Developing FPGA-accelerated cloud applications with SDAccel: Theory from Coursera

This course is for anyone passionate in learning how to develop FPGA-accelerated applications with SDAccel!

We are entering in an era in which technology progress induces paradigm shifts in computing!

As a tradeoff between the two extreme characteristics of GPP and ASIC, we can find a new concept, a new idea of computing... the reconfigurable computing, which has combined the advantages of both the previous worlds. Within this context, we can say that reconfigurable computing will widely, pervasively, and gradually impact human lives. Hence, it is time that we focus on how reconfigurable computing and reconfigurable system design techniques are to be utilised for building applications.

One one hand reconfigurable computing can have better performance with respect to a software implementation but paying this in terms of time to implement. On the other hand a reconfigurable device can be used to design a system without requiring the same design time and complexity compared to a full custom solution but being beaten in terms of performance.

Within this context, the Xilinx SDx tools, including the SDAccel environment, the SDSoC environment, and Vivado HLS, provide an out-of-the-box experience for system programmers looking to partition elements of a software application to run in an FPGA-based hardware element, and having that hardware work seamlessly with the rest of the application running in a processor or embedded processor.

The out-of-the-box experience will provide interesting and, let us say, “good enough” results for many applications.

However, this may not be true for you, you may be looking for better performance, data throughput, reduced latency, or to reduce the resources usage... This course is focusing exactly on this. After introducing you to the FPGAs we are going to dig more into the details on how to use Xilinx SDAccel providing you also with working examples on how to optimize the hardware logic to obtain the best of of your hardware implementations. In this case, certain attributes, directives, or pragmas, can be used to direct the compilation and synthesis of the hardware kernel, or to optimise the function of the data mover operating between the processor and the hardware logic.

Furthermore, In this course we are going to focus on distributed, heterogeneous infrastructures, presenting how to bring your solutions to life by using the Amazon EC2 F1 instances.

What's inside

Syllabus

Familizarize youself with FPGA technologies

From the mid-1980s, reconfigurable computing has become a popular field due to the FPGA technology progress. An FPGA is a semiconductor device containing programmable logic components and programmable interconnects but no instruction fetch at run time, that is, FPGAs do not have a program counter. In most FPGAs, the logic components can be programmed to duplicate the functionality of basic logic gates or functional Intellectual Properties (IPs). FPGAs also include memory elements composed of simple flip-flops or more complex blocks of memories. Hence, FPGA has made possible the dynamic execution and configuration of both hardware and software on a single chip. This module provides a detailed description of FPGA technologies starting from a general description down to the discussion on the low-level configuration details of these devices, to the bitstream composition and the description of the configuration registers.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Suitable for beginners who want to explore reconfigurable computing and FPGA technologies

Provides practical knowledge and hands-on examples of FPGA-accelerated applications using SDAccel

Covers various optimization techniques to enhance performance and efficiency of FPGA implementations

Introduces distributed, heterogeneous infrastructures using Amazon EC2 F1 instances

Requires prior knowledge of FPGA technologies and OpenCL

May require additional software and hardware resources, such as an FPGA board

Reviews summary

Fpga acceleration theory with sdaccel

According to learners, this course provides a strong theoretical foundation in developing FPGA-accelerated cloud applications using SDAccel. Students appreciate the clear lectures and detailed explanations of optimization techniques such as pipelining, loop unrolling, and memory access. While the coverage of core principles is considered excellent, a recurring point among reviewers is the limited scope of practical labs and examples. Some found the hands-on setup challenging or the provided examples too basic for real-world application. Learners looking for extensive practical exercises or in-depth cloud deployment demos might need supplementary resources, but for those seeking a solid theoretical grounding in SDAccel optimization, this course is well-regarded.

Lectures are clear and instructor knows topic.

"The instructor is knowledgeable."

"The instructor knows the subject."

"The lectures are clear..."

Explains key acceleration methods well.

"The course explains optimization techniques like pipelining and loop unrolling clearly."

"The explanations on memory access optimization and data movement were particularly helpful."

"Lectures are detailed and cover crucial concepts like pipeline and array partitioning."

"The explanations of pragma usage and HLS implications were valuable."

Excellent depth in theoretical concepts.

"Excellent course! The theory is well explained..."

"It provides a strong theoretical foundation..."

"Fantastic introduction... It lays a solid groundwork..."

"The course title says 'Theory', and it delivers exactly that."

"Provides a good understanding of the theoretical underpinnings..."

Practical setup might be challenging for some.

"I struggled with the practical side. Setting up the environment... was challenging."

"It assumes a certain level of familiarity... that I didn't have."

"More guidance on the labs is needed."

More complex hands-on examples needed.

"I wish there were more complex labs or case studies to apply the concepts to real-world scenarios. It feels a bit too theoretical at times..."

"My main critique is the lack of hands-on exercises that go beyond trivial examples."

"Very heavy on theory with minimal practical guidance. The examples provided are too basic..."

"more advanced practical examples would elevate this course significantly."

"I was hoping for more hands-on labs related to cloud deployment... but that part was lacking."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Developing FPGA-accelerated cloud applications with SDAccel: Theory with these activities:

Review Course Materials Compilation

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Enhance understanding of course concepts by organizing and reviewing all relevant materials.

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Gather notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams.
Review and summarize key concepts.
Create a structured document or presentation for easy reference.

Connect with FPGA Experts

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Gain access to experienced FPGA professionals for guidance and support.

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Identify and reach out to potential mentors.
Attend industry events and meetups.
Join online forums and communities.

FPGA Design Fundamentals Practice

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Solidify understanding of FPGA design fundamentals through repetitive exercises.

Browse courses on FPGA Design

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Review FPGA architecture and programming concepts.
Solve practice problems on FPGA design and implementation.

Two other activities

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Xilinx SDAccel Tutorials and Examples

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Enhance SDAccel proficiency by following guided tutorials and exploring code examples.

Browse courses on SDAccel

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Access and review official Xilinx SDAccel tutorials.
Study and analyze provided code examples.
Implement example designs to gain hands-on experience.

SDAccel Design Review Sessions

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Improve SDAccel design skills through peer collaboration and feedback.

Browse courses on Peer Review

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Form study groups or connect with peers for design reviews.
Share and present SDAccel designs.
Provide and receive constructive criticism on designs.
Incorporate feedback and refine designs.

Career center

Learners who complete Developing FPGA-accelerated cloud applications with SDAccel: Theory will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

FPGA Engineer

FPGA Engineers design and implement programmable logic devices, such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs). They use hardware description languages (HDLs) such as VHDL and Verilog to create designs that are then synthesized and implemented on FPGAs. FPGA Engineers work in a variety of industries, including aerospace, automotive, and telecommunications. Familiarity with the Xilinx SDx tools can help you advance your career as an FPGA Engineer. This course covers the use of Xilinx SDAccel, which can optimize FPGA-accelerated applications by directing the compilation and synthesis of the hardware kernel, or optimizing the function of the data mover operating between the processor and the hardware logic.

See salaries and explore the career path for FPGA Engineer

Computer Hardware Engineer

Computer Hardware Engineers research, design, develop, and test computer hardware components, such as CPUs, memory, and graphics cards. They work closely with software engineers to ensure that hardware and software are compatible. Computer Hardware Engineers typically have a bachelor's degree in computer engineering or a related field. Familiarity with FPGA technologies can give you a competitive advantage in this field. This course covers the basics of FPGA technologies, including the configuration process, the bitstream composition, and the description of the configuration registers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Hardware Engineer

Embedded Systems Engineer

Embedded Systems Engineers design and implement embedded systems, which are computer systems that are designed to perform a specific function within a larger system. Embedded Systems Engineers typically have a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with FPGA-accelerated cloud applications can help you stand out in this role. This course covers how to bring your solutions to life by using the Amazon EC2 F1 instances.

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Systems Architect

Systems Architects design and implement complex systems, such as enterprise software systems or telecommunications networks. They work with stakeholders to gather requirements, define system specifications, and develop system architectures. Systems Architects typically have a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field, as well as several years of experience in systems design and implementation. Familiarity with FPGA-accelerated applications can help you advance your career as a Systems Architect. This course covers the basics of FPGA-accelerated applications, including how to optimize your system via SDAccel.

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Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and test software applications. They work with stakeholders to gather requirements, define software specifications, and develop software code. Software Engineers may specialize in a particular area, such as web development, mobile development, or data science. Familiarity with FPGA-accelerated cloud applications can help you expand your skillset as a Software Engineer. This course covers how to develop FPGA-accelerated cloud applications with SDAccel.

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Data Scientist

Data Scientists use data to solve problems and make predictions. They work with data from a variety of sources, such as sensors, social media, and web logs. Data Scientists typically have a master's degree or PhD in a field such as statistics, computer science, or mathematics. This course may be useful for Data Scientists who are interested in using FPGA-accelerated cloud applications to process and analyze large datasets.

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Cloud Architect

Cloud Architects design and implement cloud computing solutions. They work with clients to understand their business needs and develop cloud architectures that meet those needs. Cloud Architects typically have a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field, as well as several years of experience in cloud computing. Familiarity with FPGA-accelerated cloud applications can help you advance your career as a Cloud Architect. This course covers how to develop FPGA-accelerated cloud applications with SDAccel.

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DevOps Engineer

DevOps Engineers work to bridge the gap between development and operations teams. They automate the software development process, including building, testing, and deploying software. DevOps Engineers typically have a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field, as well as several years of experience in software development. Familiarity with FPGA-accelerated cloud applications can help you stand out in this role. This course covers the basics of FPGA-accelerated applications, including how to optimize your system via SDAccel.

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Technical Writer

Technical Writers create and maintain technical documentation, such as user manuals, white papers, and training materials. They work with engineers, scientists, and other technical experts to gather information and develop clear and concise documentation. Technical Writers typically have a bachelor's degree in English, technical writing, or a related field. This course may be useful for Technical Writers who are interested in writing documentation for FPGA-accelerated cloud applications.

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Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for the development and marketing of products. They work with engineers, designers, and marketing teams to bring new products to market. Product Managers typically have a bachelor's degree in business administration or a related field, as well as several years of experience in product management. This course may be useful for Product Managers who are interested in developing FPGA-accelerated cloud applications.

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Sales Engineer

Sales Engineers work with customers to identify their needs and develop solutions that meet those needs. They typically have a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field, as well as several years of experience in sales. Familiarity with FPGA-accelerated cloud applications can help you stand out in this role. This course covers the basics of FPGA-accelerated applications, including how to optimize your system via SDAccel.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts work with stakeholders to gather requirements, define business processes, and develop solutions that meet business needs. They typically have a bachelor's degree in business administration or a related field, as well as several years of experience in business analysis. This course may be useful for Business Analysts who are interested in developing FPGA-accelerated cloud applications.

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Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. They work with stakeholders to define project goals, develop project plans, and track project progress. Project Managers typically have a bachelor's degree in project management or a related field, as well as several years of experience in project management. Familiarity with FPGA-accelerated cloud applications can help you stand out in this role. This course covers the basics of FPGA-accelerated applications, including how to optimize your system via SDAccel.

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Quality Assurance Analyst

Quality Assurance Analysts test and evaluate software applications to ensure that they meet quality standards. They work with developers and testers to identify and fix defects. Quality Assurance Analysts typically have a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field, as well as several years of experience in quality assurance. This course may be useful for Quality Assurance Analysts who are interested in testing FPGA-accelerated cloud applications.

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Technical Support Specialist

Technical Support Specialists provide technical support to customers. They answer questions, troubleshoot problems, and resolve issues. Technical Support Specialists typically have a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field, as well as several years of experience in technical support. Familiarity with FPGA-accelerated cloud applications can help you stand out in this role. This course covers the basics of FPGA-accelerated applications, including how to optimize your system via SDAccel.

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