These are notes from the module 1 – chapter 2 Speedway video lecture.
Tools and tool flow.
The Vivado Design Suite WebPACK edition is free and it supports seven Zynq devices. The free tools include a simulator, device programmer, logic analyzer, serial I/O analyzer, debugger, and design synthesis and integration tools.
The typical design flow is to have a system architect responsible for the overall design, with software and hardware developers/designers performing their domain specific work. The design flow is pretty common for the two sides:
- Programming (sw) / Design (hw)
- Integrate IP (both)
- Test (both)
- Debug (both)
Zynq adds programmable logic, which provides a lot of flexibility. Should reduce the number of board spins. The tools minimize cross-dependencies between software and hardware and makes it possible to do simultaneous development.
The Vivado IP integrator provides access to a very large IP catalog, making it possible to drag n’ drop pre-built logic blocks. Arm support built in.
The IP integrator (IPI) provides interface level connection validation. Easy to create a new project. Lab 1 will use the tools, open a new project, and will create a block design that uses an embedded source.
Lecture Summary
This was a short and to the point lecture that gave me an understanding of the Zynq tools and how they are used in various parts of a design.