This application note describes how to retrieve user-defined data from Xilinx configurationPROMs (XC18V00 and Platform Flash devices) after the same PROM has configured theFPGA. The method to add user-defined data to the configuration PROM file is also discussed.The reference design described in this application note can be used in any of the followingXilinx FPGA architectures: Spartan™-II, Spartan-IIE, Spartan-3, Virtex™, Virtex-E, Virtex-II,and Virtex-II Pro.
The exacting technological demands created byincreasing bandwidth requirements have given riseto significant advances in FPGA technology thatenable engineers to successfully incorporate highspeedI/O interfaces in their designs. One aspect ofdesign that plays an increasingly important role isthat of the FPGA package. As the interfaces get fasterand wider, choosing the right package has becomeone of the key considerations for the systemdesigner.
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The Virtex™-4 user access register (USR_ACCESS_VIRTEX4) is a 32-bit register thatprovides direct access to bitstream data by the FPGA fabric. It is useful for loadingPowerPC™ 405 (PPC405) processor caches and/or other data into the FPGA after the FPGAhas been configured, thus achieving partial reconfiguration. The USR_ACCESS_VIRTEX4register is programmed through the bitstream with a command that writes a series of 32-bitwords.
The Virtex-4 features, such as the programmable IDELAY and built-in FIFO support, simplifythe bridging of a high-speed, PCI-X core to large amounts of DDR-SDRAM memory. Onechallenge is meeting the PCI-X target initial latency specification. PCI-X Protocol Addendum tothe PCI Local Bus Specification Revision 2.0a ([Ref 6]) dictates that when a target signals adata transfer, "the target must do so within 16 clocks of the assertion of FRAME#." PCItermination transactions, such as Split Response/Complete, are commonly used to meet thelatency specifications. This method adds complexity to the design, as well as additional systemlatency. Another solution is to increase the ratio of the memory frequency to the PCI-X busfrequency. However, this solution increases the required power and clock resource usage.
This application note covers the design considerations of a system using the performance
features of the LogiCORE™ IP Advanced eXtensible Interface (AXI) Interconnect core. The
design focuses on high system throughput through the AXI Interconnect core with F
MAX
and
area optimizations in certain portions of the design.
The design uses five AXI video direct memory access (VDMA) engines to simultaneously move
10 streams (five transmit video streams and five receive video streams), each in 1920 x 1080p
format, 60 Hz refresh rate, and up to 32 data bits per pixel. Each VDMA is driven from a video
test pattern generator (TPG) with a video timing controller (VTC) block to set up the necessary
video timing signals. Data read by each AXI VDMA is sent to a common on-screen display
(OSD) core capable of multiplexing or overlaying multiple video streams to a single output video
stream. The output of the OSD core drives the DVI video display interface on the board.
Performance monitor blocks are added to capture performance data. All 10 video streams
moved by the AXI VDMA blocks are buffered through a shared DDR3 SDRAM memory and are
controlled by a MicroBlaze™ processor.
The reference system is targeted for the Virtex-6 XC6VLX240TFF1156-1 FPGA on the
Xilinx® ML605 Rev D evaluation board
Xilinx FPGAs require at least two power supplies: VCCINTfor core circuitry and VCCO for I/O interface. For the latestXilinx FPGAs, including Virtex-II Pro, Virtex-II and Spartan-3, a third auxiliary supply, VCCAUX may be needed. Inmost cases, VCCAUX can share a power supply with VCCO.The core voltages, VCCINT, for most Xilinx FPGAs, rangefrom 1.2V to 2.5V. Some mature products have 3V, 3.3Vor 5V core voltages. Table 1 shows the core voltagerequirement for most of the FPGA device families. TypicalI/O voltages (VCCO) vary from 1.2V to 3.3V. The auxiliaryvoltage VCCAUX is 2.5V for Virtex-II Pro and Spartan-3, andis 3.3V for Virtex-II.
