UltraScale+ for compact, high-performance edge compute

As a hardware adaptable cost-optimised portfolio based on 16 nanometer technology, Artix and Zynq UltraScale+ devices are available in TSMC’s InFO (Integrated Fan-Out) packaging technology. Using InFO, Artix and Zynq UltraScale+ devices meet the need for intelligent edge applications by delivering high-compute density, performance-per-watt, and scalability in compact packaging options.

“Demand for compact, intelligent edge applications is driving the requirement for processing and bandwidth engines to not only provide higher performance, but also new levels of compute density to enable the smallest form factor systems,” said Sumit Shah, Senior Director, Product Line Management and Marketing at Xilinx. “The new cost-optimised additions to our UltraScale+ portfolio are powerful enhancements that leverage the architecture and production-proven technology of Xilinx’s UltraScale+ FPGAs and MPSoCs, which collectively have been deployed in millions of systems worldwide.”

The Artix UltraScale+ family is built on its production-proven FPGA architecture and is suited for a range of applications including machine vision with advanced sensor technology, high-speed networking, and ultra-compact ‘8K-ready’ video broadcasting. Artix UltraScale+ devices deliver 16 gigabits-per-second transceivers to support emerging and advanced protocols in networking, vision, and video, while also delivering the highest DSP compute in its class.

Cost-optimised Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoCs include the new ZU1 and production-proven ZU2 and ZU3 devices, all available in InFO packaging. As part of the multiprocessing SoC line from the Zynq UltraScale+ family, ZU1 is designed for connectivity at the edge and for industrial and healthcare IoT systems, including embedded vision cameras, AV-over-IP 4K and 8K-ready streaming, hand-held test equipment, as well as consumer and medical applications.

ZU1 is built for miniaturised compute-intensive applications and powered by a heterogeneous Arm processor-based multicore processor subsystem, while also being able to migrate to common package footprints for greater compute.

“LUCID has worked closely with Xilinx to integrate the new UltraScale+ ZU3 into our next generation industrial machine vision camera, the Triton Edge,” said Rod Barman, Founder and President at LUCID Vision Labs. “With the UltraScale+ ZU3 and its InFO packaging, LUCID was able to utilise an innovative rigid-flex board architecture to squeeze an amazing amount of processing power into an ultra-compact IP67, factory-tough camera.”

With the addition of Artix devices and the extension to the Zynq UltraScale+ family, Xilinx’s portfolio now spans across the high-end with Virtex UltraScale+, to the midrange with Kintex UltraScale+, to the new cost-optimised low-end. These new devices round out the portfolio and provide scalability for customers to develop multiple solutions using the same Xilinx platform. This preserves design investments across the portfolio and speeds time-to-market.

Security is a critical component in Xilinx designs, and both cost-optimised Artix and Zynq UltraScale+ families include the same robust security features found across the UltraScale+ portfolio. Included are RSA-4096 authentication, AES-CGM decryption, DPA countermeasures, and Xilinx’s proprietary Security Monitor IP that adapts to security threats across the product life cycle, meeting the security needs for both defense and commercial projects.

“The ability for customers to scale their designs using a single secure platform for a wide range of applications and markets is key to enabling faster, easier design integration as well as for capturing critical time-to-market opportunities,” said Dan Mandell, Senior Analyst, IoT and Embedded Technology at VDC Research. “Xilinx’s strategy to expand its portfolio to meet these market needs with its scalable and secure UltraScale+ Artix and Zynq families is compelling, especially considering the strong business opportunities in growth markets where these solutions are being deployed.”

The first cost-optimised Artix UltraScale+ devices are expected to be available in production by Q3 CY2021, with Vivado Design Suite and Vitis Unified Software Platform tool support starting late summer. Zynq UltraScale+ ZU1 devices will also begin sampling in Q3 with tool support in Q2, and volume production of the extended portfolio beginning Q4.