ARM/FPGA COM runs Linux on Zynq-7000 SoC
Mar 24, 2014 — by Eric Brown 2,936 viewsAvnet announced a COM based on Xilinx Zynq-7000 ARM/FPGA SoCs, and supported by an optional baseboard, power module, FPGA mezzanine card, and Linux BSP.
Avnet Electronic Martketing’s “Xilinx Zynq-7000 All Programmable SoC Mini-Module Plus” incorporates the Xilinx Zynq-7000 system-on-chip, which integrates and links dual 1GHz Cortex-A9 cores and FPGA circuitry via an AXI interconnect. The module is said to “complement” the previously announced, and still available, Zynq-7000-based 7Z045 Mini-Module Plus, which is software and hardware compatible with the new COM. While Avnet’s 7Z045 module uses the Zynq-7045, also found on PLDA’s SODIMM-style SoMZ-7045 COM, the new module also supports a more advanced Zynq-7100 SoC.


Xilinx Zynq-7000 All Programmable SoC Mini-Module Plus (left) and simplified model of development system with baseboard (right)
(click images to enlarge)
Both the Zynq-7045 and Zynq-7100 offer beefier FPGAs than are available on the more commonly seen Zynq-7010 or Zynq-7020 models, which are found on products such as Avnet’s MicroZed and ZedBoard SBCs. As explained in Avnet’s comparison chart [PDF] for its Zynq-based devices, the Zynq-7100 provides 444K FPGA logic cells, compared to 350K for the Zynq-7045 or 85K for the Zynq-7020. The ARM subsystem remains the same on all the Zynq models.

Zynq-7000 Mini-Module Plus Baseboard II with processor and power modules
(click image to enlarge)
Avnet’s new 102 x 57mm Mini-Module Plus is equipped with 1GB DDR3 SDRAM, as well as 32MB of QSPI flash and 128MB of parallel flash for the SoC’s FPGA. Real-world interfaces appear to include a gigabit Ethernet port, a USB 2.0 OTG port, and a microSD card socket.
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The module also features a USB-UART port, a system clock, and eight gigabit transceivers (GTX ports) with 132 user I/O pins for FPGA signals. The I/O pins can be configured as single-ended signals as well as LVDS (low-voltage differential signaling) pairs, says Avnet.
The module is designed to run Linux. Avnet confirmed via email that “PetaLinux is Xilinx’s officially supported tool chain for Linux development; and it’s available for download from our Design Resource Center.” Also available is the Xilinx ISE Design Suite, Embedded Edition.
Zynq-7000 Mini-Module Plus specs
Specifications listed for the Xilinx Zynq-7000 All Programmable SoC Mini-Module Plus include:
- Processor — Xilinx Zynq-7045 or Zynq-7100 (2x Cortex-A9 cores @ up to 1GHz, with FPGA (350K or 444K logic cells, respectively)
- Memory:
- 1GB DDR3 SDRAM
- 128MB of parallel flash (for FPGA)
- 32MB of QSPI flash
- 8KB of I2C EEPROM
- Micro-SD slot
- Networking — Gigabit Ethernet port
- Other I/O:
- USB 2.0 OTG port
- USB UART
- JTAG programming/configuration port
- PJTAG header (for FPGA)
- 8x GTX ports with 132x user I/O pins (for FPGA)
- Other features — RTC; programmable LVDS clock source (GTX ref. clock); 200MHz LVDS oscillator (system clock)
- Dimensions — 102 x 57mm (4.0 x 2.3 inches)
- Operating system — Linux (PetaLinux)
Mini-Module Plus Baseboard II
The Mini-Module Plus Baseboard II carrier board integrates connectors for the Mini-Module Plus COM, as well as a choice of various 12V DC power modules. There’s also an LPC (low pin-count) connector for an optional FPGA Mezzanine Card (FMC), although no further details were provided. The entire kit with processor and power modules is called the Mini-Module Plus Development System (MMP).
The Baseboard II includes a DisplayPort, as well as a variety of onboard USB, JTAG, and PMOD connectors. There’s also a PCI-Express x4 edge connector for expansion. The module’s GTX signals are available as a general-purpose MGT interface via SMA connectors. The board also integrates LEDs, push-button switches, DIP switches, and clock sources.

Block diagrams: Zynq-700 Mini-Module (left) and Mini-Module Plus Baseboard II (right)
(click image to enlarge)
Specifications listed for the Zynq-7000 Mini-Module Plus Baseboard II and Power Module include:
- Processor/memory — via Xilinx Zynq-7000 All Programmable SoC Mini-Module Plus or other Avnet Xilinx Mini-Module
- Display — DisplayPort
- Other I/O:
- SFP socket
- General-purpose MGT via SMA connectors
- USB-UART bridge
- 2x PMOD headers
- Digilent JTAG-SMT1 module
- PC4 JTAG header
- Expansion — PCIe x4 edge connector; FMC LPC slot (2.5 or 3.3V VADJ) with optional FPGA Mezzanine Card (FMC)
- Other features — 5x user LEDs; 8-position DIP switch; 4x user push-button switches; programmable LVCMOS and LVDS clock sources
- Power Module:
- 12V DC input support
- Powers FPGA module, FMC slot, and baseboard circuits
- Power Module models:
- Analog Devices
- GE Power
- Maxim Integrated
- STMicroelectronics
- Texas Instruments
- Texas Instruments Simple Switcher
“By combining the SoC module with the Mini-Module Plus baseboard and Mini-Module Plus power module, designers can quickly prototype their design concept and then easily move the modules to a custom designed system for production,” stated Jim Beneke, VP of global technical marketing for Avnet Electronics Marketing.
Further informationThe Xilinx Zynq-7000 All Programmable SoC Mini-Module Plus is available for order now for $1,495 with the Zynq-7100 or $1,295 with the Zynq-7045. The Zynq-7000 Mini-Module Plus Baseboard II goes for $500, and the power module goes for another $300 in small quantities (volume pricing also available). The BaseBoard II sold with the Zynq-7100 processor module and power module sells for $2,295 as the Mini-Module Plus Development System (MMP). All products ship in April.
More information may be found at Avnet’s Mini-Module Plus COM and MMP/Baseboard II product pages.
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