The Zynq Book Tutorials for Zybo and ZedBoard
This book comprises a set of five tutorials, and provides a practical introduction to working with Zynq-7000 All Programmable System on Chip, the family of devices from Xilinx that combines an application-grade ARM Cortex-A9 processor with traditional FPGA logic fabric. It is a companion text for 'The Zynq Book' (ISBN-13: 978-0992978709). The tutorials target two popular Zynq development boards: the ZedBoard, and the lower cost Zybo. Working through, the reader will take first steps with the Vivado integrated development environment and Software Developers Kit (SDK), and be introduced to the methodology of developing embedded systems based on Zynq. Different methods of creating Intellectual Property (IP) cores are demonstrated, including the use of Vivado High Level Synthesis (HLS), and these IPs are later combined to form a complete audio-based embedded system. These tutorials are set at the introductory level, and are suitable for undergraduate / postgraduate teaching, as well as self-learning by researchers, professional engineers, and hobbyists. Example and support files can be downloaded from the book's companion website.
Why Read This Book
You should read this if you want a concise, practical path from zero to working Zynq designs on real hardware: the book walks you through Vivado project setup, PS–PL integration, creating IP (including Vivado HLS), and running software on the ARM core using Zybo and ZedBoard examples. The step‑by‑step tutorials and board‑specific guidance get you past the initial toolchain friction so you can focus on design and HW/SW co‑development.
Who Will Benefit
Students, hobbyists, and embedded/FPGA engineers who are new to Xilinx Zynq SoCs and want hands‑on experience with Zybo or ZedBoard to build PS/PL integrated systems and HLS‑based IP.
Level: Intermediate — Prerequisites: Basic digital logic and FPGA concepts, familiarity with C programming (for ARM software), and general comfort with Linux/Windows for installing EDA tools.
Key Takeaways
- Set up Vivado and Xilinx SDK projects for Zybo and ZedBoard and program the boards from the toolchain
- Integrate the Zynq PS and FPGA fabric (PL) using AXI interfaces and the Vivado block design flow
- Create and package custom IP and connect it into a Vivado design
- Use Vivado High Level Synthesis (HLS) to turn C/C++ algorithms into RTL IP
- Develop and debug ARM software that interfaces with PL peripherals (bare‑metal and SDK workflows)
- Validate designs on real hardware using on‑board peripherals and simple test applications
Topics Covered
- Introduction to the Zynq-7000 SoC and target boards (ZedBoard, Zybo)
- Installing and configuring Vivado Design Suite and Xilinx SDK
- Getting started with Vivado: block designs, constraints, bitstream generation
- PS/PL interfacing: AXI, clocks, resets and I/O pinning
- Creating and integrating custom IP in Vivado
- Vivado HLS tutorial: converting C/C++ algorithms to IP
- Software development with Xilinx SDK: creating BSPs and applications
- Hardware/software co‑design examples and testing on board
- Debugging techniques: SDK debugger, logic analyzer and platform cable
- Project walkthroughs and worked examples for Zybo and ZedBoard
- Appendices: board schematics, part numbers and tool versions
Languages, Platforms & Tools
How It Compares
More hands‑on and board‑specific than Xilinx's generic UG guides; complements (and is a practical companion to) the fuller 'The Zynq Book' by the same authors and is more tutorial‑driven than reference texts on Zynq.
