What is Path to Programmable III?

Path III is the third session in the element14 Community’s structured FPGA-based SoC training. The first Path training program was held in 2018 and focused on programmable logic devices PLDs and featured the AVNET MiniZed development board, based on the AMD Zynq 7000 SoC. Path II convened in 2019 and offered more advanced learning opportunities and featured the AVNET Ultra96-V2 development board, based on the AMD Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC. Path III doubled the fun by offering structured trainings on both the MiniZed (2021.1) and Ultra96-V2 (2021.2) boards. Each training track was followed by a design/build phase. 

Congratulations to all the winners! Summary of projects are listed below.
Thanks to the Sponsor, AMD, for providing the kits, training, and support

Grand Prize: javagoza
AMD Zynq SoC MIDI Vintage Sound Synthesizer

Design Path - Core Technology. I selected DSP from the Core Technology Path. My project involved creating a digital version of a classic analog synthesizer from the 1960s, which utilized the AVNET MiniZed development board. For his efforts, he will receive a Multicomp Pro Digital Oscilloscope and HP OMEN 17-ck1020nr 17.3" Gaming Laptop Computer. Visit the project

Runner Up Prize: saadtiwana_int
2-Axis Gimbal Platform for Imaging

Design Path: Vision. I started out with the idea of building a 2-axis gimbal platform for imaging, with the Ultra96 controlling the motors, sensors as well as doing the image processing on the live video coming from the camera. For his efforts, he will receive a Multicomp Pro Tablet Oscilloscope, 2 Channel, 100 MHz, 1 GSPS, 40 Mpts. Visit the project

Third Prize: rajivbishwokarma
Accelerating Convolutional Neural Networks in Ultra96v2 using Tensil AI

Design Path: Core Technology. This final project deals with the pipeline from classifying a number fed to a neural network through webcam and then generating Morse code using LEDs connected to the Ultra96v2 board. The neural network accelerator is implemented using Tensil AI, which is an IP generator just like AMD DPU but open source and supports all the state-of-the-art (SOTA) convolutional neural networks from ResNets to YOLOs. For his efforts, he will receive a FLIR C3-X WIFI Thermal Imager. Visit the Project     

Fourth Prize: manihatn
Object Detection and Localisation on ultra96v2 using AI/ML

Design Path: Core Technology. The final project is based on AI/Machine Learning within the Core Technology Path. The aim of the project was to accelerate object detection and localisation on Ultra9-v2. For his efforts, he will receive a FLUKE-175 ESFP Handheld Digital Multimeter. Visit the Project

Honorable Mentions

Temperature Control System Implemented in the Zynq7000 SoC on the MiniZed Board: ciorga 

Design Path: Environmental. My goal in this project is to practice what I have learned in the training courses by creating a reference tutorial type project that starts from scratch and builds a simple but complete control system utilizing both PL and PS of the Zynq SoC on the MiniZed board. For his efforts, he will receive a DIGILENT 410-376 CMOD S7 Dev Board and a Multicomp Pro Handheld Digital Multimeter. Visit the Project

ILA, FEA, CFD, UltraScale+ Irrigation, Cryptography & Custom IPs: abhishek2018 

Design Path: Environmental.  In this blog/Final Project, I will demonstrate the use of AES-Ultra96V2-G, on  Thermal Management, Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD),  Cryptography, UltraScale+ Irrigation and designing of Custom IPs. For his efforts, he will receive a DIGILENT 410-376 CMOD S7 Dev Board and a Multicomp Pro Handheld Digital Multimeter. Visit the Project

Building A Balance For Tuning Of Drone Motors With the MiniZed: guillengap

Design Path: Market (Gaming/Home). I have used the LIS2DS12 accelerometer of the MiniZed board to indirectly calculate the angle of inclination of the X axis in relation to the horizontal plane. I have finally used the PID control to correct any tilt errors. This tutorial can serve as a reference to build a drone stabilization system in the future. For his efforts, he will receive a DIGILENT 410-376 CMOD S7 Dev Board and a Multicomp Pro Handheld Digital Multimeter. Visit the Project

Judges

Top Member: DAB
Don spent 35 years in the aerospace industry working on many advanced projects. His range of experience covers nearly every scientific field and most ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum. He has a very broad interest and knowledge in science with extensive analysis in image, multispectral and hyper-spectral analysis. He has also worked on a wide range of embedded computer applications, including integrated search and rescue systems.

Top Member: shabaz
Shabaz has studied Electronics Engineering followed by Law, and worked primarily in the fields of radio communications (military), telecommunications (infrastructure used by phone companies), data networks, and information technology. He was originally involved in hardware design, followed by software engineering and technical marketing.

Resources

Ultra96-V2 Training
MiniZed Training

About the Sponsor

AMD is the inventor of the FPGA, hardware programmable SoCs, and the adaptive compute acceleration platform (ACAP). For more than 50 years AMD has driven innovation in high-performance computing, graphics, and visualization technologies. Billions of people, leading Fortune 500 businesses, and cutting-edge scientific research institutions around the world rely on AMD technology daily to improve how they live, work, and play. AMD employees are focused on building leadership high-performance and adaptive products that push the boundaries of what is possible.