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What Do You Think of the new 2017.4 Version of the Vivado Design Suite?

rscasny

We launched the MiniZed Roadtest (featuring the Xilinx Zynq 7000 Series), selected the winners, and shipped off the parts. So, I thought while we were waiting for the projects and reviews to be published, I'd ask the community "what do they think of the new 2017.4 Version of the Vivado Design Suite?" You can download a free version by clicking here.

 

I found it both interesting and challenging to coordinate this roadtest. Since the community hasn't done a lot of FPGA/SoC RoadTests in the past, I think there has been a learning curve for everyone. For the MiniZed RoadTest, I learned our applicants had a variety of experience with Xilinx products and tools, old and new. Here's a sampling:

 

  • Used Vivado for a mixed FPGA /soft microprocessor project using a Arty board from Digilent.
  • Did a "pure" FPGA project using pre-Vivado Xilinx tools.
  • Designed an interface board to a Cadence RTL Accelerator and chose a Xilinx IC using Vivado. 
  • Configured a platform (processor + some peripherals) and then focused on developing the software part.
  • Possess more experience with Xilinx ISE and Xilinx EDK and SDK used with Xilinx Spartan 3E family.
  • Use ISE WebPACK software to program the Papilio line of products that use the Spartan 3 and 6 series of Xilinx's FPGAs
  • Indirectly use Vivado through MATLAB
  • Used Artix-7, Kintex-7 and Zynq-7 series FPGAs, and all of them with the Vivado Design Suite.

 

So, given the experience I've cited above and anyone else who has began learning and experimenting with Vivado, what do you think about the new version.

 

You can also download the new version of Vivado by going here.

 

Sincerely,

Randall Scasny

RoadTest Program Manager

Parents

  • Good question. I started with Xilinx ISE in 2006 and at the time, the simulations were run using ModelSim and Test Benches were written in TCL/TK.

     

    Vivado is a different monster altogether and provides a number of features above it's predecessor. Digilent has taken a number of steps to ensure that new users are not overwhelmed with it's capabilities and hence BSPs and setup scripts are a welcome addition to the existing project zero lineup.

     

    Microblaze integration has improved as well and I see myself really wanting to go back to using FPGAs for new projects. Unfortunately, the choice is not simple. ARM controllers have come of age and allow us to do much more as a fraction of the cost. DSP blocks and peripherals embedded into current day offerings have the advantage of being as flexible as an FPGA based design minus the IP Core costs.

     

    So here is my personal opinion on the matter.

     

    FPGA -> To be used for projects that require custom DSP blocks and peripherals especially if the product may end up as a custom ASIC.

    DSP Processors -> TMS320 etc for real time DSP applications such as medical etc.

    ARM with DSP and Floating point Peripherals -> For everything else.

     

    That having been said and stating the fact that I have had experience with designing ASICs with Cadence RTL Compiler and Cadence Encounter as well, I feel Vivado is a great platform to start out with embedded systems on an FPGA. Microblaze combined with custom RTL logic for operations such as video processing have a large potential in the real world. This however takes time to develop which will be a bit longer than the roadtest deadlines.

     

    PS: I would love to do a project with Vivado and the Digilent Arties IF the time constraint were to be 'relaxed' a bit.

     

    Just me two cents worth...

Reply

  • Good question. I started with Xilinx ISE in 2006 and at the time, the simulations were run using ModelSim and Test Benches were written in TCL/TK.

     

    Vivado is a different monster altogether and provides a number of features above it's predecessor. Digilent has taken a number of steps to ensure that new users are not overwhelmed with it's capabilities and hence BSPs and setup scripts are a welcome addition to the existing project zero lineup.

     

    Microblaze integration has improved as well and I see myself really wanting to go back to using FPGAs for new projects. Unfortunately, the choice is not simple. ARM controllers have come of age and allow us to do much more as a fraction of the cost. DSP blocks and peripherals embedded into current day offerings have the advantage of being as flexible as an FPGA based design minus the IP Core costs.

     

    So here is my personal opinion on the matter.

     

    FPGA -> To be used for projects that require custom DSP blocks and peripherals especially if the product may end up as a custom ASIC.

    DSP Processors -> TMS320 etc for real time DSP applications such as medical etc.

    ARM with DSP and Floating point Peripherals -> For everything else.

     

    That having been said and stating the fact that I have had experience with designing ASICs with Cadence RTL Compiler and Cadence Encounter as well, I feel Vivado is a great platform to start out with embedded systems on an FPGA. Microblaze combined with custom RTL logic for operations such as video processing have a large potential in the real world. This however takes time to develop which will be a bit longer than the roadtest deadlines.

     

    PS: I would love to do a project with Vivado and the Digilent Arties IF the time constraint were to be 'relaxed' a bit.

     

    Just me two cents worth...

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