06-24-2019 01:19 AM - edited 06-24-2019 01:27 AM
Dearest Readers,
I am using the FPGA since years starting with the X4000 in 1998
I was always very clear in what the FPGA was doing and I could use RTL languages to create a design
Now some people have introduced changes where the new products seem to be different to the old ones
I know it is great to go forward but if no one expains what the new products do how can one use them
Are the new FPGA architectures also synthesised with RTL?
Are the new FPGA architectures coming with the names like Alveo/Versal are they also synthesised with RTL?
My basic question is if the new architectures are synthesised or are they programmed?
I am referring to the macrocells are they synthesised or are they programmed in any new architectures?
I also wish to know if there is some documentation on the systolic arrays, are they synthesised or programmed?
I would appreciate to be briefed on those new and exciting technologies?
I have not bought any Ultrascales because the Price/Slice was slightly better in the 7 Series on my end and for
the new generations I have no idea where the product-selection-guide can be found?
I need to know
1. where is the product brief of the new FPGA's and
2. if they are synthesised or if the Slice connections are re-programmable by user code?
Thanks for Replying
Greetings to All.
06-24-2019 08:02 PM
Appreciate you focuing on the FPGA for many years.
With the development of the AI and the communication, the calculation on chip is more and more important.
As one of the calculation unit, FPGA will not just a parallel logic unit as well. It should be combine with the os, ip, apps and so on.
So the Versal is the xlinx innovation. It is not only improve on the hardware(7ns, low power, 40G, processors, etc), but also change the design flow. The designer can do the FPGA design from the Software(based on HLS, IPs) as beginning, and generate the hardware design according to the application which is include the kinds of processor(apu, gpu, rpu, fpga, etc) for designer to choose.
It is a big change, right?
for your question:
1、the versal introduction is at https://www.xilinx.com/news/media-kits/xilinx-hits-milestone-with-first-customer-shipments-of-versal-acap.html#documents. And more documents will be released soon.
2、Yes. If you want to know the news of the new FPGAs, you can follwo our blog. https://www.xilinx.com/about/blogs.html
06-25-2019 12:25 AM
VM2902 has 984,576 LUT
XCVU440 has 2,532,960 LUT
Hence I infer that the unit Versal is rather focussing on DSP slices to be used for AI/ML convolutions & math. What is the $ of one VM2902
What is the FPGA that has the best LUT/$ (with of course the max number LUT in one)?
Thanks for informing -
02-01-2021 03:52 AM
I want to know what FPGA offers the most LUT per $
02-01-2021 04:10 AM
Hi @xlyns
The prices are not discussed on the forums (I do not even know the prices).
One thing you need to take in account with Versal is that this is a completely new architecture so you cannot fully compare with a VU+ device.
First there is more integrated IPs in Versal. In all versal devices you have a processor. Versal includes the NoC which not only interface with the memory but allow an efficient communication within the memory.
If it is only LUT per $, Versal does not have the best ratio.
But if you are looking at, a high level of an application, performance per watt and probably performance/$ you will get better in Versal.
You just cannot do a simple 1:1 comparison in terms of LUTs
02-01-2021 06:43 AM - edited 02-01-2021 06:50 AM
ok time to do my own research looking at https://www.xilinx.com/support/documentation say the following
XC7VH870T
wont give the price ??????????
hence the Ultra Scale is not better then the 7 Series - no wonder the marketing wont dare even mention the prices any more
I also don't need any prebuild core in the chip when I can make any one I want using the LUT's??