PLDA has launched a SODIMM-like computer-on-module claimed to be the smallest Xilinx Zynq COM yet, supported with a carrier board and Debian Linux BSP.

San Jose-based PLDA designs IP cores and prototyping tools for ASICs and FPGAs, and bills itself as the industry leader in PCI Express and interface IP solutions. The tiny 76 x 42mm “SoMZ-7045” computer-on-module is designed for turnkey prototyping of a variety of devices that can make use of the Xilinx Zynq’s dual Cortex-A9 cores and FPGA circuitry. A video processing sample design with source code is said to be available on request, along with extensive COM customization services.

SoMZ-7045, installed on its carrier board
(click images to enlarge)

Most of the other COMs and single board computers (SBCs) we’ve seen that tap the hybrid ARM/FPGA Zynq system-on-chip, such as Avnet’s MicroZed 7020 use the mid-range Zynq-7020 model, or the low-end Zynq-7010. The SoMZ-7045, however, advances to the not quite top-of-the-line Zynq-7045.


Zynq 7000 family block diagram
(click image to enlarge)

As with all the Zynq models, the differences lie in the FPGA circuitry. The 1GHz dual-core Cortex-A9 subsystem, which is tightly linked with the FPGA circuitry via an AXI interconnect, is the same on all the models. While the Zynq-7020 FPGA supplies 80K logic cells, 560KB BlockRAM, and 220 DSP slices, the Zynq-7045 delivers 345K LUCs, 2,180KB BlockRAM, and 900 DSP slices. This is said to be equivalent to the FPGA processing power of a Xilinx Kintex-7.

The SoMZ-7045 module comes with 512MB DDR3 SDRAM and 16MB QSPI flash for the CPU subsystem and 256MB DDR3 SDRAM and an EEPROM for the FPGA subsystem. A microSD card fits a 4GB Debian Linux reference system. All I/O signals and power connections are expressed via the 400 fingers of the module’s edge connector areas, as illustrated in the block diagram below.

SoMZ-7045 COM/baseboard block diagram (left) and component details
(click images to enlarge)

 
The SoMZ-7045 Starter Kit includes a carrier board that is equipped with a pair of 200-pin right-angle sockets compatible with the SoMZ-7045 COM’s edge connector interface. The baseboard adds I/O controllers, signal buffers, and connectors for quick and easy access to the most of the COM’s functions, and for supplying DC power to COM. It also adds controllers and connectors for an multi-function SDIO slot and a mini-USB 2.0 OTG port, and provides a pair of 50-pin connectors containing all non-transceiver signals, as well as a PCIe x4 expansion card socket.

 
PLDA SoMZ 7045 module specs

Specifications listed for the PLDA SoMZ-7045 module include:

• Processor — Zynq-7045 SoC:
  • CPU subsystem — 2x Cortex-A9 CPU cores @ up to 1GHz; 512KB L2 Cache; 2x NEON coprocessors; 512KB L2 Cache
  • FPGA subsystem — Kintex 7-level FPGA with 350K logic cells, 2,180 BlockRAM, 900 DSP slices
• Memory:
  • CPU subsystem: 512MB DDR3 up to 1066MHz; 16MB QSPI flash
  • FPGA subsystem: 256MB DDR3 up to 1333MHz; 1KB I2C EEPROM
• Carrier board interface — 400-signal edgecard interface containing:
  • Ethernet 10/100/1000 (CPU)
  • USB 2.0 Host/Device/OTG port (CPU)
  • SDIO Interface signals (CPU)
  • UART/SPI/I2C/CAN signals (CPU)
  • JTAG interface (FPGA)
  • Clock Inputs (FPGA)
  • LVDS (available as LVTTL Signals) (FPGA)
  • 8 Rx/Tx GTX Transceivers (FPGA)
• Dimensions — 76 x 42mm (3.0 x 1.6 inches)

 
Carrier board specs

Functions and support provided by the starter kit’s SoMZ-7045 carrier board are said to include:

• 2x 200-pin right-angle edgecard sockets for the SoMZ-7045 COM
• I/O interface support and connectors:
  • Gigabit Ethernet interface (RJ45)
  • Mini-USB 2.0 OTG port
  • USB device connector (UART-based)
  • HDMI PHY and connector
  • 4x SMA connectors (2x transceivers)
  • 2x SFP+ connectors
  • 3x SMA clock connectors
  • USB 2.0 host/device OTG port
  • UART/SPI/I2C/CAN
  • 8 Rx/Tx GTX transceivers
  • 66x LVDS pairs with 132 LVTTL signals plus clocks
  • JTAG interface
• System expansion connectors:
  • 2x 50-pin connectors for all non-transceiver signals
  • SD card / SDIO socket (shared interface)
  • Root PCIe x4 card socket
• Other features — 3x debug LEDs, power LEDs, on/off switch
• Power — 12V DC jack

Additionally, the kit includes documentation, RTL design source, a bootable Debian Linux image on 4GB MicroSD card, and an SDK including sources of various user programs.

 
Further information

PLDA’s SoMZ-7045 and SoMZ-7045 Starter Kit are available now at an undisclosed price. More information may be found at the SoMZ-7045 and SoMZ-7045 Starter Kit product pages, respectively.