Designing with the Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC

COURSE CODE: FPGA PR

This course provides an overview of the hard block capabilities for the AMD Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC family with a special emphasis on the RF Data Converter and Soft-Decision FEC blocks.

The focus is on:

  • Describing the RFSoC family in general
  • Identifying applications for the RF Data Converter and SD-FEC blocks
  • Configuring, simulating, and implementing the blocks
  • Verifying the RF Data Converter on real hardware
  • Reviewing power estimation to help identify the power demands of the RFSoC device in various operating modes
  • Identifying proper layout and PCB considerations since the Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC is both a high-speed and an analog and digital device

See Course Outline

3-Day Instructor-led CoursePrice USDTraining Credits
Hosted Online - $600/day$180018
In-Person Public Registration - $600/day$180018
Printed Course Book (A PDF book is included in the course fee)$1001
Private TrainingLearn MoreLearn More
CoachingLearn MoreLearn More

Scheduled Classes

View our Full Calendar for class date status.
(Confirmed, Closed, Full)

Training Duration:

3 Days

One of the best experiences for AMD Xilinx training that I’ve had

Bill was a great instructor and answered all of our questions. He went above and beyond to make this course a great experience. If/When I use BLT for Xilinx training in the future I will be on the lookout to see if he’s leading the lecture. One of the best experiences for AMD Xilinx training that I’ve had.

– Student from Designing with VHDL

Knowledgeable instructor

Elie was a knowledgeable instructor, and did a really good job of making sure students were comfortable interrupting for questions. He answered questions well and communicated very clearly.

– Student from Designing with VHDL

The instructor was excellent

The instructor for this class, Glenn, was excellent. He presented the material with great examples and encouraged students to ask questions at any point in the course. Whenever there was a question he could not answer, he mentioned that he would bring it to his colleagues for answers, and after we came back from lunch, he had the answer.

– Student from Embedded Design with PetaLinux Tools

Impressed with the effort

Glenn is a good instructor – I’m impressed with the effort he put into the presentation.
I hope I didn’t annoy him with too many questions.

– Student from Designing with Versal AI Engine 3: Kernel Programming and Optimization

This one was definitely one of the best

I have attended a bunch of training courses over the years. This one was definitely one of the best I have attended. Erich did a great job, and the material is very well done. Thanks for a great class!

– Student from Vivado Boot Camp for the FPGA User Phase 1

They had answers for just about every question

Erich and Nathaniel were great, they had answers for just about every question/issue and linked relevant Xilinx/Vivado user manuals for further explanation/documentation.

– Student from Vivado Boot Camp for the FPGA User Phase 2

Elie was an exceptional instructor

Elie was an exceptional instructor, and I would welcome the opportunity to take another class from him and BLT in the future.

– Student from Designing with Verilog

Labs were great

The labs were great and really reinforced the topics.

– Student from Designing with Versal AI Engine 1: Architecture and Design Flow

I would endorse him to teach a friend

Cole was a fantastic instructor and was very proactive in answering any questions that came up. I would endorse him to teach if a friend had to learn from this course.

– Student from Designing with Verilog

Expert tidbits

I liked the expert tidbits my instructor threw in to keep in mind when working on projects in the future regarding best practices. I also appreciated the questions the more experienced students asked, and how he was knowledgeable in order to address them.

Student from Designing with VHDL

My instructor was very capable

My instructor was very capable of answering any of my questions even when they were an extension of the material being presented. If he wasn’t sure of an answer, he made sure to verify his thoughts before answering my question

– Student from Vivado Boot Camp for the FPGA User Phase 1

My instructor took time

My instructor took time during some of the breaks to look up and distribute information about questions that he didn’t happen to know direct answers to, and I always appreciate when instructors take the time to do that.

Student from Vivado Boot Camp for the FPGA User Phase 3

All in all a great experience

Tom was a great instructor, very knowledgeable and polite throughout the course. All in all a great experience.

– Student from Vivado Boot Camp for the FPGA User Phase 2

Erich was engaging

Erich was engaging and had good pacing during the course. Although the course was all day for 3 days I didn’t feel exhausted at the end of sessions.

– Student from Vivado Boot Camp for the FPGA User Phase 1

A lot of insights beyond the course

Glenn was a great instructor and provided us with a lot of insights beyond the course material

– Student from Embedded Design with PetaLinux Tools

I had a wonderful instructor

I had a wonderful instructor. His pacing throughout the course was good and made sure to allow for student questions and have conversations about related topics and experiences. I think the atmosphere was great for everyone to both learn and to share experiences, tips, and tricks about using the tool and the features discussed throughout the course.

Student from Vivado Boot Camp for the FPGA User Phase 3

Can quickly and concisely answer technical questions

I really like the expertise of the presenters and that they can quickly and concisely answer technical questions, Tom did great!

– Student from Vivado Boot Camp for the FPGA User Phase 3

My instructor was very professional

My instructor was very professional and answered all of my questions thoroughly. I enjoyed hearing about his professional experience with certain aspects of the course / labs as we went through the course.

– Student from Vivado Boot Camp for the FPGA User Phase 1

I gained a lot of information

The class was pretty great and I gained a lot of information from it that I will certainly be applying at my job going forward!!

– Student from Vivado Boot Camp for the FPGA User Phase 1

Thanks for a great class!

I have attended a bunch of training courses over the years. This one was definitely one of the best I have attended. Erich did a great job, and the material is very well done. Thanks for a great class!

– Student from Vivado Boot Camp for the FPGA User Phase 1

College course fit into 3 days

The instructor certainly knew the material and could explain the concepts as well as answer questions. Even the instructor said that this is a college course fit into 3 days.

Student from Designing with VDHL

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Who should attend:

Hardware designers interested in understanding the architecture and capabilities of the Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC data converter and SD-FEC hard blocks.

Software Tools

  • Vivado Design Suite
  • Vitis unified software platform

Hardware

  • Host computer for running the above software
  • Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC ZCU111 board*

* This course focuses on the Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC architecture.

Skills Gained

After completing this comprehensive training, you will have the necessary skills to:

  • Describe in general the new Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC family
  • Identify typical applications for the RF data converters
  • Describe the architecture and functionality of the RF-ADC
  • Utilize the RF-ADC via configuration, simulation, and implementation
  • Describe the architecture and functionality of the RF-DAC
  • Utilize the RF-DAC via configuration, simulation, and implementation
  • Identify the requirements and options for data converter PCB designs
  • Describe the architecture and functionality of the Soft-Decision FEC hard IP
  • Utilize the Soft-Decision FEC via configuration and simulation

Course Outline

Day 1Day 2Day 3
Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC Overview
Overview of the Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC architecture, including brief introductions to RF, RF data converter solutions, SD-FEC solutions, driver support, and tool support. {Lectures, Demo}

RF-ADC Hardware Covers the basics of RF-ADCs.

Reviews RF-ADC architecture, functionality, interfaces, configuration, and driver support. {Lectures, Demo, Lab}

RF-DAC Hardware Covers the basics of RF-DACs.

Reviews RF-DAC architecture, functionality, interfaces, configuration, and driver support. {Lectures, Demo, Lab}
RFSoC Hardware
Provides an overview of the ZCU111 board and describes board setup. {Lectures}

Data Converter Design
Describes common features, the design flow, utilizing the example design by simulation and implementation, and verifying RF data converter functionality on real hardware. Includes practice of using a software driver to modify RF data converter parameters. {Lectures, Labs}

Data Converter Practice
Provides practical RF data converter experience using the ZCU111 board evaluation tool and RF analyzer tool. Demonstrates a PYNQ-based application to validate QPSK streams. Describes RF data converter frequency planning. Utilizes an RF data converter design example. {Lectures, Practices}
PCB Design for RFSoC Devices
Describes power requirements, performing power estimation, and utilizing the power design. Analog signal requirements, PCB materials and layer stackup options, and analog trace design are also covered. {Lectures, Demo, Lab}

Soft-Decision FEC Hardware
Covers the basics of forward error correction. Reviews SD-FEC architecture, functionality, interfaces, configuration, and driver support. {Lectures, Demo, Labs}

Note: The instructor may change the content order to provide a better learning experience.

Prerequisites:

  • Suggested: Understanding of the Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC architecture
  • Basic familiarity with data converter terms and principles
  • Basic familiarity with forward error correction terms and principles

RELATED COURSES:

Updated 12-18-2023
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