Xilinx Answer #7569 : XPLA PC-ISP Programmer: Can not find ISP Cable or Board.

Answers Database

XPLA PC-ISP Programmer: Can not find ISP Cable or Board.

Record #7569
Product Family: Software

Product Line: CoolRunner

Product Part: XPLA ISP

Problem Title:

XPLA PC-ISP Programmer: Can not find ISP Cable or Board.

Problem Description:
Urgency: Hot

General Description: Why does the PC-ISP Programmer software say
"Warning : Can not find ISP Cable/Board or loose connect!"?

Solution 1:

If software does not work with a known good board (ISP Demo board
or some other ISP board), or if this is a first time installation, please
verify the following (unless the software works with another ISP target
board then skip to item 8):

    1.Verify that the latest version of the ISP software has been installed.
    This is available on the website at the Xilinx CoolRunner website at
    http://www.xilinx.com/products/software/webpowered.htm.
    2.ISP software must be installed using an 8-character directory
    structure or less. No spaces are allowed.
    3.Software is supported under Win 95, Win NT only. The software
    has not been verified under Win 98. ISP software above version 4.00
    is not supported by Win 3.1 or Win 3.11
    4.If installed under Win NT, the installer must have administrator
    privileges and the software must be installed locally (not on a server).
    5.Software should be installed on a clear OS with no other applications
    running in the background. Installing with Microsoft Office running has
    historically created conflicts.
    6.Please ensure that you are using a CoolRunner download cable,
    a ByteBlaster Cable, or a Xilinx Download cable. If you are using a
    custom cable, read at (Xilinx Solution 7570).
    7.Once the tool has been started, please verify the following:
    ---From the front GUI, select the port setup pull-down menu. Verify that
    the "Select PC Parallel Port" selection is in the "Auto" mode. Verify
    that the correct cable type (Xilinx/CoolRunner/Altera) has been
    selected.
    ---From the main GUI, select the "Help" pull-down menu. Under
    "Output/Debug Options" verify that all checkboxes are clear.
    8.There was an incorrect document on the web site detailing the
    pin out of the JTAG header. The pin list in the online help of the
    tool (Help | Contents | Hardware | Download Cable) is correct.
    Verify that the pin out of the JTAG header is as follows:

      TCK : pin 2
      TMS : pin 4
      TDI : pin 6
      TDO : pin 8
      GND : pins 1,3,5,7
      N.C. : pins 9,10

    9.If using the CoolRunner Download cable and using a JTAG chain
    configuration, verify that the first part in the JTAG chain is a
    CoolRunner. The passive CoolRunner download cable may not
    work driving other vendor's JTAG parts.
    10.Verify that for a JTAG chain TDO of device 1 is attached to TDI
    of device 2 (and so on..) and that TMS and TCK pins are connected
    in parallel with TMS and TCK of other parts in the chain.
    11.It is recommended that all JTAG signals be terminated with 10k
    pull-up resistors.
    12.If using a passive cable, it is recommended that no more than 5
    devices be placed in a JTAG chain without board I/O (JTAG signal)
    buffering. It is always good practice to buffer all board I/O signals.
    13.Please check continuity with the cable attached to the board by
    checking the signal path from the DB25 connector directly to the ISP
    pins on the components. There should be approximately a 100 Ohm
    resistance from the DB25 pins to the I.C. pins for the CoolRunner
    Download Cable. The pin numbers for the DB25 pins are:

      TCK : pin 2
      TMS : pin 4
      TDI : pin 3
      TDO : pin 11
      GND : pins 18,19,20,21

    14.Try to see if the design will work with a device that is programmed
    external to the system.
    15.Please ensure that power and ground are connected to the proper
    pins. Also please verify that the system has power applied.
    16.Verify that the device is "decoupled" with appropriate capacitors.
    Please see the ISP Design Considerations for CoolRunner CPLDs
    application note (Xilinx XAPP308).
    17.Verify that the system that the CPLD is installed in is not trying to
    operate or access the ISP device while ISP operations are in progress.
    18.Verify that JTAG traces have continuity to correct parts in the
    chain and that incorrect connections (such as solder bridge shorts)
    are unlikely.
    19.Verify that the components do not have mixed voltage inputs
    (exception: "AS" parts and the XCR3320 parts are 5 Volt tolerant).

End of Record #7569 - Last Modified: 10/11/99 16:50

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