Note: The Arm AArch64 architecture is common between the APUs used
for Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC the Versal devices. The existing architectural reference
nomenclature "ZynqMP"
found the Linux source also applies to Versal
devices.
The Linux OS supports the Versal device. AMD provides open source drivers for all peripherals in the PS, and key peripherals in the PL. The following figure illustrates the full software stack in the APU, including Linux and an optional hypervisor.
Figure 1. Linux Software Development Stack for Versal
Devices

Figure 2. Linux Software Development Stack for Versal AI Edge Series Gen 2 and Versal Prime Series Gen 2
AMD offers two tools to build and deploy custom Linux distributions for Versal devices: Yocto tools and the open source collaboration project, Yocto project. For more information, refer to the Linux Wiki.
- Yocto Project
- The Yocto Project can be used to highly customize embedded Linux for their boards. For those interested in the Yocto Project, the Wiki has several articles and information pertaining Yocto for building Linux on AMD devices. The Yocto page on the Wiki is a great place to start. Yocto board support packages are also available from the main Yocto tree.
You can leverage the Linux software stack for the Versal device in multiple ways.
- Open Source Linux and U-Boot
- AMD offers release-specific prebuilt images for the VMK180 and VCK190 evaluation kits that can be found on the Versal Boards, Kits, and Modules page. The Linux Kernel sources including drivers, board configurations, and U-Boot updates for Versal devices are available from the official Linux kernel for AMD, as well as, from the main Linux kernel and U-Boot repositories. For more information, refer to the Release Notes for Open Source Components .
- Commercial Linux Distributions
- Along with open source Linux offerings, AMD works with several third-parties to offer other Linux solutions. Some commercial distributions also include support for the Versal devices, and they include advanced tools for Linux configuration, optimization, and debug. For more information, refer to the Embedded Software & Ecosystem page.