What makes nxAccess unique?
nxAccess uses a hybrid implementation with a full FPGA data path for latency critical logic and an accelerated software data path for more complex and non-latency sensitive logic. The nxAccess architecture includes three main blocks:
- Hardware feed handler – processes raw market data and distributes normalized updates to both the software and hardware business logic
- Hardware execution engine – manages session level variables (sequence numbers, timestamps) and stores orders preloaded by the software application which the hardware business logic can trigger. The hardware execution stack also allows the software trading logic to trigger or send orders through the same execution sessions
- Hardware sandbox – hosts client business logic and offers low latency interfaces with the feed handler, the execution engine and the software application
The nxAccess solution offers added flexibility by now supporting trading algorithms developed using High Level Synthesis (HLS) technologies, in addition to traditional hardware native languages such as VHDL or Verilog — making ultra low latency trading strategies more accessible to trading firms without in-house hardware expertise.
Latency critical strategies can now be migrated to FPGA in a matter of weeks, leading to an improved hit rate and increased trading margins.