Parallella Hardware Version Differences

[Kalicutt]

Hello,

We want to get more Zynq 7020 versions of Parallella, which means we want to get our hands on more Embedded versions. Unfortunately there seems to be a shortage of them available.
If possible, we would like to replace the Zynq 7010 chip with a Zynq 7020 chip, to convert a Desktop version Parallella into an Embedded Parallella.
viewtopic.php?f=10&t=3205
This post says the only difference in schematics is that the Zynq chips are different.

Is there any significant difference in layout or component values? Has someone done this before?

[aolofsson]

There is no difference in the build besides the zynq chip as far as I recall.

Sorry about the embedded board shortage. We do have !200 embedded about to undergo epiphany chip retest.
Do you need the epiphany chip or just the zynq?

Andreas

[Kalicutt]

Hello Andreas,

While currently I am primarily working with the FPGA side of things, soon the Epiphany will be necessary and developed on as well.

It seems there are currently two options for getting my hands on an Embedded Parallella:
1) Wait for testing to be completed and purchase one through normal avenues: Is there any idea when the testing will be done? Is there a time-line set in place with a well defined date of completion? (also did you mean to say 1200 units?)
2) Receive a board without retesting done of the Epiphany chip: Is this a possibility? What sorts of issues should be expected or commonly found in such a board? Is the worst case scenario something like the Epiphany not being as fast as it should be? Or is something like complete failure of the Epiphany a possibility? Are there ways around potential issues which can be fixed through software or FPGA modifications?

Thanks,
Nelson

[Kalicutt]

Another question: While the hardware may all be the same, besides the Zynq chip and the height of some of the capacitors, what about the software?

There are separate SD card images for each board, so does that mean that the desktop versus embedded are flashed differently in the ROM? If so could this cause the board to not work when replacing the Desktop's Zynq 7010 with Zynq 7020 and trying to use an embedded SD card image?