WP358 Datasheet, PDF (2/10 Pages) Xilinx, Inc – Simplifying Embedded

Introduction
Introduction
By definition, FPGAs have always offered the flexibility to integrate, adapt, and
optimize performance, function, and power in embedded hardware designs.
However, the inherent hardware design flexibility of the FPGA can be an impediment
for the embedded software designer. Software developers need a known good
foundation in a familiar design environment to keep their designs from becoming too
complex.
Embedded software developers have very different and significantly less complex
environmental needs than their hardware engineering counterparts. Specifically, the
software developer wants a compiler, a debugger, an Eclipse-based integrated design
environment (IDE), an industry-standard operating system (e.g., Linux, µC/OS), a
robust set of software libraries, and a stable processor system with well-defined
peripherals.
Embedded hardware designers, however, are more concerned about system
architecture, IP verification, and timing closure. They require pre-verified hardware
reference designs as starting points to evaluate the underlying FPGA platform. From
there, they might add standard IP, integrate some custom IP, and also remove IP blocks
that they do not need. Ideally, they need a high-level environment to make these
design changes quickly, without having to modify RTL code (VHDL or Verilog) for
each change.
Xilinx has developed an embedded processing targeted reference design in the form of
a fully functional and widely applicable MicroBlaze™ Processor Sub-System (PSS),
accompanied by all of the requisite software design environment components that
specifically and uniquely fulfill these requirements. Serving as the base of a new
generation in Xilinx embedded platforms, the MicroBlaze PSS integrates essential
processing, memory, and I/O functions and is supported by a strong software
ecosystem, offering middleware stacks and industry-leading operating systems such
as Linux and µC/OS-II.
When used with the new Spartan-6 and Virtex-6 FPGA Embedded Kits, the
MicroBlaze PSS allows software application developers to begin writing and porting
their application code to the embedded platform before any hardware development
has begun. Moreover, application software developers can immediately evaluate the
performance of the processor, internal and external memory, bus architectures, and
I/Os against their system requirements. The developers can even begin optimizing
their application software to the MicroBlaze PSS in parallel with the hardware design
effort.
Similarly, the new embedded kits provide everything the hardware design team needs
to quickly evaluate the Xilinx embedded platform capabilities, as well as modify and
extend these to their specific application needs. Thus, the new Xilinx® embedded kits
create the opportunity for both the hardware and software design teams to move
quickly and simultaneously through their respective evaluation and development
processes.
The Embedded Targeted Reference Design
While the FPGA provides a plethora of ways to innovate in terms of feature usage,
performance, configuration, and optimization, these options require decisions at
every level that designers might not want to or need to consider. It is here that the
MicroBlaze PSS saves time in getting started and becoming productive. To understand
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WP358 (v1.0) December 8, 2009