Answers Database
 
 
 XABEL: How to get test vectors (.TMV file) into an XC9500 JEDEC file 
 
 Record #1706
Product Family:  Software 
 
Product Line:  Aldec 
 
Product Part:  Foundation HDL Editor 
 
Problem Title: 
XABEL: How to get test vectors (.TMV file) into an XC9500 JEDEC file  
 
 
Problem Description: 
Urgency: Standard 
 
General Description: 
In XABEL-CPLD, test vectors in a top-level ABEL file are automatically 
written into XC9500 JEDEC files. 
 
When using XACT-CPLD or the new M1 tools to fit an ABEL design, 
the version control directory structure imposed by the Xilinx Design 
Manager interferes with this process. 
 
How can test vectors from a top level ABEL file get included within 
a 9500/XL Jedec file? 
 
 
Solution 1: 
 
The M2.1i and M1.x CPLD fitters as well as the older  XACT-CPLD 
fitter contain the software necessary to write test vectors into JEDEC 
files. 
 
The XABEL compiler creates a <design>.tmv file which contains 
test vector information whenever it compiles a design containing user 
test vectors. 
 
The XC9500 fitter transfers this test vector info into the JEDEC file 
whenever it finds a .tmv file with the same name as the design in the 
design directory. 
 
With XABEL-CPLD, the fitter finds the .tmv file where it expects it... 
in the current design directory. 
 
With XACT-CPLD, M1, and M2.1i the Xilinx Design Manager creates a 
subdirectory (typically named xproject\v1_0\rev1 or xproj\ver1\rev1) 
and runs the fitter there. 
 
The fitter can no longer find the .tmv file in the root design 
directory where ABEL created it. The .tmv file must be copied 
into the rev1 directory for test vectors to be included in the 
JEDEC file. 
 
To include test vectors in a JEDEC file created by XACT-CPLD or 
the M1 fitter do the following: 
 
1. If you are using Foundation, make sure the name of your 
    top-level ABEL source file and the name in the MODULE statement 
    within that source file both match the name of your  Foundation project. 
    (This is a special requirement for the  test vector solution to work.) 
 
2. Compile the top-level ABEL design file as usual. 
 
The ABEL compiler will create <project_name>.tmv containing your 
  test vector info. It will also create <project_name>.xnf or 
<project_name>.edn. 
 
3. Invoke the Xilinx Design Manager.  Perform Design -> Translate. 
        With M1 simply stop the flow after Translate. 
 
The Design Manager creates either; 
xproject\v1_0\rev1 directory containing the <project_name>.xff file. 
or xproj\ver1\rev1 directory containing the <project_name>.ngd file. 
The Design Manager will create different directory names as you 
iterate your design. 
 
4. In File Manager or explorer, copy the <project_name>.tmv file from 
  the root project directory into the rev1 subdirectory	(or the most 
recently created rev subdirectory). 
 
5. In the Xilinx Design Manager, invoke the Flow Engine and Run 
  the design as usual. 
 
The Design Manager will create the <project_name>.jed programming 
file in the root project directory (automatically copies it up from the rev 
directory).  The JEDEC file will contain the test vectors derived from the 
source file. 
 
Note: This procedure assumes your design is completely 
ABEL-based. 
 
 
 
 End of Record #1706 - Last Modified: 09/10/99 15:20  |