This application note describes the advantages of selecting a serial peripheral interface (SPI) flash as the configuration memory storage for the Xilinx 7 series FPGAs and the details for implementing the solution. This document includes the required connections between the FPGA and the SPI flash memory and the details necessary to select the proper SPI flash.
Programming the SPI Flash In-System provides details about using XILINX tools for in-system programming of the SPI flash via the FPGA. This allows for configuration flexibility during the debugging stages of development. More information on the Vivado tools can be found at www.xilinx.com. The designer should be familiar with UG470, 7 Series FPGAs Configuration User Guide that contains additional information on FPGA configuration and details on other configuration methods.