Answers Database
M1.x: EPIC: How to add a probe or route out a signal
Record #2979
Product Family: Software
Product Line: FPGA Implementation
Product Part: Epic
Problem Title:
M1.x: EPIC: How to add a probe or route out a signal
Problem Description:
Urgency: Standard
General Description: How do I add a probe to a net and run it
out to a PAD such that I can use it externally?
Solution 1:
There is a perl script that adds this functionality to EPIC (same as XDE).
If you are using a pc
ftp://ftp.xilinx.com/pub/utilities/M1_pc/add_probe.zip
If you are using a workstation
ftp://ftp.xilinx.com/pub/utilities/M1_workstation/add_probe.tar.Z
The script is add_probe.zip (PC) and add_probe.tar.Z (WS)
You will need PERL to be able to execute this script.
Here are the steps necessary to implement the probes into the
design.
Creating the EPIC script:
1- Obtain the PERL script from the ftp site. Unzip, untar, or
uncompress the file into the project directory.
2- Open a dos shell or xterm and "cd" to the project directory.
3- Execute the PERL script. Type "perl add_probe.pl" at the
prompt.
4- Answer the questions and exit the script. Verify that the
script has been created and is in the current directory.
Adding the probes to the .NCD file.
There are two flows, A- Using the Design Manager and B- Using
the command prompt.
A- Using the Design Manager.
1- Using the Design Manager open the placed and routed design
using EPIC.
2- Once the design has loaded, execute the script by selecting
"Scripts -> Playback" from the menu. The script playback dialog
opens and allows the user to browse for the script file (.scr).
Once the file has been selected click on "Ok".
3- Verfiy that the probe has been added by browsing to the IOB
used as the probe. Verify that it is configured properly.
4- Save the .NCD file. You can either do a "Save As" to rename
the .NCD and preserve the original netlist or a "Save" to over
write the current netlist. If "Save As" is choosen, the user
can no longer use the Design Manager to create the bit file or
timing simulation file. These must be run using the command
line. See flow B, Using the Commmand line, to generate these
files.
5- Go back to the Design Manager and generate a bit file. This
can be done by opening the Flow Engine, and changing the
options to generate a bitfile. See Flow Engine Help if unsure
how to do this.
B- Using the command line.
1- At the command prompt type "EPIC" and hit enter. This will
open the "Epic Start" dialog. Select "Open Existing Design" and
click on "Ok".
2- The "Open Design" dialog starts. The user is prompted for
the .NCD and .PCF files. Browse for these files and then click
on "Ok".
3- Once the design has loaded, execute the script by selecting
"Scripts -> Playback" from the menu. The script playback dialog
opens and allows the user to browse for the script file (.scr).
Once the file has been selected click on "Ok".
4- Verfiy that the probe has been added by browsing to the IOB
used as the probe. Verify that it is configured properly.
5- Save the .NCD file. You can either do a "Save As" to rename
the .NCD and preserve the original netlist or a "Save" to over
write the current netlist. Exit Epic.
6- Creating a bit file. At the command prompt and dos shell
type bitgen -help. This will list the options avaible for bit
stream generation. It is up to the user to specify the correct
bit stream options. Once the user has selected the desired
options run bitgen on the .NCD and .PCF file modified in EPIC.
For example:
"bitgen new_ncd.ncd add_probe new_pcf.pcf"
The result is a bitstream which contains the probes.
Solution 2:
You can also manually add the pad and route the signal to the
pad. To do this:
1) Change the Edit Mode to Read-Write. To do this, go to the
Misc pull down menu and go to 'Post Main Attrs' Click on
the menu next to 'Edit Mode' and select Read-Write.
2) Add an IOB. Select the unused IOB you wish to use (unused
is filled in with black, whereas used IOBs are blue) and
select ADD on the menu on the right side of the screen.
3) Select the Pxxx.O pin of the IOB. This is the little
triangle pointing into the IOB.
4) Leaving the pin of the IOB selected, select the signal
you wish to probe as well. You should then have two items
selected. Then click on 'ADD' on the menu on the right.
5) Select the only the newly added IOB and click on
'EDITBLOCK' from the menu on the right.
6) This will open up the underlying IOB representation. You
should see the signal name on the O input pad of the IOB.
Next click on the small triangle on the first mux (on the
left), you can select either the true or complement route.
7) Then select the triangle on the next mux in the route.
This should then route the signal (will turn blue) all the
way to the PAD of the IOB.
End of Record #2979 - Last Modified: 05/26/99 07:27 |
