Published:2011/8/17 21:53:00 Author:Phyllis From:SeekIC
By Paul Goossens
Debugging
The real power of the software is really only utilized when you want to carry out measurements on your design. It is obviously impossible to measure internal signals of the FPGA with a probe, so most examples are provided with a JTAG interface.
With this you can (without disturbing the operation) make real-time measurements inside the FPGA. For this purpose, several measuring instruments are built into the software. A logic analyzer, an oscilloscope (digital, obviously) and some I/O-blocks that let you determine logic levels with some buttons.
To make this all complete, there is the possibility to debug the processors with their firmware. Registers can be changed, breakpoints can be placed, memory can be examined, etc. All this can be done!
Finally
This FPGA development kit offers much for the money. Unfortunately the software is no longer usable after 30 days. However, you can continue to use the board in combination with the free software from the FPGA chip manufacturers. Although, it will takes a little getting used to after having been spoilt with the software suite from Altium.
The diagram for the design-kit is supplied as a Protel schematic file. This means that after the end of the evaluation period the schematic cannot be viewed again. If you would like to continue to use the board after the software has expired it makes sense to print the schematics early on. Without these schematics it is not easy to figure out which pins from the FPGA are connected to what sections of hardware and connectors!
Purchasing this software is not really in the league of the average hobbyist (both parts of the software together cost around 10,000 Euro!). The free software from the FPGA manufacturers, however, is still very usable to realize your own designs with this kit, after the 30-day period.
Because an FPGA with sufficient capacity has been used, it is not very likely that your design won’t fit in this device. Furthermore, the FPGAs are so quick that it has become relatively easy to design complex and fast equipment at home. The nicest aspect of this is that when changing the design there is no need to immediately reach for the soldering iron. A simple button push is sufficient, the rest is carried out by the PC and hardware.
This development kit offers more than enough possibilities to begin exploring and experimenting with FPGAs. You will quickly be surprised as to what you can do with it!
Reprinted Url Of This Article: http://www.seekic.com/blog/project_solutions/2011/08/17/Altium_FPGA_LiveDesign_Kit__Designing_with_FPGAs__(3).html
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