Using the MicroBlaze Configuration Wizard - 2024.1 English

MicroBlaze Processor Embedded Design User Guide (UG1579)

Document ID
UG1579
Release Date
2024-05-30
Version
2024.1 English

The following figure shows the Welcome page of the MicroBlaze configuration wizard.

Figure 1. MicroBlaze Configuration Wizard

The MicroBlaze Configuration wizard provides the following features.

  • Predefined configuration templates for one-click configuration.
  • Estimates of MicroBlaze relative frequency, area, and performance, giving immediate feedback based on selected configuration options.
  • Page by page guidance through the configuration process.
  • Tool tips for all configuration options to understand the effect of each option.
  • An Advanced button that provides a tabbed interface for direct access to all of the configuration options, see MicroBlaze Configuration Wizard: Advanced Mode.
    Important: Interrupt & Reset and PVR options are only accessible through the Advanced mode.

The MicroBlaze Configuration wizard includes the following pages which are shown depending on the options selected on the Welcome page.

The left portion of the dialog box shows the relative values of the frequency, area, and performance for the current settings, block RAM, and DSP numbers:

  • Frequency: Estimated frequency percentage relative to the maximum achievable frequency with this architecture and speed grade, which gives an indication of the relative frequency that can be achieved with the current settings.
    Note: This is an estimate based on a set of predefined benchmarks, which can deviate up to 30% from the actual value. Do not take this estimation as a guarantee that the system can reach a corresponding frequency.
  • Area: Estimated area percentage in LUTs relative to the maximum area using this architecture, which gives an indication of the relative MicroBlaze area achievable with the current settings.
    Note: This is an estimate, which can deviate up to 5% from the actual value. Do not take this estimation as a guarantee that the implemented area matches this value.
  • Performance: Indicates the relative MicroBlaze processor performance achievable with the current settings, relative to the maximum possible performance.
    Note: This is an estimate based on a set of benchmarks, and actual performance can vary significantly depending on the user application.
  • BRAMs: Total number of block RAMs used by the MicroBlaze processor. The instruction and data caches, and the branch target cache use block RAMs, and the memory management unit (MMU), which uses one block RAM in virtual or protected mode with 32-bit mode, and two with 64-bit mode.
  • DSP48: Total number of DSP48 used by the MicroBlaze processor. The integer multiplier, and the floating point unit (FPU) use this total value to implement float multiplication.