There are many ways to program an FPGA. It doesn’t matter if you use a PYNQ, Vivado, or Stratix 10GX 10M. A Python library can help you get started. These libraries are available on much computer-aided design (CAD) platforms. You can also use Jupyter, a notebook Web server, and the Python API by pynq.
Xilinx PYNQ
We can program Xilinx PYNQ boards using Verilog code or Hardware Synthesis. Xilinx Vivado and the PYNQ board support both. To get started with a Verilog code project, follow the steps below. First, download Vivado. First, after downloading Vivado, open it. Then, open the board definition files, and enter the path to the board in the Tools and Settings.
Once you’ve downloaded the Python package, run it on your host computer. Once the program is running, you can test it in a virtual environment to verify it’s working. If it is working, the virtual machine should be able to boot and use it. If you don’t, it’s possible to download a bootable Linux image for your Zynq board.
Alternatively, you can connect the PYNQ board to your computer with the help of the serial connection. The serial connection will help install third-party projects and check the IP address. You can make the serial connection from your terminal program, which can differ depending on your operating system. In addition, you can use an app store to download a serial console. If you’re new to programming with PyNQ boards, we suggest that you read up on the Pynq board’s documentation.
As far as the PYNQ FPGA program is concerned, it completely replaces the traditional FGPA development environment. The PYNQ FPGA development environment makes this process easier for developers and designers alike. By using a simplified Python programming environment, developers can avoid the lengthy process of bitstream generation. The PYNQ development environment is available for download for free on the Xilinx website, so there’s no reason not to try it.
Xilinx Vivado
The Vivado development environment is free software that you can get from a website. The SDK can be used instead of Xilinx’s software. It supports all Vivado devices. The SDK enables you to write code directly into the device using the Device property. In addition, you can add and remove devices from the device database using the FPGA: Add Devices to Database command.
In addition, the open-source framework Xilinx PYNQ enables embedded programmers to exploit APSoCs fully. APSoCs are programmable logic circuits that we can import as hardware libraries and programmed using a library interface. This makes it easier to use high-level frameworks, such as Python. With the PYNQ framework, it’s possible to write code for many programmable logic circuits.
Xilinx Stratix 10GX 10M
The Stratix 10GX10M is a massive FPGA with 10.2 million logic elements. It has twice as many transistors as the previous biggest FPGA and is built on 14 nm technology. This is a huge increase in capacity from the previous largest FPGA and will simplify the prototyping process and lower the cost per gate. But it’s not just the size of the FPGA that makes it an excellent choice for designers and developers.
The Stratix 10GX 10M is designed to replace four GX 2800 FPGAs in ASIC prototyping. It combines two big FPGAs with three EMIB connections for an overall high-performance chip with a TDP ranging from 150W to 400W with advanced cooling. Its huge size also allows Rayming PCB & Assembly to implement complex multi-layer designs.
Its hardware and software come with a full design environment, including the Intel Stratix 10 GX10M FPGA. This development kit includes a PCIe 3.0 development board and supports DDR4 and QDR IV. The Stratix 10GX10M is PCIe 3.0/4.0 and supports H-tiles. Its price is $399,500.
Pyfletcher
Pyfletcher for FPGA acceleration uses the Fletcher runtime library in a Python application. The library auto-detects the underlying hardware platform and generates code for platform-agnostic Python. It uses the Arrow data format for communication between the client, the workers, and the FPGA. The hardware library contains the core hardware components. To use Pyfletcher for FPGA acceleration, you must have Python 2.7 or later.
The Fletcher code sets up the memory input and output streams, reducing the time needed to set up a new FPGA kernel. It is compatible with any Arrow schema and implements Column Readers/Writers, Buffers, and other data structures. These libraries are available for Python. Those unfamiliar with the Arrow language can get the most out of the library by installing the Apache Arrow framework.
For embedded systems, FPGAs offer an advantage over conventional CPUs. For example, FPGAs are used for automotive, industrial automation, and computer vision. To make development easier, Pynq provides a Python development environment that mimics the experience of Jupyter notebooks. In addition to the Python API, Pyfletcher for Python FPGA includes prebuilt FPGA accelerators and software packages. It can allocate memory on Dynamic RAM and stream audio from onboard ports.
Verilog
A great way to learn Altera FPGA is by programming in Python. The two languages have similar syntax, but the difference lies in their state handling. Specifically, they have the same concept of counters. Luckily, Python has its gateware language, Amaranth, which works at the lowest level of Verilog while allowing for the power of the Python language.
Verilog is a high-level programming language. It allows you to write a program in Verilog without ever having to see a schematic. As a result, it is easy to write a design. The best part of it is that it’s completely free!
To use the Verilog syntax, you must first know the basics of synthesis in Verilog. You can learn about this language by following a few simple tutorials. A good example is Music Box, a tutorial for programming an FPGA using Verilog. To do this, you’ll need an unpowered Arty board. The code is shorter in Verilog than FPGA4Fun.
SystemVerilog is another useful language for FPGA development. Although it isn’t a replacement for Verilog and VHDL, it has many benefits for programming an FPGA. In addition to its backward compatibility with Verilog, SystemVerilog allows you to use advanced verification methodologies. If you’re an aspiring FPGA developer, it’s worth checking out.
HDL
A new high-level hardware description language (HDL) for Python uses Python as a source language, converting it to standard VHDL while keeping the object-oriented paradigm. While other approaches have removed high-level features from Python, this one retains them. The program shows how high-level features can be implemented using HDL while providing the advantages of high-level programming. Here are some of the key benefits of HDL for Python.
First, the MyHDL tutorial implements the design and generates the bitstream for a development board. The tutorial also has scripts for different boards. Next, the MyHDL tutorial demonstrates a simple LED-control circuit and strobing LEDs on an FPGA development board. You might have been familiar with the Pontiac Trans Am from the David Hasselhoff movie, KnightRider. You can use a custom FPGA design tool to create a similar circuit.
If you’re a beginner at programming FPGAs, MyHDL 0.11 will help you start your HDL project. It includes examples of Python, C++, and other high-level languages. This language is easier to learn than Verilog and is widely used in embedded systems. You can even use the Python SDK to create new HDL applications if you have a programming background.
