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Need help regarding xupv2p board....

Started by Wasif Shams July 18, 2008
I bought this board so that I can write the whole software using just
VHDL. but only info i can find is... to use Power PC  or microblaze
core using EDK and then have periphirals using VHDL.

I tried to use JTAG to program the PROM to install the basic VHDL
software that returns a number on hyper terminal... but it doesn't
seem to work...

Anybody got any idea... I would really appreciate your help.


On Jul 18, 1:49=A0am, Wasif Shams <wasifsh...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I bought this board so that I can write the whole software using just > VHDL. but only info i can find is... to use Power PC =A0or microblaze > core using EDK and then have periphirals using VHDL. > > I tried to use JTAG to program the PROM to install the basic VHDL > software that returns a number on hyper terminal... but it doesn't > seem to work... > > Anybody got any idea... I would really appreciate your help.
You really cannot write the whole software in VHDL. VHDL (VHSIC hardware description language) reference http://en.wikipedia.or= g/wiki/VHDL is often used as a design-entry language for FPGA's. The peripherals you mentioned were probably designed using VHDL. When the VHDL is synthesized and routed, the bitstream is used to configure the FPGA hardware. The bitstream from the VHDL does not run as a program on a processor but configures the FPGA resources into a unique function like a UART. One typically writes the software for the Power PC or Microblaze in a C/C++ type language, not VHDL. Someone might argue that ADA could be used to program the PowerPC and that it is similar in syntax to VHDL but I think that argument just leads to confusion because I think a good ADA programmer would be lost if you asked them to design something using an FPGA and VHDL. Likewise there are C to FPGA compilers. Never had the pleasure to use one. My thoughts are that unless you are or strongly want to be a hardware designer, stay away from VHDL. For others to help you, I think you need to state your background and what you are trying to achieve.