CPLDs

[belalex1]

Hi,

Did anybody have successful experience using Digilent USB-HS1 cable to program XC9500 devices? If so what software did you use? Digilent web site mentions that the cable is compatible with CoolRuner2 CPLD only, but I wonder if they just not want to test configurations with old CPLD families.

Thanks,

-Alexei.

[trossin2]

I've been asking the same question about this cable that I purchased last week.  I can nearly get it to work for XC9572XL using iMPACT (erase and program but not verify).  For my coolrunner 2 XC2C256 I am unable to get erase to work with iMPACT.  But, I can erase and program the XC2C256 using Digilent's Adept 2 software.  For the XC9572XL, the Adept 2 software does not seem to work since it can not load .jed files (only .svf and I can't get the .svf programming to work).

Basically, I think Xilinx needs to get their act together on a low cost programmer for their CPLDs.  This is not rocket science.  Microchip has a $35 programmer for their microcontrollers which works across thier product line.  I can't see or justify spending $200 for a programmer for a $1 CPLD programmer.

The problems I've run into seem to be totally software since all the JTAG chain tests pass with flying colors.  I've run into 2 bugs with the ISE software and a couple major bugs with iMPACT.  I've just started playing around so the quality with these tools seem rather low.  I'm about ready to give Altera a try. 

I also blew up a 5V tolerant device by getting it to latch up when I had weak pull-ups to 5V on a microcontroller that was left on while the 3.3V supply to the XC9572XL was turned off.   I thought I was back in the 80s when this happened.  Now that XC9572XL device is just a wire between the supply pins (it gets hot [burn your finger] and draws more than 1A).

Sorry.  I just did not have a very good out of the box experience.

 Here is an email exchange with Digilent about my problems with their product:

Hi ****,

Updating the plugin drivers did not fix the problem with iMPACT for XC2C256 but using Adept 2 did work.  Now I have moved on to another project which uses a XC9572XL-10.  For this part, I'm able to erase and program with iMPACT but it is not able to verify the device.  When I try using Adept 2, it will not load a .jed file.  The filter will only allow a .svf file to be loaded. 

So, I erased the XC9572XL-10 then used iMPACT to create a .svf file to program my logic.  I started up Adept 2 and loaded the file and pressed program.  Adpet 2 played the file and said it was successful but the XC9572XL-10 was not programmed.

Are these devices not supported by Adept 2 or am I missing some instructions on how to properly create a .svf file using iMPACT.

I loaded my .jed file into iMPACT then selected the menu Output and selected SVF File then Create SVF File ... and gave it a file name.

Then I double clicked on Program and accepted the default values.  The tool claimed the file was written and I quit out of iMPACT.

Thanks for any help.

    Ted.

P.S. I can use your product for my needs in that I can access both my parts.  I just wish I had one solution for both parts and that I was able to verify the XC9572XL parts.

Hello Ted,

There are two solution paths we can attempt. First, if you are using iMPACT to program, please try updating the Digilent Plugin. You can download the newest version here: http://www.digilentinc.com/Products/Detail.cfm?NavPath=2,66,768&Prod=DIGILENT-PLUGIN. If it asks you to overwrite files, do so at all locations.

The second option is to download and install the newest version of Digilent Adept. You can find it here: http://www.digilentinc.com/Products/Detail.cfm?NavPath=2,66,828&Prod=ADEPT2. Once you have Adept installed to the newest version, Open Adept with your board attached. In the Config tab, there should be a drop down box for you to select the .jed file to program. To the left of that, there is a box that says CPLD XC2C256. Right click on that and select erase. I have attached an image for convenience.

Please let me know if I can assist you further.

Best Regards,

**** ******

Digilent Inc.

1300 NE Henley Ct.

Suite 3

Pullman, WA 99163

Hi,

I recently purchased a JTAG HS1 cable for an old Digilab XC2 (PB200020 Rev A) board which I bought a decade ago.  I'm using Windows Vista and Xilinx Webpack 13.4.  I can program the XC2C256 part on the board just fine but can not erase it.  In order to erase the part, I have to use an old computer with a printer port.  To use the JTAG HS1 cable, I remove the 74HC125 part from the board to prevent a drive fight.  Every thing seems to work just great except that I am unable to erase the part.   If I run the scan chain integrity test (runs for about 30 seconds) it reports no problem.

Is there some setting in the Xilinx software that I need to change or does the cable just not work with this old board?  I ordered some XC9572XL parts and will see how they work out when they arrive.  Should I try using the Adept software?

Thanks for any help.

[trossin2]

I did get word that XC9500 series parts are not suppored from the Digilent support person.  But, it does work for me except for verify.  I found this link for another way to go.

http://www.tiaowiki.com/w/How_to_program_Xilinx_CPLDs_using_TIAO_USB_Multi-Protocol_Adapter_(TUMPA)_...

P.S. I seem to have found another bug (I'm up to 5 now) with ISE13.4 which I just posted a request for help.

1. Verilog equations in the report viewer are just wrong (VHDL equations seem correct)

2. When changing the speed of a device and rebuilding, the timing report continues to show the old speed.  You have to quit and restart for the change to show up.

3. Fresh projects result in warnings on every build about some path not being set up correctly (known problem)

4. When a verify fails (when using Digilent cable), iMPACT disconnects from the device and the only way to gain access to the device is to exit iMPACT and restart it.

5. Bogus error when trying to FIT XC9572XL-10.  change a bus from 7 bits to 8-bits and crazy error about a filetype not recognized shows up.

Shameful.  Simply shameful release.