Open Computing Language (OpenCL) is an open-source standard for writing programs for heterogenous applications, including FPGAs and MCUs. Xilinx is one of these heterogenous applications and has released the OpenCL FPGA Xilinx to aid the configurations.
This article exposes what the OpenCL FPGA Xilinx is all about.
The Market Opportunity
By default, a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is programmable on the site, quite alright. However, lapses are encountered in the areas of customization. For what it is worth, the FPGA developer may have difficulties with strategically placing the kernel compute units on the fabric, especially by not isolating the same.
Through the OpenCL FPGA Xilinx fabric, some of these design challenges can be overcome and the entire configuration process streamlined.
Target Applications
OpenCL FPGA Xilinx is ideal for FPGAs that support specific components. The priority is given to FPGAs that can support most of the OpenCL programs. Examples of these FPGAs are Kernel region, I/O peripherals and Interconnects. Others are Memory controllers, and establishing a connection to the host processor.
Important Points to Note about Working with the OpenCL FPGA Xilinx
Before picking OpenCL FPGA Xilinx for your FPGA design, you want to pay attention to some critical points. Here are some of the things you want to have in mind before getting started.
1. Design Knowledge is Required
You must be experienced with the process of working with a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). One of the most important points you want to have in mind is that having a basic knowledge of how to use the OpenCL FPGA Xilinx is important.
Due to the complexities and possible increased design iterations, you want to make it a point of duty to get acquainted with how to use the OpenCL computing program.
2. Device Segmentation
These devices are segmented by the type of environment you need for the design. For example, the SDAccel Environment is required if you are working with the newer Xilinx devices, especially those in the Kintex-7, Virtex-7 and UltraScale Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) devices.
What You Need to Know about the SDAccel Environment
The SDAccel Environment is another design environment used for FPGA designs. It is primarily used when working designing the newer FPGAs, including Kintex-7, Virtex-7 and UltraScale devices.
Worthy of mentioning is that the devices for the SDAccel Environment are created with the Xilinx Vivado Design Suite.
One of the core attributes of the SDAccel Environment is that it provides the pre-defined devices, which allows the users to leverage the environment alongside third-party devices.
Full-Suite Solutions
OpenCL FPGA Xilinx provides a full-suite solution for programmable device configurations. The solutions include the provision of programming and platform models that enable the programming of the host application, the external environment and the connection of the same.
The execution and memory models also help to implement the solutions and optimize the memory interfaces of the devices.
Conclusion
Using the OpenCL FPGA Xilinx simplifies the process of writing and managing commands for specific heterogenous programs, including FPGAs, CPUs and GPUs.
