Designing with the Spartan UltraScale+ FPGA: Architecture

COURSE CODE: FPGA-SU-ARCH

Learn about the key features and architecture of the AMD Spartan UltraScale+ FPGA, including its advanced I/O, high-speed transceivers, substantial built-in and external memory, PCIe Gen4 connectivity, and modern security. Recognize how these features provide a versatile, cost-optimized, and power-efficient platform for diverse applications.

The emphasis of this course is on:

  • Describing the key features and fundamental blocks of the Spartan UltraScale+ FPGA architecture
  • Describing Spartan UltraScale+ clocking, including buffer types, clock management tiles, and routing for enhanced timing
  • Describing the various on-chip memory resources available in the Spartan UltraScale+ architecture
  • Utilizing the advanced I/O capabilities for various connectivity needs
  • Identifying the high-speed transceivers for use in applications such as PCIe Gen4
  • Explaining the configuration process for Spartan UltraScale+ devices
  • Outlining the platform security framework and advanced security features
  • Leveraging the Power Design Manager (PDM) tool for power estimation

See Course Outline

3-Day Instructor-led CoursePrice USDTraining Credits
Hosted Online - $600/day$180018
In-Person Public Registration - $600/day$180018
Private TrainingLearn MoreLearn More
CoachingLearn MoreLearn More
Printed Course Book (A PDF book is included in the course fee)
Cannot be purchased without registration.
$2002

Scheduled Classes

No Scheduled Sessions - Contact Us to ask about setting one up!

Training Duration:

3 Days

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

I have a great grasp of HLS and how to use Vitis effectively

I really enjoyed this class and feel like I have a great grasp of HLS and how to use Vitis effectively. Cole was a great instructor, and I
would easily take another class with him. Thank you very much for running this class!

– Student from High-Level Synthesis with the Vitis HLS Tool

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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Who should attend:

Anyone who would like to build a design for the Spartan UltraScale+ device.

Software Tools

  • Vivado Design Suite 2025.1
  • Power Design Manager tool 2025.1

Hardware

  • Architecture: Spartan UltraScale+ FPGAs

Skills Gained

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

  • Describe the key features and fundamental blocks of the AMD Spartan UltraScale+ FPGA architecture
  • Describe Spartan UltraScale+ clocking, including buffer types, clock management tiles, and routing for enhanced timing
  • Describe the various on-chip memory resources available in the Spartan UltraScale+ architecture
  • Utilize the advanced I/O capabilities for various connectivity needs
  • Identify the high-speed transceivers for use in applications such as PCIe Gen4
  • Explain the configuration process for Spartan UltraScale+ devices
  • Outline the platform security framework and advanced security features
  • Leverage the Power Design Manager (PDM) tool for power estimation

Course Outline

Day 1Day 2Day 3
Introduction to the AMD UltraScale+ Families
Describes how UltraScale+ architectural benefits and features deliver enhanced performance, efficiency, and flexibility across diverse product families. {Lecture}

Introduction to the AMD Spartan UltraScale+ Architecture
Discusses the key features and fundamental blocks of the Spartan UltraScale+ architecture. {Lecture}

Programmable Logic
Explores the Spartan UltraScale+ programmable logic architecture, including its core components, enhancements, and advanced routing capabilities. {Lecture}

Clock Structure and Layout
Illustrates the clocking architecture and available resources in the Spartan UltraScale+ architecture and differentiates the clocking architectures of 7 series, UltraScale, and Spartan UltraScale+ FPGAs. {Lecture, Lab}

Clock Buffers
Describes the different types of clock buffers. {Lecture}

Clock Management
Reviews the clock management tiles for clock generation and I/O management. {Lecture}

Clock Routing
Discusses the clock routing architecture to reduce clock skew and enhance timing. {Lecture}
Block RAM Memory Resources
Covers the Spartan UltraScale+ architecture block RAM configurations, features, and cascading modes. {Lecture}

FIFO Memory Resources
Outlines the capabilities of the built-in FIFO. {Lecture}

UltraRAM Resources
Explains the UltraRAM features and architecture. {Lecture}

I/O Resources: Overview
Identifies some of the challenges of using high-speed I/O. Outlines the types and functions of I/O banks available in the Spartan UltraScale+ architecture. {Lecture}

I/O Resources: Component Mode
Describes component mode and each of its blocks in the IOB. {Lecture, Lab}

I/O Resources: Native Mode
Describes native mode and its clocking. {Lecture}

DSP Resources
Explores the architecture and functionality of the DSP48E2 slice in Spartan UltraScale+ FPGAs. {Lecture, Lab}
Transceivers
Describes the advancements and features of Spartan UltraScale+ transceivers compared to previous UltraScale architectures. {Lecture}

Transceivers Wizard
Reviews the functionality and benefits of the transceiver wizard. {Lecture}

PCI Express®
Discusses the architecture of the PCIe blocks in the Spartan UltraScale+ device and the differences between the different PCIe blocks. {Lecture}

Configuration
Provides an overview of the configuration process for Spartan UltraScale+ FPGAs. {Lecture}

Security Features
Describes the platform security framework offered by Spartan UltraScale+ devices. Also identifies the available advanced security features. {Lecture}

Power Design Manager
Explores the power estimation tools and how to utilize them for achieving better power efficiency using PDM. {Lecture, Lab}

Power Analysis and Optimization Using the AMD Vivado Design Suite
Describes how to estimate and analyze power consumption with the AMD Vivado Design Suite Power Report utility. {Lecture}

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

Prerequisites:

  • Designing FPGAs Using the Vivado Design Suite 1 course
  • Designing with the UltraScale and UltraScale+ Architectures course
  • Familiarity with the Vivado Design Suite
  • Intermediate VHDL or Verilog knowledge

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Updated 08-29-2025
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