Vitis Model Composer automatically compiles designs into low-level representations. Designs are compiled and simulated using the Model Composer Hub block. This topic describes how to use the Vitis Model Composer Hub block.
A design must contain at least one Vitis Model Composer Hub block at the top level of the model. This block controls code generation for all of the subsystems within a model. Some parameters, such as clock frequency, can be specified on a subsystem-by-subsystem basis.
Once a Vitis Model Composer Hub block is added, it is possible to specify how code generation and synthesis should be handled. The Model Composer Hub block dialog box is shown in the following figure:
Hardware Selection
This tab allows you to specify an AMD, Partner, or Custom board you will use to test your design.
Clicking the browse button (…) displays the Device Chooser dialog box. This allows you to select a part, board, or platform to which your design is targeted.
For a Partner board or a custom board to appear in the Board list, you must configure Model Composer to access the board files that describe the board. Board awareness in Model Composer is detailed in Specifying Board Support in Model Composer HDL Blockset.
Code Generation and the Generate Button
The Code Generation tab contains, on the left side, a list of subsystems in the model. Subsystems denoted with a green check mark are ready to generate HDL, HLS, or AI Engine code. To configure code generation for a subsystem, select it from the list. Selecting a subsystem will generate code for it along with any of its child subsystems.
If a subsystem is not denoted with a green check mark, select it to view the reason why the subsystem cannot generate code, along with troubleshooting steps.
The Code Directory field allows you to specify where the code generation products are created.
For a detailed description of the code generation settings available, refer to the relevant Model Composer Hub block section:
- Vitis Model Composer Hub (HDL)
- Vitis Model Composer Hub (HLS)
- Vitis Model Composer Hub (AI Engine)
Pressing the Generate button instructs Model Composer to compile a portion of the design into equivalent low-level results. Different output products are available depending on the type of code (HDL, HLS, or AIE) being generated.
This Settings tab allows you to specify whether the Model Composer Hub block should treat your model as a legacy System Generator design. When you automatically upgrade a System Generator token to the Model Composer Hub block, this check box is automatically enabled. When the check box is enabled, you can use the Model Composer Hub block without requiring changes to your legacy designs. However, newer capabilities provided by the Model Composer Hub block, such as the Hardware Validation Flow, will not be available.