Device Support

The following production devices are in production:

• Virtex UltraScale+ HBM:- XCVU31P, XCVU33P, XCVU35P, XCVU37P

Install and Licensing 

• Introducing Xilinx Unified installer ​for an easier install of all Xilinx tools. The single unified installer enables users to install all Xilinx tools such as Vitis​, Vivado​, On-premise Install for Cloud Deployments​, Bootgen​, Lab Edition, Hardware Server and Document Navigator.

IDE Enhancements

• Next gen linter in text editor (Sigasi based)​
  • Improved syntax checking​
  • Autocompletion​
  • Go to definition​
  • Find usages​
  • Auto formatting / indenting​
  • Enabled by project settings​

Model Composer

• Improved Support for Vector Signal Dimensions: Improvements to code generation infrastructure to handle vector [N] signals in the design, resulting in improved performance
• Constant Block Enhanced for Vector Parameters: Constant block now supports interpreting vectors parameters as 1-D, similar to corresponding Constant block in Simulink library
• New Example Designs with Optimized DSP Blocks
  • MRI Image Reconstruction with 2D-FFT
  • Low-pass Filter design using FIR Block
  • Image Smoothing filter using FIR Block
• Enhancements to C/C++ Function Import: Improved error and warning messages displayed in Diagnostic Viewer, enabling better troubleshooting of issues with custom code.
• Customize IP Properties for IP Catalog Export Type: Specify IP Properties including name, version and hardware description language (VHDL or Verilog) for the IP packaged from the synthesized design.
• Search Capabilities in Device Chooser: Quickly search for parts and boards, based on multiple criteria, using the Device Chooser dialog on the Model Composer Hub block.
• FIR Block Supports Multi-Channel Processing: Enhancements to the FIR block support processing columns in the incoming signal as independent channels of data for multi-channel filtering operations.
• Supported MATLAB Versions: R2018a, R2018b, R2019a and R2019b

IP Integrator

• Versal support and block automation for GT wizard with IPs.  Allows for mixing IP protocols in a GT Quad.
• Hide or color nets / blocks for better visibility in the block diagram​

IP Enhancements

• SmartConnect Enhancements​
  • New area optimization for smaller switch configurations
  • LinkBlaze Topology support​
  • SystemC model​ now available
• URAM Readback/Writeback IP for UltraScale+ Devices​
  • Solves the problem of accessing URAM data for debug​
  • Allows data initialization​
• HBICAP
  • Enables embedded processors to access FPGA configuration memory through the Internal Configuration Access Port (ICAPEx)
  • Gives users the ability to modify circuit functionality during operation
• FIR Compiler
  • Versal optimization to DSP58 new features and wider bus widths
• Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT)
  • Enhancements for 5G
  • Support all point sizes to satisfy 38.211
  • Async release to 2019.2 (EA only)
• LTE Downlink Channel Encoder
  • Bug fix: issue with incorrect behaviour if tvalid input de-asserted on a particular cycle resolved

• Video and Imaging IPs
  • MIPI DSI TX: Add 2.5Gb/s DPHY and DCS long packet support
  • MIPI CSI RX: new resources optimization option by removing register interface. 
  • Spartan 701 MIPI CSI RX to DSI TX based application example design
  • DisplayPort Subsystems: HDCP2.2 example design
  • SDI Subsystems add YUV 444 support 

RTL Synthesis

• SystemVerilog Virtual Interface support​
• VHDL language support enhancements​
  • Support for the TIME physical type​
  • Faster compile times for functions​
  • Improved error handling​
• XPM_MEMORY​
  • Asynchronous resets on output registers of asymmetric RAMs​
  • Supported for both Block RAM and UltraRAM​
• Allow optimization of instances with MARK_DEBUG pins​
  • Previously treated as DONT_TOUCH​
• Retiming control sets of register pipelines to enable mapping to SRLs​

Implementation

• Dynamic Function eXchange (DFX)​
  • Partial Reconfiguration (PR) is part of the overall DFX solution​
    • DFX includes silicon capabilities, Vivado design flows, Partial Reconfiguration IP and more​
    • Across all architectures, from 7 series through Versal​
    • New features to aid designers coming in future releases​
    • Read more on Xilinx.com​​
  • AXI High-Bandwidth ICAP interface IP​
    • Supports AXI read and write bursts of 256 beats per transaction​
    • Optional AXI4-Stream master interface for read datapath with unlimited burst per transaction​
    • Memory mapped AXI4 slave interface​
    • Supports write and read transfers up to 230 bytes in size​
    • Documented in PG349 ​

• Implementation Design Flow
  • PhysOpt is now enabled by default in Vivado Implementation Defaults strategy​
  • New phys_opt Default directive​
    • Fewer optimized paths than prior releases​
    • Focuses on addressing timing outliers​
    • Very quick runtime​
  • LUT combining optimization added to "Physical-Synthesis-in-Placer" (PSIP)​
  • New optimization for BUFG/CE path in opt_design​
    • Reduces clock skew for timing closure

• Design Analysis and Timing Closure​
  • RQS Strategy Prediction​
    • Uses ML to predict top 3 Implementation Strategies​
    • report_qor_suggestions -strategy
  • RQA (report_qor_assessment)​
    • Provides guidance for using incremental compile and RQS implementation strategies​
    • Adds report_failfast summary to catch design issues before implementation​
  • New congestion metric: interconnect congestion level for improved congestion visualization (Windows -> Metrics)​
  • report_ram_utilization addition of LUTRAM reporting​
  • New UltraFast methodologies to check for unsafe CDC between MMCMs

• Incremental Compile​
  • Incremental Implementation directives​
    • Quick: fastest runtime with minimal timing effort
    • RuntimeOptimized: fast runtime while maintaining timing​
    • TimingClosure: tries to meet timing​
    • No need to modify place and route directives​
      • Tools automatically decide to run Incremental or default with original directives​
  • Improved phys_opt_design performance in Incremental Implementation flow​
    • More pinpointed optimization​
    • Overall better P&R reuse​
  • Incremental Synthesis: design reuse now considers changes to synth_design options​

Vivado Simulator

Simulation

• Introducing UVM 1.2 support in Vivado Simulator(XSIM)​ to enable users to create high quality verification environment​ using UVM-based testbenches

Device Support

The following production devices are enabled in this release:

• Space-Grade Kintex UltraScale:- XQRKU060
• XA Kintex-7:- XA7K160T
• Virtex UltraScale+ HBM (-3):- XCVU31P, XCVU33P, XCVU35P, XCVU37P

Vivado Tools

• General

  • Support for command-line based Web Installer has been added that enhances user experience and productivity for installing Xilinx tools
  • Disk usage optimization enabled to reduce install footprint of Vivado tool
  • Xilinx has discontinued offering DVDs for Vivado tool
    
    

• System Generator for DSP

  • 2 New Super-Sample Rate (SSR) Blocks:Vector Assert and Vector Relational blocks added to the Xilinx SSR Block Library for building Super-Sample Rate (SSR) Designs for Xilinx devices, including the Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC parts. Please refer to the User Guide for more information on Super-Sample Rate designs and the new block library.
  • Supported MATLAB Versions:R2018a, R2018b and R2019
    
    

• Vivado High Level Synthesis

  • C functions can be tagged as black-boxes, replaced by equivalent RTL modules supplied by the user
  • The scope of dataflow applicability can now be extended to support multiple readers of an array through the new “stable” pragma/directive
  • A sequence of dataflow ping-pong buffers can be specified through the stream pragma/directive to improve parallel execution
  • Modified resource pragma/directive for memory allows to specify storage type and latency
  • User can set ap_ctrl_none scoped to a dataflow region to improve throughput
  • C libraries
    • C++ templated super sample rate (SSR) FFT function. Systolic architecture supporting multiple data samples (integer or fixed point) at each clock cycle
    • Enhanced OpenCV support through xfOpenCV (release notes)
    • The full set of math.h functions is now natively optimized for fixed point data types
      
      

• RTL Synthesis

  • Added VHDL-2008 features including generics in packages, generic types in entities, and functions in generics.
  • Incremental Synthesis now available, with optional auto-incremental mode for Vivado projects.
    
    

• Model Composer

  • DSP Block Library: New FFT, IFFT and FIR blocks are now available to design and implement signal processing algorithms with Model Composer
  • Enhancements to Throughput Control: Expanded list of blocks supported for Throughput Control. Build designs with supported blocks and control the throughput requirements of the implementation without making any structural changes to the design
  • Additional Blocks that Support Streaming Data: Design and Implement algorithms with high-throughput requirements using an expanded set of blocks that support operations on streaming data. Examples: Look-up Table, Delay, Matrix Multiply, Submatrix etc.
  • Enhanced Complex Support in C/C++ Function Import: Added support for importing functions that use hls::x_complex types as well, in addition to std::complex, expanding the support for complex signals in custom blocks.
  • Enhancements to C/C++ Function Import: Create custom "Source" blocks for your design using the xmcImportFunction feature
  • Improved Support for Row-Matrix and Column-Matrix Signal Dimensions: Improvements to the code generation infrastructure to handle Row-Matrix [Nx1] and Column-Matrix [1xN] signals in the design, resulting in improved performance.
  • Supported MATLAB Versions: R2018a, R2018b and R2019a
    
    

• Interactive Design Environment

  • Automatically add new runs to the project summary dashboards
  • Ability to'Save As' for report strategies
    
    

• Board Flows and Example Designs

  • Download and install third party boards directly from Github with a single click in the GUI
     

• Vivado Simulator

  • Introducing support for SystemVerilog functional coverage and report generation(.txt or .html)
  • Support for assertion on property and sequence in concurrent region
  • Enhanced constraint randomization supportNew protocol instance window to display AXI interfaces in design
  • “Mark Simulation” feature in block diagram to add AXI interfaces in waveform viewer directly
     

• IP Security

  • Encrypted blocks in the design will be hidden in Schematic and Hierarchy viewer. New right xilinx_schematic_visibility has been introduced that can be toggled on/off to change the default behavior
  • Updated Xilinx Vivado public key as a part of regular security update
     

• Implementation

  • New AXI Regslice IPs to cross SLRs at high speed and automatically insert pipelines.
    • Improves Virtex UltraScale+ HBM design performance (up to 450 MHz).
    • Enabled for all UltraScale and UltraScale+ devices.
    • Property-based mechanism available for custom busses and interfaces.
  • Faster physical optimization of high-fanout nets during placement.
  • Automatic SLR crossing register usage is enabled to boost performance and reduce QoR variation
  • Report Methodology runs up to 2 times faster for designs with many timing exceptions.
  • opt_design adds an SRL remap option to convert between SRL shift register primitives and register chains. Allows balancing utilization and performance.
    
    

• Constraints and Analysis

  • Soft Pblocks: Pblock boundaries can be made soft to allow cells to move as needed to improve performance.
  • SLR Pblocks: Pblock ranges can now be specified using SLRs for much simpler definition.
  • The report_methodology command adds new timing-related methodology checks.
  • Suggestions from report_qor_suggestions (RQS) are now object-based and are automatically applied by implementation flow commands.
  • The report_ram_utilization command is rebuilt to provide more meaningful statistics on sparseness and timing criticality.
    
    

• Power Analysis

  • UltraScale+ XPE includes more detailed RF Data Converter settings for power analysis of Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC Gen 3 devices.
  • UltraScale+ XPE adds an HBM wizard for system-level parameter entry for HBM power analysis, automatically generating the corresponding spreadsheet entries.
    
    

• Vivado Debug

  • IBERT GTM: GTM transceivers line rates of 9.8 Gb/s up to 58 Gb/s using PAM4 and NRZ modulations are now supported in IBERT design for GTM and Serial I/O Analyzer. Forward Error Correction (FEC) mode with PAM4 signaling is provided in 160-bit data width mode and internal PRBS patterns (no FEC support for NRZ). In addition,new plotting features are offered for eye slicers, histograms, and signal-to-noise ratio information of different links.
    
  • Busplot Viewer: Logic Analyzer now offers the Busplot Viewer capability for debugging DSP & RF applications. This allows users to plot different graphs based on the probe values vs. time or samples as well as other probes data. The Viewer lets user to select any signal to use as data for X and Y axis as well as plotting multiple graphs on the same plot.
  • HBM Monitor: New memory debug capability for monitoring HBM design status and performance. Similar to memory calibration debug, the HBM Monitor dashboard will show calibration status and static temperature of HBM memory modules along with various throughput information and monitor activity on different channels.
    
  • RF Analyzer: The RF Analyzer tool for debugging ZU+ RFSoC devices is now available. The tool is primarily used on user boards to help understand the performance of the board in high frequency applications. The RF Analyzer uses the same basic GUI as the RFSoC Evaluation Tool. While offering many similar features, RF Analyzer is board-independent. Without using specific board implementations information, RF Analyzer relies on BRAM buffers instead ofDDR RAM, requires users to configure an external PLL if the board requires so, and communicates via JTAG between the host PC and the target board.

• Intellectual Property (IP)

  • New 50G RS-FEC (544,514): New FEC (2x26G) NRZ used for 5G wireless applications to enable PAM-4 applications when adding an external bitmux chip
  • IntegratedUltraScale/UltraScale+ 100G Ethernet Subsystem: New optional AXI data bus interface allowing standard based interface
  • 10G/25G Ethernet Subsystem, 40G/50G Ethernet Subsystem, IntegratedUltraScale/UltraScale+100G Ethernet Subsystem, USXGMII, 1G/10G/25G Ethernet Switching Subsystem: Size optimized statistic counter by creating statistics logic based on features selected
  • Video and Imaging IPs: Video processing cores add support for 8K30 resolutions; Video mixer adds 16 layer mixing; Framebuffers adds support for 12 and 16bpc;
  • SmartConnect: Improved area efficiency, especially for small configurations and AXILite endpoints
  • AXI Bram Controller: Improved performance for single beat transactions. Configurable read latency for tight timing margins.

• Partial Reconfiguration

• Licenses for Partial Reconfiguration are no longer required for any Vivado Edition
  
  

Download Vivado Design Suite 2018.3 now, with support for:

• Virtex UltraScale+ 58G ES1 devices:- XCVU27P, XCVU29P
• Virtex UltraScale+ HBM: XCVU31P, XCVU33P, XCVU35P, XCVU37P
  
  
• Vivado Features:
  • QoR Improvements - 3% higher Fmax and 2x faster router compile times than 2018.1 (UltraScale+)
  • Easily compare report results across runs or run steps
  • New AXI-transaction based waveform viewer
  • Diff block diagrams for easier version control
  • Early timing closure analysis with Report QoR Analysis
            
• IP Subsystems/Cores:
  • Wireless: New 10G and 25G Radio over Ethernet Framer 
    • eCPRI Example Design
    • NGFI IEEE 1914.3 support
  • Wireless: New 25G Time Sensitive Networking (TSN) for 802.1CM
  • Wired: 400G, 200G, 100G and 50G Ethernet support for US+ 58G GTMs
  • HBM analysis cockpit available through HW debugger
  • Video IP: All HLS Video Processing cores are now license free and come installed with Vivado (VPSS, Video Mixer, Video TPG, Frame Buffer WR/RD, Gamma LUT, Demosaic, VTC.  Two new cores for Scene Change detection and Multi output scaler
     
• Embedded Software:
  • PetaLinux switch to standalone XSCT infrastructure
  • More robust multimedia infrastructure, including audio support
  • New license removes device restriction
  • Xen Hypervisor upgraded to Xen 4.11
  • Support for 64-bit memory addressing in MicroBlaze
• Production Devices:
  • Defense-Grade Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC:- XQZU21DR (-1M), XQZU28DR (-1M, -1, -1LV, -1L, -2)
  • Defense-Grade Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoCs:- XQZU3EG( -1M, -1, -1LV, -1L, -2), XQZU9EG ( -1M, -1, -1LV, -1L, -2)