Topic: Open Source FPGA-Toolchains

Date: 30.09.2022, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Location: Living Lab at Leipzig University, Humboldtstraße 25 (3rd floor), 04105 Leipzig

Language: German

Target group: Experienced programmers, engineers and visualizers as well as motivated beginners.

Prerequisites: proficiency in Python/C/JavaScript and driver installation, interest in hardware related development.

Format: Hackathon in presence

FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays) are flexible chips that can be used to implement algorithms faster than CPUs and more energy-efficiently than graphics cards. From the Large Hadron Collider at CERN to the smartphone in your pocket, FPGAs have many applications.

In order to implement an algorithm on an FPGA, special software in the form of a toolchain is required. Open-source FPGA toolchains are ideal for accessibility for private users and the traceability of research. Unfortunately, these are still in their infancy.

The hackathon will focus on finding practical solutions to improve the open-source FPGA toolchain for the Xilinix 7 Series. We will not only deal with the chips themselves, but visualize existing documentation and accelerate existing parts of the toolchain.

FPGA development boards will be provided; a laptop should be brought along. The most important prerequisite is an interest in hardware-related development. Knowledge of a programming language is recommended to be able to implement solutions.

Participation in the event is free of charge.