Hardware development kit lets developers allocate Xilinx FPGA resources
Leveraging Xilinx Vivado ML Editions, the hardware development kit by Abaco Systems allows users to develop unallocated Xilinx FPGA resources on Abaco boards. The development kit uses specific features in the new Xilinx Vivado ML Editions tool suite which allow users to implement custom IP while maintaining the overall integrity of the Abaco IP.
Building on the capability of the Xilinx Dynamic Function eXchange (DFX), Abaco explains it has developed a static design comprised of its proprietary IP, while making room in the FPGA for a dynamically programmable region, for custom designs. During the development process, Abstract Shells are used to compile the dynamic region which accelerates compile times and protects the IP. At runtime, DFX is used to swap designs in and out of the dynamic region. The hardware development kit includes a static partition bitstream, Vivado ML reprogrammable partition example design, and build scripts for implementing the abstraction layer interfaces.
The development kit allows end-customers to harness available programmable logic resources within Abaco’s embedded FPGA platforms. It can be used for enhanced security, DSP and other custom algorithms. Developing these unallocated resources can reduce or eliminate additional hardware, further simplify designs and optimise size weight and power (SWaP) considerations.
The development kit can support Abaco’s SBC3511, SBC6511 and IPN254 and Abaco has already announced that there is availability to support other boards in the near future.
Xilinx worked closely with Abaco in the development of the kit. Abaco seeks to deploy more tools that will ease customer integration into the overall system. Developer customers can use these resources without concern of corrupting the IP in the static partition to provide the opportunity to re-use previously licensed IP in that static partition without the cost or administration of re-licensing, further saving time and reducing costs on complex projects, explained Pete Thompson, vice president of product management for Abaco Systems.
