Dual port QSFPDD56, 2×400 GE, PCIe Gen5 x16, Agilex™ M-series FPGA Based, up to 32GB HBM2e with 2xARC6-16 connector (16×28 Gbps), for Ethernet, PCIe or interconnect
The Silicom ThunderFjord B is a high-performance programmable PCIe Server adapter based on the Agilex™ M-series AGMF039 FPGA (option for AGMF032).
The Agilex-M™ is an extremely powerful FPGA which also features up to on-chip 32GB HBMe2 memory providing an unprecedented 2 x 2.6 Tbps HBMe2 bandwidth. The combination of lightning fast logic and equally fast memory ensures a platform that can deliver
The card is equipped with 2 x QSFPDD56 for supporting 2x 400GE, as well as a wide range of other link speed combinations like 16×10/25GE or even 8x100G with the appropriate breakout modules.
The ThunderFjord features 2 x AcceleRate® Slim Cable Assembly (ARC6) connectors with 2x 8x28Gbps from Samtec. The ARC6 connectors add unprecedented flexibility in host bandwidth and network connectivity. Silicom offers an adaptor an additional PCIe Gen4 x16 connector that can be employed for additional host bandwidth. The same connectors can alternatively be used with Fireflytm flyover cables for connecting additional 2x 8xFSFP28 or 2x 2xFQSFP28 for higher Ethernet link capacity to the solution in appliances. Silicom offers a 4xFQSFP28 bracket for easy utilization of the expansion option. The AR6-16 can alternatively be used for direct connection of two boards, connect multiple cards in series or daisy chain, or connect to other products with suitable interface.
The AGM FPGA series features CXL 1.1 and 2.0, providing heterogeneous processing and computing in performance-intensive workloads like AI, machine learning and analytics. Additionally, the AGM FPGA device includes Quad-core 64 bit Arm Cortex A53 processor.
Target Applications
Network Security & Telemetry-
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- Virtual Firewall (vFW)
- DDoS Mitigation
- IDS/IPS function
- IP Security (IPsec)
- Transport Layer Security (TLS)
- Packet monitoring and analytics
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- Network Functions
- 5G/6G User Plane Function (UPF)
- 5G Access Gateway Function (AGF)
- Virtual Broadband Network Gateway (vBNG)
- Virtual Application Delivery Controller
- Carrier Grade Network Address Translation (CGNAT)
- Cloud Gateway
- Application Access Gateway
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- Application acceleration
- AI/ML inference offload
- Data analysis offload
- Sensor aggregation and analysis
- Sensor recording
Key features
Silicom FPGA SmartNIC FB2CDG1@AGM39D-2
- Agilex™ AGMF039 FPGA with Quad-core 64 bit Arm Cortex A53 processor
- 2 x QSFPDD56 ports
- HBM2e: 32GB
- 2 x AcceleRate® Slim Cable Assembly (ARC6) expansion connectors each with 8x28Gbps
- PCIe x16 Gen5 w/CXL
- 5G SyncE PLL with Silicom TimeSync Solution (STS)
- Dedicated 4GB DDR5 ECC RAM for HPS
- USB/JTAG connector
- GPIO
- Max® 10 Board Management Controller
- 1 x PPS/10MHz SMA connector
- Dual slot passive heat sink (single slot optionable)
- On-board power and temperature sensors
- FPGA controlled link and status LEDs
Expansion use cases
Silicom ThunderFjord provides high capacity and high speed expansion options. The card comes with 2 ARC6-16 connectors each providing 8 x 28 Gbps high speed I/O. Along with an internal flat cable side band signals supporting the High speed I/O expansion options and use cases.
On the PCB, the ARC6-16 connectors are routed to the FPGA on an F-Tile’s 16 channels at 32 Gbps (NRZ). Being connected to an F-tile allows for the Highspeed IO to be used with the tiles Hard IPs, such as
– 400 GbE hard IP block (10/25/50/100/200/400 GbE FEC/PCS/MAC)
– PCI Express* (PCIe*) hard IP block (4.0 x16 )
This allows for easy and standardized expansion for the host system internally or externally Using ARC6-16 connector cables in the onboard ARC6-16 sockets, the high speed I/O can be used for interfacing with card external devices or systems.
The ARC-6 cables can be provided in custom lengths and have the great advantage that the cables are highly flexible yet still
securely shielded and very robust. Fitting the expansion options in servers is very easy due to the very flexible cables 
Silicom and Samtec have designed and produce cable assemblies with ARC6-16 connectors specifically for operation with Silicom ThunderFjord card, utilizing the Samtec Flyover® cable technology. Silicom offers Samtec flyover cable assemblies for 8x25GE FSFP28 and for 2x100GE FQSFP28 for device
integration. The 2x100GE FQSFP28 is utilized in an PCB/assembly offered by Silicom where 2 of the 2x100GE FQSFP28 cable assemblies are mounted on a PCI compliant PCB with bracket and AUX power. This allows for easy expansion with 4 extra QSFP28 ports in spare PCI slot using ThunderFjord’s 2xARC&-16 connectors. An actual PCI slot is not required as the card can be powered via AUX power cable, and there no need for the PCI slot for any signaling. The ports are fully controlled by the ThunderFjord FPGA.
With the adaptor offered the ThunderFjord provide QSFP-DDs for 400GE along-side 4xQSFP28s for extra 4x100GE or 16×10/25GE via breakout cables ensuring additional Ethernet bandwidth and high port and speed flexibility.
Additionally, Silicom and Samtec have designed a PCIe Gen4 x16 expansion cable adaptor connecting to the ThunderFjord’s 2xARC6-16 in unison. Utilizing all 16x28Gbps channels provided to extend the PCIe Gen4 connectivity of the FPGA’s F-tile to connect to host or other device providing a standard PCIe Gen4 x16 socket.
