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Messages from 73025

Article: 73025
Subject: Re: Xilinx ISE vs. SuSE Linux 9.x
From: Simon <news@gornall.net>
Date: Fri, 10 Sep 2004 18:38:22 GMT
Links: << >>  << T >>  << A >>
Stephen Williams wrote:

> Stephen Williams wrote:
>  >
>  > I'm currently running SuSE Linux SLES8 AMD64, and ISE 6.2 works
>  > fine. I'm planning to upgrade to SuSE Linux 9.1 and was wondering
>  > if there are reports of the Xilinx tools working there.
> 
> I did some googling and found some hints that LD_ASSUME_KERNEL=2.4.1
> is required on SuSE 9.1 and also some newer RedHat releases. Can
> anyone confirm that will do the trick?
> 
> On AMD64?
> 

Well, see my previous post about baseX. This is on Fedora Core 2, not 
Suse, but the kernels/libraries are probably very similar. I am (for 
historical reasons) running in 32-bit mode, but it's still pretty fast :-)

Note also the DISPLAY variable oddness in my post...

Simon

Article: 73026
Subject: Re: new to fpga
From: Rene Tschaggelar <none@none.net>
Date: Fri, 10 Sep 2004 20:44:50 +0200
Links: << >>  << T >>  << A >>
wiezbox wrote:

> My company is going to start getting into the area of digital signal
> processing for one of our projects. FPGAs seem to be what we need,
> however I am a little foggy on how many gates to expect we need. Can
> someone give an example of how many gates can preform a specific
> operation in order to get a little better understanding on the number
> I need.

After selecting a manufacturer you should download their
free design software. Then do the design and get a fitting
FPGA as output of this evaluation process.

Rene
-- 
Ing.Buero R.Tschaggelar - http://www.ibrtses.com
& commercial newsgroups - http://www.talkto.net

Article: 73027
Subject: Re: Simple FPGA board
From: "Antti Lukats" <antti@case2000.com>
Date: Fri, 10 Sep 2004 13:05:30 -0700
Links: << >>  << T >>  << A >>
<Ricaud> wrote in message news:ee886d9.-1@webx.sUN8CHnE...
> Hi,
>
> We are searching for a simple FPGA board with :
>
> * A cPCI interface
> * Available clock dedicated pin, so we can drive the FPGA with an external
100MHz (or 200MHz) clock.
> * Some I/O available
>
> Is there any manufacturer building such board ?

quite many

memec has PCI board with XC2S200
avnet has some boards of course
www.fpga4fun.com spartan
http://www.nialstewartdevelopments.co.uk/   they have new board with cyclone
1C6
lattice new EC development board is PCI form factor
altera new MAX2 eval board is PCI form factor (ok MAX2 is PLD, but
internally its like FPGA with no block mems)

a few to mention :)

Antti
xilinx.openchip.org



Article: 73028
Subject: Re: Simulation probs with Altera LPM_FIFO+
From: jeremy.webb@ieee.org (Jeremy Webb)
Date: 10 Sep 2004 13:33:40 -0700
Links: << >>  << T >>  << A >>
Hi.

Have you included the file "altera_mf.v" in your simulation.  This
file contains the simulation models for Altera's megafunctions.  I've
simulated an Altera Dual Clock FIFO (DCFIFO) in Aldec's ActiveHDL
simulator, and it worked great.  The above file is located in
C:\quartus\eda\sim_lib\.

Hope this helps.

Jeremy

johnnynorthener@yahoo.co.uk (JohhnyNorthener) wrote in message news:<95e91aaf.0409100134.4730959c@posting.google.com>...
> I am having problems simulating fifos with quartus and modelsim.
> My environment is set up as follows:
> 
> Quartus II v4.1 SP1
> Modelsim-Altera 5.8c (with updated sim models)
> 
> I was seeing problems on a large design I have, whereby the the data
> was not coming out of the fifo when being read.
> As this was a large desing I decided to create a new project/design
> which contains ONLY a fifo (LMP_FIFO+, single clock) and simulate
> that.
> I have generated the .vho file for use with Modelsim-Altera and
> simulated this with my own testbench.
> 
> 
> One thing worth mentioning is that when I start the simulation, I get
> a load of warnings from Modelsim:-
> 
> ** Warning: CONV_INTEGER: There is an 'U'|'X'|'W'|'Z'|'-' in an
> arithmetic operand, and it has been converted to 0.
> #    Time: 0 ps  Iteration: 0  Instance:
> /fifo_test_tb/fifo_test_i0/fifo_i0/scfifo_component/auto_generated/dpfifo/fiforam/segment_a0_a_a0_a
> 
> ...this is just because I haven't specified an .init file for the
> fifo, but this won't prevent correct operation...will it ! ?
> 
> When I bring up the waves I can see the following:-
> 
> (i)     the clock is running
> 
> (ii)    reset, devpor, devclrn are all asserted (correct polarity)
>         at start of the sim and then de-asserted 100 ns later.
> 
> (iii)   the wr_req is set active, and the data_in has an
>         incrementing pattern
> 
> (iv)    valid_wrreq (internal to the LPM_FIFO+ component) is active
>         as expected
> 
> (v)     ww_fiforam_wraddress (internal to the LPM_FIFO+ component)
>         increments as expected
> 
> (vi)    fifo_usedwd (internal to the LPM_FIFO+ component) increments
>         as expected
> 
> (vii)   empty and almost_empty (internal to the LPM_FIFO+ component)
>         get cancelled as expected
> 
> (viii)  rd_req is set active
> 
> (ix)    valid_rdreq (internal to the LPM_FIFO+ component) is active
>         as expected
> 
> (x)     ww_fiforam_rdaddress (internal to the LPM_FIFO+ component)
>         increments as expected
> 
> (xi)    fifo_usedwd (internal to the LPM_FIFO+ component) freezes
>         since I am writing and reading at the same rate as expected
>         (only start read once fifo_usedwd reaches about 12)
> 
> (xii)   BUT, no data appears at the output port, even though
>         everything else suggests that the fifo is being operated
>         correctly !
> 
> 
> Can anyone offer any assistance
> (I have also submitted a service req to Altera, but on previous
> experience am not to confident in the response I 'might' receive)
> 
> Any assistance would be very much appreciated
> 
> JohnnyNorthener

Article: 73029
Subject: Re: Xilinx Virtex2: Erroneous DCM "Tap" Position after Reset
From: "Symon" <symon_brewer@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 10 Sep 2004 13:35:51 -0700
Links: << >>  << T >>  << A >>
Austin,
If John's used the input divide-by-2 mode, to make 311MHz from 622MHz
wouldn't that take care of any duty cycle problems?
Cheers, Syms.
"Austin Lesea" <austin@xilinx.com> wrote in message
news:chprct$73l1@cliff.xsj.xilinx.com...
> John,
>
> There have been cases where the frequency, jitter, and duty cycle are
> just on the edge of where the DCM phase detector will operate reliably.
>
> Check the input duty cycle.  It will need to be as close to 50% as you
> can make it.  The spec is 45 to 55%, but at the higher frequencies, it
> may have to be even closer to 50% when you take clock jitter into
> account (as if it is 45%, and it has jitter, then it is sometimes less
> than 45%!).
>
>
> John Cappello wrote:
>
> > Hi,
> >
> > We are seeing evidence that a DCM is intermittently selecting the
> > wrong tap position after it completes its lock sequence after a DCM
> > reset pulse. I'd like to know if anyone has experienced this effect,
> > and if they were able to resolve this problem.
> >
> > In a 2v6000, I am using a variable phase shift DCM which is driven by
> > a 622 MHz clock (divide-by-2 mode). The DCM generates 311 MHz clocks
> > on its clk0/clk180 output pins. This interface uses IOB DDR regs for a
> > 622 Mhz/16-bit LVDS transmission solution.
> >



Article: 73030
Subject: Re: Simulation probs with Altera LPM_FIFO+
From: jeremy.webb@ieee.org (Jeremy Webb)
Date: 10 Sep 2004 13:37:08 -0700
Links: << >>  << T >>  << A >>
Hi.

I forgot to mention that you should use
"C:\quartus\eda\sim_lib\altera_mf.v" if you're using Verilog HDL.  If
you're using VHDL, then you should use
"C:\quartus\eda\sim_lib\altera_mf.vhd".

Good Luck,

Jeremy

johnnynorthener@yahoo.co.uk (JohhnyNorthener) wrote in message news:<95e91aaf.0409100134.4730959c@posting.google.com>...
> I am having problems simulating fifos with quartus and modelsim.
> My environment is set up as follows:
> 
> Quartus II v4.1 SP1
> Modelsim-Altera 5.8c (with updated sim models)
> 
> I was seeing problems on a large design I have, whereby the the data
> was not coming out of the fifo when being read.
> As this was a large desing I decided to create a new project/design
> which contains ONLY a fifo (LMP_FIFO+, single clock) and simulate
> that.
> I have generated the .vho file for use with Modelsim-Altera and
> simulated this with my own testbench.
> 
> 
> One thing worth mentioning is that when I start the simulation, I get
> a load of warnings from Modelsim:-
> 
> ** Warning: CONV_INTEGER: There is an 'U'|'X'|'W'|'Z'|'-' in an
> arithmetic operand, and it has been converted to 0.
> #    Time: 0 ps  Iteration: 0  Instance:
> /fifo_test_tb/fifo_test_i0/fifo_i0/scfifo_component/auto_generated/dpfifo/fiforam/segment_a0_a_a0_a
> 
> ...this is just because I haven't specified an .init file for the
> fifo, but this won't prevent correct operation...will it ! ?
> 
> When I bring up the waves I can see the following:-
> 
> (i)     the clock is running
> 
> (ii)    reset, devpor, devclrn are all asserted (correct polarity)
>         at start of the sim and then de-asserted 100 ns later.
> 
> (iii)   the wr_req is set active, and the data_in has an
>         incrementing pattern
> 
> (iv)    valid_wrreq (internal to the LPM_FIFO+ component) is active
>         as expected
> 
> (v)     ww_fiforam_wraddress (internal to the LPM_FIFO+ component)
>         increments as expected
> 
> (vi)    fifo_usedwd (internal to the LPM_FIFO+ component) increments
>         as expected
> 
> (vii)   empty and almost_empty (internal to the LPM_FIFO+ component)
>         get cancelled as expected
> 
> (viii)  rd_req is set active
> 
> (ix)    valid_rdreq (internal to the LPM_FIFO+ component) is active
>         as expected
> 
> (x)     ww_fiforam_rdaddress (internal to the LPM_FIFO+ component)
>         increments as expected
> 
> (xi)    fifo_usedwd (internal to the LPM_FIFO+ component) freezes
>         since I am writing and reading at the same rate as expected
>         (only start read once fifo_usedwd reaches about 12)
> 
> (xii)   BUT, no data appears at the output port, even though
>         everything else suggests that the fifo is being operated
>         correctly !
> 
> 
> Can anyone offer any assistance
> (I have also submitted a service req to Altera, but on previous
> experience am not to confident in the response I 'might' receive)
> 
> Any assistance would be very much appreciated
> 
> JohnnyNorthener

Article: 73031
Subject: Re: Xilinx Virtex2: Erroneous DCM "Tap" Position after Reset
From: Austin Lesea <austin@xilinx.com>
Date: Fri, 10 Sep 2004 13:50:26 -0700
Links: << >>  << T >>  << A >>
Symon,

Yes, it would.  That is a nice trick, but you trade one problem (duty 
cycle) for another, getting a 622 MHz signal into the chip (SI is much 
tougher the higher the frequency).

I think John's problem is more that he has a clock that switches between 
two sources.  If the clock must switch, then you best reset the DCM.

Austin

Symon wrote:
> Austin,
> If John's used the input divide-by-2 mode, to make 311MHz from 622MHz
> wouldn't that take care of any duty cycle problems?
> Cheers, Syms.
> "Austin Lesea" <austin@xilinx.com> wrote in message
> news:chprct$73l1@cliff.xsj.xilinx.com...
> 
>>John,
>>
>>There have been cases where the frequency, jitter, and duty cycle are
>>just on the edge of where the DCM phase detector will operate reliably.
>>
>>Check the input duty cycle.  It will need to be as close to 50% as you
>>can make it.  The spec is 45 to 55%, but at the higher frequencies, it
>>may have to be even closer to 50% when you take clock jitter into
>>account (as if it is 45%, and it has jitter, then it is sometimes less
>>than 45%!).
>>
>>
>>John Cappello wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Hi,
>>>
>>>We are seeing evidence that a DCM is intermittently selecting the
>>>wrong tap position after it completes its lock sequence after a DCM
>>>reset pulse. I'd like to know if anyone has experienced this effect,
>>>and if they were able to resolve this problem.
>>>
>>>In a 2v6000, I am using a variable phase shift DCM which is driven by
>>>a 622 MHz clock (divide-by-2 mode). The DCM generates 311 MHz clocks
>>>on its clk0/clk180 output pins. This interface uses IOB DDR regs for a
>>>622 Mhz/16-bit LVDS transmission solution.
>>>
> 
> 
> 

Article: 73032
Subject: Re: Simple FPGA board
From: "Antti Lukats" <antti@case2000.com>
Date: Fri, 10 Sep 2004 16:03:43 -0700
Links: << >>  << T >>  << A >>
<Ricaud> wrote in message news:ee886d9.2@webx.sUN8CHnE...
> Yes, we are looking for compact PCI boards.
> The boards I have seen are etheir too sophisticated (µP, multiple FPGA
...), either not cPCI.
>
> Thank you for help

there is no simple compactPCI board, do not look!

the market for compactPCI fpga dev boards is so small that simple boards are
not made

antti



Article: 73033
Subject: Re: New to FpGa ; At configuring the device error cmes
From: raonpc@gmail.com (pablo aimar)
Date: 10 Sep 2004 17:17:34 -0700
Links: << >>  << T >>  << A >>
> the error as
> Error : iMPACT : the idcode read from the devices doesn't match the
> idcode in the bsdl files.

=====================
Hi,

  First thing is --check whether you selected corrected device in the
ISE
to that of actual device (including package).

  I think i got the same error while working on spartan II. I think
there is some problem with the ISE. I tried to program couple of times
and it is OK! the device functions. I think there is some diff in
idcode of ISE and silicon.
Does your chip functions after this error? .. check that and let me
know.

-rao

Article: 73034
Subject: Re: Simulation probs with Altera LPM_FIFO+
From: "Subroto Datta" <sdatta@altera.com>
Date: Sat, 11 Sep 2004 02:52:35 GMT
Links: << >>  << T >>  << A >>
Johnny, Can you send the small design along with your testbench to us. We 
would like to understand the problem. It will be very useful if you can 
describe the time slice where the problem is seen, and the expected 
behavior.

Subroto Datta
Altera Corp.

"JohhnyNorthener" <johnnynorthener@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message 
news:95e91aaf.0409100134.4730959c@posting.google.com...
>I am having problems simulating fifos with quartus and modelsim.
> My environment is set up as follows:
>
> Quartus II v4.1 SP1
> Modelsim-Altera 5.8c (with updated sim models)
>
> I was seeing problems on a large design I have, whereby the the data
> was not coming out of the fifo when being read.
> As this was a large desing I decided to create a new project/design
> which contains ONLY a fifo (LMP_FIFO+, single clock) and simulate
> that.
> I have generated the .vho file for use with Modelsim-Altera and
> simulated this with my own testbench.
>
>
> One thing worth mentioning is that when I start the simulation, I get
> a load of warnings from Modelsim:-
>
> ** Warning: CONV_INTEGER: There is an 'U'|'X'|'W'|'Z'|'-' in an
> arithmetic operand, and it has been converted to 0.
> #    Time: 0 ps  Iteration: 0  Instance:
> /fifo_test_tb/fifo_test_i0/fifo_i0/scfifo_component/auto_generated/dpfifo/fiforam/segment_a0_a_a0_a
>
> ...this is just because I haven't specified an .init file for the
> fifo, but this won't prevent correct operation...will it ! ?
>
> When I bring up the waves I can see the following:-
>
> (i)     the clock is running
>
> (ii)    reset, devpor, devclrn are all asserted (correct polarity)
>        at start of the sim and then de-asserted 100 ns later.
>
> (iii)   the wr_req is set active, and the data_in has an
>        incrementing pattern
>
> (iv)    valid_wrreq (internal to the LPM_FIFO+ component) is active
>        as expected
>
> (v)     ww_fiforam_wraddress (internal to the LPM_FIFO+ component)
>        increments as expected
>
> (vi)    fifo_usedwd (internal to the LPM_FIFO+ component) increments
>        as expected
>
> (vii)   empty and almost_empty (internal to the LPM_FIFO+ component)
>        get cancelled as expected
>
> (viii)  rd_req is set active
>
> (ix)    valid_rdreq (internal to the LPM_FIFO+ component) is active
>        as expected
>
> (x)     ww_fiforam_rdaddress (internal to the LPM_FIFO+ component)
>        increments as expected
>
> (xi)    fifo_usedwd (internal to the LPM_FIFO+ component) freezes
>        since I am writing and reading at the same rate as expected
>        (only start read once fifo_usedwd reaches about 12)
>
> (xii)   BUT, no data appears at the output port, even though
>        everything else suggests that the fifo is being operated
>        correctly !
>
>
> Can anyone offer any assistance
> (I have also submitted a service req to Altera, but on previous
> experience am not to confident in the response I 'might' receive)
>
> Any assistance would be very much appreciated
>
> JohnnyNorthener 



Article: 73035
Subject: Re: why systemc?
From: alexg@ottawa.com (Alexander Gnusin)
Date: 10 Sep 2004 21:28:45 -0700
Links: << >>  << T >>  << A >>
Javier Castillo <jcastillo@opensocdesign.com> wrote in message news:<Xns955F6B1A9D131jcastilloopensocdesi@193.147.184.15>...
> Hello:
>If you dont believe me ...

I do believe, that it is possible to write design in SystemC. There
may be some advantages of this approach for people with strong C
background. There are obviously drawbacks too, and I would like to
outline some of them.

1. Translation problems. I am really suspicious about "complete
automatization" of language translation process. The problem is to
make it work in ALL the cases. The easiest way to cleanup translation
may be to reduce "translatable" subset in SystemC. It may not be a
problem, but then it reduces "synthesizable" subset of SystemC and
converts it to even more limited subset of synthesizable Verilog RTL.

2. Descriptive power.
Verilog as a language was developed for RTL coding and constantly
improves during years of practice. For example, Verilog 2001 and then
SystemVerilog defines new useful constructs such as always_comb,
always_ff etc allowing designer to specify design intent in a way that
tools can verify. I doubt that SystemC has similar operator or can
produce them during code translation.

3. Need to maintain 2 code versions. Despite of Javier's opinion that
it is not a problem, I do see the need to maintain separately Verilog
version of RTL code. First, synthesis, STA and Equivalence checking
tools require verilog as an input. Then, there is a need to use
library cells, memories, DFT logic such as MBIST and JTAG, PLLs etc
etc. Do we have all this design infrastructure developed for SystemC?

4. Synthesis-STA-driven design modifications. These are very popular,
their intent is to improve timing performance of design. Translation
will complicate this process as well.

5. Maintenance effort. Designers cannot escape working and knowing
Verilog RTL. So they'll end up working with 2 languages as well as
constantly maintain functional equivalence between SystemC and Verilog
design representations.

In addition to design, I also doubt that SystemC is a good choise for
the whole verification environment. For the system-level verification,
it is a good choise since it allows seamless interoperability with the
software. For the functional verification, verification-specific
languages (HVL)or SystemVerilog would be much better choise.
Functional verification requires advanced coverage, random generation,
assertion support as well as may other items such as random stability
etc. I doubt that SystemC has similar capabilities comparing to HVLs
or SV.

Finally, there are already tools fo more efficient C-to-Verilog
integration than PLI provides. For example, VCS has DirectC interface.
Similar interface is also defined in SystemVerilog standard.

Regards,
Alexander Gnusin

Article: 73036
Subject: Need some help with some technical claims...
From: "Austin Franklin" <austin@dark99room.com>
Date: Sat, 11 Sep 2004 03:00:29 -0400
Links: << >>  << T >>  << A >>
I need some help with something.  Someone made some technical claims that I
am questioning are correct or not ;-), and would like to see what you guys
think about these claims:

#1> Programming FPGAs doesn't actually change or rewire those logic gates

#1> in the silicon wafer. It changes bits of non-volatile memory that is

#1> used as inputs to these gates. (These are not the gates you see when

#1> you write the FPGA code, those are emulated by a combination of

#1> hardwired gates and your code.)



#2>Software is defined as the part of a digital circuit that can be

#2>changed without mechanical modifications, as opposed to hardware,

#2>which is HARDwired. So FPGA code is software



#3> OTP EPROM data ... has always been regarded as software.



#4> A LUT is not a device soldered onto the circuit board. It's not even

#4> implemented in silicon (at least during the development stages). It's

#4> programmed into an FPGA or suchlike and therefore software because you

#4> can change it without any mechanical changes on the board.



#5> Using a sufficiently parallelized, a LUT done in a DSP can be just as

#5> efficient as using an FPGA or ASIC.



Any input appreciated ;-)





Article: 73037
Subject: Re: New to FpGa ; At configuring the device error cmes
From: bhuvasen@hotmail.com (senthil)
Date: 11 Sep 2004 00:28:26 -0700
Links: << >>  << T >>  << A >>
> Hi,
> 
>   First thing is --check whether you selected corrected device in the
> ISE
> to that of actual device (including package).
> 
Hi .. 
My problem was solved.. the problem was that spartan II must need the
specific cable to configure it. here i have ordinary cble that work
for virtex,cpld but not for spartan. thus i put parallel cable III
dlc5 model of xilinx , impact error gone off. thanks for u suggestion.
How many times we program a fpga.. is there any count . let me
know....

Regard
Senthil.R
Research Associate. 
IIT. Madras.

Article: 73038
Subject: Re: Need some help with some technical claims...
From: mrand@my-deja.com (Marc Randolph)
Date: 11 Sep 2004 05:23:23 -0700
Links: << >>  << T >>  << A >>
"Austin Franklin" <austin@dark99room.com> wrote in message news:<10k58kelcgkcnfc@corp.supernews.com>...
> I need some help with something.  Someone made some technical claims that I
> am questioning are correct or not ;-), and would like to see what you guys
> think about these claims:
> 
> #1> Programming FPGAs doesn't actually change or rewire those logic gates
> #1> in the silicon wafer. It changes bits of non-volatile memory that is
> #1> used as inputs to these gates. (These are not the gates you see when
> #1> you write the FPGA code, those are emulated by a combination of
> #1> hardwired gates and your code.)

I don't believe this the above exactly correct, but I'll let someone
else comment on it.

The following three claims are releated:

> #2>Software is defined as the part of a digital circuit that can be
> #2>changed without mechanical modifications, as opposed to hardware,
> #2>which is HARDwired. So FPGA code is software

So a memory chip itself is software?  It doesn't require any
mechanical modifications to change.

> #3> OTP EPROM data ... has always been regarded as software.

The _data_ within a memory chip doesn't necessarily have to be
software.  It can be pure data (a serial number, for example). 
Software implies to me that it is executable.

> #4> A LUT is not a device soldered onto the circuit board. It's not even
> #4> implemented in silicon (at least during the development stages). It's
> #4> programmed into an FPGA or suchlike and therefore software because you
> #4> can change it without any mechanical changes on the board.

Again, the same would apply to a memory chip.  In fact, a LUT _is_
memory.  In addition, ever notice that FPGA's are called "SRAM based
devices"?

> #5> Using a sufficiently parallelized, a LUT done in a DSP can be just as
> #5> efficient as using an FPGA or ASIC.

I do not understand what is being claimed here.  Almost any device can
do a single LUT function as efficiently as any other device... but
what about 20k LUTs?

    Marc

Article: 73039
Subject: Re: Need some help with some technical claims...
From: "Jeroen" <jayjay.1974@xs4all.nl>
Date: Sat, 11 Sep 2004 15:31:17 +0200
Links: << >>  << T >>  << A >>

"Marc Randolph" <mrand@my-deja.com> wrote in message
news:15881dde.0409110423.20cd5e6e@posting.google.com...
> "Austin Franklin" <austin@dark99room.com> wrote in message
news:<10k58kelcgkcnfc@corp.supernews.com>...
> > I need some help with something.  Someone made some technical claims
that I
> > am questioning are correct or not ;-), and would like to see what you
guys
> > think about these claims:
> >
> > #1> Programming FPGAs doesn't actually change or rewire those logic
gates
> > #1> in the silicon wafer. It changes bits of non-volatile memory that is
> > #1> used as inputs to these gates. (These are not the gates you see when
> > #1> you write the FPGA code, those are emulated by a combination of
> > #1> hardwired gates and your code.)
>
> I don't believe this the above exactly correct, but I'll let someone
> else comment on it.
>
> The following three claims are releated:
>
> > #2>Software is defined as the part of a digital circuit that can be
> > #2>changed without mechanical modifications, as opposed to hardware,
> > #2>which is HARDwired. So FPGA code is software
>
> So a memory chip itself is software?  It doesn't require any
> mechanical modifications to change.
>
> > #3> OTP EPROM data ... has always been regarded as software.
>
> The _data_ within a memory chip doesn't necessarily have to be
> software.  It can be pure data (a serial number, for example).
> Software implies to me that it is executable.
>
> > #4> A LUT is not a device soldered onto the circuit board. It's not even
> > #4> implemented in silicon (at least during the development stages).
It's
> > #4> programmed into an FPGA or suchlike and therefore software because
you
> > #4> can change it without any mechanical changes on the board.
>
> Again, the same would apply to a memory chip.  In fact, a LUT _is_
> memory.  In addition, ever notice that FPGA's are called "SRAM based
> devices"?

SRAM based means the configuration memory is SRAM, most FPGAs have this, but
there's also Flash based configuration memory and EEPROM, and
fuse/anti-fuses.
So SRAM based does not refer to the LUT.

Jeroen



Article: 73040
Subject: Re: Need some help with some technical claims...
From: "Jan Gray" <jsgray@acm.org>
Date: Sat, 11 Sep 2004 13:33:24 GMT
Links: << >>  << T >>  << A >>
"Marc Randolph" <mrand@my-deja.com> wrote in message
> I do not understand what is being claimed here.  Almost any device can
> do a single LUT function as efficiently as any other device... but
> what about 20k LUTs?

See also "Emulating FPGAs using Processors"
[http://www.fpgacpu.org/usenet/emulating_fpgas.html]

Jan Gray



Article: 73041
Subject: Re: Need some help with some technical claims...
From: johnjakson@yahoo.com (john jakson)
Date: 11 Sep 2004 07:41:14 -0700
Links: << >>  << T >>  << A >>
"Austin Franklin" <austin@dark99room.com> wrote in message news:<10k58kelcgkcnfc@corp.supernews.com>...
> I need some help with something.  Someone made some technical claims that I
> am questioning are correct or not ;-), and would like to see what you guys
> think about these claims:
> 
> #1> Programming FPGAs doesn't actually change or rewire those logic gates
> 
> #1> in the silicon wafer. It changes bits of non-volatile memory that is
> 
> #1> used as inputs to these gates. (These are not the gates you see when
> 
> #1> you write the FPGA code, those are emulated by a combination of
> 
> #1> hardwired gates and your code.)
> 
> 
> 
> #2>Software is defined as the part of a digital circuit that can be
> 
> #2>changed without mechanical modifications, as opposed to hardware,
> 
> #2>which is HARDwired. So FPGA code is software
> 
> 
> 
> #3> OTP EPROM data ... has always been regarded as software.
> 
> 
> 
> #4> A LUT is not a device soldered onto the circuit board. It's not even
> 
> #4> implemented in silicon (at least during the development stages). It's
> 
> #4> programmed into an FPGA or suchlike and therefore software because you
> 
> #4> can change it without any mechanical changes on the board.
> 
> 
> 
> #5> Using a sufficiently parallelized, a LUT done in a DSP can be just as
> 
> #5> efficient as using an FPGA or ASIC.
> 
> 
> 
> Any input appreciated ;-)


Most of the pts don'r read as if written by an EE.

Sounds like you are arguing with a lawyer, waste of time unless you
have a patent dispute or something.

regards

johnjakson_usa_com

Article: 73042
Subject: Re: Need some help with some technical claims...
From: Bob Perlman <bobsrefusebin@hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 11 Sep 2004 17:07:08 GMT
Links: << >>  << T >>  << A >>
On Sat, 11 Sep 2004 03:00:29 -0400, "Austin Franklin"
<austin@dark99room.com> wrote:

>I need some help with something.  Someone made some technical claims that I
>am questioning are correct or not ;-), and would like to see what you guys
>think about these claims:

<claims snipped>
>
>Any input appreciated ;-)
>

The way these claims are written reminds me of a story about physicist
Wolfgang Pauli.  Some guy off the street showed him a paper and asked,
"Is this true?"  Pauli glanced at it, then said, "This isn't even
false."

I know, it's no help :)

Bob Perlman
Cambrian Design Works



Article: 73043
Subject: JBits 3.0 and Virtex-II Pro
From: mahim_usenet@yahoo.com (Mahim Mishra)
Date: 11 Sep 2004 14:13:46 -0700
Links: << >>  << T >>  << A >>
Hello all!

I am using Xilinx Virtex-II Pro (XC2VP20 and XC2VP50) chips, and was
wondering if I can use JBits 3.0 to manipulate the configuration
bitstreams for these chips. It seems not, since the JBits "Device"
class seems to only have defined constants for  Virtex and Virtex-II
chips. Has anyone done this before, or knows that it can be done?

Thanks,
Mahim

Article: 73044
Subject: Re: New to FpGa ; At configuring the device error cmes
From: raonpc@gmail.com (pablo aimar)
Date: 11 Sep 2004 14:18:14 -0700
Links: << >>  << T >>  << A >>
> How many times we program a fpga.. is there any count . let me
> know....
====================
Hi,
  Theoritically (and practically) there is no limit in how many times
you can program fpga!. Programming an fpga is simply like writing some
data to sram(synchronous ram). But for CPLD there may be a limit as
its technology is
based on flash/eeprom.

thanks
rao

Article: 73045
Subject: Re: Need some help with some technical claims...
From: "Antti Lukats" <antti@case2000.com>
Date: Sat, 11 Sep 2004 18:39:39 -0700
Links: << >>  << T >>  << A >>
"Austin Franklin" <austin@dark99room.com> wrote in message
news:10k58kelcgkcnfc@corp.supernews.com...
> I need some help with something.  Someone made some technical claims that
I
> am questioning are correct or not ;-), and would like to see what you guys
> think about these claims:
>
> #1> Programming FPGAs doesn't actually change or rewire those logic gates
> #1> in the silicon wafer. It changes bits of non-volatile memory that is
> #1> used as inputs to these gates. (These are not the gates you see when
> #1> you write the FPGA code, those are emulated by a combination of
> #1> hardwired gates and your code.)

#1 - lets see what wrong with

1) "changes bits of non-volatile memory" - WRONG an FPGA doesnt have to have
any-nonvolatile memory, in the fact almost all FPGAs do not have
non-volatile memory. Actually as of today NO FPGA has non-volatile memory in
the that sense - FPGAs have non-volatile configuration memory, not user
accessible non-volatile memory. Exceptions:
a) new upcoming to be announced ProAsic FPGA are the first one to have on
chip non-volatile memory (other than configuration).
b) Altera MAX2 has non-volatile "user" memory - it is not marketed as an
FPGA but actually it is a small FPGA with no Block RAMs

2) changes bits of [] memory" - if we leave out the non-volatile (see
comment above) then the sentense is still wrong. And FPGA doesnt have to
have any memory in the sense of an memory-array - a fuse or via-mask
programmable FPGA with no embedded RAMs does not have any memory unless the
memory is made up from fabric logic and flip flops.

3) Programming FPGA's - well the "Programming" is actually very bad word to
use with FPGAs - there do exist some tools that allow and unprogrammerd FPGA
silicon (like Actel fuse programmable FPGA's) to be actually programmed, its
and metal box called Activator. Using that tool you can actually program an
FPGA you blow some fuses and convert and blank silicon to programmed
silicon. Any other means of putting an design into an FPGA are not direct
"FPGA programming". There are of different "programming" steps involved with
the FPGAs but very rearly the programming is actually changing the silicon
at all. A configuration memory can be programmed but that is usually
external to FPGA except for Atmel A94KxxS series (those are multichip
packages). Also a programming can be understood as writing an program for
some processor that is implemented in the FPGA fabric, then we write
programs in some programming language what is later "executed" by the FPGA.

4) "write FPGA code" - there is no such thing as FPGA code, you can write
code for some processor (that can be implemented in FPGA of course), but for
FPGA you write some code that describes something - this is translated to
FPGA technology primitives. you can use the low level primitives in your
code too, but its not really writing FPGA code - FPGAs dont have code - they
have configuration that makes them to be the hardware you have described.

5) ... more claims I cant even understand, emulated by gates and your code?
the source code is converted into something that emulates the required
functionality, yes but the original author did not mean that?

> #2>Software is defined as the part of a digital circuit that can be
> #2>changed without mechanical modifications, as opposed to hardware,
> #2>which is HARDwired. So FPGA code is software

#2 - is total bullshit

* software doesnt have to be part of anything!
* a punched paper tape is software even if it never used.
* not always can software be altered without mechanical modification, so
that makes software a hardware or what?
* a programmed FPGA doesnt have any "code" it can be just some blown fuses
(what I woudl not consider as code)
* an FPGA can contain processors that execute code internal or external to
FPGA, that code is software sure, but this code can be fused into silicon
what makes the software hardware?

== # bullshit

> #3> OTP EPROM data ... has always been regarded as software.

* OTP doesnt have to be EPROM
* some specif location of data (being in EPROM, OTP or not) doent make it
software

OTP means one time programmable, be it using electrica means or laser or
mask

> #4> A LUT is not a device soldered onto the circuit board. It's not even
> #4> implemented in silicon (at least during the development stages). It's
> #4> programmed into an FPGA or suchlike and therefore software because you
> #4> can change it without any mechanical changes on the board.

#4 more bullshit comes..
* "It's not even implemented in silicon" - cant be more wrong - LUT's are
what actually *is* implemented in silicon
* "It's programmed  into an FPGA" wrong LUT is not programmed (programming
means altered by user) into silicon it exists there, it will beconfigured
todo some function, yes but not programmed "into FPGA" its there already.
* "therefore software because you can change it without any mechanical
changes on the board" - on board? or on silicon? if you program an LUT based
(non SRAM) FPGA using an laser or masl its mechanical so it would make the
LUT hardware? and when the FPGA is configured by electrical means its
software ?

!?

> #5> Using a sufficiently parallelized, a LUT done in a DSP can be just as
> #5> efficient as using an FPGA or ASIC.

LUT done in a DSP as efficient !?

cant be more wrong than that!!!

first there is never a need todo an LUT with DSP, and even fastest DSP
utilizing 100% of the foreground time can not do the same work of one single
LUT (at the same speed!), but FPGA's have 10,000+ LUTs !!!

second the fastest DSP still cant compete with FPGA doing digital signal
processing (and DSP are designed for it), FPGAs will always outperform DSPs
when doing DSP algorithms.

the reason why DSPs are used is cost not performance. when doing somewhat
fixed DSP algorithms FPGAs are better also costwise. just the DSP algorithms
in FPGA are not so "soft" as in DSPs that makes the difference.

> Any input appreciated ;-)

here you go with smile :)

overall comment: 200% incompetence!

Antti -
[a FPGA guru with 25+ years Electrical engineering backround




Article: 73046
Subject: Re: why systemc?
From: Philip Freidin <philip@fliptronics.com>
Date: Sun, 12 Sep 2004 06:10:30 GMT
Links: << >>  << T >>  << A >>
On Wed, 08 Sep 2004 19:51:24 GMT, Jos De Laender <DoesntMatter@Somewhere.org> wrote:
>A good starting point , in my opinion , to gain some insight in the 
>matter is asking :
>why would _you_ think SystemC is faster or slower ?
>Jos

and

On Wed, 8 Sep 2004 13:26:32 -0700, "Russell Fredrickson" <russell_fredrickson@hp.com> wrote:
> ....
>One of the points of SystemC is to enable you to model
>and simulate things at a HIGHER level of abstraction than RTL.  If you write
>code at the RT level -- it will probably always simulate on the same order
>of magnitude whether it's Verilog or SystemC -- in fact since the Verilog
>simulators are more mature -- Verilog may simulate faster than SystemC
>(though I haven't done the exact measurements myself and it is simulator
>dependent).

I believe pretty much everything I read. Here is a quote from
a recent article by Shawn McCloud, High-Level Synthesis Product
Manager, Mentor Graphics Corporation.

     http://www.xilinx.com/publications/xcellonline/xcell_50/xc_mentor-esl50.htm

This is about half way through the article, in the print version on page
49 is the following:

"One advantage of SystemC is that it simulates as much as 100 times faster
 than an equivalent RTL representation specified at the same level of
 abstraction. However, to make a SystemC representation suitable for RTL
 generation or direct C synthesis, designers would need to write it at
 nearly the same level of abstraction as hand-translated RTL, which largely
 negates the advantages of using it in the first place."



That doesn't mean that the above is true, but here we see Mentor promoting
it that way.




Philip Freidin

For the US news media, there is nothing so important
or relevant, that it can't be ignored in favor of
some new, bright and shiny irrelavancy.

Article: 73047
Subject: altera stratix II dev boards
From: "Geoffrey Wall" <wallge@eng.fsu.edu>
Date: Sun, 12 Sep 2004 12:31:16 -0400
Links: << >>  << T >>  << A >>

has anyone used altera's stratix II dev boards? have you been able to get
the pci interfacing to work? can you comment on ease of use etc?
-- 
Geoffrey Wall
Masters Student in Electrical/Computer Engineering
Florida State University, FAMU/FSU College of Engineering
wallge@eng.fsu.edu
Cell Phone:
850.339.4157

ECE Machine Intelligence Lab
http://www.eng.fsu.edu/mil
MIL Office Phone:
850.410.6145

Center for Applied Vision and Imaging Science (will be updated soon)
http://cavis.fsu.edu/
CAVIS Office Phone:
850.645.2257



Article: 73048
Subject: Re: Need some help with some technical claims...
From: "Austin Franklin" <austin@dark99room.com>
Date: Sun, 12 Sep 2004 23:35:24 -0400
Links: << >>  << T >>  << A >>
Hi John,

> Most of the pts don'r read as if written by an EE.

You are correct.  He is a physicist who has done one or possibly a couple of
FPGA designs.

> Sounds like you are arguing with a lawyer, waste of time unless you
> have a patent dispute or something.

Just trying to get input from others in this field as to what they think of
his "claims" of knowledge on this subject.

Regards,

Austin



Article: 73049
Subject: Re: Need some help with some technical claims...
From: "Austin Franklin" <austin@dark99room.com>
Date: Sun, 12 Sep 2004 23:41:05 -0400
Links: << >>  << T >>  << A >>
One more claim from our "candidate":

"And none of the professionals I've talked to referred to ASICs being
hardware. You can't buy an ASIC, you have to design it, which makes

its function software."

And being a professional EE for over 25 years, having designed a few dozen
ASICs, and worked with hundreds of ASIC designers, I've never heard anyone
refere to ASICs as anything but hardware.  So, I can't imagine what
professionals he is referring to that would think an ASIC was software!









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