Introduction to Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+RFSoC ZCU111 Evaluation Kit

When Xilinx just launched the Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC ZCU111 evaluation kit in 2018, it attracted great attention in the industry because this kit uses Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC, which integrates multi-Gb ADC and DAC sampling functions and FPGA logic. And it can provide a fast and comprehensive RF analog-digital signal chain prototyping platform so that users can try this disruptive technology in person.

The Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC ZCU111 evaluation kit is the first of its kind in the industry. All other types of RF-ADC/DAC are of separate architecture. You need to purchase an FPGA evaluation card plus an ADC/DAC daughtercard and connect via FMC or other connectors. Separate implementations face some challenges in both usability and design. The high-speed transceiver of the discrete ADC/DAC solution consumes a lot of power, and the serial connection between FPGA and DAC/ADC also consumes a lot of power, such as the standard interface JESD204 between DAC/ADC and FPGA. For applications with a high number of channels (such as 8x8), this will add 28W of power consumption.

Other ADC/DAC + FPGA evaluation cards on the market require the use of related tools from two different chip manufacturers. One manufacturer’s tool is used to simulate ADC/DAC devices, and another manufacturer’s tool is used to carry out FPGA design modifications. This will slow down the evaluation and prototyping progress. Besides, when you encounter problems, you may not be able to determine which manufacturer should be contacted for support. With the Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC ZCU111 evaluation kit, only one manufacturer, one device, and one reference design are enough, which directly provides a simplified experience, can manage FPGAs, and integrate DAC/ADC.

8x8 evaluation function

The integration advantages of the Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC ZCU111 evaluation kit include less board space, low power consumption, reduced component count, and 8x8 ADC/DAC. Compared with purchasing a complete 8x8 ADC/DAC plus FPGA function kit evaluation system, the cost is reduced by 30% to 50%. Other solutions require up to 4 ADC/DAC boards plus an FPGA board to test the same configuration.

Overall, the ZCU111 evaluation kit demonstrates that Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC devices can bring the same advantages to RF analog systems: low power consumption, small area, simplified design, and lower cost.I think you are also interested in the Xilinx ZCU102 evaluation kit, please click here to view.

Main performance and advantages:

• Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC ZCU111 evaluation board supporting XCZU28DR-2FFVG1517E RFSoC

• DDR4 components — 4GB, 64-bit, 2666 MT/s, connected to programmable logic (PL)

• DDR4 SODIMM — 4GB, 64-bit, 2400 MT/s, connected to the processor subsystem (PS)

• Linkage SFP28 module supports up to 4 SFP/SFP+/zSFP+/SFP28 modules

• USB3, DisplayPort, and SATA

• FPGA Mezzanine Card (FMC) interface for I/O expansion, including 12 32.75 Gb/s GTY transceivers and 34 user-defined differential I/O signals

• XM500 RFMC weighing converter plug-in card supports 4 DAC/4 ADCs to weighing converter 4 DAC/4 ADCs to SMA

The above is the introduction of the Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC ZCU111 evaluation kit, I hope it will be helpful to those who want to know.