DDR4 Memory direct Connection to FPGA on Zynq Ultrascale+ MPSoC Development Board

[ConnorR]

My team was looking at purchasing the Genesys ZU: Zynq Ultrascale+ MPSoC Development Board. For our project, we need a direct connection (wired) between the DDR4 memory and the FPGA (i.e. no modules, controllers, chips, etc. in between). From looking at the documentation we think it is a direct connection but are not 100% sure. Any help verifying this before buying the board would be great! Thanks!

 

[artvvb]

Hi @ConnorR

Welcome to the Forums.

According to this quote from the Genesys ZU reference manual's Main Memory section, the DDR4 memory is connected to the Zynq PS, not the PL.

Quote

Main memory is a single-slot populated DDR4 SODIMM, always upgradeable by the user. It is wired to the PS (Processing System) side using the hard-core memory controller.

This can also be seen in the schematics, where DDR-related nets are connected to bank 504. Page 27, here: New Output (digilent.com).

Hope this helps,

Arthur

 

[ConnorR]

Thanks for the quick response @artvvb! 

Do you happen to have any suggestions on boards that do have DDR4 memory connected to the PL? We are essentially trying to make our own memory controller.

[artvvb]

Digilent doesn't have any 7-series Zynq or Zynq Ultrascale boards with PL-connected DDR. Any of the non-Zynq boards that have DDR could work though, so something like Arty A7 or Nexys Video. MicroBlaze can be used if a processor is needed on those boards.