Arty Z7 & Cora Z7: Compact Zynq Boards for Makers

The maker community has traditionally gravitated toward Arduino and Raspberry Pi for good reasons—they’re accessible, well-documented, and have massive ecosystems. But when your project hits the wall where microcontrollers can’t provide enough parallel processing power or custom I/O timing, FPGA-based platforms become incredibly attractive. The Arty Z7 and Cora Z7 from Digilent represent the most maker-friendly entry points into Zynq-7000 SoC development, combining familiar form factors with industrial-grade silicon.

Having designed custom PCBs around Zynq devices for production systems, I appreciate what Digilent accomplished with these boards. They’ve taken complex SoC technology and packaged it in ways that Arduino and Raspberry Pi users can approach without completely rebuilding their mental models of embedded development.

Understanding the Zynq Platform for Makers

Before diving into board specifics, let’s clarify what makes Zynq different from traditional microcontrollers or single-board computers. The Zynq-7000 family combines a dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 processor (the Processing System or PS) with programmable FPGA logic (the Programmable Logic or PL) on a single chip.

This matters for makers because you can run Linux, Python, or bare-metal C on the ARM cores while simultaneously implementing custom hardware accelerators, precise timing generators, or specialized interfaces in the FPGA fabric. Need to process camera data at 60fps while running a web server? The ARM handles the server while custom FPGA logic processes pixels in parallel.

Arty Z7: The Arduino-Compatible Zynq Board

The Arty Z7 brings Zynq capability to makers who already own Arduino shields and understand that ecosystem. Digilent designed this board specifically for hobbyists and educators who want programmable logic without abandoning familiar tools.

Arty Z7 Key Specifications

Arduino Shield Compatibility

The Arty Z7 includes Arduino Uno-compatible headers, enabling direct attachment of many existing shields. However, there’s an important caveat that catches newcomers: the I/O voltage is 3.3V, not 5V like traditional Arduino boards. Most modern shields work fine, but older 5V-only shields may cause problems or require level shifters.

The Arduino headers connect to programmable logic pins, meaning you can define their functionality entirely in your FPGA design. Want three SPI ports instead of one? Configure them. Need precise PWM timing that software can’t achieve? Implement it in hardware.

Arty Z7 Connectivity Features

Beyond Arduino headers, the Arty Z7 provides:

• Gigabit Ethernet with onboard PHY
• USB-UART for serial communication
• USB-JTAG for programming
• USB OTG (host mode only)
• microSD card slot for boot images
• Two Pmod connectors for Digilent peripherals
• HDMI output (Z7-20 only includes input capability in some configurations)

The Ethernet and SD card support make standalone operation possible. Load a Linux image onto the SD card, connect Ethernet for network access, and the board runs independently of any host computer.

When to Choose Arty Z7

The Arty Z7 makes sense when you want Arduino shield compatibility or need the Pmod ecosystem access. It’s particularly suitable for educational settings where students already have Arduino experience and shields available. The board also works well for prototyping embedded Linux systems before moving to custom hardware.

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Cora Z7: The Compact Embeddable Option

The Cora Z7 represents Digilent’s cost-optimized, smallest-footprint Zynq board. Where the Arty Z7 prioritizes compatibility and features, the Cora Z7 prioritizes size, price, and embeddability.

Cora Z7 Key Specifications

Compact Form Factor with Mounting Holes

At approximately 50% smaller than the Arty Z7, the Cora Z7 includes proper mounting holes—a feature makers consistently request. This enables secure installation in enclosures, robots, drones, or other embedded applications where the board becomes part of a larger system.

The smaller footprint comes with some trade-offs. There’s no HDMI, fewer Pmod connectors, and the single-core Z7-07S variant limits processing capability. However, for many embedded applications, these limitations don’t matter.

Cora Z7 Connectivity Features

Despite its compact size, the Cora Z7 provides:

• Gigabit Ethernet PHY
• USB-UART and USB-JTAG
• microSD card slot
• Arduino-compatible headers
• Two Pmod connectors
• Unpopulated I/O headers for custom expansion
• Integrated XADC for analog input

The unpopulated I/O headers deserve special mention. Unlike boards where unused FPGA pins remain inaccessible, the Cora Z7 provides pads where you can solder headers to access additional signals. This flexibility matters when your application requires specific I/O that doesn’t fit standard connector footprints.

When to Choose Cora Z7

Choose the Cora Z7 when physical size matters, budget constraints are tight, or you need mounting holes for embedded deployment. The Z7-07S variant offers the lowest Zynq entry price available from Digilent, making it excellent for learning or applications where the single ARM core suffices.

The board also works well as a production prototype when you plan to eventually design custom hardware. Its minimal feature set means you’re not paying for peripherals you won’t use.

Zynqberry: The Raspberry Pi-Compatible Alternative

For makers deeply invested in the Raspberry Pi ecosystem, Trenz Electronic offers an intriguing alternative: the Zynqberry. This industrial-grade board adopts the Raspberry Pi Model B form factor while replacing the Broadcom SoC with a Xilinx Zynq-7010.

Zynqberry Key Specifications

Raspberry Pi Compatibility Benefits

The Zynqberry maintains the Raspberry Pi form factor and 40-pin GPIO header pinout. This enables reuse of many existing Pi accessories, cases, and HAT boards. For makers transitioning from Raspberry Pi projects, this familiar physical interface reduces the learning curve.

However, software compatibility differs significantly. The Zynqberry runs PetaLinux rather than Raspbian, and driver support for Pi-specific hardware varies. Don’t expect to drop in your existing Pi software and have everything work—this is still fundamentally different silicon that requires Xilinx tooling.

Trade-offs Compared to Digilent Boards

The Zynqberry uses a smaller Zynq package (CLG225) with fewer available I/O pins than the CLG400 package on Arty and Cora boards. This limits expansion capabilities but keeps costs reasonable. The 10/100 Ethernet (versus Gigabit on Digilent boards) may matter for network-intensive applications.

Boot configuration also differs. The Zynqberry requires QSPI flash programming for boot binaries, adding complexity compared to purely SD-card-based booting on Digilent boards. Trenz provides good documentation, but expect a steeper initial setup curve.

Comparing All Three Platforms

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Essential Resources for Getting Started

These resources will accelerate your development on any of these platforms.

Official Documentation

Community Resources

Development Tools Overview

All three boards work with AMD’s Vivado Design Suite (free WebPACK edition). The workflow typically involves:

1. Vivado for hardware design (FPGA logic, PS configuration)
2. Vitis for software development (ARM code, drivers)
3. PetaLinux for Linux image creation (optional)

The free WebPACK edition supports all devices on these boards without restrictions. No paid licenses required for learning or development.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use these boards without learning FPGA design?

Yes, to a limited extent. You can treat the Zynq as a powerful ARM processor and ignore the FPGA portion entirely. However, this wastes most of the platform’s capability. Many makers start with ARM-only projects while gradually learning Vivado and FPGA concepts.

Which board is best for absolute beginners?

The Cora Z7-07S offers the lowest price point for Zynq learning. However, the Arty Z7 provides better documentation and more community examples. If budget allows, the Arty Z7-10 balances cost with capability well for beginners.

Can these boards run standard Raspberry Pi or Arduino code?

Not directly. Arduino sketches require significant modification or use of compatibility layers. Raspberry Pi code requires adaptation to PetaLinux and different hardware interfaces. These boards use completely different architectures than the platforms they physically resemble.

Is Gigabit Ethernet necessary for most maker projects?

For typical maker applications, 10/100 Ethernet suffices. Gigabit matters primarily for high-bandwidth data streaming, video applications, or network-intensive embedded systems. Don’t choose a board solely based on Ethernet speed unless your application specifically requires it.

How do these compare to PYNQ boards for Python development?

PYNQ boards (like PYNQ-Z2) provide a Python-based framework that simplifies FPGA interaction for software developers. The Arty Z7 and Cora Z7 require more traditional FPGA development approaches. If Python accessibility matters more than physical form factor, consider PYNQ boards instead.

Practical Project Ideas for Each Board

To help illustrate appropriate use cases, here are project ideas suited to each platform’s strengths.

Arty Z7 Project Ideas

The Arty Z7 excels at projects leveraging Arduino shields or requiring substantial FPGA resources. Consider motor control systems combining existing motor shields with custom PWM generation in the FPGA fabric. Audio processing projects benefit from the HDMI output and sufficient logic for real-time DSP. The Z7-20 variant handles basic video processing pipelines when paired with camera modules.

Cora Z7 Project Ideas

The Cora Z7 suits compact embedded applications like drone flight controllers, robotics sensor hubs, or portable instrumentation. Its mounting holes enable secure installation in moving platforms. The integrated XADC makes analog sensor interfacing straightforward without external ADC modules. Network-connected sensor nodes leveraging Gigabit Ethernet and the small footprint work particularly well.

Zynqberry Project Ideas

The Zynqberry shines when adapting existing Raspberry Pi projects to gain FPGA acceleration. Camera-based vision projects using Pi-compatible CSI cameras benefit from offloading image processing to programmable logic. Home automation systems where you’ve already built Pi-based infrastructure can upgrade specific nodes to Zynq when processing demands increase.

Choosing the Right Board for Your Project

The decision ultimately depends on your priorities:

Choose Arty Z7 when Arduino shield compatibility matters, you want maximum FPGA resources (Z7-20), or you’re working in educational settings with existing Arduino infrastructure.

Choose Cora Z7 when physical size and mounting options matter, budget constraints are significant, or you’re designing for embedded deployment where minimal footprint helps.

Choose Zynqberry when Raspberry Pi physical compatibility matters, you have existing Pi accessories to reuse, or you’re transitioning a Pi-based project to FPGA acceleration.

All three platforms provide legitimate pathways into Zynq-based development. The maker-friendly pricing, comprehensive documentation, and active communities make them excellent starting points for exploring what happens when traditional embedded development meets programmable logic. Your specific application requirements should drive the final choice rather than any absolute ranking of the platforms themselves.