In an exciting new series consisting of 23 detailed YouTube videos, Rich undertakes the ambitious project of building a development board from scratch, specifically designed to host the AMD Zynq-7000 System on Chip (SoC) along with its various peripherals. The Zynq-7000 is a unique blend of Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and Central Processing Unit (CPU), providing a versatile platform that has garnered interest among tech enthusiasts and developers alike. Although the Zynq has been in the market for some time now, it remains relatively underrepresented in DIY projects, which makes this series a refreshing addition to the tech community.

Throughout the series, Rich delves into multiple aspects of the development process, covering everything from the power management system to critical components like HDMI, USB, and DDR RAM. By the conclusion of this educational journey, viewers will see Rich successfully booting PetaLinux, showcasing the capabilities of the Zynq-7000 in a practical application.

The architecture of the Zynq SoC includes an ARM Cortex-A9 Based Application Processing Unit (APU) paired with an Artix-7 FPGA, making it a powerful option for both computation and reconfigurable hardware applications. Notably, the Zynq-7000 was a product of Xilinx, a company that has recently been acquired by AMD. This acquisition is significant as it merges AMDs processing power with Xilinxs innovative FPGA technology, providing exciting prospects for future hardware developments.

Rich isnt a newcomer to the DIY electronics scene. In 2021, he captivated audiences with his project titled Arduino Brings USB Mouse To Homebrew Computer, which showcased his ability to make complex technologies accessible and understandable. Following his latest series, viewers can also explore his follow-up playlist, Building on my Zynq-7000, where he continues to expand on the capabilities of the Zynq-7000 board, pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved.

For those interested in venturing into the world of FPGA technology but seeking a gentler introduction, Rich recommends checking out the tutorial on how to build a 6809 CPU on an FPGA. Alternatively, for absolute beginners, he suggests a boot camp that provides foundational knowledge and skills.

This series has sparked considerable interest in the tech community, and wed like to extend our gratitude to Alex for bringing this informative series to our attention!