Versal Evaluation Board - System Controller - Update 6
- Wesley Skeffington (Unlicensed)
- Stroud, Jonathan
- Manikanta Sreeram (Unlicensed)
This page provides an overview of the functions and features available with the Versal Evaluation board System Controller (SC) function. The SC is an independent MPSoC based subsystem included on the Versal evaluation boards meant to aid users in the evaluation of the Versal device under test (DUT).
Table of Contents
- 1 Overview
- 2 Getting Started
- 3 SC Platform Updates
- 4 BEAM
- 4.1 Overview
- 4.2 Board and Requirements
- 4.3 Board setup and Connections
- 4.4 Launching the GUI
- 4.5 GUI Pages
- 4.5.1 BEAM Home
- 4.5.2 Test The Board
- 4.5.2.1 Board Settings
- 4.5.2.1.1.1 Uploading custom designs for 8A34001 clock chip
- 4.5.2.1.2 Setting Boot Mode through GUI
- 4.5.2.2 Board Interface Test
- 4.5.2.1 Board Settings
- 4.5.3 Help
- 4.5.4 About
- 4.6 Download Log Files
- 4.7 System Controller Application
- 5 SC Fan Control
- 6 Debug Tips
- 7 System Controller Source Code
- 7.1 Licenses
Overview
The System Controller (SC) is implemented to be a cooperative and supporting component to the Versal DUT, while also allow full DUT operation independent of the SC. The “domains” shown in the example evaluation board functional diagram below provides an outline of the independent functions within each subsystem. The SC has a dedicated Ethernet, USB, and UART interface for user interaction, while the Versal DUT will have its own dedicated peripherals which will vary based on the Versal DUT and evaluation board. For the Versal DUT peripheral set, refer to the User Guide (UG) for the specific board you are working with.
The SC design captured in this page uses a common architecture for the VPK120, VPK180, VHK158, and VEK280 Versal evaluation boards. It provides most functionality and user workflows in a board agnostic manner and any specific board references are for example only. The table in the WIC Image Downloads section provides downloadable images, boards supported, and corresponding updates information.
Getting Started
The System Controller (SC) ZU4 device has its boot firmware pre-loaded to the SC QSPI device at the factory and should boot upon initial power-on of the evaluation board. However, it is highly recommended to update to the latest build posted here. The SC will automatically start a web-based user interface called BEAM or Board Evaluation And Management tool. The BEAM tool provides a GUI based interaction with the board programmable features such as clocks, FMC functionality, power system configuration, and built-in-self-test (BIST) features.
It is highly recommended that you update to the latest System Controller build posted here. There are many new features and bug fixes in each release.
VPK120/VPK180 - The VPK120 and VPK180 includes a BOOTMODE switch (SW11) for the SC that must be set to QSPI32 boot mode (set SW11 to ON,OFF,ON,ON) for factory deployed out-of-box functionality. For further details, see the "Default Switch Settings" section of the respective evaluation board user guide.
SC Platform Updates
Linux Image Updates
The SC Linux is maintained in SC eMMC. The SC Linux is an image produced with the PetaLinux tool.
SC Linux Image | Description & Updates | Board Supported | Download Link |
|---|---|---|---|
SC Update 6.1 (2023.2 base) | Feature and stability enhancements. | VPK120ES, VPK120, VPK180ES, VPK180, VHK158ES, VHK158, VEK280ES, VEK280, L20* - see notes | |
SC Update 6 (2023.2 base) | Feature and stability enhancements. Proper DNF update support eMMC Version: | VPK120ES, VPK120, VPK180ES, VPK180, VHK158ES, VHK158, VEK280ES, VEK280 | |
SC Update 6 (2023.2 base) | SD Card Image Version: For instructions on writing the SD card image, check here | VCK190, VMK180 |
Upgrading to SC Update 6.1
Update 6.1 is provided as an over the air update using DNF package feeds. If you haven’t done so already, first install the Update 6 WIC image from the table above. Login to the system controller either via SSH or on the serial console and run:
sudo dnf updateL20 Boards
L20 boards are supported with Update 6.1. However, after installing 6.1, you must install the board support packages. From the BEAM WebUI click the Install Board option. Or fro