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> That's the whole rationale for opencores.org. > > Of course, if you've tried to use one of their cores, you quickly get > annoyed by the lack of useful documentation. > Thanks Andy. Of course, a large amount of open source/Free Software doesn't have good documentation, but especially for research, it's nice to know that you can always use the same code again and again for your projects.Article: 142726
On Aug 27, 1:57=A0pm, Nicholas Kinar <n.ki...@usask.ca> wrote: > Hello-- > > I am trying to compare and contrast the differences between the > freely-downloadable tools for FPGA development from the two largest > vendors: Xilinx and Altera. > > What has always been puzzling for me is that there is often no easy way > of determining if there is any IP available from the vendor for no > additional charge. > > Since I am a researcher building circuits for research use there is > little impetus for purchasing IP unless I really need it. > > For example, are there any SDRAM memory controllers available for gratis > along with the freely downloadable development tools? =A0What about other > types of controllers (i.e. NAND flash controller, etc). Yes, there are memory controllers for NOR flash, SDR SDRAM, DDR and DDR2 SDRAM, sync and async SRAM too. However, it's worth noting that you get what you pay for. Some of the memory controllers are horribly inefficient. > In other words, I am looking for IP that I don't have to eventually > purchase. =A0I can simply use the IP over the course of my development > cycle and in the final circuit. All of free Xilinx cores can be used without restrictions or licensing/ royalties, assuming of course that you use them on Xilinx devices. I haven't used either Altera or Lattice in years but I would imagine that their licensing is similar. Xilinx offers other cores that are not free (as in beer). The Xilinx home page has a nice big link titled "Intellectual Property." You should start there. -aArticle: 142727
> > Yes, there are memory controllers for NOR flash, SDR SDRAM, DDR and > DDR2 SDRAM, sync and async SRAM too. > > However, it's worth noting that you get what you pay for. Some of the > memory controllers are horribly inefficient. > Sadly this may be true. But then again, perhaps some of them may be useful for my application. How inefficient are these cores? Speeds approaching 100MHz would be more than suitable for my project. Are these cores easy to use? I've never used Xilinx tools. Would they simply involve running a wizard, and out pops some Verilog/VHDL code? Have you heard about the Memory Interface Generator (MIG) from Xilinx? Does the MIG generate all of the code that is required for using SDRAM and other similar memories? >> In other words, I am looking for IP that I don't have to eventually >> purchase. I can simply use the IP over the course of my development >> cycle and in the final circuit. > > All of free Xilinx cores can be used without restrictions or licensing/ > royalties, assuming of course that you use them on Xilinx devices. I > haven't used either Altera or Lattice in years but I would imagine > that their licensing is similar. > I've been looking at the cores/megafunctions available in the Altera Quartus II software, and it appears some of the cores can be simulated, but not used in actual hardware. There doesn't seem to be any good way to knowing exactly which of the cores will indeed work without additional licensing. > Xilinx offers other cores that are not free (as in beer). > > The Xilinx home page has a nice big link titled "Intellectual > Property." You should start there. > I've noticed that link, thanks, Andy! I am assuming that all of the cores listed at http://www.xilinx.com/ipcenter/coregen/11_2_datasheets.htm are freely available for users of the Web Edition software?Article: 142728
> > I've noticed that link, thanks, Andy! I am assuming that all of the > cores listed at > > http://www.xilinx.com/ipcenter/coregen/11_2_datasheets.htm > > are freely available for users of the Web Edition software? > Um, my mistake - the cores are marked with a check mark if "Additional License Required." The Memory Interface Generator (MIG) appears to be free for use along with a license. I don't think that users of the Web Interface have to pay for the license, though. So is the MIG all that is required to interface with the various types of SDRAM? Thanks again for your help, Andy.Article: 142729
> The Memory Interface Generator (MIG) appears to be free for use along > with a license. I don't think that users of the Web Interface have to > pay for the license, though. > > So is the MIG all that is required to interface with the various types > of SDRAM? > Perhaps another question now would be, "Does Altera have something similar to the MIG from Xilinx"?Article: 142730
> > Perhaps another question now would be, "Does Altera have something > similar to the MIG from Xilinx"? ...and I don't think so, since searching for IP in the Altera IP Megastore shows that there are only reference designs available for SDRAM, but not a freely-licensable SDRAM controller. Here's a link to the IP Megastore from Altera: http://www.altera.com/products/ip/ipm-index.html Xilinx also has an IP search engine: http://www.xilinx.com/ipcenter/index.htm By searching for SDRAM on the Xilinx website, this shows the Memory Interface Generator: http://www.xilinx.com/products/ipcenter/MIG.htm So it appears that each company lists the cores/megafunctions which are available to license. There is no guarantee that the software will tell you the licensing agreements. These need to be found via the search engines for IP on either the Xilinx or Altera website. Does the MIG from Xilinx generate everything that is required for SDRAM access?Article: 142731
> Does the MIG from Xilinx generate everything that is required for SDRAM > access? > http://www.xilinx.com/products/ipcenter/MIG.htm Th MIG from Xilinx is indeed a freeware tool - but is there something else that is required to work with SDRAM? I don't think so; it appears that the MIG is standalone.Article: 142732
Nicholas Kinar wrote: > >> Does the MIG from Xilinx generate everything that is required for >> SDRAM access? >> > > http://www.xilinx.com/products/ipcenter/MIG.htm > > Th MIG from Xilinx is indeed a freeware tool - but is there something > else that is required to work with SDRAM? I don't think so; it appears > that the MIG is standalone. > > Yes again - the documentation for the MIG tool does indeed seem to produce everything that is required for SDRAM memory interfacing. More efficient cores, however, would be available for purchase.Article: 142733
The custom board that I am working on has a SDRAM and parallel NOR- FLASH, and they share the same address and data I/0 pins in the FPGA. SDRAM uses mpmc controller and FLASH uses xps_mch_emc controller. Since they use different memory controllers I need to implement some logic in order to multiplex signals that come from the controllers to the external pins. Data buses are bidirectional which can only be connected to the external pins. Is there any work (logic code) has been done to share the same IO pins to access SDRAM and FLASH ? Any suggestions will be very helpful to me in order to implement logic to access both sdram and flash using a single bit file.Article: 142734
> > So it appears that each company lists the cores/megafunctions which are > available to license. There is no guarantee that the software will tell > you the licensing agreements. These need to be found via the search > engines for IP on either the Xilinx or Altera website. > In the Xilinx Core Generator, the software will tell you the licensing agreements in the "IP Catalog." In particular, it appears that anything listed with a half-open lock symbol is available to simulate, but not to work with in hardware. The Memory Interface Generator (MIG) is not marked with the half-open lock symbol, so it does not appear to require any other licensing fee.Article: 142735
On Aug 28, 11:40=A0pm, john1529 <mon...@gmail.com> wrote: > The custom =A0board that I am working on has a SDRAM and parallel NOR- > FLASH, and they share the same address and data I/0 pins in the FPGA. > SDRAM uses mpmc controller and FLASH uses xps_mch_emc controller. > Since they use different memory controllers I need to implement some > logic in order to multiplex signals that come from the controllers to > the external pins. Data buses are bidirectional which can only be > connected to the external pins. Is there any work (logic code) has > been done to share the same IO pins to access SDRAM and FLASH ? Any > suggestions will be very helpful to me in order to implement logic to > access both sdram and flash using a single bit file. inout buses can be split to _I _O _T and recombined as needed in EDK but i am pretty sure you CAN NOT use SDRAM/mpmc and NOR/mch_emc when address/data io pins are shared mpmc assumes it can always start sdram cycle when needed, there is no wait for ready signal for arbiter and the mpmc requests may still be pending when nor controller wants to acces the bus, so it would be conflicts.. BUMMER! AnttiArticle: 142736
Rob Gaddi wrote: > I only speak VHDL. Unfortunately, the memory interface generator in > ISE 11.2 for Spartan-6 only speaks Verilog. Specifically, the device > models underneath are in the silly encrypted Verilog format, so I can't > even go spelunking around. > > So far, Modelsim XE Starter (free) has been sufficient for all my > simulation needs. In order to do mixed language simulation, however, > I'd need to step up to Modelsim PE, which I just had quoted to me for > slightly under $10K for a one year license. > > All I really need it for is to simulate out my memory interface stuff; > I have very little interest in adding lots of mixed language > programming to my world. And so ten kilobucks is really quite the > chunk of change for solving one problem. > > Does anyone know of any better solutions for mixed language > simulation? I had been thinking this would cost me somewhere in the > $2K ballpark; at $10K I'd be better off sticking with "program and > pray". > Does this help? http://www.xilinx.com/support/answers/33118.htm regards Alan -- Alan Fitch DoulosArticle: 142737
Hi, The standard function any logic analizer does is to set a trigger condition and to set two numbers of sample data before and after the trigger condition in order to show the sample waveform window. By doing things this way it saves a lot of memory for a logic analyzer, because engineers are only interested in the signal wave window around the trigger condition around which an error really happens. Does ModelSim or any simulator software have the function similar to the above standard function any logic analizer has? Thank you. WengArticle: 142738
On Sat, 29 Aug 2009 12:24:17 -0700 (PDT), Weng Tianxiang wrote: >The standard function any logic analizer does is to set a trigger >condition and to set two numbers of sample data before and after the >trigger condition in order to show the sample waveform window. By >doing things this way it saves a lot of memory for a logic analyzer, >because engineers are only interested in the signal wave window around >the trigger condition around which an error really happens. > >Does ModelSim or any simulator software have the function similar to >the above standard function any logic analizer has? Look up the "when" command in ModelSim. It allows you to set up fairly complex trigger conditions (much more complex than you could do with a logic analyzer). When the trigger fires, you can execute a Tcl script that will start or stop logging of signals to the waveform dump file. I don't think you will find the "center trigger" feature in a simulator. The reason for this is that file storage space (for waveform dumps) is cheap; it's logging the data that is expensive. So there's no special benefit in having a pre-trigger buffer in the way you get in a logic analyzer, where buffering is the limited resource. -- Jonathan Bromley, Consultant DOULOS - Developing Design Know-how VHDL * Verilog * SystemC * e * Perl * Tcl/Tk * Project Services Doulos Ltd., 22 Market Place, Ringwood, BH24 1AW, UK jonathan.bromley@MYCOMPANY.com http://www.MYCOMPANY.com The contents of this message may contain personal views which are not the views of Doulos Ltd., unless specifically stated.Article: 142739
> > Does ModelSim or any simulator software have the function similar to > the above standard function any logic analizer has? > Yes, they're called 'breakpoints'. KJArticle: 142740
Hello group, I'm about to do some study and work on lower power FPGA but totally new to this topic. I am told that this topic is an architecture base concept (I'm not sure yet) but what matters to me now is just finding a source and learning about it. Your help will be appreciated, Regards, amitArticle: 142741
On Aug 29, 1:07=A0pm, Jonathan Bromley <jonathan.brom...@MYCOMPANY.com> wrote: > On Sat, 29 Aug 2009 12:24:17 -0700 (PDT), Weng Tianxiang wrote: > >The standard function any logic analizer does is to set a trigger > >condition and to set two numbers of sample data =A0before and after the > >trigger condition in order to show the sample waveform window. By > >doing things this way it saves a lot of memory for a logic analyzer, > >because engineers are only interested in the signal wave window around > >the trigger condition around which an error really happens. > > >Does ModelSim or any simulator software have the function similar to > >the above standard function any logic analizer has? > > Look up the "when" command in ModelSim. =A0It allows you to set up > fairly complex trigger conditions (much more complex than you > could do with a logic analyzer). =A0When the trigger fires, you > can execute a Tcl script that will start or stop logging of > signals to the waveform dump file. > > I don't think you will find the "center trigger" feature > in a simulator. =A0The reason for this is that file storage > space (for waveform dumps) is cheap; it's logging the data > that is expensive. =A0So there's no special benefit in > having a pre-trigger buffer in the way you get in a logic > analyzer, where buffering is the limited resource. > -- > Jonathan Bromley, Consultant > > DOULOS - Developing Design Know-how > VHDL * Verilog * SystemC * e * Perl * Tcl/Tk * Project Services > > Doulos Ltd., 22 Market Place, Ringwood, BH24 1AW, UK > jonathan.brom...@MYCOMPANY.comhttp://www.MYCOMPANY.com > > The contents of this message may contain personal views which > are not the views of Doulos Ltd., unless specifically stated. Hi Jonathan, I have a project continuously running more than 20 days to get an error. In my project I have many assert statements to make sure the design is going well. If there is an error, the design stops. But I couldn't open the waveform window under ModelSim when starting the simulation, the reason is very simple: any size of hard disk would be filled up within one day simulation. I would like the ModelSim or other simulation software to have the following function: It has two windows to accept two numbers to specify how many clocks before and after the point where assert statement fails to generate waveform window data. For example, 10k, 200. It means the software always keeps latest 10k clocks of waveforms and when an assert statement fails, it continue running for another 200 clocks and saves 10k+200 clocks of waveforms. If ModelSim has the above function, it may be called breakpoint function. 1. Start a project as usual; 2. Open waveform window and load its *.do file; 3. Set up Breakpoint window two numbers: number of clocks to record waveforms before the break point and number of clocks to record waveforms after the break point; 4. Run ModelSim with waveoform window opened and *.do file loaded; 5. When you manually stop its running or the running stops because an assert statement fails, its shows latest waveforms of specified number of clocks. It execution in code is very simple: 1. Run as usual without drawing waveform window; 2. Generate waveform data into a buffer zone whose size is fixed based on the two numbers; 3. When an assert statement fails, continue run another number of clocks; then stop drawing waveform window with all collected data. The differences between this method and currrent waveform window method are: 1. The size of waveform data never grow beyond the size of specified number of clocks. 2. When stopped manually or automatically (by failed assert statement), it show the latest wavefors of specified number of clocks. The above behavior exactly likes the logical analyser break point function. The method you mention cannot resolve my problem: if you figure out an error condition in a when command, then start dumping data, there are two situations: 1. If waveform window is opened and *.do file was loaded, hard disk would have been full long before the error condition is met; 2. If it starts log waveform data, it is too later, because the critical error situation has passed. If I have any misunderstand, please let me know. Thank you. WengArticle: 142742
On 8=D4=C228=C8=D5, =CF=C2=CE=E76=CA=B127=B7=D6, "Antti.Luk...@googlemail.c= om" <antti.luk...@googlemail.com> wrote: > On Aug 28, 11:01 am, water <water9...@yahoo.com> wrote: > > > who have the available wrapper? > > wau do you think its only the wrapper you need? > ask PLDA what their USB 3.0 IP cores costs > then think how likely is to get a free IP > > Antti > asics.ws also has usb 3.0 solutions i think i only need this wrapper.Article: 142743
On Aug 30, 8:32 am, "murl...@gmail.com" <water9...@yahoo.com> wrote: > On 8=D4=C228=C8=D5, =CF=C2=CE=E76=CA=B127=B7=D6, "Antti.Luk...@googlemail= .com" > > <antti.luk...@googlemail.com> wrote: > > On Aug 28, 11:01 am, water <water9...@yahoo.com> wrote: > > > > who have the available wrapper? > > > wau do you think its only the wrapper you need? > > ask PLDA what their USB 3.0 IP cores costs > > then think how likely is to get a free IP > > > Antti > > asics.ws also has usb 3.0 solutions i think > > i only need this wrapper. 1) contact PLDA 2) contact asics.ws 3) write yourself Antti PS look at your rating: you have been rated 20 times, and the rating score is 1 out 5, means that.. [insert here....] there is no need for wrapper if you dont have the USB 3.0 IP but if you have the IP, you would also have the wrapper..Article: 142744
"Weng Tianxiang" <wtxwtx@gmail.com> wrote in message news:59730a19-3192-4625-97dc-491f71a5cfb9@p10g2000prm.googlegroups.com... On Aug 29, 1:07 pm, Jonathan Bromley <jonathan.brom...@MYCOMPANY.com> wrote: .. >Hi Jonathan, >I have a project continuously running more than 20 days to get an >error. 20 days in my book sounds totally unworkable, are you using an OEM version of Modelsim? In that case you might have hit the OEM limit and Modelsim will simply grind to a halt (1% of PE). If you explain what you are trying to do than you might get some useful suggestions on how to improve your simulation time. >In my project I have many assert statements to make sure the >design is going well. If there is an error, the design stops. > >But I couldn't open the waveform window under ModelSim when starting >the simulation, the reason is very simple: any size of hard disk would >be filled up within one day simulation. You can also turn logging off (-nolog) for say the first 19 days and turn it back on again on day 20. You can also use the WLFSizeLimit variable to limit the wlf file size (see manual/modelsim.ini). >I would like the ModelSim or other simulation software to have the >following function: >It has two windows to accept two numbers to specify how many clocks >before and after the point where assert statement fails to generate >waveform window data. That is a good option, log an Enhancement Request with Mentor. However, the WLFTimeLimit variable might be able to help you (not tried myself) ; Limit WLF file by time, as closely as possible, ; to the specified amount of simulation time. When the limit is exceeded ; the earliest times get truncated from the file. WLFTimeLimit = {100 ms} Hans www.ht-lab.comArticle: 142745
"Amit" <amit.kohan@gmail.com> wrote in message news:fd878c01-f12c-48d3-997e-7fe570fbc111@u38g2000pro.googlegroups.com... > > Hello group, > > I'm about to do some study and work on lower power FPGA but totally > new to this topic. I am told that this topic is an architecture base > concept (I'm not sure yet) but what matters to me now is just finding > a source and learning about it. > > Your help will be appreciated, > > Regards, > amit > look at z series http://www.altera.com/products/devices/cpld/max2/overview/mx2-overview.htmlArticle: 142746
"Phil Jessop" <phil@noname.org> wrote in message news:wdKdneMv5MtIqAfXnZ2dnUVZ8kmdnZ2d@brightview.co.uk... > > "Amit" <amit.kohan@gmail.com> wrote in message > news:fd878c01-f12c-48d3-997e-7fe570fbc111@u38g2000pro.googlegroups.com... >> >> Hello group, >> >> I'm about to do some study and work on lower power FPGA but totally >> new to this topic. I am told that this topic is an architecture base >> concept (I'm not sure yet) but what matters to me now is just finding >> a source and learning about it. >> >> Your help will be appreciated, >> >> Regards, >> amit >> > > look at z series > > http://www.altera.com/products/devices/cpld/max2/overview/mx2-overview.html or http://www.actel.com/products/solutions/power/comparison.aspx http://www.siliconbluetech.com/ Hans www.ht-lab.comArticle: 142747
Antti.Lukats@googlemail.com wrote: > On Aug 28, 12:51 am, Thorsten Kiefer <tok...@gmx.net> wrote: >> Hi, >> I'm using the Xilinx Webpack 11.1, the Spartan3 StarterKit, and the >> Digilent USB/JTAG cable. >> I find ISE 11.1 too slow under Windows, so I want to use it with Linux. >> My question is : is it possible to program the FPGA under Linux ? >> Xilprg is too old. Export from digilent is discontinued and not available >> for Linux. >> Are there any alternatives ? >> >> Best Regards >> Thorsten > > alternative: > do not use Digilent [ ] > Antti > > I have some products with digilent on board usb and that doesnt work > on windows either > so i made a firm promise to me not to use the digilent cable whenever > possible > this doesnt include the XUP cable what is cloned xilinx platform > cable, that one work > as it is not designed by digilent Hi, thanks for the hint ! What FPGA vendor and development board would you suggest for development on Linux ? Best wishes ThorstenArticle: 142748
On Aug 30, 3:48=A0am, "HT-Lab" <han...@ht-lab.com> wrote: > "Weng Tianxiang" <wtx...@gmail.com> wrote in message > > news:59730a19-3192-4625-97dc-491f71a5cfb9@p10g2000prm.googlegroups.com... > On Aug 29, 1:07 pm, Jonathan Bromley <jonathan.brom...@MYCOMPANY.com> > wrote: > .. > > >Hi Jonathan, > >I have a project continuously running more than 20 days to get an > >error. > > 20 days in my book sounds totally unworkable, are you using an OEM versio= n of > Modelsim? In that case you might have hit the OEM limit and Modelsim will= simply > grind to a halt (1% of PE). If you explain what you are trying to do than= you > might get some useful suggestions on how to improve your simulation time. > > >In my project I have many assert statements to make sure the > >design is going well. If there is an error, the design stops. > > >But I couldn't open the waveform window under ModelSim when starting > >the simulation, the reason is very simple: any size of hard disk would > >be filled up within one day simulation. > > You can also turn logging off (-nolog) for say the first 19 days and turn= it > back on again on day 20. You can also use the WLFSizeLimit =A0variable to= limit > the wlf file size (see manual/modelsim.ini). > The problem with that is that it's not obvious that the wlf will contain the most recent portion of the trace. More likely it contains from the time it was started until it got full. What you need, and what the logic analyzer has, is a ring buffer that has a fixed size (up to your disk space limit) and starts overwriting the oldest data when it hits that size. I don't think ModelSim has that now. It would seem simple enough to add, though. The waveform viewer already deals with lacking portions of the log, for example when you add signals during the simulation run, you'll see "no data" until the simulation time that the signal was added. > >I would like the ModelSim or other simulation software to have the > >following function: > >It has two windows to accept two numbers to specify how many clocks > >before and after the point where assert statement fails to generate > >waveform window data. > > That is a good option, log an Enhancement Request with Mentor. However, t= he > WLFTimeLimit variable might be able to help you (not tried myself) > > ; Limit WLF file by time, as closely as possible, > ; to the specified amount of simulation time. When the limit is exceeded > ; the earliest times get truncated from the file. > WLFTimeLimit =3D {100 ms} > > Hanswww.ht-lab.comArticle: 142749
On Aug 30, 4:47=A0pm, Thorsten Kiefer <tok...@gmx.net> wrote: > Antti.Luk...@googlemail.com wrote: > > On Aug 28, 12:51 am, Thorsten Kiefer <tok...@gmx.net> wrote: > >> Hi, > >> I'm using the Xilinx Webpack 11.1, the Spartan3 StarterKit, and the > >> Digilent USB/JTAG cable. > >> I find ISE 11.1 too slow under Windows, so I want to use it with Linux= . > >> My question is : is it possible to program the FPGA under Linux ? > >> Xilprg is too old. Export from digilent is discontinued and not availa= ble > >> for Linux. > >> Are there any alternatives ? > > >> Best Regards > >> Thorsten > > > alternative: > > do not use Digilent [ ] > > Antti > > > I have some products with digilent on board usb and that doesnt work > > on windows either > > so i made a firm promise to me not to use the digilent cable whenever > > possible > > this doesnt include the XUP cable what is cloned xilinx platform > > cable, that one work > > as it is not designed by digilent > > Hi, > thanks for the hint ! > What FPGA vendor and development board would you suggest for > development on Linux ? > > Best wishes > Thorsten- Hide quoted text - > > - Show quoted text - Using FPGA/tools with Linux (short version) By Antti Lukats, August 2009 Option 1: Get a PC with preinstalled WinXP/Vista and forget the attempts to use FPGA tools under linux This option saves lots of frustration and is worth the money spent Option 2: Get a PC with preinstalled WinXP/Vista, connect of FPGA hardware, programming cables etc and programming/debug software, download utility, on chip logic analyzer, boundary scan tools, etc to the win box Use linux machine via shell scripts to run "vendor flow" synthesis, P&R, etc Option 3: Be real DIE HARD Hero and do it all on single linux box Yes, I know.. things can be made to work on linux, there are plenty of success stories of how the heros have won the battle and fixed xilinx cable driver issues under linux. I know. But if you want the ALL BUNDLE, meaning development tools and utilities for 5 different FPGA vendors, + special tools for 3rd parties, then you just have to have one win box no matter how hard you may hate that solution. for me its quite simple: some tools i use, just DO NOT exist for linux or there is licensing problem under linux, or then there is known hardware/driver problem under linux. as I want and need tools for ALL vendors, i have no choice as to have win box, be it slow, whatever, it works. - end of story - Thorsten, you CAN use any board under windows just be prepared of trouble.. some of it you already tasted. Xilinx USB cable, it sometimes works under linux, so if you get it working then you can pretty much choose any board you want. but as long as you can get some jtag cable working then no board wo do, well http://www.demandperipherals.com/products.html this is designed for linux so if you can get FTDI drivers installed then that board should work instantly I am not recommending that board as it too expensive for the features it has, but if some one really needs it all to be done under linux, then that board would configure over virtual uart Antti
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