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I've been using Vivado HLS (High-Level Synthesis) for the last months and making designs for a Xilinx's ZedBoard.

Now I will probably have to work with a FPGA from another vendor and I don't know if I can still use Vivado HLS to convert C to VHDL. I mean, it generates VHDL code which should run in any FPGA but for example the AXI interface isn't Xilinx's specific? So, can I use Vivado HLs to produce VHDL code for any FPGA?

The reason why I'm asking this here - and not directly to Xilinx - is because I need a relatively fast answer, so please don't downvote this.

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    \$\begingroup\$ The Vivado license conditions may have something to say about this. \$\endgroup\$
    – user16324
    Commented Nov 12, 2015 at 16:01
  • \$\begingroup\$ Ah yeah, haven't thought about the license.. -_- But you think it's illegal then? And even if not illegal, would you think it would be possible to generate VHDL code for other FPGA other than from Xilinx? \$\endgroup\$
    – João Pereira
    Commented Nov 12, 2015 at 16:04
  • \$\begingroup\$ I dunno but I wouldn't want to ask Xilinx for support under those circumstances! \$\endgroup\$
    – user16324
    Commented Nov 12, 2015 at 16:09
  • \$\begingroup\$ You would probably find some logic uses target specific code - ram blocks for fifos, buffers for IO, etc. But if the generated files are pure HDL, you should be ok. Disclaimer, I've never actually used HLS \$\endgroup\$
    – johnnymopo
    Commented Nov 12, 2015 at 18:44
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    \$\begingroup\$ The AMBA bus system (AXI, AXI-Lite, AHB, ACE, ...) is from ARM. Xilinx bought a license to use it for there IP cores. Before AXI, they used IBM's CoreConnect system (PLB, ...). \$\endgroup\$
    – Paebbels
    Commented Nov 12, 2015 at 23:24

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According to the Xilinx End User License agreement, section 4.a titled "Special Use Restrictions"...

  1. Restrictions

    (a) Special Use Restrictions. No right is granted hereunder to use the Software or any Bitstream generated by use of the Software to program or develop designs for non-Xilinx Devices...

[source: Xilinx EULA (March 14, 2014)]

So I would say, no, you cannot use Xilinx Vivado HLS to even attempt to generate code for another vendor's device.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Or police will get you and put in jail! \$\endgroup\$
    – user76844
    Commented Apr 3, 2017 at 5:25

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