72
Supported Device Configurations x8, x16 x4, x8, x16 x4, x8, x16
Supported Memory Format Component Component, DIMM, RDIMM Component, DIMM, RDIMM

Ordering Information

The DDR3 SDRAM Controller IP is provided at no additional cost with the Lattice Radiant™ software.

Documentation

Quick Reference
Information Resources
Downloads
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Nexus DDR3 Memory Controller Driver API Reference
FPGA-TN-024011.17/15/2025PDF389.7 KB

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DDR3 SDRAM Controller IP Core - Lattice Diamond Software
FPGA-IPUG-020472.210/11/2020PDF3.6 MB
DDR3 SDRAM Controller IP Core for Nexus Devices - User Guide
FPGA-IPUG-020862.212/11/2025PDF2.5 MB
LatticeECP3 DDR3 Demo for the LatticeECP3 I/O Protocol Board User's Guide
UG3801.46/8/2012PDF2.7 MB
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DDR3 SDRAM Controller IP Core - Release Notes
FPGA-RN-020321.412/11/2025PDF267.8 KB
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IPexpress Quick Start Guide
8/5/2010PDF304.8 KB
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Implementing DDR3 Memory Controller (LatticeECP3)
1.03/10/2010PDF147.9 KB
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LatticeECP3 DDR3 Demo
1.46/8/2012ZIP235.3 KB