Overview

• This tutorial introduces a method for building standalone FPGA prototypes using flash memory.

• By storing the FPGA bitstream and application in flash memory, the application automatically starts when power is supplied.

• Not all FPGA boards are supported.

Prerequisite

• Tutorial: Hello

• An FPGA board connected to your computer - Manual

Things to Know

• Any part starting with # should be replaced or modified according to your environment.

• On Linux, use the bash shell for command-line operations.

• On Windows, use the Windows Power Shell for command-line operations.

Location of an Example Platform

• #(cloned directory)/rvx_platform_example/test_flash

• This directory will hereafter be referred to as #(example dir).

Integrating Flash Interface into SoCs

• The code below inserts the flash interface into your SoCs.

  

• An example is provided in #(example dir)/test_flash.xml.

Generating an FPGA Bitstream

cmd) cd #(example dir)
cmd) make syn
cmd) make arty-100t // or the FPGA board you have
cmd) cd imp_arty-100t_XXXX // referred to as #(fpga dir)
cmd) make imp

Writing the FPGA Bitstream to Flash Memory

cmd) cd #(fpga dir)
inst) Connect the FPGA board to your computer.
cmd) make program_flash
inst) Turn the power of the FPGA board off and on.
cmd) make printf
cmd) make hello.all
inst) Check whether the application is working properly.

Writing the Application Binary to Flash Memory

cmd) cd #(fpga dir)
cmd) make flash_server
cmd) make hello.flash
inst) Set the boot mode switch to ON.
inst) Press the reset button on the FPGA board.
inst) Check whether the application is working properly.

Verifying Standalone FPGA Prototypes

inst) Set the boot mode switch to ON.
inst) Turn the power of the FPGA board off and on.
inst) Check whether the application is working properly.

Applying This to Other Platforms

• Assume that you have a fully developed platform.

• Write the code for the flash interface in your #(platform xml).

• Copy ‘flash_server’ from #(example dir)/app to #(platform dir)/app

• Run the commands you learned from this tutorial.

Note

Make sure to set the boot mode switch to OFF.

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