Vivado for Xilinx FPGA: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction to Vivado for Xilinx FPGAXilinx Vivado is a flagship FPGA design software launched by Xilinx. It integrates advanced digital design process management and provides a comprehensive solution from concept to implementation for hardware engineers. For instance, in the field of high - speed communication and data center acceleration, Vivado plays a crucial role. The software simplifies the challenges of complex designs and is a preferred toolbox in high - performance computing, artificial intelligence edge computing, and communication fields.

Technical Features of Vivado1. RTL Synthesis Engine: Vivado design suite uses an efficient RTL synthesis engine. It supports multiple hardware description languages such as SystemVerilog, Verilog, and VHDL. This allows engineers to choose the most suitable language according to their needs. For example, Verilog is widely used in traditional digital circuit design, while SystemVerilog provides more advanced features for complex system design. 2. Static Timing Analysis and Power Optimization: Integrated with static timing analysis and power optimization functions, Vivado ensures the high - quality and high - performance of the design. By analyzing the timing characteristics of the circuit, engineers can identify and solve potential timing problems, and optimize the power consumption of the FPGA through power optimization strategies. 3. IP Integrator Function: The IP Integrator function in Vivado significantly accelerates the design integration process. It makes the design of complex digital systems more intuitive and efficient. For example, when designing a complex communication system, engineers can use pre - verified IP cores through the IP Integrator, which greatly shortens the design cycle.

Application Scenarios of Vivado1. High - speed Communication: In the high - speed communication field, such as 5G base stations, Vivado provides full - link support from logic synthesis to bit - stream generation. It can meet the most stringent industrial standards and ensure the high - performance operation of communication systems. 2. Data Center Acceleration: Data centers require high - performance computing and data processing capabilities. Vivado can be used to design custom hardware algorithms to accelerate data processing in data centers, improving the overall efficiency of data centers. 3. Embedded Vision Processing: In the field of embedded vision processing, Vivado can be used to design hardware circuits for image and video processing. For example, in security monitoring systems, Vivado - designed FPGA circuits can perform real - time image processing and analysis. 4. Machine Learning: For machine learning applications, especially AI inference acceleration cards, Vivado can provide hardware support. It can optimize the hardware structure according to the characteristics of machine learning algorithms, improving the inference speed and efficiency of machine learning models.

Working with FPGA Netlists in Vivado1. Netlist Formats: In Vivado software, there are two formats of netlist files: edf and dcp. 2. Synthesis Settings: Before generating the netlist, certain synthesis settings are required. You need to add the - mode out_of_context option. When synthesizing, Vivado will not insert IO buffers for the input and output of the top - level module. Other options can be selected according to specific requirements. Some people also remove the module hierarchy of the code so that the module hierarchy structure cannot be seen in the synthesized netlist. After setting, click synthesis. 3. Generating Netlist Files: After synthesis is completed, the dcp format netlist file can be directly found in the.runsynth_1 path of the project directory with the same name as the top - level module and a.dcp suffix. Generating the edf format netlist requires additional steps. First, open the synthesis result. Then, specify the edf storage path in the Tcl Console. Next, generate the edf netlist port description file. For Vivado 2017.4 and earlier, use the command write_verilog - mode port <design_name>.v; for Vivado 2018.1 and later, use write_verilog - mode synth_stub <design_name>.v. Finally, generate the edf netlist file. If the module does not contain Xilinx IP, use the command write_edif <design_name>.edf.

Program Solidification in Vivado for Xilinx FPGA1. Preparation Work: You need to prepare a Vivado version (e.g., Vivado 2020.2) and an Xilinx FPGA development board (such as Xilinx VC709). After writing the project, first generate the bit file. 2. Preparing the.mcs File: In the corresponding interface, click OK, and a named.mcs file will be generated at the specified location. You can also change the file format to.bin or.hex in the Format option. 3. Operation in the HardWare Manager Interface: Right - click on the chip and add a Memory Device. After confirmation, a new item will appear in the lower window. 4. Solidifying the Program to the Flash: Right - click on the item in the red - framed area and start the burning process. This burning process is much slower than burning a normal.bit file. When you see the corresponding information in the Tcl Console window, it indicates success. 5. Operation on the Development Board: Change the file burning method of the development board. For example, on the VC709 development board, operate the SW11 DIP switch. Switches 1 and 2 are used to select which configuration file to load at power - on. This flash can store up to 4.bit files at the same time. Switches 3, 4, and 5 are used to select the configuration method, which needs to refer to the development board manual. After that, power off and restart the development board. If you don't want to remove the JTAG cable, you can press the Program button on the board after power - on to load the file from the flash.

FPGA Program Burning on the AX7020 Development Board Using Vivado1. Create a Project: Refer to the SDK experiment chapter PDF tutorial file in the data of the Golden Hardware AX7020 development board. The steps are the same as those in the SDK experiment chapter. When configuring the PS side, you can select only the required loading methods, such as QSPI or SD. 2. Port Export: Complete the port export through “Run Block Automation”. Connect FCLK_CLK0 to M_AXI_GP0_ACLK, then save and create an HDL file, and generate a Block output file. 3. Copy Project Files: Copy the project - related files under the JTAG mode (the program is lost after power - off) to the SDK project, mainly including source files and pin configuration files. You can also start the PL - side program design here, which is the same as the program design process under the JTAG mode. 4. Generate Bit Stream: Call the previously created HDL file (design_1_wrapper file) in the top - level file of the FPGA program, synthesize and generate the bit stream. At this time, you can perform debugging, and the steps are the same as those in the JTAG mode, but the program will be lost after power - off. 5. Export Hardware: Check “Include bit stream”. At this time, there will be a XXX.sdk folder, and the XXX.hdf file inside contains the hardware design information. 6. Hardware Information Decomposition: Use the “File->Launch SDK” option to decompose the hardware information. After the SDK software starts, the bit - stream file of the FPGA program can be found in the XXX.sdk->XXX_hw_platform_0 folder.