Configuring the PL Kernel in DFX Platforms and Non-DFX Platforms - 2020.2 English

Vitis Unified Software Platform Documentation: Application Acceleration Development (UG1393)

Document ID
UG1393
Release Date
2021-03-22
Version
2020.2 English

The Xilinx Dynamic Function eXchange (DFX) feature can change some blocks of PL function while keeping other areas of PL working, allowing you to configure PL kernels on the fly. To use the DFX feature, when the xclbin file is generated, configure it with your host application. The new kernels in the xclbin take effect immediately without requiring a reboot.

For platforms without DFX features, PL kernel must be packed into boot.bin. Copy it to the FAT32 partition on your SD card and reboot the system. Then, configure the xclbin file with your host application.

The xclbin file contains both bit files for PL kernel and metadata to describe these kernel features and connections. Programming the xclbin file on DFX platforms loads the bit file and metadata; programming on non-DFX platforms only loads the metadata.