Avnet RFSoC Explorer
The Avnet Zynq® UltraScale+TM RFSoC Development Kit enables system architects to explore the entire signal chain from antenna to digital using tools from MathWorks and industry-leading RF components from Qorvo. We extend the functionality of the Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC ZCU111 Evaluation Kit by adding a Qorvo 2x2 RF front-end 1.8 GHz Card for over-the-air transmission, plus native connection to MATLAB® & Simulink® with Avnet's RFSoC Explorer® application.
Cite As
Avnet (2021). Avnet RFSoC Explorer (https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/73665-avnet-rfsoc-explorer), MATLAB Central File Exchange. Retrieved .
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Inspired by: Communications Toolbox Support Package for Xilinx Zynq-Based Radio
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When is the estimated release date for Version 2.0 having ZCU208 support? Would it be better to use Version 1.1.0 or wait for Version 2.0? Thanks.
Update on ZCU208 support:
We are a few weeks delayed after finding a few corner cases that need attention. Everyone want's ZCU208 support so we're working hard to get this release out ASAP. Thanks for your patience!
@Ioannis The ZCU208 is not electrically or mechanically compatible with the XM500. Instead Xilinx ships the ZCU208 with 2 daughtercards - XM650/655.
Hi Avnet team!
Do we have any news regarding the zcu208 support? Would it be possible to use it with the XM500 board?
Thanks in advance!
Hello Avnet team! I have three questions -
1. When will the v2.0 releasing? It's been a long time since its first estimated release date back in Nov 2020.
2. Is it possible to use two Avnet ZCU111 front end boards and configure the two in such a way that one acts like a transmitter and one as receiver?
3. If the answer to my question 2 is a Yes, then can we do the same for the gen3 devices when it gets released?
Hi Avnet,
I want run Avnet with my own XM500 board instead of Qorvo card. What will I have to do instead of Qorvo Card Control to make ZCU111 running with XM500 board
Hi Avnet Team,
Does this development kit supports Zynq® UltraScale+ RFSOC ZCU111 board?
Hi Avnet Team,
Thank you for the update on Support for ZCU208 board. Can we get the pilot version of the latest tool before the official release.
Thanks in advance.
Hi Antoine,
RFSoC Explorer support for zcu208 is coming at the end of this month. We’re taking the next couple of weeks to test new features and ensure stability. We don't formally support zcu216. Connection to the board is via Ethernet. We boot with a static IP address, but you can easily modify that autostart script on the SD card to use DHCP if you are connected to a router. That's how I operate during development.
Hi Avnet Team !
I saw that it is possible to use the Avnet RFSoc Explorer with the ZCU208 board ( here : https://www.avnet.com/wps/portal/us/products/new-product-introductions/npi/avnet-wideband-mmwave-radio-development-kit-for-rfsoc-gen-3/). For my part, I am going to work with the ZCU216 board, so I'm asking myself if it is also possible with the ZCU216. I have got Matlab R2019b and I will soon get the board. When I start the application Avnet RFSoc Explorer, I don't have to mention the Hardware (ZCU216 with ZU49DR) I will work with. Is it simply necessary to connect the board to the pc via Ethernet and mention its ip address in the application RFSoc Explorer ? Or is there something else to do ?
Thanks for your help in advance.
Hi Amit. Thanks for checking in. We had a few unexpected delays and a some rewrite in order to support RFSoC Gen3 and new features. We're targeting February.
Dear Avnet team!
Is there any delay in the v2.0 release date? Hoping to get it soon. Thanks!
View a recorded demo of RFSoC Explorer @ https://www.mathworks.com/videos/verify-xilinx-rfsoc-system-performance-with-matlab-and-simulink-1539277741990.html. (demo starts around 3:00)
Hi Amit - we're hoping to get v2.0 released by year's end.
Dear Avnet Team,
Is there any updates on when we can receive the latest release of the Avnet RFSoC explorer which will contain all the updates regarding Simulink connection with the board? Any tentative dates? Thank you!
Hi Amit. The "From Simulink model" menu option is a placeholder for a feature that we will enable in a later release. We definitely see the value in linking Simulink models with RFSoC Explorer. Check back in late November. We'll have an API that will help enable passing data/control between Simulink and RFSoC Explorer.
Hello Avnet team!
When I tried to click the option "From simulink model" I didn't get any response. How do I send a signal generated from my simulink model through the RFSoC?
Thank you so much, Avnet !
Wonderful! many thanks Avnet team.
Announcing Minor Release v1.1.0 which enables two features you have been asking for! See Update notes below. Thanks for all of your feedback. Keep it coming!
Dear Avnet team, on the transmit side we can generate our own custom signal which we can capture accurately on the spectrum of the RF Explorer. if we have just one single feature that allows us to get the received signal in a text file, this will be of a HUGE help. eg: capture M number of samples or T msec of data (after down-sampling stage). we can then run our research activities using such manual transmit/receive flow. I really appreciate if we can have that simple add-on ASAP this summer.
Thanks Avnet team. Is there any chance getting an intermediate release to transmit and receive a frame? it is really getting far too late if the release is planned after August.
Thanks
Hi Messaoud,
An API into RFSoC Explorer has become a common request. We are working on adding that (among other features) in the next release. Target date is still out a few months.
Dear Mathworks and Avnet Teams,
I am using RFSoC/Qorvo card with RFexplorer. we could go through the starting guide and generate a single 1MHz tone and a 20MHz LTE signal and captured them. all within explorer. however, we wanted to implement these steps to and from Matlab. eg. I would generate a simple 1MHz tone in Matlab and target RFSoC via RFExplorer API to then capture them back in Matlab. it can be in burst mode where we can play and capture an integer multiple of a frame (eg. 10msec or 100msec LTE signal).
can you help us with this, please? we are stuck at this.
M. Ahmed Ouameur (you can reach me via messaoud.ahmed.ouameur@uqtr.ca)
Hi Mike - thanks for the 5 stars! Our next major release is more than a month out and will feature Gen3 RFSoC support. However the request for raw ADC samples has reached a ground swell of interest. I'll see if I can get commitment from my fellow developers to make an interim (minor) release with just that feature.
Is there a way I can access the ADC capture data in Matlab instead of seeing "Spectrum Analyzer" app only? We would like to analyze the captured data and do some EVM/ACLR analyzing in Matlab. Is there a way I can specify the capture length (would like to have 10ms to 20ms worth of data at 491.52Msps).
Hi Vinay - Avnet does not have an code generation/deployment option for the zcu111, but MathWorks have several custom workflows. You'll just need to get in touch with them. Start the conversation by emailing rfsoc@mathworks.com.
Thanks for the reply Avnet. Are there any options from Avnet for FPGA deployment in ZCU111?
Hi Mike,
You can skip the board setup steps.
I am planning to use ZCU111+XM500 board as well. I had Communications Toolbox Support Package for Xilinx Zynq-Based Radio V20.1.0 installed. (1) Do I have to configure this board supporting plug-in? (2) When I click on setup, I see only selections of ZC706, ZedBoard and ZCU102 but not ZCU111. What should I do then?
Hi Vinay,
In 2020a MathWorks enabled connection to the 5G Toolbox using Wireless Waveform Generator. When we release our 2020a version of RFSoC Explorer, you'll be able to generate a 5G waveform and export to RFSoC Explorer directly from Wireless Waveform Generator. For now, we provide a custom UI to interface to the 5G Toolbox. From the DAC tab in RFSoC Explorer, find the (green) Signal Source drop-down menu and select 5G NR Waveform.
I am using ZCU111+XM500 board.
Hello Avnet,
I am exploring examples provided in the starting guide. In wireless waveform generator app, I dont see an option "export to RFSoC explorer" in the Export menu. I was expecting this option to appear in the Export dropdown menu after Avnet RFSoC Explorer Add-On installation. My interest is to transmit and receive 5G signals through ZCU111 board. How can I fix this issue?
Thanks for your help,
Best wishes,
Vinay
Thanks a lot for the answer. I got your comment, very precise. I'd like to go in detail in order not only to control the signal path, but also the control path. I leave you my email. Thanks again for your support.
Best regards.
Enrico Fazzini, University of Bologna, DEI
enrico.fazzini@studio.unibo.it
Hi Enrico.
There are two aspects to consider - control path and signal path. RFSoC Explorer can be used to interface with the signal paths of other RF daughter cards connected to the Xilinx ZCU111. No issues there, just plug and play. The control path is a different story. We have control for the Qorvo card (attenuators, LNAs, and PAs) built into the application. You would have to create a separate application to manage your control path. We do offer design services and could integrate your control path into RFSoC Explorer. If you're interested, PM me with your email address and we can explore some options.
Actually does Avnet RFSoC Explorer work only with qorvo front-end? i'd like to use it with an other front-end
Hi Ali - are you using R2019b?
I get following error upon launch:
Starting application...
Error setting property 'Position' of class 'TabGroup':
Value must be a 4 element vector
Error in Avnet_RFSoC_Explorer/startup_fcn_app