Digilent
Digilent Zybo Z7-20 Zynq-7000 ARM/FPGA SoC Development Board
Best high-performance platform for advanced embedded vision and hardware developers.
The Digilent Zybo Z7-20 is a powerful development board built around the Xilinx Zynq-7000 family, integrating a dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 processor with Artix-7 FPGA logic. It boasts 1 GB of DDR3L RAM and 16 MB of onboard flash, making it ideal for complex embedded software and digital circuit design. With extensive multimedia and connectivity features like Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI input/output, and six Pmod ports, it simplifies hardware integration for advanced applications, including embedded vision. This cost-effective solution supports flexible programming via JTAG, flash, or microSD, offering a robust platform for developers.
$199.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
407
/ 1546
#407 in Development Boards
Price vs Category Average
+127%
Above average
FPGA Part Number
70201400
/ XCZ-CLGC
Who it's for
- Engineers building high-performance hardware-accelerated systems
- Developers creating advanced computer vision and multimedia projects
- Students and beginners learning SoC design with robust resources
Who should skip it
- Newcomers lacking experience in both software and hardware design
- Hobbyists working with limited project budgets
- Designers needing compact, passive cooling solutions for deployments
Performance breakdown
Processing Power
Dual-core ARM architecture handles complex embedded tasks with impressive speed.
FPGA Logic Capacity
Artix-7 fabric provides ample room for sophisticated digital circuit designs.
Connectivity Versatility
Rich peripheral set simplifies integration for advanced multimedia and vision projects.
Hardware Expandability
Six Pmod ports offer seamless modular expansion for custom hardware setups.
Memory Throughput
Generous 1GB DDR3L RAM supports demanding software and data-heavy applications.
Development Accessibility
Flexible programming options make this a robust platform for modern developers.
Key Specs
FPGA Part Number
XC7Z020-1CLG400C
Logic Cells
53,200
Processor
Dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 @ 667 MHz
RAM
1024 MB DDR3L
Onboard Flash
16 MB Quad-SPI
Connectivity
Gigabit Ethernet (1000 Mbps)
Power Input
USB or External 5V
Expansion
6 Pmod ports
Features
- Dual-core ARM processor with Artix-7 FPGA
- High-speed DDR3L memory
- Rich multimedia and connectivity peripherals
- Easy hardware expansion with Pmod ports
- Cost-effective embedded vision solution
- Flexible programming options
- Integrated thermal management
- Powerful platform for embedded development
What customers say
The Digilent Zybo Z7-20 is highly regarded by engineers for its professional grade capability, driven by the powerful Xilinx Zynq SoC integrating an ARM processor and FPGA fabric. This hybrid architecture supports complex applications like real time video processing. Users consistently praise the excellent physical quality and reliable hardware build. The core strength lies in its immense power and flexibility for sophisticated projects. However, the overall experience is moderated by the demanding nature of the Zynq ecosystem. Mastering the required Xilinx Vivado toolchain presents a steep learning curve, making this platform best suited for serious developers prepared to invest significant time learning the advanced software environment.
Know before you buy
The board features dedicated HDMI input and output ports alongside a camera connector, allowing you to interface directly with video sources. Combined with the processing power of the dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 and the Artix-7 FPGA logic, it provides the necessary hardware acceleration to handle real-time image processing tasks.
Yes, the Zybo Z7-20 includes a Gigabit Ethernet PHY, supporting data transfer speeds up to 1000 Mbps. This makes it a reliable choice for applications requiring high-bandwidth data transmission or networked embedded systems.
The board is equipped with six Pmod ports, which provide a standardized interface for connecting various peripheral modules like sensors, displays, or motor controllers. This modular design allows you to quickly prototype and add custom hardware functionality without complex wiring.
You can program the device using a JTAG interface for debugging or load your design via the onboard microSD card slot. It also supports booting from the 16 MB Quad-SPI flash memory, giving you flexibility depending on whether you are in the development or deployment phase.
While the board can be powered via USB for many standard applications, it also supports an external 5V power supply. Using an external source is recommended if you are connecting multiple high-power Pmod modules or peripherals that exceed the current limits of a standard USB port.
Yes, the Zybo Z7-20 supports PlatformIO, which helps streamline the development process by managing libraries and build configurations. This integration simplifies the workflow for developers who prefer a modern, cross-platform environment for their embedded projects.
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