[Fpga-synth] FPGA JTAG programming

[Veronica Merryfield]

That's the cheapest and smallest USB<->JTAG I've seen so far. I  
thought Amontec had some small stuff - their USB to ARM is cheap, but  
their JTAG adaptors cost more.

Anyway, thanks for the detail.

Vrnc

On 3-Mar-08, at 9:35 PM, Eric Brombaugh wrote:

> Just a little information you might be interested in:
>
> Disclosure: I don't work for, nor am I associated with Digilent in any
> way - just a happy customer.
>
> The Xilinx S3Esk that most of us have was actually designed & built by
> Digilent. They also supply a lot of other FPGA, CPLD & Embedded  
> systems
> hardware, including the expansion board that plugs into the Hirose
> connector on the S3Esk (a real bargain at ~$20 - get one if you want  
> to
> do hardware development beyond what's provided on the stock board!)
>
> If you decide to go beyond the S3Esk and put FPGAs down on your own
> hardware, you won't be able to use the nifty USB/JTAG interface that's
> built into the S3Esk. Not to worry though: Digilent also sells a
> USB/JTAG cable for $37. I got one of these today and spent a few  
> minutes
> trying it out this evening. Here's what I've found:
>
> * I was able to install the drivers and application software right off
> of Digilent's website with no hassle at all
>
> * I was able to program my FPGA with no trouble except 1 issue:  
> Xilinx's
> IMPACT tool previously complained about the configuration clock in the
> bitstream file being CCLK instead of JTAGCLK, but proceeds to work
> anyway. Digilent's ExPort application also complains, but fails to
> program. Rebuilding the bitstream file in the Bitgen application with
> the JTAGCLK source selected corrects this and ExPort programs the FPGA
> without further difficulty.
>
> * Programming the XCF04 Configuration PROM worked just fine from  
> a .mcs
> file generated in IMPACT from the .bit file.
>
> * Programming an XC9572 CPLD on another board that I have also appears
> to have worked OK.
>
> The ExPort application has a fair number of useful features as well as
> diagnostics and configuration alternatives. Seems well designed. They
> also provide applications for using the JTAG port to do rudimentary
> diagnostics & control of a running FPGA design (similar to Xilinx's
> Chipscope product). That could be pretty useful.
>
> So - a fairly inexpensive and capable USB/JTAG interface. Hooks to  
> your
> hardware through a simple 6-pin 0.1" header (see top right-hand of the
> S3Esk board for an example). Useful for anything you're doing  
> outside of
> the built-in USB of the S3Esk.
>
> Recommended.
>
> Eric
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