ZCU106 Evaluation Board: Video and Vision Applications

The ZCU106 stands as AMD’s most versatile Zynq UltraScale+ development platform for video and vision applications. Having worked with multiple boards in this family, the ZCU106 board consistently proves its worth when projects demand both hardware video codec capabilities and extensive high-speed connectivity.

This guide covers what makes the Xilinx ZCU106 the preferred choice for broadcast video, streaming, and professional vision applications—from hardware specifications to practical implementation with the Video Codec Unit (VCU) Targeted Reference Design.

What Makes the ZCU106 Board Special

The ZCU106 evaluation board bridges a critical gap in the Zynq UltraScale+ ecosystem. While the ZCU104 focuses on cost-effective embedded vision and the ZCU102 maximizes FPGA resources, the ZCU106 uniquely combines hardware video codec with comprehensive interface support.

The Interface Advantage

Where the ZCU106 board truly differentiates itself is interface diversity:

The SDI connector and AES3 audio support make the Xilinx ZCU106 particularly suited for broadcast applications where standard professional video interfaces are essential.

ZCU106 Hardware Specifications

The ZCU106 evaluation board provides comprehensive hardware for demanding video applications.

Processing Architecture

Memory Configuration

The 72-bit PS DDR4 with ECC support provides data integrity critical for professional broadcast applications where frame drops are unacceptable.

Video and Display Interfaces

High-Speed Serial Connectivity

The ZCU106 allocates its GTH transceivers strategically:

This distribution enables simultaneous video processing, networking, and expansion—a configuration not possible on the more constrained ZCU104.

Read more Xilinx FPGA Series:

Best Zynq UltraScale+ Development Boards Compared (2024)

How to Install Vivado on Windows 11: Step-by-Step Tutorial

Spartan-3E FPGA Board: Beginner Tutorial & Project Ideas

Where to Buy Xilinx FPGAs: Complete Authorized Distributors Guide

Xilinx Alveo Accelerator Cards: Data Center FPGA Guide

Xilinx AMD Acquisition: What It Means for FPGA Developers

Xilinx Artix-7 FPGA Family: Features, Specs & Selection Guide

Xilinx Artix-7 FPGA Price Guide

Xilinx CPLD Programmer and Xilinx CPLD Board: The Complete Guide for Engineers

Xilinx FPGA Programming for Beginners: First Project Tutorial

Xilinx JTAG Programming: Complete Hardware Setup & Debug Tutorial

Xilinx Kintex-7 FPGA: Mid-Range Performance Powerhouse

Xilinx Spartan-3 FPGA: Legacy Support & Migration Guide

Xilinx Spartan-6 FPGA: Still Relevant? Complete 2025 Guide

Xilinx Spartan-7 FPGA: Low-Cost Solution for Embedded Design

Xilinx Virtex-7 FPGA: High-End Performance for Critical Applications

Video Codec Unit: The Heart of Video Processing

The XCZU7EV’s integrated VCU transforms the ZCU106 board into a complete video processing platform.

VCU Capabilities

Why Hardware Codec Matters

Software-based video encoding consumes significant processor resources. On the Cortex-A53 cores, encoding 4K video would monopolize all CPU cycles, leaving nothing for application logic. The dedicated VCU processes video streams independently, freeing the processors for inference, control, and communication tasks.

For broadcast applications, the VCU’s low-latency mode enables glass-to-glass delays under 30ms—essential for live production where timing is critical.

VCU Targeted Reference Design

AMD provides comprehensive reference designs demonstrating the ZCU106 evaluation board capabilities.

Available Design Modules

GStreamer Integration

The VCU TRD includes GStreamer plugins enabling rapid pipeline development:

Engineers can prototype complete video pipelines using command-line GStreamer before developing production C/C++ applications.

Practical Applications for the ZCU106

The Xilinx ZCU106 excels in applications requiring both video processing and connectivity.

Broadcast Video Systems

The SDI interface and AES3 audio make the ZCU106 board immediately compatible with professional broadcast infrastructure:

Surveillance and Security

Multi-stream capabilities enable sophisticated surveillance systems:

Video Conferencing

The combination of encode and decode enables bidirectional video:

Getting Started with the ZCU106

Kit Contents

The EK-U1-ZCU106-G includes:

Note: Unlike the ZCU104, the ZCU106 does not include a USB camera—appropriate given its focus on professional video interfaces rather than embedded vision.

Boot Mode Configuration

Running the VCU TRD

1. Download the TRD package from AMD’s website
2. Flash the pre-built SD card image
3. Configure SW6 for SD boot (1110)
4. Connect video sources and displays
5. Power on and access via serial console
6. Run vcu_gst_app with appropriate configuration

The TRD provides configuration files for common scenarios—4K60 encoding, multi-stream processing, SDI workflows, and more.

Read more Xilinx Products:

XCVU35P-L2FSVH2104E: AMD Virtex UltraScale+ HBM FPGA Specifications, Features & Applications

XCVU35P-1FSVH2892E: High-Performance AMD Virtex UltraScale+ HBM FPGA

XC2C256-7FT256I CoolRunner-II CPLD: High-Performance Programmable Logic Device

XC2C128-7VQ100C: High-Performance CoolRunner-II CPLD for Advanced Digital Design

XC18V01SO20I: High-Performance Configuration PROM for FPGA Applications

XQ18V04VQ44N: Military-Grade 4Mbit FPGA Configuration PROM by AMD Xilinx

XC18V02VQG44I: Complete Guide to Xilinx 2Mbit In-System Programmable Configuration PROM

XC18V02PC44C0936: AMD Xilinx 2Mbit In-System Programmable Configuration PROM for FPGA Applications

XC2C512-7FT256C: AMD Xilinx CoolRunner-II CPLD | 512 Macrocell Programmable Logic Device

XC17S30PC: Xilinx Spartan OTP Configuration PROM for FPGA Applications

Comparing ZCU106 with Alternatives

ZCU106 vs ZCU104

Choose ZCU106 when: SDI connectivity, multiple high-speed interfaces, or PCIe integration is required.

Choose ZCU104 when: Cost is primary concern and standard video interfaces (HDMI, USB) suffice.

ZCU106 vs ZCU102

Choose ZCU106 when: Hardware video codec is essential for the application.

Choose ZCU102 when: Maximum FPGA resources or GTH count matters more than video codec.

Essential Resources

Official Documentation

Download Links

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between ZCU106 and ZCU104?

The ZCU106 provides significantly more high-speed connectivity with 7 GTH transceivers on FMC (versus 1 on ZCU104), dual SFP+ cages, native SDI support, and PCIe Gen3 x4. Both boards include the H.264/H.265 video codec. The ZCU104 is optimized for cost-sensitive embedded vision, while the ZCU106 board targets broadcast and professional video applications requiring diverse interfaces.

Does the Xilinx ZCU106 support 4K video encoding and decoding?

Yes, the Xilinx ZCU106 supports simultaneous 4K @ 60fps encoding and decoding through its integrated Video Codec Unit. The VCU handles H.264 (AVC) and H.265 (HEVC) standards with support for 8-bit and 10-bit color depth. Multi-stream configurations can process up to eight 1080p streams simultaneously.

Can I use the ZCU106 evaluation board for SDI broadcast applications?

Absolutely. The ZCU106 evaluation board includes dedicated HD-BNC connectors for SDI input and output, making it immediately compatible with professional broadcast equipment. The VCU TRD provides complete SDI RX and TX reference designs with GStreamer integration for rapid development.

What FMC cards work with the ZCU106 board?

The ZCU106 board supports FMC+ cards with two HPC connectors providing 7 total GTH transceivers. Compatible cards include HDMI/SDI capture cards, high-speed ADC/DAC modules, and camera interface cards. The automatic VADJ voltage configuration reads FRU data from FMC EEPROMs to set appropriate I/O voltages.

Is the ZCU106 suitable for machine learning inference?

While the ZCU106 can run Vitis AI DPU configurations for ML inference, the ZCU104 offers better value for pure ML applications. The ZCU106’s strengths lie in combining ML inference with professional video pipelines—for example, running object detection on broadcast video streams with hardware codec encoding of results.

Building Professional Video Systems

The ZCU106 evaluation board occupies a unique position in AMD’s Zynq UltraScale+ portfolio. Its combination of hardware video codec, native SDI support, dual SFP+ cages, and PCIe connectivity creates a platform capable of addressing professional broadcast and streaming applications that neither the ZCU104 nor ZCU102 can match individually.

Development Workflow Best Practices

When starting a video project on the ZCU106 board, following a structured approach saves significant development time:

Start with the VCU TRD: The reference designs provide proven, tested implementations. Rather than building from scratch, identify the TRD module closest to your requirements and modify it. This approach eliminates weeks of debugging video timing and codec configuration issues.

Validate Hardware First: Before writing application code, use the pre-built SD images to verify all interfaces function correctly. Connect your video sources, displays, and network infrastructure to confirm the hardware meets your requirements.

Profile Memory Bandwidth: Video applications are often memory-bandwidth limited. The Xilinx ZCU106 provides separate PS and PL DDR4 interfaces for a reason—partition your design to avoid contention between processor access and video DMA operations.

Test at Target Resolution: Performance characteristics change significantly between 1080p and 4K workloads. Develop and test at your target resolution from the beginning to avoid late-stage surprises.

For engineers developing video conferencing systems, broadcast encoders, surveillance platforms, or streaming appliances, the Xilinx ZCU106 provides the interface diversity and video processing capabilities to prototype and validate designs before committing to custom hardware. The comprehensive VCU TRD accelerates development with proven reference implementations covering the most common video workflows.