Course Description

This course provides an overview of the hard block capabilities for the Zynq® UltraScale+™ RFSoC family with a special emphasis on the RF Data Converter and Soft-Decision FEC blocks.

The focus is on:

• Describing the RFSoC family in general
• Identifying applications for the RF Data Converter and SD-FEC blocks
• Configuring, simulating, and implementing the blocks
• Verifying the RF Data Converter on real hardware
• Reviewing power estimation to help identify the power demands of the RFSoC device in various operating modes
• Identifying proper layout and PCB considerations since the Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC is both a high-speed and an analog and digital device

What's New for 2022.1

• General

• Update to Gen3 devices
• DFE devices added
• Labs updated to 2022.1 software

• Frequency Planning Modules

• New Frequency Planner tool
• Practice targets the new tool

• Data Converter Practice

• Updated to 2022.1 software
• RF data converter design example supported in ILT version only (requires 2020.1 software)

* This course focuses on the Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC architecture. Check with your local Authorized Training Provider for the specifics of the in-class lab board or other customizations.

After completing this comprehensive training, you will have the necessary skills to:

• Describe in general the new Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC family
• Identify typical applications for the RF data converters
• Describe the architecture and functionality of the RF-ADC
• Utilize the RF-ADC via configuration, simulation, and implementation
• Describe the architecture and functionality of the RF-DAC
• Utilize the RF-DAC via configuration, simulation, and implementation
• Identify the requirements and options for data converter PCB designs
• Describe the architecture and functionality of the Soft-Decision FEC hard IP
• Utilize the Soft-Decision FEC via configuration and simulation

Course Outline

• Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC Overview

Overview of the Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC architecture, including brief introductions to RF, RF data converter solutions, SD-FEC solutions, driver support, and tool support. {Lectures, Demo}

• RF-ADC Hardware

Covers the basics of RF-ADCs. Reviews RF-ADC architecture, functionality, interfaces, configuration, and driver support. {Lectures, Demo, Lab}

• RF-DAC Hardware

Covers the basics of RF-DACs. Reviews RF-DAC architecture, functionality, interfaces, configuration, and driver support. {Lectures, Demo, Lab}

• RFSoC Hardware

Provides an overview of the ZCU111 board and describes board setup. {Lectures}

• Data Converter Design

Describes common features, the design flow, utilizing the example design by simulation and implementation, and verifying RF data converter functionality on real hardware. Includes practice of using a software driver to modify RF data converter parameters. {Lectures, Labs}

• Data Converter Practice

Provides practical RF data converter experience using the ZCU111 board evaluation tool and RF analyzer tool. Demonstrates a PYNQ-based application to validate QPSK streams. Describes RF data converter frequency planning. Utilizes an RF data converter design example. {Lectures, Practices}

• PCB Design for RFSoC Devices

Describes power requirements, performing power estimation, and utilizing the power design. Analog signal requirements, PCB materials and layer stackup options, and analog trace design are also covered. {Lectures, Demo, Lab}

• Soft-Decision FEC Hardware

Covers the basics of forward error correction. Reviews SD-FEC architecture, functionality, interfaces, configuration, and driver support. {Lectures, Demo, Labs}