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AR# 50991 Zynq-7000 - What devices are supported for configuration?

Description

When choosing a flash device to incorporate with Zynq-7000 devices, it is important to consider the following logistical criteria:
  • Is the device supported with the Xilinx tools?
  • Will the device work with the Zynq device BootROM?
  • Is the device supported with software like U-Boot and Linux?
In addition, there are design considerations to be made including:
  • How many pins are required for a configuration method?
  • How much flash memory is required?
  • How fast can the Zynq-7000 device be configured?
  • How difficult is it to manage the flash device?
Based on the logistical criteria, there are three categories of flash devices:
  • Xilinx Supported Flash Devices - These devices meet the logistical criteria listed above. Each one receives tool regression testing and are fully supported by Xilinx Technical Support. The official supported devices are listed below in the Xilinx Tool Support tables for each flash mode.
  • Limited Flash Devices - These devices are not supported in the Xilinx tools but have been known to work with Zynq-7000 devices. Usually, these devices have support within U-Boot as an alternate programming method, but source changes might have to be made in order to configure that specific device.
  • Unsupported Flash Devices - Any devices not listed on this page have not been tested in any way with Zynq-7000 devices.
Note: Xilinx Technical Support will not be able to provide assistance with designs using "Limited" or "Unsupported" flash devices. Xilinx can only provide assistance for the devices listed as 'Xilinx Supported Devices.' The user will be responsible for making necessary changes to U-Boot and configuring the device.

Solution

QSPI

Benefits of QSPI:

  • High performance - QSPI is the fastest configuration solution.
  • Low Pin count - QSPI has the lowest pin count of the configuration solution options besides SD.
  • Easy management - QSPI can be accessed as linear memory in Zynq-7000 devices. In addition, bad blocks are not as much of a concern as, for example, NAND.
Downsides of QSPI:
  • Low memory density - Currently, QPSI is only supported up to 16 MByte in single mode or 32 MByte in dual mode due to limitations in the linear controller.

Vendors

Vendor QSPI Flash Families
Micron N25Q
Spansion 25FL


Configuration and Specifications

Memory Configuration MIO Pins Max Memory Size Bandwidth*
QSPI - Single Memory 7 16MB <33MByte/s (Quad Output)
39MByte/s (Quad I/O)
QSPI - Dual Stack Memory 8 32MB 33MByte/s (Quad Output)
39MByte/s (Quad I/O)
QSPI - Dual Parallel Memory 13 32MB 51MByte/s (Quad Output)
66MByte/s (Quad I/O)

Xilinx Supported Devices
Flash Device Mode Vendor Flash Density Voltage Xilinx Tool U-Boot
N25Q128A Quad Mode - Single Micron 128Mbit 1.8V 14.1 14.1
N25Q128A Quad Mode - Dual Parallel Micron 128Mbit 1.8V 14.2 14.2
S25FLxxS Quad Mode - Single Spansion 128Mbit 1.8V 14.4 14.4
S25FLxxS Quad Mode - Dual Parallel Spansion 128Mbit 1.8V 14.4 14.4
S25FLxxS Quad Mode - Single Spansion 128Mbit 3.3V 14.4 14.4
S25FLxxS Quad Mode - Dual Parallel Spansion 128Mbit 3.3V 14.4 14.4

 

Limited Devices
Flash Device Mode Vendor Flash Density Voltage
S25FL256 Quad Mode - Dual Parallel Spansion 256Mbit 1.8V

 

NAND

Benefits of NAND:

  • High Memory density - NAND is an inexpensive solution for large density devices.
Downsides of NAND:
  • Lower device performance - Maximum bandwidth is less than QSPI.
  • High pin count - NAND devices require more pins than QSPI.
  • Difficult Management - NAND devices are hard to manage.  Bad blocks are a regular concern which require design decisions on how bad blocks will be managed for a particular system setup.

Vendors

Vendor NAND Flash Families
Micron On-Die ECC
Spansion S34


Configuration and Specifications

Memory Configuration MIO Pins Bandwidth*
NAND - x8 15 22 MByte/s
NAND - x16 23 TBA


Xilinx Supported Devices

Flash Device Mode Vendor Flash Density Voltage Xilinx Tool U-Boot
MT29F2G x8 Micron 2Gbit 1.8/3.3V 14.4 14.4
MT29F2G x16 Micron 2Gbit 1.8/3.3V 14.4 14.4
MT29F8G x8 Micron 8Gbit 1.8/3.3V 14.4 14.4
S34ML04G x8 Spansion 4Gbit 1.8/3.3V TBA 14.4

Limited Devices
Flash Device Mode Vendor Flash Density Voltage
TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA

Decoding Micron on-die ECC NAND

  • MT29F1GwwABvDApp:D - D Corresponds to Feature Set
  • MT29F2GwwABvEApp:E - E Corresponds to Feature Set
  • MT29F4GwwABvDApp:D - D Corresponds to Feature Set
  • MT29F8GwwADvDApp:D - D Corresponds to Dual Die / D Corresponds to Feature Set

NOR

Benefits of NOR:

  • Easy management - QSPI can be accessed as linear memory in Zynq devices. In addition, bad blocks are not as much of a concern as, for example, NAND.
Downsides of NOR:
  • High pin count - NOR requires nearly all of the 54 MIO pins.
  • Low Density - NOR density is comparable to QSPI.

Vendors

Vendor NOR Flash Families
Micron M29EW
Spansion 29GL


Configuration and Specifications

Memory Configuration MIO Pins Max Memory Size Bandwidth*
NOR (BPI) 40 64MByte TBA


Xilinx Supported Devices

Flash Device Mode Vendor Flash Density Voltage Xilinx Tool U-Boot
TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA


Limited Devices

Flash Device Mode Vendor Flash Density Voltage
TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA

SD

Benefits of SD:

  • High density - SD has densities comparable to NAND.
  • Easy Management - Device is generally managed as a file system. Bad blocks do not need to be managed in the user design.
Downsides of SD:
  • Slow performance - SD is slower than QSPI
  • Mechanical considerations - Currently eMMC devices are not supported. SD cards require a connector.

Configuration and Specifications

Memory Configuration MIO Pins Max Memory Size Bandwidth*
SD Card 6 Any Size TBA

*Note: Bandwidth numbers are from simulation. They might not reflect the performance under specific usage scenarios. For example, flash write operations are slower than read operations. These bandwidth numbers demonstrate the maximum performance achieved under simulation for read operations.

Linked Answer Records

Master Answer Records

Answer Number Answer Title Version Found Version Resolved
52538 Zynq-7000 AP SoC - Boot and Configuration N/A N/A

Associated Answer Records

Answer Number Answer Title Version Found Version Resolved
47500 Zynq - What is the maximum size flash I can use with the onboard QSPI controller? N/A N/A
47023 Zynq EA - How do I boot from QSPI? N/A N/A
46880 Zynq-7000 Example Design - Linear QSPI Performance (Max Effective Throughput) N/A N/A
50863 Zynq-7000 AP SoC - Debug N/A N/A
54823 Zynq-7000 AP SoC - Boot Devices N/A N/A

Actions

AR# 50991
Date Created 09/07/2012
Last Updated 03/27/2013
Status Active
Type General Article
Devices
  • Zynq-7000
Tools
  • EDK
IP
  • Embedded Processing
Boards & Kits
  • Zynq-7000 All Programmable SoC ZC702 Evaluation Kit
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