Adding C-Models to RTL Kernels - 2022.2 English

RTL kernels support the hardware emulation build, and the hardware build described in Build Targets, but an RTL kernel in its native form does not support software emulation. To support software emulation, you must add a C-model to the packaged RTL kernel using the package_xo -kernel_files option.

The C-model can be a simple C/C++ application defining the RTL function that is packaged with the RTL code for the kernel. The C-model is included in the packaged kernel (.xo) in a folder called cpu_sources, which the Vitis compiler uses during software emulation. For the hardware emulation and hardware builds, the Vitis compiler always use the RTL implementation of the kernel when creating the device binary (.xclbin).

The Vitis IDE also provides a mechanism for including a C-model with the RTL kernel as described in RTL Kernel Wizard.