Chapter 5

 The application areas for Zynq have much in common with those of FPGA and
certain processor-based devices, and therefore it is useful to survey the general
landscape of applicable products and systems. Examples include: automotive,
military, aerospace, image processing, wired and wireless communications,
medicine, industrial control, and many others.
 Cars nowadays contain a significant amount of electronics, ranging from engine
management, to the control of functions such as windows, mirrors and lighting, to
navigation and infotainment systems.
 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) refers specifically to the collection of
systems provided in cars for driver safety and convenience, which can include: lane
departure warning systems; road sign recognition (e.g. to warn the driver when
entering a lower speed limit); parking assistance; head-up displays; and even
monitoring of driver awareness.
 FPGAs, and now Zynq devices, can be used to realize these automotive systems.
 The processing capabilities of Zynq make it particularly well suited to such systems,
while the opportunity to reduce the number of component devices is advantageous in a
market sensitive to cost and power, and which often has physical space constraints.
 FPGAs are established platforms for undertaking the computationally intensive
processing required in both wireless communications and wired, packet-based
systems.
 This field is diverse, and includes transceivers for terrestrial and satellite
transmissions, mobile backhaul infrastructure, wired network equipment, radar,
sonar, Global Positioning System (GPS), and many other communication systems.
 In wireless communications, the radio spectrum is under increasing pressure, and
meanwhile the number of wireless systems and standards continues to expand.
 The concept of flexible radio indicates the potential to better utilize the radio
spectrum, and consolidate radio equipment into a single device that is capable of
dynamically changing its operation. Zynq is an ideal flexible radio platform.
 In wired communications, a similar level of flexibility is sought via the use of ‘softly
defined networks’, which have the ability to upgrade functionality under software
control.
 Defense systems include a wide variety of communications, image processing,
aviation, navigation, and transport systems, as well as weapons related technology.
 Defense electronics usually require an increased level of robustness compared to civil
applications, with extended temperature ranges and security features.
 An area gaining interest is the concept of the ‘networked battlefield’, wherein
military personnel and equipment are inter-connected with aircraft, satellites, signals
intelligence equipment and other defense systems.
 Civil aerospace applications include navigation and on-board flight systems, satellite
and ground communications, and radar systems.
 Industrial and scientific processes, ranging from manufacturing and utilities, to high
energy physics experiments, require precise control and instrumentation.
 FPGAs and Zynq devices are very suitable platforms because they can perform fast,
realtime processing and handle multiple sensor inputs and actuator outputs
simultaneously, leveraging the capabilities of the PL.
 Zynq adds further potential for systems integration and operational flexibility. For
instance, the performance of a control loop could be monitored, and its configuration
altered if required, using software control. The PS can also support a real-time
operating system and/or GUI, if required.
 Zynq is well suited to motor control, due to the high bandwidth link between the PS
and PL, enabling a tight feedback loop, and leveraging the DAC sampling capabilities
offered by the AMS block.
