CASTalk.com

Hi there,

We have a bunch of Virtex-II Pro AFX boards we're using to build a
single larger system. Currently we have a Parallel Cable IV
programmer, and thus have to program each board individually. What
we'd like to do is be able to program all the boards at the same time.

The AFX boards all have upstream and downstream System ACE ports, and
this seems to be a suitable interface to use, but I'm a bit confused
as to what programmer and cabling I need to take advantage of this
interface.

Looking at the programmer on the Xilinx web site, the one that would
appear to fit is the MultiPRO Desktop Tool:

http://www.xilinx.com/xlnx/xebiz/design ... W-MULTIPRO

This lists System ACE support in the data sheet, but doesn't explain
how to actually do that. The 20 pin port on the side of the MiltiPRO
device would appear to be similar to the System ACE interface pin out
on the AFX board, but the descriptions don't match perfectly.

Is it possible to use this device with a set of suitable ribbon cables
to hook up a set of AFX boards and program all the V2P devices at
once?

Any information greatly appreciated!

Cheers,

--
Michael Dales
University of Cambridge Computer Laboratory
http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~mwd24/

SystemACE is a controller that streams data from a Compact Flash memory
to a daisy chain devices using the boundary-scan TAP. iMPACT can be
used to format bitstream files to be programmed onto the Compact Flash
for utilization with the controller. The compact flash can be
programmed using you PC and an appropriate cable provided by your
compact flash supplier.

The up/downstream connectors on the AFX board allow you to create a
longer boundary-scan chain of devices and is basically just serially
connects the 4 pins of the TAP on one board to the next.

I don't think SystemACE solves your problem in any meaningful way. You
should simply connect the boards in a serial daisy chain using the
boundary-scan signals and then use any Xilinx cable (Parallel Cable IV,
for instance) to program all your devices. Unless I misunderstood your
intentions...

Michael Dales wrote:

Hi there,

We have a bunch of Virtex-II Pro AFX boards we're using to build a
single larger system. Currently we have a Parallel Cable IV
programmer, and thus have to program each board individually. What
we'd like to do is be able to program all the boards at the same time.

The AFX boards all have upstream and downstream System ACE ports, and
this seems to be a suitable interface to use, but I'm a bit confused
as to what programmer and cabling I need to take advantage of this
interface.

Looking at the programmer on the Xilinx web site, the one that would
appear to fit is the MultiPRO Desktop Tool:

http://www.xilinx.com/xlnx/xebiz/design ... W-MULTIPRO

This lists System ACE support in the data sheet, but doesn't explain
how to actually do that. The 20 pin port on the side of the MiltiPRO
device would appear to be similar to the System ACE interface pin out
on the AFX board, but the descriptions don't match perfectly.

Is it possible to use this device with a set of suitable ribbon cables
to hook up a set of AFX boards and program all the V2P devices at
once?

Any information greatly appreciated!

Cheers,

--

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