The XEM8370-KU11P is an FPGA development board based on the AMD Kintex 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, 4 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 XEM8370 is a great way to take advantage of the balance of price, performance, and power efficiency of the Kintex UltraScale+ architecture. 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.

AMD Kintex UltraScale+ (XCKU11P-1FFVA1156E), -3FFVA1156E optional
4-GiByte DDR4 (32-bit wide data interface)
16-MiB system flash
32-MiB QSPI FPGA flash
Small form-factor -- 120 x 85mm (4.72 x 3.35")
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 (5 to 18 VDC)
On-board temperature, voltage, and current monitoring with FrontPanel Device Sensors
301 FPGA fabric I/O
20 GTH (up to 12.5 Gbps) transceiver lanes
8 GTY (up to 16.375 Gbps) transceiver lanes
JTAG access via expansion connectors
FrontPanel SDK •• Complete Application Programmer's Interface (API) in C, C++, C#, Ruby, Python, and Java

XEM8370 FAQ - Opal Kelly

FAQ

Q: What FPGA is integrated into the Opal Kelly XEM8370 development platform?

The XEM8370 features the AMD Kintex UltraScale+ (XCKU11P-1FFVA1156E) FPGA. It provides 653,100 system logic cells and 2,928 DSP slices, offering a high-performance path for prototyping and OEM deployment in demanding applications like JESD204B data converters.

Q: What is the maximum data transfer rate of the XEM8370?

The XEM8370 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 XEM8370?

The platform includes 4 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 are the power and thermal requirements for the XEM8370?

The board requires a single DC input between 5 V and 18 V. It features an on-board cooling fan controller for an optional active heatsink, and integrated device sensors monitor voltage, current, and temperature in real-time.

Q: How is the XEM8370 utilized in Test & Measurement and Hardware Validation?

Engineers use the XEM8370 for automated device testing and protocol validation in high-end environments. Its extensive I/O count and high-speed transceivers allow for real-time signal analysis and verification against complex serial standards.

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

In Aerospace and Defense, modules like the XEM8370 are frequently deployed for RADAR system testing, satellite communications prototyping, and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation. The Kintex UltraScale+ FPGA provides the parallel processing power needed to validate hardware survival in extreme environments.

Q: Can the XEM8370 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 massive DSP resources of the Kintex UltraScale+ FPGA, developers can implement deterministic AI inference for vision-guided robotics and real-time anomaly detection.

Q: Why do Academic and Research institutions choose Opal Kelly modules?

Research institutions choose Opal Kelly modules for stable, 'off-the-shelf' USB-to-FPGA connectivity. This allows researchers to focus on core breakthroughs in scientific measurement and SDR rather than building foundational PC interconnects.

XEM8370 Technical Specifications

What FPGA is integrated into the Opal Kelly XEM8370 development platform?

The XEM8370 features the AMD Kintex UltraScale+ (XCKU11P-1FFVA1156E) FPGA. It provides 653,100 system logic cells and 2,928 DSP slices, offering a high-performance path for prototyping and OEM deployment in demanding applications like JESD204B data converters.

What is the maximum data transfer rate of the XEM8370?

The XEM8370 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 XEM8370?

The platform includes 4 GiByte DDR4 SDRAM with a 32-bit wide interface supporting a peak bandwidth of 76.8 Gb/s. Non-volatile memory includes 16 MiB SPI System Flash and 32 MiB QSPI FPGA Flash which supports gateware boot.

What expansion and high-speed serial ports are available?

The XEM8370 is equipped with three high-density mezzanine connectors providing access to 301 FPGA fabric I/O. For serial connectivity, it features 20 GTH transceivers (up to 12.5 Gbps) and 8 GTY transceivers (up to 16.375 Gbps).

What are the power and thermal requirements for the XEM8370?

The board accepts a single DC input between 5 V and 18 V. It features an on-board cooling fan controller for an optional active heatsink (FANSINK-07), and integrated sensors monitor voltage, current, and temperature in real-time.

Industry Use Cases & Applications

How is the XEM8370 utilized in Test & Measurement and Hardware Validation?

Engineers use the XEM8370 for automated high-end test equipment and protocol validation. Its 28 high-speed transceiver lanes allow for real-time signal analysis against standards like PCIe and MIPI.

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

In Aerospace and Defense, the XEM8370 is deployed for RADAR/LIDAR processing, satellite prototyping, and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation. The Kintex UltraScale+ FPGA provides the parallel processing power needed for Electronic Warfare (EW) systems.

Can the XEM8370 be used for Edge AI and Machine Learning applications?

Yes, its 2,928 DSP slices and 4 GiB DDR4 make it an ideal FPGA co-processor for edge machine learning, capable of deterministic AI inference for high-frame-rate machine vision.

How do Opal Kelly modules support Industrial and Machine Vision?

The XEM8370 serves as a high-performance interface for 3D vision systems and IR imaging, processing multiple high-speed AV channels for automated visual inspection.

Why do Academic and Research institutions choose Opal Kelly modules?

Institutions choose Opal Kelly for stable, off-the-shelf USB-to-FPGA connectivity, allowing focus on breakthroughs in SDR and measurement rather than custom interconnect design.

FrontPanel® SDK Capabilities

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

The FrontPanel SDK is a trio of firmware, software, and gateware providing 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, and macOS. Supported languages include C++, Python, Ruby, C#/.NET, Java, and DLL interfaces.

What communication endpoints are available in the FrontPanel framework?

Wires: Periodic status and control signals updated simultaneously.
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 use the FrontPanel Application to create virtual control panels with industry-standard XML descriptions. FrontPanel 6 also supports browser-based apps using JavaScript, HTML, and CSS.

Development Workflow

What is the typical development workflow for the XEM8370?

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

How do I debug logic on the XEM8370?

JTAG access is provided via expansion connectors. This allows real-time debugging using AMD Vivado Hardware Manager and ILA with compatible breakout boards like the BRK8370.

Product Lifecycle & Management

How does Opal Kelly manage the lifecycle of its products?

Opal Kelly products are strictly lifecycle managed with Production, Limited Production, and End-of-Life status updates provided via opalkelly.com/products/lifecycle.

What is the history and status of the XEM8370?

Released on May 9, 2022, the XEM8370 is currently in Production. Major Kintex UltraScale+ components have an estimated EOL reaching into 2045.