[hpsdr] JTAG explanation and sample code

[Steven Bible]

Gang,

I've designed and built a ByteBlaster MV clone programmer that I am planning to make into a TAPR kit.  This will serve as a programmer for the Reflock II, and can be used for Altera FPGAs as well.

If you go to eBay and search on Altera, you will see programmers pop up.  One Canadian company sells a clone for about $30.00.

- Steve N7HPR


-----Original Message-----
>From: Lyle Johnson <kk7p at wavecable.com>
>Sent: May 12, 2006 8:36 AM
>To: Gerda & Kevin <g5rda at tiscali.co.uk>
>Cc: hpsdr at hpsdr.org
>Subject: Re: [hpsdr] JTAG explanation and sample code
>
>***** High Performance Software Defined Radio Discussion List *****
>
>> Can I assume we will be using the JTAG chain for programming the 
>> multiple FPGA?s?
>
>ATLAS is designed to support this.  The individual modules will have to 
>support it, too.  So the best answer is: probably.
>
>> If so what will be the PC software requirements,
>> Xilinx's ISE WebPack / Altera's Quartus II Web Edition?, I guess this 
>> will be dependant upon the specific FPGA?s selected?
>
>Correct.
>
>> Or is there a generic JTAG software programmer?
>
><www.amontec.com> for a widget than will work with Altera, Xilinx, etc. 
>  Not cheap, though.
>
>> What JTAG cable should I be investing in ? USB / parallel?
>
>If you have a parallel port,ther parallel port devices are cheaper.
>
>> If parallel where can I purchase one or how do I homebrew one (preferred)?
>
>I think you'll find the details on the Altera site for the Altera 
>Byteblaster.  So far, the CPLDs and FPGAs are Altera in the HPSDR 
>project.  There is no guarantee that future boards will use Altera.
>
><http://www.digilentinc.com/> has lots of inexpensive programming 
>dongles, though focused on Xilinx products.
>
>> While trying to grasp the basics, what code snippets should I be looking at,
>> Verilog or VHDL?
>
>JTAG doesn't care.  For FPGA stuff, either is suitable.
>
>A book you might find interesting is "HDL Chip Design" bu Douglas Smith, 
>  ISBN 0-9651934-3-8.  It is copyright 1996, my copy is the 8th printing 
>which contains some revisions and updates and was printed in October 
>2000. I don't know if a newer edition is available.
>
>This book covers the fundamentals of Verilog and VHDL, and gives all 
>sorts of practical examples of logic using both languages for each and 
>every example.
>
>Enjoy!
>
>73,
>
>Lyle KK7P
>
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\r\n- Steve\r\n  (n7hpr at tapr.org)\r\n

 1147451718.0