How to Debug a Xilinx Spartan 3A

Xilinx invented the Field Programmable Gate Array.

The Spartan-3A uses a built-in debugger to check the performance of the field-programmable gate array, or FPGA. An FPGA is an integrated circuit designed to be configured by the customer or designer in the field. Xilinx's ChipScope produces a quality overview of the FPGA's performance, and provides reporting to developers and users. Data is serialized using 7-to-1 text blocks sent over common twisted pair cable. The received data is de-serialized, and compared to incoming data to check that the data has been received accurately. Data errors are recorded, so that a developer can pinpoint any failing channel using ChipScope.

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Spartan-3A FPGA
• Windows or Linux computer

1. • 1
     Open a new project in Spartan-3A Project Navigator.
   • 2
     Import the following three files into the new project file: counter.v, labkit.v and labkit.ucf. These are the ChipScope core files, the counter module, the functionality to instantiate the counter, and the standard labkit recording file, respectively.
   • 3
     Launch the ChipScope Core Generator program. Click "Start," select "Programs," choose "ChipScope Pro version number" and click "ChipScope Pro Core Generator."
   • 4
     Select the core type to generate. Choose "ICON" from the supplied list as the core type and click "Next."
   • 5
     Click "Start Over" once the ICON core generation is complete.
   • 6
     Choose up to 16 "Trigger and Match Unit Settings," and also select the number of Data Port Settings.
   • 7
     Choose "Verilog" from the drop-down menu as the language for the generated HDL file, and choose "Xilinx XST" as the synthesis tool.
   • 8
     Click "Generate Core" to generate the necessary ChipScope files for debugging.