LEVEL UP TECH SERIES

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LEVEL UP TECH SERIES

Expand your engineering skillset by studying each featured technology from AMD Xilinx and completing an activity for a chance to win prizes! Throughout the year, we'll feature six different technologies to level up your knowledge and become a well-rounded AMD Xilinx expert. Each month's activity will be a unique set of questions that pick your brain or collect open feedback on the technology's complexity, adaptability and potential applications.

HOW TO PLAY

1

CREATE A HACKSTER ACCOUNT

Go to hackster.io and sign up for an account. If you already have an account, you're one step closer to winning awesome prizes!

2

FOLLOW THE AMD XILINX PLATFORM

Go to hackster.io/xilinx and click "join community" on the top of the page. If you see "You're a member" you are ready to move on to step 3.

3

COMPLETE THE ACTIVITY & TAKE THE QUIZ

Each month will have a unique activity to complete such as reading an article, watching a video or exploring a project on Hackster. Complete the activity, then take the quiz in order to be entered to win the current month's prize.

NOVEMBER

FEATURED TECHNOLOGY

▷ KRIA SOMS

Offered in Commercial and Industrial grades, the Kria K26 SOM features a custom-built Zynq® UltraScale+™ MPSoC device in a small form factor card ideal for production deployment in Smart Camera, Embedded Vision, and other Security, Retail Analytics, Smart City, and Machine Vision applications.

▷ STARTER KITS
KV260 VISION AI STARTER KIT

The KV260 Vision AI Starter Kit is an out-of-the-box ready development platform for AI, embedded SW & HW developers. Designed for Vision AI applications, the KV260 is the fastest way to develop unique solutions for production volume deployment with the K26 SOM.

KR260 ROBOTICS STARTER KIT

The KR260 Robotics Starter Kit integrates high-performance industrial interfaces and features native ROS 2 support. Designed for robotics and industrial applications, the KR260 is the fastest way to develop intelligent factory solutions for production volume deployment with the K26 SOM.

▷ KRIA RESOURCES
WHITE PAPER
ARTICLE
WEBINAR
VIDEO

Kria KV260 Vision AI Starter Kit Unboxing

VIDEO
PROJECT
PROJECT
PROJECT
PROJECT

ACTIVITY

KRIA ACTIVITY 

Read the KV260 Vision AI Starter Kit Product Brief and KR260 Robotics Starter Kit Product Brief, then test the knowledge you gained by completing the quiz. Quiz participants will be entered in the drawing to win a KV260 & Xilinx swag.

NOVEMBER WINNERS

1

2

3

PRIZE

This month's prize includes a KV260 Vision AI Starter Kit & Xilinx branded socks + beanie.

XILINX SWAG
▷ KV260 VISION AI STARTER KIT

The KV260 Vision AI Starter Kit is an out-of-the-box ready development platform for AI, embedded SW & HW developers.

Designed for Vision AI applications, the KV260 is the fastest way to develop unique solutions for production volume deployment with the K26 SOM.

Check out what the Hackster community is building with the KV260! >> SEE PROJECTS

AMD XILINX DEVELOPER PROGRAM

Want to learn more about AMD Xilinx technology? Join the free AMD Xilinx Developer Program to get access to the latest AMD Xilinx development tools, exclusive materials like in-depth training and demos, and connect with like-minded developers.

MAY

FEATURED TECHNOLOGY

▷ PYNQ

PYNQ (Python Productivity for Zynq) is an open-source project from AMD Xilinx that makes it easy to design embedded systems with Zynq®-7000 SoC, Zynq UltraScale+™ MPSoC and Zynq UltraScale+ RFSoC boards. It provides a Jupyter-based framework with Python APIs for using AMD Xilinx platforms.  


PYNQ enables architects, engineers and programmers who design embedded systems to use Zynq devices, without having to use ASIC-style design tools to design programmable logic circuits. Using the Python language and libraries, designers can exploit the benefits of programmable logic and microprocessors in Zynq to build more capable and exciting embedded systems. 

▷ PYNQ RESOURCES

Use the resources below to jump-start your journey with PYNQ. Explore the getting started documentation, learn how the PYNQ framework thoroughly enables and integrates the Python language and run time onto the Zynq portfolio, and discover real world applications to inspire your next project build! 

GETTING STARTED
WHITE PAPER
ARTICLE

Read the docs to get your intro into the development platform.

PROJECT
PROJECT
PROJECT
WORKSHOP

In this self-paced 1-day workshop on github, you'll get an introduction to PYNQ and four hands-on lab sessions. Each lab session has a corresponding presentation. To run the labs you'll need a PYNQ-Z1 or PYNQ-Z2 board and PYNQ v2.6 image.

Workshop Overview:

  • Introduction to PYNQ
  • Session 1: First steps with PYNQ
  • Session 2: Introduction to overlays
  • Session 3: Introduction to IOPs and logictools overlay
  • Session 4: PYNQ overlay design methodology
▷ SUPPORTING BOARDS

Below are just a few of the development boards that support PYNQ. For a full list of supporting boards, visit www.pynq.io/board.html

The PYNQ-Z2 is designed for the AMD Xilinx University Program to support the PYNQ framework and embedded systems.

The Ultra96-V2 is an Arm-based, AMD Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC development board based on the Linaro 96Boards Consumer Edition (CE) specification.

The ZCU104 enables designers to jumpstart designs for video conferencing, surveillance, Advanced Driver Assisted Systems (ADAS) and streaming and encoding applications.

Kria KV260

The KV260 is built for advanced vision application development without requiring complex hardware design knowledge. 

ACTIVITY

ACTIVITY

Explore pynq.io, then test the knowledge you gained by completing the quiz below. Quiz participants will be entered in the drawing to win a PYNQ bundle!

Quiz closed on May 11th at 11:59PM Pacific. 

MAY WINNERS

1

2

3

PRIZE

There are three PYNQ bundles available this month. The bundle includes a TUL PYNQ-Z2 board, color changing straw, PYNQ stickers, and a PYNQ stuffed unicorn!

▷ TUL PYNQ-Z2 BOARD

TUL PYNQ-Z2 board, based on AMD Xilinx Zynq-7000 SoC, is designed for the AMD Xilinx University Program to support PYNQ framework and embedded systems.  

>> LEARN MORE

JUNE

FEATURED TECHNOLOGY

▷ SPARTAN-7 FPGA FAMILY

Spartan®-7 devices, the newest addition to AMD Xilinx's Cost-Optimized Portfolio, offer the best in class performance per watt, along with small form factor packaging to meet the most stringent requirements. These devices feature a MicroBlaze™ soft processor running over 200 DMIPs with 800Mb/s DDR3 support built on 28nm technology. Additionally, Spartan-7 devices offer an integrated ADC, dedicated security features, and Q-grade (-40 to +125°C) on all commercial devices. These devices are ideally suited for industrial, consumer, and automotive applications including any-to-any connectivity, sensor fusion, and embedded vision. 

▷ SPARTAN-7 RESOURCES

Use the resources below to jump-start your journey with Spartan-7. Watch the Hackster Café interview with Whitney Knitter, read about the migration from Spartan-6 to Spartan-7, and learn how you can get started with Spartan-7 FPGA supported boards like the AMD Xilinx SP701!

HACKSTER CAFÉ SPARTAN-7 INTERVIEW WITH WHITNEY KNITTER
ARTICLE
WHITE PAPER
ON DEMAND WEBINAR
PROJECT
PROJECT
UNBOXING VIDEO
▷ SPARTAN-7 SUPPORTED BOARDS

Below are some of the development boards that are equipped with the Spartan-7 FPGA. 

The AMD Xilinx SP701 is built for designs requiring sensor fusion such as industrial networking, embedded vision, and automotive applications.

The Arty family of Digilent FPGA/SoC boards was designed with versatility and flexibility in mind. With universally popular Arduino™ headers and multiple Pmod™ ports, an Arty will be the most adaptable FPGA/SoC board in your toolbox.

The Seeed Studio Spartan Edge Accelerator Board is an AMD Xilinx Spartan FPGA development board in the Arduino UNO shield form factor. With the onboard ESP32 chip, it can also provide WiFi and Bluetooth functions.

ACTIVITY

SPARTAN-7 ACTIVITY 

Whitney Knitter takes a deep dive look into Spartan-7. Read her article Spartan-7 Deep Dive: What You Need to Know for Updating Your Design, then test the knowledge you gained by completing the quiz below. Quiz participants will be entered in the drawing to win a Seeed Studio Spartan Edge Accelerator Board and toolkit!

Quiz closed on June 12th at 11:59PM Pacific. 

JUNE WINNERS

1

2

3

PRIZE

This month's prize includes a Seeed Studio Spartan Edge Accelerator Board and an AMD Xilinx and Hackster branded toolkit!

▷ SEEED STUDIO SPARTAN EDGE ACCELERATOR BOARD

The Seeed Studio Spartan Edge Accelerator Board is an AMD Xilinx Spartan FPGA development board in the Arduino UNO shield form factor. With the onboard ESP32 chip, it can also provide WiFi and Bluetooth functions.

>> LEARN MORE

JULY

FEATURED TECHNOLOGY

▷ ARTIX-7 FPGA FAMILY

The digital revolution has changed expectations for novice and savvy FPGA designers alike. To compete in cost-sensitive markets, developers must be able to extend use models for greater processing bandwidth, portability, and application reach while keeping power to a minimum. The AMD Xilinx Artix®-7 family of FPGAs provides a small form factor, optimized transceivers, and high performance with the lowest power consumption. With features like the MicroBlaze™ soft processor core, developers can easily create embedded applications with a variety of peripherals, memory, and interfaces. Artix-7 FPGAs are ideal for cost and power-sensitive applications that need high-end features, such as portable medical equipment, machine vision cameras, military radios, and compact wireless infrastructure.

▷ ARTIX-7 RESOURCES

Use the resources below to dive deep into Artix-7. From retro gaming, to military grade surveillance, learn why the Artix-7 family of FPGAs is the perfect solution for companies like MEGA65 and Cobham in their applications, and how you can use this technology in your own designs.

VIDEO
VIDEO
WHITE PAPER
BLOG ARTICLE
PROJECT
PROJECT
▷ ARTIX-7 SUPPORTED BOARDS

Below are some of the development boards that are equipped with the Artix-7 FPGA. 

The Artix-7 FPGA AC701 Evaluation Kit features the leading system performance per watt Artix-7 family to get you quickly prototyping for your cost sensitive applications.

The Arty A7 is a ready-to-use development platform designed around the AMD Xilinx Artix-7 FPGA family. The Arty A7 board provides the highest performance-per-watt fabric, transceiver line rates, DSP processing, and AMS integration in the Arty family.

The Basys 3 is one of the best boards on the market for getting started with FPGA. It is an entry-level development board built around an AMD Xilinx Artix-7 FPGA and designed exclusively for AMD Xilinx’s Vivado Design Suite.

ACTIVITY

ARTIX-7 ACTIVITY 

Watch the "Introduction to Artix-7 FPGAs" video below, then test the knowledge you gained by completing the quiz. Quiz participants will be entered in the drawing to win a Digilent Arty A7-100T and Xilinx branded Yeti bottle!

Quiz Closed July 10th @11:59PM Pacific

JULY WINNERS

1

2

3

Check back August 29th for a new opportunity to play or sign up below to our mailing list to be alerted when new activities are available. 

PRIZE

This month's prize includes a Digilent Arty A7-100T board and Xilinx branded Yeti bottle!

▷ DIGILENT ARTY A7-100T

The Digilent Arty A7-100 is a ready-to-use development platform designed around the Artix-7 FPGA from AMD Xilinx. 


Check out what the Hackster community is building with the Arty A7-100T!

>> SEE PROJECTS

SEPTEMBER

FEATURED TECHNOLOGY

▷ ZYNQ-7000 SOCS

The Zynq®-7000 SoC family integrates the software programmability of an Arm®-based processor with the hardware programmability of an FPGA, enabling key analytics and hardware acceleration while integrating CPU, DSP, ASSP, and mixed signal functionality on a single device. Consisting of single-core Zynq-7000S and dual-core Zynq-7000 devices, the Zynq-7000 family boasts the best price to performance-per-watt in its class, making it the best option for a wide range of embedded applications, including multi-camera drivers assistance systems, machine vision, medical endoscopy, and 4K2K Ultra-HDTV.

▷ ZYNQ-7000 RESOURCES

Use the resources below to dive deep into Zynq-7000 SoCs. Learn how Zynq-7000 SoCs can be applied to a wide range of system-design problems and use cases and how the Zynq platform is uniquely oriented towards getting design teams from concept to implementation faster and with unmatched performance and power. 

VIDEO
VIDEO
WEBINAR
PROJECT
PROJECT
PROJECT
PROJECT
▷ ZYNQ-7000 SUPPORTED BOARDS

Below are some of the development boards that are equipped with Zynq-7000 SoCs.

The Digilent Cora Z7 is a ready-to-use, low-cost, and easily embeddable development platform designed around the powerful AMD Xilinx Zynq-7000 SoC.

The Zynq®-7000 SoC ZC706 Evaluation Kit includes all the basic components of hardware, design tools, IP, and pre-verified reference designs including a targeted design, enabling a complete embedded processing platform and transceiver based designs including PCIe.

MicroZed is a low-cost development board based on the AMD Xilinx Zynq-7000 SoC. It can be used as both a stand-alone evaluation board for basic SoC experimentation, or combined with a carrier card as an embeddable system-on-module (SOM).

Additional supported boards include AMD Xilinx ZC702, Digilent Arty Z7-10 and Arty Z7-20, Digilent Zybo Z7, Digilent Eclypse Z7 + more!

ACTIVITY

ZYNQ-7000 ACTIVITY 

Read the article A Generation Ahead for Smarter Systems: 9 Reasons Why the AMD Xilinx Zynq-7000 SoC Platform is the Smartest Solution, then test the knowledge you gained by completing the quiz. Quiz participants will be entered in the drawing to win a Digilent Arty Z7 and Exploring Zynq MPSoC Book.

Quiz closed on September 11th at 11:59PM Pacific.

SEPTEMBER WINNERS

1

2

3

Check back September 26th for our next activity.

PRIZE

This month's prize includes a Digilent Arty Z7-10 board and Exploring Zynq MPSoC Book.

▷ DIGILENT ARTY Z7-10

The Arty Z7 is a ready-to-use development platform designed around the Zynq®-7000 SoC from AMD Xilinx.

The Zynq MPSoC textbook covers design tools, hardware and software development, multiprocessing, security, system booting, and machine-learning applications.

Check out what the Hackster community is building with the Arty Z7-10!  >> SEE PROJECTS

OCTOBER

FEATURED TECHNOLOGY

▷ ULTRA96-V2 BOARD

Ultra96-V2 is an Arm®-based, AMD Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ ™ MPSoC single board computer based on the Linaro 96Boards Consumer Edition (CE) specification. The open source 96Boards specifications are designed to accelerate the delivery of low-cost hardware with the latest SoC technology by providing a standard board layout for SoC-agnostic development platforms that can be used for applications like desktop and laptop computing, smart home, digital signage, point of sale, high-end audio, robotics and drones, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, IoT, and industrial control. 

▷ ULTRA96-V2 RESOURCES
DOCUMENTATION
WEBINAR
ULTRA96-V2 DEMOS

Demo 1: Smart City

Demo 2: Sensing the Edge with Ultra96 and Microsoft Azure Export

Demo 3: Avnet Ultra96-V2 Powered Turtlebot3 Burger Robotics

PROJECT
PROJECT
PROJECT
PROJECT

ACTIVITY

ULTRA96-V2 ACTIVITY 

Read the Ultra96-V2 Product Brief, then test the knowledge you gained by completing the quiz. Quiz participants will be entered in the drawing to win an Ultra96-V2, Level Up T-shirt and dopp bags from Peace by Piece.

Quiz closed on October 9th at 11:59PM Pacific.

OCTOBER WINNERS

1

2

3

SIGN-UP FOR MONTHLY ACTIVITY REMINDERS

PRIZE

This month's prize includes an Ultra96-V2 board, Level Up T-shirt and Dopp Bags.

XILINX LEVEL UP T-SHIRT
▷ 
XILINX-BRANDED DOPP BAGS

Check out what the Hackster community is building with the Ultra96-V2! 

>> SEE PROJECTS

Dopp bags made by Peace By Piece International. Gifts made through Peace By Piece are made by master artisans in communities affected by war, genocide, human trafficking, climate disasters, political strife, or incarceration. 

FAQ

▷ Am I eligible to participate?

Everyone is eligible to complete activities for educational and engagement purposes. However, you are only eligible to win or be awarded prizes if:

  • You are at least 13 years of age
  • You are not a resident of Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Cuba, Egypt, Georgia, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Cambodia, North Korea, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Laos, Lebanon, Libya, Moldova, Myanmar, Mongolia, Macao, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Venezuela or Yemen, or otherwise ineligible due to applicable law or regulation. US export regulations prohibit the export of goods and services to the countries listed above, therefore residents of these countries are not eligible to participate in this challenge.
  • You are not involved in the execution or administration of the Level Up Tech Series.
  • You are not an employee of Hackster, Avnet, or AMD.
  • You are not an immediate family member or household member of an employee of Hackster, Avnet, or AMD.

▷ How do I enter the giveaway?

1. Be a Hackster community member. Visit hackster.io to sign up for an account.

2. Join the AMD Xilinx community on Hackster. Visit hackster.io/xilinx and click "join".
3. Complete the activity and take the quiz in the page above.

▷ How do I know if I won?

Winners will be announced on this page within 5 days after a quiz is closed. Winners will also be contacted via the email used when submitting their quiz.

▷ I won a prize! When will I receive it?

The prize fulfillment process will take up to 8 weeks after winners have been announced. You will receive an email when your prize is shipped. If you need to make any changes to your address during that time, please contact us at events@hackster.io.

▷ Do I need to pay taxes/customs fees on my prize shipment?

No, Hackster will ship all the prizes and will cover the taxes/customs fees associated with shipment.

▷ Other questions?

If you have any questions regarding this giveaway, please contact us at events@hackster.io.

Xilinx, the Xilinx logo, AMD, the AMD Arrow logo, Alveo, Artix, Kintex, Kria, Spartan, Versal, Vitis, Virtex, Vivado, Zynq, and other designated brands included herein and combinations thereof are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Other product names used in this publication are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective companies.

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