One Platform for Development, Integration, and Field Deployment
Many FPGA applications are developed on a PC, where the host provides application control, data storage, and a graphical interface. However, the final system may need to operate independently in an industrial installation, field instrument, or embedded processing platform.
The Sundance DSP SE120 Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC PCIe card with FMC expansion supports both approaches. It can connect to a host PC through its eight-lane PCIe Gen 4 interface or operate standalone when supplied with suitable external power and the required system integration.
This flexibility allows engineers to develop and test FPGA applications in a PC environment, then adapt them for deployment without a host computer. The same processing platform can also remain installed in a PC when the application benefits from host computing resources, storage, or user-interface software.
Processing Power, Memory, and Expansion
The SE120 is based on the AMD Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC family, which combines ARM processors with programmable FPGA logic. Available device variants include the XCZU7CG, XCZU7EG, XCZU7EV, and XCZU11EG, letting developers choose a device that matches their processing and interface needs.
The board provides:
- 4 GB DDR4 memory connected to the programmable logic (PL) for FPGA-based processing and data buffering.
- Up to 32 GB DDR4 through a SODIMM connected to the processing system (PS) for embedded software, operating-system workloads, and application data.
- 8 GB onboard eMMC for an operating system and embedded applications.
- Flash memory for storing the FPGA configuration bitstream.
- One FMC expansion site with 10 GTH transceivers supporting rates up to 16.3 Gb/s per lane and 80 LVDS I/O pairs.
- An additional Samtec high-speed connector providing GTH connectivity and 24 high-density I/O connections.
This combination supports applications that require substantial data buffering, parallel FPGA processing, and embedded software on the same board. The FMC site also allows developers to add application-specific interfaces, with compatible Sundance DSP modules available for technologies including MIPI, Camera Link, and SFP+.
Two Ways to Build a System
Standalone operation
When supplied with suitable external power and configured with the required boot software, peripherals, and system integration, the SE120 can operate as an independent embedded processing platform.
The ARM processors can run application software or a supported operating system, while the FPGA implements dedicated processing functions. The application can boot from onboard storage and execute without requiring a host PC for normal operation.
This is useful when equipment must operate at a remote site, inside a custom instrument, or as part of a larger embedded system. Ethernet can provide remote management, USB can support compatible peripherals and data transfer, and DisplayPort can provide a local display. The FMC site can add the sensor, camera, or communication interfaces required by the application.
Standalone deployment is not simply a matter of removing the card from a PC. Developers must provide a suitable power arrangement, configure boot and software, integrate the necessary peripherals, and address enclosure, cooling, and environmental requirements.
Host-connected operation
Installed in a compatible PC, the SE120 provides a PCIe-connected processing resource. Host software can configure the board, transfer data, manage processing tasks, and retrieve results, while the SE120’s ARM processors and FPGA logic handle the workloads assigned to them.
This is useful for applications that need the host’s storage, user interface, networking, or general-purpose computing resources. For example, a PC application could configure an FPGA-based signal-processing pipeline, send data to the SE120, and analyze the returned results.
The SE120 also has a build option for operation as a PCIe host, allowing other compatible PCIe devices to be managed in an appropriately designed system. This is a separate configuration from using the SE120 as a PCIe endpoint in a host PC and requires suitable hardware and software support.
Making Use of the SE120’s Interfaces
The SE120’s interfaces allow the same underlying processing platform to support different system architectures. Their practical roles depend on the hardware configuration, FPGA design, operating system, drivers, and application software.
Ethernet: Remote Access and Network Connectivity
The board provides one RJ45 Ethernet interface connected to the processing system.
In standalone applications, Ethernet can connect the SE120 to a local network, remote operator station, or supervisory system. Embedded software can provide remote configuration, status reporting, and access to processed data. A field-deployed acquisition system, for example, could process sensor measurements locally and send selected results to a monitoring station.
In a host-connected configuration, Ethernet can connect the platform to network data sources, instruments, or other processing nodes. The host PC can manage the wider application while the SE120 performs selected processing tasks.
For higher-speed networking applications, the board also provides an SFP+ interface connected to the programmable logic. With the appropriate FPGA device, transceiver configuration, and IP cores, this can support application-specific high-speed data links.
USB: Peripherals, Data Transfer, and Debugging
The SE120 provides two USB 3.0 ports and two USB 2.0 ports, along with a separate USB 2.0 connection for JTAG.
In standalone systems, the USB ports can support compatible peripherals and storage devices, subject to the selected port configuration and software support. Potential uses include transferring recorded data, importing configuration files, and connecting supported peripherals.
The dedicated USB JTAG connection serves a different purpose: it provides a development and debugging path for programming and troubleshooting the FPGA and embedded software. It should not be confused with the USB ports used for application peripherals.
In a PC-based development setup, USB peripherals and JTAG can simplify testing and maintenance, while PCIe provides the host communication path.
DisplayPort: Local Display Output
The SE120 supports DisplayPort 1.2 with one data lane and transmit-only operation. It is a video output, not a general-purpose video input.
In standalone operation, a compatible display and suitable software can provide a local operator interface for an embedded instrument. Examples include displaying inspection results, acquisition status, measurements, or system diagnostics.
In a host-connected system, the SE120 can provide local display output where supported by the application, or the host PC can manage the user interface and display results received from the board.
Applications requiring camera input need an appropriate input interface, such as a compatible FMC camera module.
PCIe: Host Processing and System Integration
The SE120 provides an eight-lane PCIe Gen 4 interface for high-bandwidth integration with a compatible host PC.
In this configuration, the host can transfer data, configure FPGA processing, and retrieve results. This is useful for image processing, digital communications, data analysis, and hardware acceleration.
The alternative PCIe-host build option can support systems in which the SE120 controls compatible PCIe devices. This requires the appropriate board configuration, PCIe topology, firmware, and software.
For standalone applications that do not need a host connection, the SE120 can execute its embedded workload through its processing system and FPGA logic. Applications initially designed around host-side software or PCIe transfers must be adapted if they are to operate independently.
FMC and High-Speed I/O: Application-Specific Connectivity
The FMC expansion site provides 10 GTH transceivers supporting rates up to 16.3 Gb/s per lane and 80 LVDS I/O pairs. Sundance DSP offers compatible FMC modules for interfaces including MIPI, Camera Link, and SFP+.
In a standalone system, an FMC module can provide the camera, sensor, or high-speed communication interface required by the application. In a host-connected setup, the same hardware can be used to develop and evaluate data-acquisition or processing pipelines while the PC handles application control and analysis.
The board also includes additional processing-system interfaces such as CAN, SATA, and UART, which can be useful for connecting control equipment, storage, and other peripherals where supported by the selected design.
Applications for Host-Connected and Standalone Systems
The SE120’s combination of ARM processing, FPGA logic, memory, and expansion interfaces makes it suitable for a range of applications.
Software-defined radio and digital communications
A host PC can provide configuration tools, signal visualization, and data analysis during development. In a standalone system, embedded software can control FPGA-based signal-processing pipelines, while suitable FMC hardware provides the required RF or data interfaces. Ethernet can support remote configuration and monitoring.
Machine vision and inspection
During development, a PC can manage image visualization and algorithm testing. After integration, the SE120 can process camera data through a compatible FMC module and display results locally through DisplayPort or report them over Ethernet. Camera connectivity depends on the selected FMC hardware and implemented processing pipeline.
Data acquisition and monitoring
The board can collect and process sensor data, buffer measurements in DDR4 memory, and store application data locally. Ethernet can provide remote access, while compatible USB storage can support data export. A host PC can instead manage acquisition and analysis when required.
Network processing and acceleration
In a PC, the SE120 can provide a PCIe-connected resource for dedicated FPGA processing. In a standalone deployment, its embedded processors and programmable logic can form an independent processing node with suitable network interfaces and software. The SFP+ interface can support custom high-speed communication implementations.
Video and image processing
The SE120 can support image-processing and video applications, depending on the FPGA variant and design. Hardware H.264/H.265 video encoding and decoding is available with the XCZU7EV variant. The other variants have different resources and are better suited to other combinations of processing, networking, and control.
Industrial, defense, and aerospace systems
The platform can support embedded monitoring, sensor processing, and dedicated FPGA workloads. A PC-based configuration is convenient for development and testing, while a standalone configuration can be integrated into equipment intended to operate without a general-purpose computer. Final deployment requires appropriate power, thermal management, enclosure design, software integration, and qualification for the intended environment.
Development Tools and Related Form Factors
Sundance DSP provides board files and a Vivado board support package (BSP), along with PCIe driver packages for Linux and Windows 10. These resources support FPGA development and host integration, although the appropriate versions and compatibility should be confirmed for the selected toolchain and operating system.
For standalone deployment, developers must also prepare the embedded application, boot configuration, and any required operating-system support. Host-side drivers and applications may need modification when moving functionality from a PC to the SE120 itself.
For projects that require a different system enclosure or integration standard, related designs are available in PCIe/104 and PXIe form factors. These alternatives may be more appropriate for modular embedded equipment or test-and-measurement systems.
A Practical Route from Development to Deployment
The Sundance DSP SE120 combines AMD Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC processing, 4 GB of DDR4 connected to the programmable logic, up to 32 GB of DDR4 on the processing-system side, 8 GB of eMMC, PCIe Gen 4 connectivity, and FMC expansion.
Its value lies in the ability to build an application around the same FPGA platform in either a host-connected or standalone configuration. Ethernet, USB, DisplayPort, and FMC provide options for system control, peripheral access, local display, and application-specific I/O, while PCIe supports host integration and, with the appropriate build, PCIe-host applications.
For engineers developing digital communications equipment, machine-vision systems, data-acquisition platforms, or FPGA accelerators, the SE120 provides a flexible starting point for laboratory development and subsequent embedded integration.
**Learn more about the SE120’s configurations, device options, interfaces, and software support on the Sundance DSP SE120 product page.