FrontPanel®

What FrontPanel Does

Built for every stage of development

FrontPanel 6 covers the full development stack, from hardware communication to application deployment.

FrontPanel 6 stack diagram showing the FrontPanel API, Platform API, App Launcher, Firmware, HDL Modules, and User HDL components connecting a host computer to an FPGA development board

Your computer

USB 3.0

FPGA hardware

On your host computer

Develop in any language, cross-platform

FrontPanel SDK

FrontPanel API

A complete programmer's interface for building host applications that talk to FrontPanel-enabled hardware.

C++ Python C# Java Ruby

FrontPanel Platform

Platform API

Build polished browser apps in TypeScript and HTML, with direct access to your hardware. Cross-Platform, browser native, AI ready.

TypeScript HTML/CSS

FrontPanel Platform

App Launcher

A managed runtime for configuring devices and deploying Platform apps — run and update browser-based applications that talk directly to your hardware.

Runs on

Supported platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, Raspberry Pi

On your FPGA board

Pre-built firmware and HDL modules

FrontPanel SDK

Firmware

Pre-built firmware on the onboard microcontroller handles high-speed USB between your FPGA and the host PC. No low-level USB development required.

FrontPanel SDK

HDL Modules

Synthesizable HDL modules that drop into your FPGA fabric, exposing FrontPanel-compatible endpoints to the host PC.

Your Design

User HDL and hardware

Powering engineering teams from innovative startups to the Fortune 500

A grid of customer logos including Cirrus Logic, Intel, Maxim Integrated, Microchip, MIT, National Semiconductor, Qualcomm, Samsung, Sandia National Laboratories, Texas Instruments, Google, Microsoft, Agilent Technologies, and Analog Devices

Example Apps How-To Guide

Download the FrontPanel Technical Overview

System Architecture

How the FrontPanel stack fits together

A unified path from your host application to the FPGA — managed by FrontPanel, extensible by you. Build with the language you already use, and FrontPanel handles the USB, firmware, and HDL in between.

Where FrontPanel is Used

From first prototype to fielded product

FrontPanel 6 supports FPGA work across every stage — from first bring-up to shipped product.

Prototyping

Bring up new FPGA designs in minutes. Stream data over USB, drive registers from Python or C++, and iterate without writing low-level USB code.

Production

Ship browser-based Platform apps your team can run on any machine. Configure, calibrate, and test units on the line with a managed runtime built for the floor.

Education

Bring students hands-on with HDL and embedded systems. A unified SDK and a browser-based UI keep digital design approachable from the first lab.

Research & R&D

Capture high-throughput data and prototype custom instrumentation. USB 3.0 throughput and a scriptable API plug straight into your experimental workflows.

Test & Measurement

Build custom benches and automated test fixtures. Drive FPGA-based DAQ and signal generation with deterministic host-side control on every major OS.

Embedded & AI

Deploy AI-enabled FPGA accelerators with a browser-native host UI. Integrate inference pipelines and stream results through TypeScript and HTML.

Features

Cross-platform. Browser-native. AI ready.

FrontPanel works with the languages, browsers, and AI tools your team already uses — putting FPGA hardware development in reach of anyone on the team.

One API for every platform.

Drop the FrontPanel API into your project and talk to FPGA hardware in the language your team already speaks — on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Windows macOS Linux

localhost:3000/scope

Signal Capture CH1 CH2

▸ TRIG CH1 0V 10µs / div

Freq

10.0 kHz

Vpp

2.40 V

RMS

0.85 V

Ship apps in the browser.

Build interfaces in TypeScript and HTML with direct access to FPGA hardware. Chrome DevTools, source maps, and full reloading on every change.

TypeScript HTML / CSS No install

capture.py — Claude

1def capture():
2  # read frame
3  data = read()
4  return data
5
6+ try:
7+   data = read()
8+ except:

Claude

add error handling

Wrapped read() in try/except. Want me to log the error too?

AI Ready.

Open your project in Claude Code, Cursor, or any AI-enabled IDE. Describe the change in plain language, watch the model edit your code, build, and ship.

Claude Code Cursor Copilot Chat

Coming Soon

The next wave of Opal Kelly hardware

FrontPanel 6 sets the stage for the next wave of Opal Kelly hardware: a new generation of USB 3.2 SuperSpeed+ products and a forthcoming AXI-based data port for streaming workloads. Leading the way is the SYZYGY‑HUB, a USB 3.2 Artix Ultrascale+ evaluation module for the SYZYGY peripheral ecosystem. More details in the coming months.

Technical Specifications

System Requirements, Tools, and Documentation

System Requirements

Officially supported operating systems and language libraries. Most other Linux distributions are known to work using the libraries from the officially supported targets below.

FrontPanel 6 — operating system and language support matrix. Lists officially supported targets with C/C++ compiler, Python, Java, Ruby, C#, and Platform availability.
OS	C/C++	Python	Java	Ruby	C#	Platform
Windows 10, 11 (x64)	MSVS 2022	3.9+	21	—	Yes	Yes
macOS 11+Intel and Apple Silicon	Apple Clang 17	3.9+	21	Yes	—	Yes
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (x64)Linux 6.8.0-48	gcc 13.3.0	3.9+	21	Yes	—	Yes
Ubuntu 22.04 LTS (x64)Linux 5.15.0-1013	gcc 11.4.0	3.9+	21	Yes	—	Yes
Rocky Linux 10.1 (x64, RHEL 10)Linux 6.12.0-124.8.1	gcc 14.3.1	3.9+	21	Yes	—	Yes
Rocky Linux 9.3 (x64, RHEL 9)Linux 5.14.0-472	gcc 11.5.0	3.9+	8	Yes	—	Yes
Raspbian 12.0 (ARM64 — Raspberry Pi, Bookworm)Linux 6.6.31	gcc 12.2.0	3.9+	21	Yes	—	—

Other distributions: Many other Linux distributions are known to work using the libraries from the officially supported targets above.
Linux ARM: Available as needed; one-time ports available for a fee. For official ARM support, contact sales@opalkelly.com.

Build Tools & Simulation

Recommended FPGA toolchains for building configuration files, plus simulator and device requirements.

Xilinx ISE

Version 14.1i or later recommended For building configuration files: Spartan-6 and earlier

Xilinx Vivado

Latest version recommended For building configuration files: 7-Series and later

Altera Quartus

Version 15.0 or later recommended For building configuration files: Cyclone IV and later

Simulation

Compatible with most VHDL and Verilog simulators.

Hardware

An Opal Kelly FrontPanel-supported device is required.

Library

Documentation, API references, and the full list of FrontPanel-supported devices.

FrontPanel User's Manual

The complete guide to FrontPanel 6 — installation, hardware setup, and the full SDK.

API Reference

Method-by-method reference for every FrontPanel API binding across every supported language.

Supported devices

8000-Series

XEM8370 XEM8350 XEM8320 XEM8310 XEM8305

7000-Series

XEM7360 XEM7350 Shuttle TX1 XEM7320 XEM7310MT XEM7310 XEM7305 XEM7010 XEM7001

6000-Series

XEM6310MT XEM6310 XEM6006 Shuttle LX1 XEM6110 XEM6010 XEM6002 XEM6001

ZEM Series

ZEM5310 ZEM5305 ZEM4310

Legacy — 5000 / 3000-Series

XEM5010 XEM3050 XEM3010 XEM3005 XEM3001

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is FrontPanel 6?

FrontPanel 6 is Opal Kelly's complete FPGA development platform. It bundles a plug-and-play USB interface, a unified SDK for firmware and host code, and a browser-based platform for building applications that talk directly to FPGA hardware.

Which operating systems does FrontPanel 6 support?

Officially supported targets include Windows 10/11 (x64), macOS 11+ (Intel and Apple Silicon), Ubuntu 24.04 and 22.04 LTS, Rocky Linux 10.1 and 9.3, and Raspbian 12.0 on Raspberry Pi (ARM64). Most other Linux distributions also work using the libraries from those officially supported targets.

What programming languages can I use with FrontPanel?

On the host side: C/C++, Python (3.9+), C#, Java, and Ruby. The FrontPanel Platform additionally supports TypeScript and HTML/CSS for browser-native applications. The same FrontPanel API is available across every supported language and operating system.

Do I need to write low-level USB code?

No. FrontPanel 6 ships with pre-built firmware on the onboard microcontroller that handles high-speed USB between your FPGA and the host PC. You write your circuit design in HDL — FrontPanel handles USB, firmware, and the host APIs.

Can I build browser-based applications with FrontPanel?

Yes. The FrontPanel Platform API is a JavaScript interface for building polished browser-native apps in TypeScript and HTML, with direct access to FPGA hardware. The App Launcher provides a managed runtime that runs and updates these apps across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and Raspberry Pi.

What's the difference between FrontPanel SDK and FrontPanel Platform?

FrontPanel SDK provides the foundational pieces — the FrontPanel API, pre-built firmware, and synthesizable HDL modules. FrontPanel Platform is the browser-based development layer built on top, including the Platform API (TypeScript/HTML) and the App Launcher runtime.

Which Opal Kelly devices work with FrontPanel 6?

The full Opal Kelly product line: 8000-Series (XEM8370, XEM8350, XEM8320, XEM8310, XEM8305), 7000-Series (XEM7360, XEM7350, XEM7320, XEM7310MT, XEM7310, XEM7305, XEM7010, XEM7001), the ZEM Series (ZEM5310, ZEM5305, ZEM4310), the 6000-Series (XEM6310MT, XEM6310, XEM6006, XEM6110, XEM6010, XEM6002, XEM6001), plus legacy support for 5000- and 3000-Series devices.

What's the SYZYGY-HUB?

The SYZYGY-HUB is the next product in Opal Kelly's lineup — a USB 3.2 evaluation module for the SYZYGY peripheral ecosystem. Sign up for the Hub launch list to be notified when more details and availability become public.

Our robust USB driver and FrontPanel API work together to provide an easy-to-use software interface to your hardware that is consistent across the Windows (32-/64-bit), Linux (32-/64-bit), and Mac OS X development environments.Our PCI Express driver is available for Windows 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems.

And to make things even easier, we provide pre-built wrappers to the FrontPanel API for C, C#, C++, Python, and Java. And the DLL may be used from any of the huge library of software that support external calling such as Matlab and LabVIEW.

FrontPanel is perfect for use in many classroom settings. It’s flexible ease-of-use encourages exploration and makes it possible for students to realize their experiments and projects faster.

In structured courses, educators can setup template interfaces in FrontPanel XML, easing the student’s learning curve while standardizing the way students interface, debug, and evaluate their assignments. Later, students can write custom XML interfaces or even write C++, Python, or Java applications.

Windows (USB / PCI) API available as DLL (C/C++), C#, Java, Python libraries
Mac OS X (USB only) API available as universal dynamic library (C/C++), Java, Ruby, Python libraries
Linux (USB only) API available as shared object (C/C++), Java, Ruby, Python libraries
QNX Neutrino 6.5.0 (USB / PCI) API available as shared-object (please contact sales@opalkelly.com for availability).
Behavioral simulation supported, no back-annotation
USB 3.0 transfer rates up to 340+ MBps
USB 2.0 transfer rates up to 38 MBps
PCIe transfer rates up to 200 MBps

Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11
Mac OS X Version 10.10+, Intel and Apple Silicon
Linux CentOS 6.5 32-/64-bit (x86 and amd64)
Linux Ubuntu 16.04LTS 32-/64-bit (x86 and amd64)
Linux – Many other distributions also known to work with libraries from the two official distributions above.
Linux ARM targets as available and One-Time Ports available for a fee. If you require official support for ARM targets, please contact sales@opalkelly.com.
Simulation: Compatible with most VHDL/Verilog simulators
Opal Kelly FrontPanel-supported device
Xilinx ISE 14.1i or later recommended for building FPGA configuration files (Spartan-6 and earlier)
Xilinx Vivado recommended for building FPGA configuration files (7-Series and later)
Altera Quartus 15.0 or later recommended for building FPGA configuration files (Cyclone IV and later)