Cannot program Spartan 3. Only SSEG lights up

henryg46 · ‎04-14-2012

I just got a used xilinx spartan 3 fpga and am having problems programming it.

The code I am using is the code I have used on several fpga's at school.

So when I try to downlaod a program on the SSEG lights up. I don't think the setting are wrong. and I am not getting an error message when programming. So I am wondering if there is anything that I am missing like a setting or something.

All the initial setting in the design properties are correct for this board.

When initially powered up the 7 LED's come on. when I program it with any code all SSEG lights up and nothing else works buttons, switch, etc.

I am using the USB jtag cable and drivers have been installed for it.

Im programming to the xc3s200 and not the second one xcf02s.

bassman59 · ‎02-25-2008

You bought a used chip?

Did you design the board upon which it's mounted?

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Yes, I do this for a living.

henryg46 · ‎04-14-2012

yes, it was used. got a good deal so I thought I would risk it.

Otherwise all programs being loaded are known and working programs that I use all the time at school. So I know they work.

I guess I will bring the board to school and see if I can get it to work using their computer/jtag. maybe I can narrow the problem that way. I'm hoping it's just a setting or something small. I don't have a reason to believe the board is faulty, but I can never be to sure.

bassman59 · ‎02-25-2008

henryg46 wrote:

yes, it was used. got a good deal so I thought I would risk it.

I'll ask again, in English this time: you bought a used chip?

Did you design a PCB to attach this chip to?

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Yes, I do this for a living.

eteam00 · ‎07-21-2009

Let me help...

> you bought a used chip?

Chip:

> Did you design a PCB to attach this chip to?

PCB (or board):

-- Bob Elkind

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Summary:
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2. Search the forums (and search the web) for similar topics.
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4. Do not post a new topic or question on someone else's thread, start a new thread!
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henryg46 · ‎04-14-2012

answer: No and No

eteam00 · ‎07-21-2009

answer: No and No

This helps!

Can you identify the used board which you purchased? Are the schematics available online?

-- Bob Elkind

SIGNATURE:
README for newbies is here: http://forums.xilinx.com/t5/New-Users-Forum/README-first-Help-for-new-users/td-p/219369

Summary:
1. Read the manual or user guide. Have you read the manual? Can you find the manual?
2. Search the forums (and search the web) for similar topics.
3. Do not post the same question on multiple forums.
4. Do not post a new topic or question on someone else's thread, start a new thread!
5. Students: Copying code is not the same as learning to design.
6 "It does not work" is not a question which can be answered. Provide useful details (with webpage, datasheet links, please).
7. You are not charged extra fees for comments in your code.
8. I am not paid for forum posts. If I write a good post, then I have been good for nothing.

henryg46 · ‎04-14-2012

So I am assuming that I can't just name spartan 3 and assume it's the board I have. It seems like it could be anything or any type of configuration and have it custom made.

so my applogies for assuming only one type existed.

But here is what I have. It's the same fpga we have at school. so all (i'm assuming) all setting are the same. I haven't had a chance to run the board at school. So I'll see if I can download onto the fpga over there. Or maybe try their jtag cable or something.

Otherwise programming should be pretty basic.

Here is what I have.

Digilent FPGA

eteam00 · ‎07-21-2009

So I am assuming that I can't just name spartan 3 and assume it's the board I have.

Correct. Spartan 3 is a device family, not a board design, (unless you work for Digilent, apparently).

But here is what I have. It's the same fpga we have at school. so all (i'm assuming) all setting are the same. I haven't had a chance to run the board at school. So I'll see if I can download onto the fpga over there. Or maybe try their jtag cable or something.

Before you hook up your board, verify that the school "setup" works OK with the school's board. If your board doesn't respond correctly, at least you know that the host PC and download cable and software are working.

Also, there are a number of similar-looking "Starter Kit" boards for Spartan-3, Spartan-3A, Spartan-3AN, and Spartan-3E. You may want to check closely -- your board and the school's board may not be identical, despite appearances.

Otherwise programming should be pretty basic.

Here is what I have.

The board is called Spartan 3 Starter Kit.

-- Bob Elkind

SIGNATURE:
README for newbies is here: http://forums.xilinx.com/t5/New-Users-Forum/README-first-Help-for-new-users/td-p/219369

Summary:
1. Read the manual or user guide. Have you read the manual? Can you find the manual?
2. Search the forums (and search the web) for similar topics.
3. Do not post the same question on multiple forums.
4. Do not post a new topic or question on someone else's thread, start a new thread!
5. Students: Copying code is not the same as learning to design.
6 "It does not work" is not a question which can be answered. Provide useful details (with webpage, datasheet links, please).
7. You are not charged extra fees for comments in your code.
8. I am not paid for forum posts. If I write a good post, then I have been good for nothing.

henryg46 · ‎04-14-2012

So the board works. I used the schools JTAG cable and everything downloaded and worked perfectly. So the board is good.

So I then tried my JTAG cable and for security reasons would not let me download the driver for my USB JTAG cable onto the school computer.

So I am left to believe that there maybe a JTAG or driver problem on my computer. So far the only thing I have done when I hooked it up is let it automatically install the driver that window's provided. (standard plug and play method).

Is there any specific driver download from somewhere I can use for the JTAG, because even though my JTAG kind of works it doesn't seem to fully work. As mentioned probably missing a few more drivers.

This is all I can think of possible problems. Either the cable or drivers or both. Not sure how else to troubleshoot the cable problem.