FPGA - DIY Programming The 2019 Stack Overflow Developer Survey Results Are InFPGA programming, where to beginBest FPGA to work withCustom FPGA PCB with external programming circuitHow can I view, debug, or analyze data being input to my FPGA?Working on an FPGA without an IDEXilinx Programming FPGA from SPI Flash without JTAGWhy does this PIC18LF1220 program only two times and after that programming fails?Can't program multiple chips using JTAGSending SPI signals to the Flash Memory through verilog FPGA controller, but not receiving anything from it, why does it happens?How to estimate timing contraints for FPGAs?
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FPGA - DIY Programming
The 2019 Stack Overflow Developer Survey Results Are InFPGA programming, where to beginBest FPGA to work withCustom FPGA PCB with external programming circuitHow can I view, debug, or analyze data being input to my FPGA?Working on an FPGA without an IDEXilinx Programming FPGA from SPI Flash without JTAGWhy does this PIC18LF1220 program only two times and after that programming fails?Can't program multiple chips using JTAGSending SPI signals to the Flash Memory through verilog FPGA controller, but not receiving anything from it, why does it happens?How to estimate timing contraints for FPGAs?
.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__bot-mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;
$begingroup$
I've been programming microcontrollers for a few years now, and I've just discovered FPGA's after taking a digital design class. After doing some research into different FPGA's, development boards, etc, I'm still hesitant to buy any because I wouldn't know how to make my own version of the final "product." I've put PIC's, SAM's, AVR's, etc. on to custom PCB's with no issue, so I'm not worried about that--my main concern is programming an FPGA without a manufacturer's board.
My specific question: Would an FPGA function if I took the bitmap file generated by Quartus, Vivado, iCEcube, etc, wrote it to an SPI flash memory chip beginning at address 0 (say, via an FT2232H), and connected the flash memory to the SPI pins of an FPGA (with the MODE config set properly)?
I apologize for the partial hypothetical; I'm fairly sure that's all Lattice's Diamond Programmer does, but I wondered if that approach would work for FPGA's from different manufacturers, or whether say, Quartus added additional "window dressing" or headers to the memory while writing it.
Let me know if there's anything I can do to improve/clarify the question, or if I'm missing a big point in the FPGA programming process. Thanks!
fpga spi programming
asked 4 hours ago
Blake LucasBlake Lucas
334
$endgroup$
|
show 7 more comments
$begingroup$
I've been programming microcontrollers for a few years now, and I've just discovered FPGA's after taking a digital design class. After doing some research into different FPGA's, development boards, etc, I'm still hesitant to buy any because I wouldn't know how to make my own version of the final "product." I've put PIC's, SAM's, AVR's, etc. on to custom PCB's with no issue, so I'm not worried about that--my main concern is programming an FPGA without a manufacturer's board.
My specific question: Would an FPGA function if I took the bitmap file generated by Quartus, Vivado, iCEcube, etc, wrote it to an SPI flash memory chip beginning at address 0 (say, via an FT2232H), and connected the flash memory to the SPI pins of an FPGA (with the MODE config set properly)?
I apologize for the partial hypothetical; I'm fairly sure that's all Lattice's Diamond Programmer does, but I wondered if that approach would work for FPGA's from different manufacturers, or whether say, Quartus added additional "window dressing" or headers to the memory while writing it.
Let me know if there's anything I can do to improve/clarify the question, or if I'm missing a big point in the FPGA programming process. Thanks!
fpga spi programming
asked 4 hours ago
Blake LucasBlake Lucas
334
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
By "bitmap" you mean bit-stream?
$endgroup$
– Eugene Sh.
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
This question has be asked in a different incarnation before
$endgroup$
– laptop2d
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
If you can't mount BGAs yourself, you're kind of SOL when producing an FPGA board from scratch. You're better off using FPGA modules like those from Trenz. FPGAs can auto-load their configuration file from an external SPI flash if the appropriate pins are wired up on the PCB. Read the FPGA manual. It's in there. You can do it on your own but the FPGA programmer can also do it through the FPGA. There may also be limitations on the external flash chip you can use as a result.
$endgroup$
– Toor
4 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
On your first FPGA board design, I'd suggest to provide 2 methods of device programming (plus the vendor's JTAG header). Place jumper locations to allow you to change the MODE pins as needed. It's very easy to mess these up and it's good to have back-up plans. Also be sure to provide testpoints for INIT and DONE (or whatever Lattice uses to indicate the programming state).
$endgroup$
– The Photon
3 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
The process control required to mount BGAs, especially high pin count ones is tighter than something like a QFP. The fact there are more balls means there is a higher probability of bridging or bad connections and since they are hidden you won't be able to detect problems (unless you have an X-ray) prior to running the thing to see if you have any issues. And if you remount the component then you have to reball it which requires more equipement. FPGAs are also expensive chips that you don't want to damage. Large BGAs are where things like PCB preheaters become necessary.
$endgroup$
– Toor
2 hours ago
|
show 7 more comments
$begingroup$
I've been programming microcontrollers for a few years now, and I've just discovered FPGA's after taking a digital design class. After doing some research into different FPGA's, development boards, etc, I'm still hesitant to buy any because I wouldn't know how to make my own version of the final "product." I've put PIC's, SAM's, AVR's, etc. on to custom PCB's with no issue, so I'm not worried about that--my main concern is programming an FPGA without a manufacturer's board.
My specific question: Would an FPGA function if I took the bitmap file generated by Quartus, Vivado, iCEcube, etc, wrote it to an SPI flash memory chip beginning at address 0 (say, via an FT2232H), and connected the flash memory to the SPI pins of an FPGA (with the MODE config set properly)?
I apologize for the partial hypothetical; I'm fairly sure that's all Lattice's Diamond Programmer does, but I wondered if that approach would work for FPGA's from different manufacturers, or whether say, Quartus added additional "window dressing" or headers to the memory while writing it.
Let me know if there's anything I can do to improve/clarify the question, or if I'm missing a big point in the FPGA programming process. Thanks!
fpga spi programming
asked 4 hours ago
Blake LucasBlake Lucas
334
$endgroup$
I've been programming microcontrollers for a few years now, and I've just discovered FPGA's after taking a digital design class. After doing some research into different FPGA's, development boards, etc, I'm still hesitant to buy any because I wouldn't know how to make my own version of the final "product." I've put PIC's, SAM's, AVR's, etc. on to custom PCB's with no issue, so I'm not worried about that--my main concern is programming an FPGA without a manufacturer's board.
My specific question: Would an FPGA function if I took the bitmap file generated by Quartus, Vivado, iCEcube, etc, wrote it to an SPI flash memory chip beginning at address 0 (say, via an FT2232H), and connected the flash memory to the SPI pins of an FPGA (with the MODE config set properly)?
I apologize for the partial hypothetical; I'm fairly sure that's all Lattice's Diamond Programmer does, but I wondered if that approach would work for FPGA's from different manufacturers, or whether say, Quartus added additional "window dressing" or headers to the memory while writing it.
Let me know if there's anything I can do to improve/clarify the question, or if I'm missing a big point in the FPGA programming process. Thanks!
fpga spi programming
fpga spi programming
asked 4 hours ago
Blake LucasBlake Lucas
334
asked 4 hours ago
Blake LucasBlake Lucas
334
asked 4 hours ago
Blake LucasBlake Lucas
334
asked 4 hours ago
Blake LucasBlake Lucas
334
asked 4 hours ago
Blake LucasBlake Lucas
334
334
$begingroup$
By "bitmap" you mean bit-stream?
$endgroup$
– Eugene Sh.
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
This question has be asked in a different incarnation before
$endgroup$
– laptop2d
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
If you can't mount BGAs yourself, you're kind of SOL when producing an FPGA board from scratch. You're better off using FPGA modules like those from Trenz. FPGAs can auto-load their configuration file from an external SPI flash if the appropriate pins are wired up on the PCB. Read the FPGA manual. It's in there. You can do it on your own but the FPGA programmer can also do it through the FPGA. There may also be limitations on the external flash chip you can use as a result.
$endgroup$
– Toor
4 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
On your first FPGA board design, I'd suggest to provide 2 methods of device programming (plus the vendor's JTAG header). Place jumper locations to allow you to change the MODE pins as needed. It's very easy to mess these up and it's good to have back-up plans. Also be sure to provide testpoints for INIT and DONE (or whatever Lattice uses to indicate the programming state).
$endgroup$
– The Photon
3 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
The process control required to mount BGAs, especially high pin count ones is tighter than something like a QFP. The fact there are more balls means there is a higher probability of bridging or bad connections and since they are hidden you won't be able to detect problems (unless you have an X-ray) prior to running the thing to see if you have any issues. And if you remount the component then you have to reball it which requires more equipement. FPGAs are also expensive chips that you don't want to damage. Large BGAs are where things like PCB preheaters become necessary.
$endgroup$
– Toor
2 hours ago
|
show 7 more comments
$begingroup$
By "bitmap" you mean bit-stream?
$endgroup$
– Eugene Sh.
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
This question has be asked in a different incarnation before
$endgroup$
– laptop2d
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
If you can't mount BGAs yourself, you're kind of SOL when producing an FPGA board from scratch. You're better off using FPGA modules like those from Trenz. FPGAs can auto-load their configuration file from an external SPI flash if the appropriate pins are wired up on the PCB. Read the FPGA manual. It's in there. You can do it on your own but the FPGA programmer can also do it through the FPGA. There may also be limitations on the external flash chip you can use as a result.
$endgroup$
– Toor
4 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
On your first FPGA board design, I'd suggest to provide 2 methods of device programming (plus the vendor's JTAG header). Place jumper locations to allow you to change the MODE pins as needed. It's very easy to mess these up and it's good to have back-up plans. Also be sure to provide testpoints for INIT and DONE (or whatever Lattice uses to indicate the programming state).
$endgroup$
– The Photon
3 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
The process control required to mount BGAs, especially high pin count ones is tighter than something like a QFP. The fact there are more balls means there is a higher probability of bridging or bad connections and since they are hidden you won't be able to detect problems (unless you have an X-ray) prior to running the thing to see if you have any issues. And if you remount the component then you have to reball it which requires more equipement. FPGAs are also expensive chips that you don't want to damage. Large BGAs are where things like PCB preheaters become necessary.
$endgroup$
– Toor
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
By "bitmap" you mean bit-stream?
$endgroup$
– Eugene Sh.
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
By "bitmap" you mean bit-stream?
$endgroup$
– Eugene Sh.
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
This question has be asked in a different incarnation before
$endgroup$
– laptop2d
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
This question has be asked in a different incarnation before
$endgroup$
– laptop2d
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
If you can't mount BGAs yourself, you're kind of SOL when producing an FPGA board from scratch. You're better off using FPGA modules like those from Trenz. FPGAs can auto-load their configuration file from an external SPI flash if the appropriate pins are wired up on the PCB. Read the FPGA manual. It's in there. You can do it on your own but the FPGA programmer can also do it through the FPGA. There may also be limitations on the external flash chip you can use as a result.
$endgroup$
– Toor
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
If you can't mount BGAs yourself, you're kind of SOL when producing an FPGA board from scratch. You're better off using FPGA modules like those from Trenz. FPGAs can auto-load their configuration file from an external SPI flash if the appropriate pins are wired up on the PCB. Read the FPGA manual. It's in there. You can do it on your own but the FPGA programmer can also do it through the FPGA. There may also be limitations on the external flash chip you can use as a result.
$endgroup$
– Toor
4 hours ago
1
1
$begingroup$
On your first FPGA board design, I'd suggest to provide 2 methods of device programming (plus the vendor's JTAG header). Place jumper locations to allow you to change the MODE pins as needed. It's very easy to mess these up and it's good to have back-up plans. Also be sure to provide testpoints for INIT and DONE (or whatever Lattice uses to indicate the programming state).
$endgroup$
– The Photon
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
On your first FPGA board design, I'd suggest to provide 2 methods of device programming (plus the vendor's JTAG header). Place jumper locations to allow you to change the MODE pins as needed. It's very easy to mess these up and it's good to have back-up plans. Also be sure to provide testpoints for INIT and DONE (or whatever Lattice uses to indicate the programming state).
$endgroup$
– The Photon
3 hours ago
1
1
$begingroup$
The process control required to mount BGAs, especially high pin count ones is tighter than something like a QFP. The fact there are more balls means there is a higher probability of bridging or bad connections and since they are hidden you won't be able to detect problems (unless you have an X-ray) prior to running the thing to see if you have any issues. And if you remount the component then you have to reball it which requires more equipement. FPGAs are also expensive chips that you don't want to damage. Large BGAs are where things like PCB preheaters become necessary.
$endgroup$
– Toor
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
The process control required to mount BGAs, especially high pin count ones is tighter than something like a QFP. The fact there are more balls means there is a higher probability of bridging or bad connections and since they are hidden you won't be able to detect problems (unless you have an X-ray) prior to running the thing to see if you have any issues. And if you remount the component then you have to reball it which requires more equipement. FPGAs are also expensive chips that you don't want to damage. Large BGAs are where things like PCB preheaters become necessary.
$endgroup$
– Toor
2 hours ago
|
show 7 more comments
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
Yes, it would work just fine.
Actually, the development tools for most FPGAs allow you to program the external flash directly through the FPGA's own JTAG connection, eliminating the need for a separate programming interface for the flash.
answered 3 hours ago
Dave Tweed♦Dave Tweed
124k10153267
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
And some, like Lattice Mach X02, have the flash on-board so you just need a few resistors and a 5x2 header to connect to the Lattice programming pod.
$endgroup$
– Spehro Pefhany
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
I was aware you can program the flash directly via JTAG from tools like Vivado/Quartus, what I was hoping was to be able to do it without needing to purchase a vendor-specific cable--just use an FT2232H and write the bitstream (not bitmap?) myself. I don't think that chip is supported by Quartus, though, and isn't openly supported by Vivado (even though they use it on the Nexys and Basys boards).
$endgroup$
– Blake Lucas
2 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
Yes, you can program the flash with the bit file using other means. One of your programmers for your MCUs can probably do it. I know my Segger J-link certainly can.
$endgroup$
– Toor
2 hours ago
add a comment |
Your Answer
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1 Answer
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active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
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active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
Yes, it would work just fine.
Actually, the development tools for most FPGAs allow you to program the external flash directly through the FPGA's own JTAG connection, eliminating the need for a separate programming interface for the flash.
answered 3 hours ago
Dave Tweed♦Dave Tweed
124k10153267
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
And some, like Lattice Mach X02, have the flash on-board so you just need a few resistors and a 5x2 header to connect to the Lattice programming pod.
$endgroup$
– Spehro Pefhany
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
I was aware you can program the flash directly via JTAG from tools like Vivado/Quartus, what I was hoping was to be able to do it without needing to purchase a vendor-specific cable--just use an FT2232H and write the bitstream (not bitmap?) myself. I don't think that chip is supported by Quartus, though, and isn't openly supported by Vivado (even though they use it on the Nexys and Basys boards).
$endgroup$
– Blake Lucas
2 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
Yes, you can program the flash with the bit file using other means. One of your programmers for your MCUs can probably do it. I know my Segger J-link certainly can.
$endgroup$
– Toor
2 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Yes, it would work just fine.
Actually, the development tools for most FPGAs allow you to program the external flash directly through the FPGA's own JTAG connection, eliminating the need for a separate programming interface for the flash.
answered 3 hours ago
Dave Tweed♦Dave Tweed
124k10153267
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
And some, like Lattice Mach X02, have the flash on-board so you just need a few resistors and a 5x2 header to connect to the Lattice programming pod.
$endgroup$
– Spehro Pefhany
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
I was aware you can program the flash directly via JTAG from tools like Vivado/Quartus, what I was hoping was to be able to do it without needing to purchase a vendor-specific cable--just use an FT2232H and write the bitstream (not bitmap?) myself. I don't think that chip is supported by Quartus, though, and isn't openly supported by Vivado (even though they use it on the Nexys and Basys boards).
$endgroup$
– Blake Lucas
2 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
Yes, you can program the flash with the bit file using other means. One of your programmers for your MCUs can probably do it. I know my Segger J-link certainly can.
$endgroup$
– Toor
2 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Yes, it would work just fine.
Actually, the development tools for most FPGAs allow you to program the external flash directly through the FPGA's own JTAG connection, eliminating the need for a separate programming interface for the flash.
answered 3 hours ago
Dave Tweed♦Dave Tweed
124k10153267
$endgroup$
Yes, it would work just fine.
Actually, the development tools for most FPGAs allow you to program the external flash directly through the FPGA's own JTAG connection, eliminating the need for a separate programming interface for the flash.
answered 3 hours ago
Dave Tweed♦Dave Tweed
124k10153267
answered 3 hours ago
Dave Tweed♦Dave Tweed
124k10153267
answered 3 hours ago
Dave Tweed♦Dave Tweed
124k10153267
answered 3 hours ago
Dave Tweed♦Dave Tweed
124k10153267
124k10153267
$begingroup$
And some, like Lattice Mach X02, have the flash on-board so you just need a few resistors and a 5x2 header to connect to the Lattice programming pod.
$endgroup$
– Spehro Pefhany
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
I was aware you can program the flash directly via JTAG from tools like Vivado/Quartus, what I was hoping was to be able to do it without needing to purchase a vendor-specific cable--just use an FT2232H and write the bitstream (not bitmap?) myself. I don't think that chip is supported by Quartus, though, and isn't openly supported by Vivado (even though they use it on the Nexys and Basys boards).
$endgroup$
– Blake Lucas
2 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
Yes, you can program the flash with the bit file using other means. One of your programmers for your MCUs can probably do it. I know my Segger J-link certainly can.
$endgroup$
– Toor
2 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
And some, like Lattice Mach X02, have the flash on-board so you just need a few resistors and a 5x2 header to connect to the Lattice programming pod.
$endgroup$
– Spehro Pefhany
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
I was aware you can program the flash directly via JTAG from tools like Vivado/Quartus, what I was hoping was to be able to do it without needing to purchase a vendor-specific cable--just use an FT2232H and write the bitstream (not bitmap?) myself. I don't think that chip is supported by Quartus, though, and isn't openly supported by Vivado (even though they use it on the Nexys and Basys boards).
$endgroup$
– Blake Lucas
2 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
Yes, you can program the flash with the bit file using other means. One of your programmers for your MCUs can probably do it. I know my Segger J-link certainly can.
$endgroup$
– Toor
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
And some, like Lattice Mach X02, have the flash on-board so you just need a few resistors and a 5x2 header to connect to the Lattice programming pod.
$endgroup$
– Spehro Pefhany
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
And some, like Lattice Mach X02, have the flash on-board so you just need a few resistors and a 5x2 header to connect to the Lattice programming pod.
$endgroup$
– Spehro Pefhany
3 hours ago
$begingroup$
I was aware you can program the flash directly via JTAG from tools like Vivado/Quartus, what I was hoping was to be able to do it without needing to purchase a vendor-specific cable--just use an FT2232H and write the bitstream (not bitmap?) myself. I don't think that chip is supported by Quartus, though, and isn't openly supported by Vivado (even though they use it on the Nexys and Basys boards).
$endgroup$
– Blake Lucas
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
I was aware you can program the flash directly via JTAG from tools like Vivado/Quartus, what I was hoping was to be able to do it without needing to purchase a vendor-specific cable--just use an FT2232H and write the bitstream (not bitmap?) myself. I don't think that chip is supported by Quartus, though, and isn't openly supported by Vivado (even though they use it on the Nexys and Basys boards).
$endgroup$
– Blake Lucas
2 hours ago
1
1
$begingroup$
Yes, you can program the flash with the bit file using other means. One of your programmers for your MCUs can probably do it. I know my Segger J-link certainly can.
$endgroup$
– Toor
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
Yes, you can program the flash with the bit file using other means. One of your programmers for your MCUs can probably do it. I know my Segger J-link certainly can.
$endgroup$
– Toor
2 hours ago
add a comment |
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By "bitmap" you mean bit-stream?
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– Eugene Sh.
4 hours ago
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This question has be asked in a different incarnation before
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– laptop2d
4 hours ago
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If you can't mount BGAs yourself, you're kind of SOL when producing an FPGA board from scratch. You're better off using FPGA modules like those from Trenz. FPGAs can auto-load their configuration file from an external SPI flash if the appropriate pins are wired up on the PCB. Read the FPGA manual. It's in there. You can do it on your own but the FPGA programmer can also do it through the FPGA. There may also be limitations on the external flash chip you can use as a result.
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– Toor
4 hours ago
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On your first FPGA board design, I'd suggest to provide 2 methods of device programming (plus the vendor's JTAG header). Place jumper locations to allow you to change the MODE pins as needed. It's very easy to mess these up and it's good to have back-up plans. Also be sure to provide testpoints for INIT and DONE (or whatever Lattice uses to indicate the programming state).
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– The Photon
3 hours ago
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The process control required to mount BGAs, especially high pin count ones is tighter than something like a QFP. The fact there are more balls means there is a higher probability of bridging or bad connections and since they are hidden you won't be able to detect problems (unless you have an X-ray) prior to running the thing to see if you have any issues. And if you remount the component then you have to reball it which requires more equipement. FPGAs are also expensive chips that you don't want to damage. Large BGAs are where things like PCB preheaters become necessary.
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– Toor
2 hours ago