Unified FPGA Development Suite
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From: David L. Jones on 10 Oct 2009 22:20 Jon Slaughter wrote: > "David L. Jones" <altzone(a)gmail.com> wrote in message > news:jRaAm.226299$sC1.165834(a)newsfe17.iad... >> Jon Slaughter wrote: >>> "Jon Slaughter" <Jon_Slaughter(a)Hotmail.com> wrote in message >>> news:haoqug$35j$1(a)news.eternal-september.org... >>>> Is there a development suite that is good but can target multiple >>>> fpga manufactures? I don't really want to install a bunch of 1GB+ >>>> light versions >>>> for each manufacture just to see which one is best. In fact I can't >>>> even get >>>> libero to run because it crashes on startup. >>>> >>>> Also, know of any links for DIY fpga programmers? How hard is it >>>> to program? I figured that one just has to feed a bitstream into >>>> the fpga similar to how a pic is programmed(or most devices >>>> actually). Looking at the proASIC's makes me think it's a bit >>>> different but I haven't found any conclusive way to program them >>>> except by using DirectC or the STAPL Player. >>>> Since I'm experimenting with these different manufactures I don't >>>> want to have to buy a programmer for each chip. For as much as they >>>> cost I could get >>>> nanoboard with 10^10x the functionality. >>> >>> BTW, I forgot to mention that I want to program in C++. Pure C++ but >>> SystemC or similar if necessary. >> >> Altium have a Xilinx (others on the way) development board and 12 >> month license of their full soft package for $399 >> http://www.newark.com/altium/12-400-nb3000xn-01/nanoboard-3000xn-xilinx-spartan/dp/10R0248 >> >> For that you get C and C++, VHDL/Verilog, GUI like OpenBus, >> Real-time OS, and/or C to Hardware compiler for your development. >> Plus 32bit processors and other IP. No restrictions. >> >> Altium uses the Xilinx (or other) tools as the back-end, but it's all >> seamless, you don't notice you are using them. >> >> If you do want to experiment with different manufactuers, the >> Nanoboard NB2 is better, but it's $2K. >> >> They have a JTAG programmer for $150 for use on your own custom >> boards: >> http://www.newark.com/altium/12-403-dt01/usb-jtag-adapter/dp/10R0257 >> Dave. > > > I can use that JTAG programmer for most of the common fpgas(actel, > altera, xilinx, etc..) and develop the code for also in altium? Yes, it works with any FPGA that Altium supports. But it is Altium specific of course, so you can't use it with other tools, if that matters. It also has what's called a "soft JTAG" interface that allows you to embed instruments (like logic analysers) inside the FPGA to monitor/debug your projects inside the FPGA. Dave. -- --------------------------------------------- Check out my Electronics Engineering Video Blog & Podcast: http://www.eevblog.com
From: Jon Slaughter on 10 Oct 2009 22:21 So http://www.frozeneskimo.com/electronics/arm-tutorials/jtag-wiggler-clone/ Is a "JTAG Programmer" Assuming it works, could it essentially be used to program fgpa's? Or with slight modifications? I think the point is, is the basic idea of sending the bit stream to the fpga just a matter of bit banging or a simple serial interface with bit banging and/or command protocol?
From: Jon Slaughter on 10 Oct 2009 22:26 "Jon Slaughter" <Jon_Slaughter(a)Hotmail.com> wrote in message news:harfgd$afv$1(a)news.eternal-september.org... > So > > http://www.frozeneskimo.com/electronics/arm-tutorials/jtag-wiggler-clone/ > > Is a "JTAG Programmer" > > Assuming it works, could it essentially be used to program fgpa's? Or with > slight modifications? > > I think the point is, is the basic idea of sending the bit stream to the > fpga just a matter of bit banging or a simple serial interface with bit > banging and/or command protocol? > Similary the "jtag" is explained here http://www.fpga4fun.com/JTAG.html I guess it's all jtag and just the serial protocol is different ;/ I'd have to find the spec for the proASIC's to be able to create a "configurer" for it ;/
From: krw on 11 Oct 2009 00:41 On Sun, 11 Oct 2009 12:57:04 +1100, "David L. Jones" <altzone(a)gmail.com> wrote: >krw wrote: >> On Sat, 10 Oct 2009 11:18:48 -0700, Charlie E. <edmondson(a)ieee.org> >> wrote: >> >>> On Fri, 9 Oct 2009 21:18:47 -0500, "Jon Slaughter" >>> <Jon_Slaughter(a)Hotmail.com> wrote: >>> >>>> Is there a development suite that is good but can target multiple >>>> fpga manufactures? I don't really want to install a bunch of 1GB+ >>>> light versions for each manufacture just to see which one is best. >>>> In fact I can't even get libero to run because it crashes on >>>> startup. >>>> >>>> Also, know of any links for DIY fpga programmers? How hard is it to >>>> program? I figured that one just has to feed a bitstream into the >>>> fpga similar to how a pic is programmed(or most devices actually). >>>> Looking at the proASIC's makes me think it's a bit different but I >>>> haven't found any conclusive way to program them except by using >>>> DirectC or the STAPL Player. Since I'm experimenting with these >>>> different manufactures I don't want to have to buy a programmer for >>>> each chip. For as much as they cost I could get nanoboard with >>>> 10^10x the functionality. >>>> >>> Jon, >>> Ok, thought about this a bit. Part of the problem is that the EDA >>> companies basically just provide a front end for the FPGA company's >>> tools. They don't try and duplicate that back end effort, it isn't >>> worth it for them. So, if you want to do more than just preliminary >>> designs for each vendor, you will still have to install X number of >>> starter editions for each vendor you want to try. >> >> Pretty much, but a lot of the design can be done on any one of the >> vendor's tools then the design ported to the others. Of course this >> presumes that you don't instantiate any primitives or use exclusive >> features. >> >>> For the price, Altium at $3999 is probably the cheapest major >>> company. When paired with their nanoboards, you can get a decent >>> development platform to really try things out. Their latest >>> nanoboard is only $399 and comes with a years subscription to the >>> front end software. >> >> WHy spend the money. $4K is still a lot when the manufacturer's give >> the stuff away. They're quite eager for business now too. ;-) I >> Bought one of Altera's Cyclone-III (Arrow's, actually) development >> boards for $200. There are even cheaper development boards out there. >> Actel forgot to take their back. ;-) >> >>> There may be other small players, like Proteus, but I am unfamiliar >>> with the tools. >> >> If all they're offering is the front end, why bother unless the >> manufacturer's free tools don't work (high end chips or *really* tight >> designs)? > >Altium's "front end" includes C and C++ compilers, What does a C/++ compiler do? FPGAs are concurrent devices so a concurrent language is needed. >GUI like OpenBus, Everyone has a GUI. The whole purpose of a GUI is to make driving the software simple(r). >Real-time OS, and a C to Hardware compiler Oh, *that's* going to work. See above. >along with the usual >Schematic/VHDL/Verilog, all in a pretty easy to use environment. Plus you >get 32bit processors and other IP. No restrictions. >You get all that for 12months plus a development board all for $399. I thought you said the tools were $4K/yr. That is a big difference.
From: Jon Slaughter on 11 Oct 2009 03:28
http://www.geocities.com/systemc_win/ Now sure how good it is but at least it's more than nothing... |