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Looking for working Tutorial

Former Member

Hi Guys,

I've sat down with the ZedBoard for a few days now.  I got a new contract to build some systems, and I have a very strong micro controller background.  I've always known what FGPA's can do but not much experience.  I bought a new Windows 8.1 Thinkpad machine, a ZedBoard, etc.  I've learned some tough lessons. 

1) ISE doesn't work with Windows 8.1 so that rules out most of the tutorials.  I wasted a day trying to get ISE to work, trying to fix errors which I didn't understand, to learn that Vivado is required.  Is Vivado ready for showtime, or should I set my new computer aside and pick up my Windows 7 machine with ISE loaded on it?

2) Vivado is nothing like I've ever seen.  I am a Visual Studio Guru and maybe a bit spoiled (incredibly easy to learn).  The Vivado 2013 versions have had some errors, had to get latest version instead of using packaged version.

Now I am to the point where things don't work for reasons I don't understand.  I need a working tutorial to get my steep learning curve over the first hurdle.  I've even put two job reqs out looking for personal instruction.  No avail.

Can anyone point to a working Bare Metal Tutorial?

Cheers,

  • 0

    I think I'll keep a running tab of the issues that I have here.  I've noticed that the group is very responsive and positive in their feed back.  It might be worth seeing what a novice [me] has to go thru with the newer tool suite.

    My latest issue was trying to open the SDK from Vivado.  Many Tutorials simply said "[click file, launch SDK]", but it always said that it was missing a hardware export.  After some googling it looks like there's an export hand-off file needed to actually go between Vivado and SDK.  In one forum I found the answer that I need to go to File->Export Hardware.  I get that there's a "design flow" concept in Vivado, but how come this step isn't in the flow?

  • 0

    I backtracked to get a better understanding of the design flow concepts.  I wet to the fast track and am running the "ZedBoard: Zynq-7000 AP SoC Concepts, Tools, and Techniques
    A Hands-On Guide to Effective Embedded System Design" tutorial.

    The following does not work:
    <<
    11. Click on Run Connection Automation in the green bar at the top of the block diagram screen. Select /axi_gpio_0/S_AXI. Leave everything as default and click OK.
    Notice the connection was made between the processing_system7_0 block and the axi_gpio_0 block. Also notice the AXI Interconnect and the Processing System Reset blocks have been inserted.
    12. Repeat the step above for the /axi_timer_0/S_AXI.
    >>

    I understand that the connection automation is supposed to automatically connect the IP and show off how quick and easy a system can be configured.  However, for a tutorial, I don't really understand >why< those IP are connected in the way they are.  It might be best to have the tutorial walk thru the connection manually, explaining the rationale.  Instead, the connection automation didn't work and "/axi_gpio_0/S_AXI" wasn't an available option.  My Run Connection Automation Window reads "All Automation>>axi_gpio>>GPIO".  I think I followed the IP configuration steps exactly, but it looks like my IP isn't correct.

  • 0 in reply to Former Member

    I'd also like to point out that I wasted half a day trying to use the Terminal window in the SDK, as per the aforementioned tutorial.  I found out in another forum that the Terminal doesn't work with ZedBoard for some reason.  I now have two USB cables and Putty.

  • 0 in reply to Former Member

    It might be me, But Figure 3.3 in this tutorial is not what I ended up with for IP. I have only three blocks, AXI_GPIO_0, AXI_TIMER_0, and PROCESSING_SYSTEM7_0.

    There are blocks missing and I cannot tell where they were added in the tutorial.  I am, however, learning from having to manually add those that are missing and configuring them.

  • 0

    Hi canaanav,

    I also come from a Visual Studio background so I can identify with your experience.  Now that I have been working with FPGAs for the last 8 years I can tell you that the bar is set rather high by that particular tool suite.

    To answer your question from your first lesson, yes Vivado is the recommended tool flow for Zynq and other FPGA (except series 6 family) design.  So if you do not have any legacy code you are supporting, you are doing yourself a big favor by starting with Vivado. 

    To address your second lesson, I have found for myself that the learning curve is steep for Vivado but once you get used to the tool flow you will find that it is incredibly powerful compared to any other tool out there.

    Yes, you have correctly identified the "Concepts, Tools, and Techniques" as the fast track to Zynq design which is geared toward individuals that already have some background with FPGA design.  If you are looking for something more in depth and a slower pace, take a look at our training page where we have our SpeedWay training workshops which consist of hands on labs and videos which help to explain different parts of the toolflow.

    http://microzed.org/support/trainings-and-videos

    I know it might seem backwards but it is recommended that you start with the software course first which will help get you more familiarized with SDK and the software perspective of the hardware platform. 

    The labs are based upon an older version of Vivado (2013.3) so it is recommended that you use that version of tools to complete the hands on labs.  If you feel you really need to stick with newer versions of tools, you should be able to work all the way up to the more advanced Lab 9 and Lab 11 which are known to not work on Vivado 2014.4 because of the BSP dependencies.

    Developing Zynqu00AE-7000 All Programmable SoC Software (Vivado 2013.3)

    Once you have gone through the SW course, to understand the underlying hardware platform, then take a look at the Hardware course.

    Developing Zynqu00AE-7000 All Programmable SoC Hardware (Vivado 2013.3)

    As for the serial terminal, your best bet is probably to use the terminal application that you are most comfortable with.  I use Tera Term for everything under windows but if you are more familiar with PuTTY, then you should stick with what works best for you.

    Regards,

    -Kevin

  • 0 in reply to zedhed

    Kevin, many thanks!  The Hardware Tutorial seems to be helping me out quite a bit.  I'll report any issues I have.