Answers Database

FPGA Express v1.2: Script to convert EXT records to SIG records for module generation


Record #2843

Product Family:  Software

Product Line:  Synopsys

Problem Title:
FPGA Express v1.2: Script to convert EXT records to SIG records for
module generation



Problem Description:
Keywords: FPGA, Express, FPGA Express, EXT, SIG, convert

Urgency: Standard

General Description:

When FPGA Express v1.2 is used as a module generator, the XNF generated by
FPGA Express incorrectly contains EXT records when the "Do not insert I/O"
option is selected.  These EXT records must be replaced with SIG records if
the XNF from FPGA Express is used as a module in a larger design.

This problem has been fixed in FGPA Express 2.0.


Solution 1:

A script (ext2sig.pl) in Perl was wrote which can covert the EXT records of a
XNF file into SIG records.  Perl for Windows 95 or Perl for Windows NT will be
required to run this script.

Perl is a public domain software tool which can be found on the Web.  A search
via the search engine of your choice can list many sites which provide Perl
for Windows 95 and/or NT.  One such site is:

http://www.ActiveState.com



Solution 2:

If you do not want to type the contents of the Perl script ext2sig.pl, it can
downloaded from:

ftp://ftp.xilinx.com/pub/swhelp/synopsys/ext2sig.zip


Contents of Perl script(ext2sig.pl) which converts
XNF EXT records to SIG records:

rename ("$ARGV[0]","$ARGV[0].org");
open (SIGFILE,"$ARGV[0].org");
open (NEWFILE, "> $ARGV[0]");
while(<SIGFILE>) {

     if (s/^EXT/SIG/){
      print NEWFILE $_;
     }
     else {
      print NEWFILE $_;
     }

}
close(NEWFILE);
close(SIGFILE);



Solution 3:

Take the file ext2sig.pl and place it in the same directory as the XNF file
you want to change.  To use the script, type the following at the DOS prompt:

perl ext2sig.pl <xnffilename>.xnf

where <xnffilename> is the name of the XNF.  ext2sig will create a copy of
your original file with the extension .org.  A file of the same name as the
input file to ext2sig will be created.

For example, let's say you have a file called module.xnf generated by FPGA
Express.  Copy module.xnf and ext2sig.pl into the same directory.  In the
directory that contains module.xnf and ext2sig.pl, type at the DOS prompt:

perl ext2sig module.xnf

After running this command, you will have a file called module.xnf and another
file called module.xnf.org.  module.xnf has all EXT records converted to SIG
records.  module.xnf.org is your original file.



End of Record #2843