The XEM8310-AU25P is an FPGA development board based on the Xilinx Artix UltraScale+ FPGA. In addition to support for the Opal Kelly FrontPanel SDK and SuperSpeed USB 3.0, the module includes high-efficiency power supplies for single-input power, 2 GiB DDR4, clock oscillators, and three mezzanine expansion connectors for access to fabric and transceiver I/O.

Designed for prototypes, proof-of-concept, and production, the XEM8310 is a great way to integrate the latest low-power Xilinx FPGA. Reduce time to market, focus on your team’s core competency, and simplify your supply chain. Higher volume production is supported by our Step Pricing program.

For SYZYGY-based development with the Artix UltraScale+ FPGA, check out the XEM8320-AU25P.

Xilinx Artix UltraScale+ (XCAU25P-2FFVB676E)
2-GiByte DDR4 (32-bit wide data interface)
16-MiB system flash
32-MiB QSPI FPGA flash
Small form-factor -- 100 x 70 mm (3.94 x 2.76")
SuperSpeed USB 3.0 interface for configuration and data transfer
USB Type-C Connector
Measured performance over 350 MiB/s
Self-powered by single DC supply (7.5 to 15 VDC)
On-board temperature, voltage, and current monitoring with FrontPanel Device Sensors
Two fixed-frequency, low-jitter clock oscillators
Four LEDs
149 FPGA fabric I/O
12 gigabit transceiver lanes (GTY - up to 16.375 Gbps)
JTAG access via expansion connectors
FrontPanel SDK •• Complete Application Programmer's Interface (API) in C, C++, C#, Ruby, Python, and Java

XEM8310 FAQ - Opal Kelly

FAQ

Q: What FPGA is used in the Opal Kelly XEM8310 integration module?

The XEM8310 features the AMD Artix UltraScale+ (XCAU25P-2FFVB676E) FPGA. It provides 308k logic cells and 1,200 DSP slices, serving as the production-ready mezzanine module for the Artix UltraScale+ series to offer a compact path for high-performance OEM deployment.

Q: What is the maximum data transfer rate of the XEM8310?

The XEM8310 supports SuperSpeed USB 3.0 with measured real-world data transfer performance exceeding 350 MiB/s using the FrontPanel SDK. This high-bandwidth interface ensures efficient communication for demanding data-streaming applications.

Q: How much memory is available on the XEM8310?

The platform includes 2 GiByte DDR4 SDRAM with a 32-bit wide data interface for high-speed buffering. Non-volatile memory includes 16 MiB SPI System Flash for device settings and 32 MiB QSPI FPGA Flash which supports gateware boot.

Q: What expansion and high-speed serial ports are available?

The XEM8310 is equipped with three mezzanine expansion connectors that provide access to 149 FPGA fabric I/O. For high-speed serial connectivity, it features 12 GTY transceivers capable of reaching 16.375 Gb/s each.

Q: What are the power and thermal requirements for the XEM8310?

The board requires a single DC input between 7.5 V and 15 V. An active (fan-based) heatsink is available as an add-on; the fan can be threshold-controlled via the FrontPanel API. On-board sensors monitor voltage, current, and temperature in real-time.

Q: How is the XEM8310 utilized in Test & Measurement and Hardware Validation?

Engineers use the XEM8310 for automated device testing and protocol validation in production environments. Its combination of high-speed I/O and the FrontPanel SDK allows for real-time signal analysis and verification of semiconductor performance against standards like PCIe and MIPI.

Q: Can the XEM8310 be used for Edge AI and Machine Learning applications?

Yes, the platform is highly optimized for edge and endpoint machine learning / AI. By leveraging the 1,200 DSP slices of the Artix UltraScale+ FPGA, developers can implement deterministic AI inference for vision-guided robotics and real-time anomaly detection without the latency overhead of a traditional host CPU.

Q: How do Opal Kelly modules support Industrial and Machine Vision?

The XEM8310 serves as a high-performance interface for 3D vision systems, IR imaging, and industrial cameras. Its ability to process multiple high-speed AV channels simultaneously allows for sophisticated feature detection and automated visual inspection in smart factory environments.

XEM8310 Technical Specifications

What FPGA is used in the Opal Kelly XEM8310 integration module?

The XEM8310 features the AMD Artix UltraScale+ (XCAU25P-2FFVB676E) FPGA. It provides 308k logic cells and 1,200 DSP slices, serving as the production-ready mezzanine module for the Artix UltraScale+ series to offer a compact path for high-performance OEM deployment.

What is the maximum data transfer rate of the XEM8310?

The XEM8310 supports SuperSpeed USB 3.0 with measured real-world data transfer performance exceeding 350 MiB/s using the FrontPanel SDK. This high-bandwidth interface ensures efficient communication for demanding data-streaming applications.

How much memory is available on the XEM8310?

The platform includes 2 GiByte DDR4 SDRAM with a 32-bit wide data interface for high-speed buffering. Non-volatile memory includes 16 MiB SPI System Flash for device settings and 32 MiB QSPI FPGA Flash which supports gateware boot.

What expansion and high-speed serial ports are available?

The XEM8310 is equipped with three mezzanine expansion connectors that provide access to 149 FPGA fabric I/O. For high-speed serial connectivity, it features 12 GTY transceivers capable of reaching 16.375 Gb/s each.

What are the power and thermal requirements for the XEM8310?

The board requires a single DC input between 7.5 V and 15 V. An active (fan-based) heatsink is available as an add-on; the fan can be threshold-controlled via the FrontPanel API. On-board sensors monitor voltage, current, and temperature in real-time.

Industry Use Cases & Applications

How is the XEM8310 utilized in Test & Measurement and Hardware Validation?

Engineers use the XEM8310 for automated device testing and protocol validation in production environments. Its combination of high-speed I/O and the FrontPanel SDK allows for real-time signal analysis and verification of semiconductor performance against standards like PCIe and MIPI.

What role do Opal Kelly modules play in Aerospace and Defense systems?

In Aerospace and Defense, the XEM8310 is frequently deployed for RADAR system testing, satellite communications, and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation. The Artix UltraScale+ FPGA provides parallel processing power for Electronic Warfare (EW) systems while maintaining a small mezzanine footprint.

Can the XEM8310 be used for Edge AI and Machine Learning applications?

Yes, the platform is highly optimized for edge and endpoint machine learning / AI. By leveraging 1,200 DSP slices, developers can implement deterministic AI inference for vision-guided robotics and real-time anomaly detection without host CPU latency.

How do Opal Kelly modules support Industrial and Machine Vision?

The XEM8310 serves as a high-performance interface for 3D vision systems, IR imaging, and industrial cameras. Its ability to process multiple high-speed AV channels simultaneously allows for sophisticated feature detection and automated inspection in smart factory environments.

Why do Academic and Research institutions choose Opal Kelly modules?

Research institutions worldwide choose Opal Kelly modules for stable, 'off-the-shelf' USB-to-FPGA connectivity. This allows researchers to focus on breakthroughs in Software-Defined Radio (SDR) and scientific instrumentation rather than spending resources on foundational PC interconnects.

FrontPanel® SDK Capabilities

What is the FrontPanel SDK and how does it benefit FPGA developers?

The FrontPanel SDK is a powerful trio of firmware, software, and gateware that connects software applications to FPGA hardware. It provides a multi-platform API and lightweight HDL IP blocks to manage complex USB 3.0 communication automatically.

Which programming languages and operating systems are supported?

The SDK supports Windows, Linux (Ubuntu/Rocky), and macOS. Supported languages include C, C++, C#, Ruby, Python, and Java, with additional integration support for MATLAB and LabVIEW.

What communication endpoints are available in the FrontPanel framework?

FrontPanel utilizes four primary endpoint types for data movement:

Wires: Periodic status and control signals.
Triggers: Asynchronous event signals for handshaking.
Pipes: High-speed synchronous bulk data transfers.
Registers: Addressable read/write access to internal logic.

How does FrontPanel support custom GUI development for hardware control?

Developers can use the FrontPanel Application to create virtual control panels using industry-standard XML descriptions. FrontPanel 6 introduces a high-performance browser-based development platform using JavaScript, HTML, and CSS.

Development Workflow

What is the typical development workflow for the XEM8310?

Developers typically follow a three-step co-design process:

HDL Design: Create FPGA logic in AMD Vivado and integrate FrontPanel HDL IP blocks (okHost, okWireIn, etc.).
Software Integration: Use the FrontPanel SDK to define the data path between the FPGA and the host PC.
Deployment: Use the FrontPanel Application for immediate control or build a standalone executable for production hardware control.

How do I debug logic on the XEM8310?

The platform supports JTAG access via expansion connectors. This allows engineers to use the AMD Vivado Hardware Manager for real-time on-chip debugging and logic analysis (ILA).

Product Lifecycle & Management

How does Opal Kelly manage the lifecycle of its products?

Opal Kelly products are strictly lifecycle managed to support long-term OEM integration. The company provides clear status updates—Production, Limited Production, and End-of-Life—to ensure customers have advanced notice of component availability.

What is the history and status of the XEM8310?

Released on February 8, 2022, the XEM8310 is currently in Production. As an integration module, it is the production companion to the XEM8320 development platform, intended for high-volume OEM deployment.