IP Integrator Using Block Design Containers - 2023.1 English

Vivado Design Suite User Guide: Dynamic Function eXchange (UG909)

Document ID
UG909
Release Date
2023-05-24
Version
2023.1 English

A new feature called Block Design Containers (BDC) allows users to segment designs into multiple block designs, enabling modular and team-based design flows, including DFX. Access to critical Versal features such as the CIPS, NoC, and SmartConnect IP must be managed through block designs in IP integrator. Versal DFX designs must be processed through IP integrator if NoC or SmartConnect IP are to be dynamically reconfigured. However, all architectures are supported by the BDC flow. For more information on IP integrator and Block Design Containers in particular, refer Vivado Design Suite User Guide: Designing IP Subsystems Using IP Integrator (UG994).

BDC expands the hierarchical blocks capability in Vivado IP integrator. A hierarchical block creates a new level of hierarchy in a block design (BD) that can contain any number of user selected IP blocks. The BDC feature turns a hierarchical block along with the content inside into a separate block design itself. The resulting BD is defined as a .bd design source and can also be used as part of another block design project.

A BDC can be set as reconfigurable, turning it into a Reconfigurable Partition (RP) and enabling each design source within it to be considered a RM. The DFX Wizard populates each RP with all possible RMs for each RP before defining Configuration and Configuration Runs, similar to the RTL project flow for DFX.
Tip: The Design Runs capabilities and features for a DFX design is the same between RTL-centric and IP integrator-centric design flows.