The popularity and value of FPGAs for High Frequency Trading (HFT) systems have increased over the last five years - and the primary reason is latency. HFT firms must utilize the latest technologies in order to achieve close-to-zero latency to remain competitive - whoever has the fastest system wins.
FPGAs consists of millions of logic gates that can process data in parallel as opposed to software that execute data sequentially. Thus, FPGAs can provide deep sub-microsecond latency compared to several microseconds via software. FPGAs includes thousands of DSP blocks that can execute mathematical computations in parallel, and FPGAs are also re-programmable enabling flexible systems that can be optimized even in the field.
With Aldec’s 30+expertise in FPGA/ASIC prototyping and acceleration, we provide FPGA accelerators with PCIe and QSFP interfaces and compatible with 1U (or larger) trading systems for time-sensitive trading strategies such as Market Making, Statistical Arbitrage and Algorithmic Trading.
Achieving Low Latency
Low latency which is the paramount requirement was achieved by using the newest generation Xilinx FPGA – Virtex™ UltraScale+ and connecting all critical interfaces like Ethernet/QSFP and PCI Express directly to the FPGA. Market data feeds captured directly from the network interface (QSFP) are immediately processed inside FPGA fabric that can accommodate hundreds of parallel processors specialized for a given task. Second QSFP link can be used to trigger buy, sell or cancel orders based on the results of algorithm running entirely in FPGA. Alternatively, pre-processed data can be moved to the host workstation via PCIe interface for analysis in existing software. The pipelining features of FPGA allow for all the interfaces to operate in parallel.
Re-configuration on-the-fly
The FPGA can be re-configured on-the-fly without need of shutting down the entire system which greatly increases the flexibility of such configuration and facilitates quick reaction on dynamically changing trading conditions. The new FPGA accelerators are compatible with 1U and larger trading systems for time-sensitive trading strategies.
Develop and debug FPGA designs
Customers looking for a complete FPGA development eco-system will benefit from cooperation with Aldec with its FPGA accelerator boards and RTL development/simulation tools such as Riviera-PRO – a high performance mixed-language (VHDL/Verilog/SystemVerilog/SystemC) simulator with Python testbench support for FPGAs.
Integrate with IP partners providing IP-cores critical for implementing market data feed handlers and other blocks of the trading system.
Main Features
Solution Contents
Partner Ecosystem
Tamba Networks
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Northwest Logic
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