Altera Cyclone V GX Starter Kit

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Summary

Chapter 1 Introduction

Package Contents

Details the physical items included within the Cyclone V GX Starter Kit packaging.

Cyclone V GX Starter Kit System CD

Outlines the contents of the system CD, including user manuals, control panel, and reference designs.

Layout and Components

Illustrates and describes the physical layout and key components of the development board.

Block Diagram of the Cyclone V GX Starter Board

Presents a block diagram illustrating the interconnections and functional blocks of the starter board.

Getting Help

Provides contact information and resources for obtaining technical assistance with the starter kit.

Chapter 2 Control Panel

Control Panel Setup

Guides users through the installation and initial launch procedure for the Control Panel software.

Controlling the LEDs, 7-segment Displays

Explains how to control and monitor LEDs and 7-segment displays using the Control Panel application.

Switches and Push-buttons

Details the functionality for monitoring the real-time status of slide switches and push-buttons.

SRAM;LPDDR2 Controller and Programmer

Describes the process for reading and writing data to the board's SRAM and LPDDR2 memory chips.

SD Card

Explains how to read SD Card identification, specifications, and file format information.

ADC

Details how to view the readings from the eight-channel 12-bit analog-to-digital converter.

UART-USB Communication

Guides users on verifying the operation of the UART to USB serial communication interface.

HDMI-TX

Explains how to generate video patterns and output them to an HDMI interfaced monitor.

HSMC

Describes the function to verify the operational status of signals located on the HSMC connector.

Overall Structure of the C5 G Control Panel

Details the internal structure and communication flow of the C5G Control Panel application.

Chapter 3 Using the Starter Kit

Configuration, Status and Setup

Explains configuration methods (JTAG, AS) and the role of the serial configuration device.

Overview

The Cyclone V GX Starter Kit is a robust hardware design platform built around the Altera Cyclone V GX FPGA, optimized for low cost and power requirements in transceiver applications. It features industry-leading programmable logic for ultimate design flexibility, making it suitable for high-volume applications such as protocol bridging, motor control drives, broadcast video converter and capture cards, and handheld devices. The kit includes all necessary components to use the board with a computer running Microsoft Windows XP or later.

Function Description:

The Cyclone V GX Starter Kit serves as a development board for prototyping, evaluating, and showcasing the capabilities of the Altera Cyclone V GX FPGA. It allows users to implement a wide range of designed circuits, from simple circuits to various multimedia projects. The board supports configuration and debug through a Quad Serial Configuration device (EPCQ256) on the FPGA, an on-board USB Blaster (normal type B USB connector), and JTAG and AS mode configuration.

The kit comes with a Control Panel program that runs on a host computer and communicates with the board via a USB connection. This program allows users to access various components on the board, verify their functionality, and debug RTL code. The Control Panel's "Control Circuit" is implemented in the FPGA board and handles requests and data transfers between the computer and the Cyclone V Starter board.

Important Technical Specifications:

FPGA Device:

Device: Cyclone V GX 5CGXFC5C6F27C7N
Programmable Logic Elements: 77K
Embedded Memory: 4884 Kbits
PLLs: Six Fractional PLLs
Hard Memory Controllers: Two
Transceivers: Six 3.125G Transceivers

Memory Device:

LPDDR2: 4Gb (32 bits data bus)
SRAM: 4Mb (16 bits data bus)

Communication:

UART to USB: Yes

Connectors:

HSMC: 1 (including 4-lanes 3.125G transceiver)
GPIO Header: 2x20
Arduino Header: (including analog pins)
SMA: 4 (DNI), one-lane 3.125G transceiver

Display:

HDMI TX: Compatible with DVI v1.0 and HDCP v1.4

Audio:

CODEC: 24-bit
Jacks: Line-in, line-out, and microphone-in

Micro SD Card Socket:

Modes: SPI and 4-bit SD mode for SD Card access

ADC (Analog-to-Digital Converter):

Resolution: 12-Bit
Sampling Rate: 500Ksps
Interface: SPI
Channels: 8-Channel Analog Input
Input Range: 0V ~ 4.096V

Switches, Buttons and LEDs:

LEDs: 18
Slide Switches: 10
Debounced Push Buttons: 4
CPU Reset Push Buttons: 1
7-Segments: Four

Power:

DC Input: 12V

Usage Features:

Package Contents:

The kit includes:

Cyclone V GX Starter board
Cyclone V GX Starter Kit Quick Start Guide
Type A to B USB Cable
Power DC Adapter (12V)

System CD:

The Cyclone V GX Start Kit (C5G) System CD contains documentation, the User Manual, Control Panel, System Builder, reference designs, and device datasheets. It can be downloaded from http://www.c5g.terasic.com.

Control Panel Setup:

The Control Panel Software Utility is located in "Tools/ControlPanel" on the System CD. It's portable (no installation required), launched by "C5G_ControlPanel.exe". To activate:

Ensure Quartus II 13.1 or later is installed.
Set the RUN/PROG switch to RUN.
Connect the USB cable to the USB Blaster port, connect the 12V power supply, and turn power ON.
Launch "C5G_ControlPanel.exe".
The "C5G_ControlPanel.sof" bit stream loads automatically.
If disconnected, click CONNECT to re-load the .sof. Note: The Control Panel occupies the USB port; Quartus II cannot download configuration files while the port is open.

Control Panel Functions:

Controlling LEDs, 7-Segment Displays:
- The LED tab allows individual or group (Light All/Unlight All) control of the 18 LEDs.
- The 7-SEG tab allows controlling patterns on the four 7-segment displays using left-right arrows. Dots are not enabled. This feature helps verify device functionality.
Switches and Push-buttons:
- The Switches tab monitors the real-time status of the 10 slide switches and 4 push-buttons, displaying them graphically. This helps verify their functionality.
SRAM/LPDDR2 Controller and Programmer:
- The Memory tab allows reading/writing data to/from the SRAM and LPDDR2 chips.
- Random Access: Enter an address and data to write a 16-bit word, or read from a specified address.
- Sequential Write: Write contents of a file (e.g., .hex files) to memory. Specify starting address, length (or check "File Length" for entire file), and select the source file.
- Sequential Read: Read memory contents into a file. Specify starting address, length (or check "Entire Memory" for all 512 Mbytes), and select the destination file.
- This feature is useful for developing multimedia applications (e.g., Flash Audio Player, Flash Picture Viewer).
SD Card:
- The SD Card tab reads identification and specification information of an inserted SD Card (using 4-bit SD MODE).
- Insert an SD Card, press Read, and the control window displays manufacturer ID, product name, serial number, CSD version, access times, transfer rate, block length, memory capacity, and file system (e.g., FAT32). This verifies the SD Card Interface functionality.
ADC (Analog-to-Digital Converter):
- The ADC tab displays real-time readings from the eight-channel 12-bit ADC, showing the voltage from separate pins on the extension header.
UART-USB Communication:
- The UART-USB tab verifies the operation of the UART to USB serial communication interface.
- Connect a USB cable from the PC to the USB to UART port on the board.
- UART settings (Baud Rate: 115200, Parity: None, Data Bits: 8, Stop Bits: 1, Flow Control: OFF) are provided for PC terminal emulator software (e.g., Putty).
- Enter text in the Send field and click Send; the Receive terminal window monitors communication.
HDMI-TX:
- The HDMI-TX tab outputs color patterns to an HDMI interfaced LCD monitor.
- Plug an HDMI cable from the board to an LCD monitor.
- Select a pattern from the dropdown menu to display it.
- Note: Do not install HSMC loopback board while using HDMI-TX function.
HSMC (High-Speed Mezzanine Card):
- The HSMC tab verifies the functionality of signals on the HSMC connector using a loopback test.
- Loopback Installation:
  1. Turn off the Cyclone V Starter Board.
  2. Plug the HSMC loopback adapter (purchased separately from http://hsmc_loopback.terasic.com) into the HSMC connector.
  3. Turn on the Cyclone V Starter Board.
- Click Verify to perform the test.
- Note: Ensure the board is off before installing the adapter to prevent damage.

Configuration and Programming:

JTAG Programming: Downloads configuration bit stream directly into the FPGA. The configuration is retained as long as power is applied.
AS Programming (Active Serial): Downloads bit stream into the Altera EPCQ256 serial configuration device for non-volatile storage. The configuration is automatically loaded into the FPGA when the board is powered on.

JTAG Chain:

For FPGA configuration via JTAG, the JTAG chain must form a closed loop.
Shorting pin1 and pin2 on JP2 disables JTAG signals on the HSMC connector, closing the JTAG loop for the on-board FPGA.
To include other FPGA devices via HSMC, remove JP2 Jumper (open pin1 and pin2) to enable HSMC JTAG signal ports.

Maintenance Features:

Troubleshooting with Control Panel: The Control Panel's ability to set arbitrary values on displays and monitor switch/button status provides a simple mechanism to verify device functionality and troubleshoot suspected malfunctions.
System CD for Support: The System CD provides documentation and reference designs, which can be crucial for understanding and maintaining the board.
Technical Support: Terasic Technologies offers support via email (support@terasic.com) and phone (+886-3-5750-880) for any problems encountered. The website (http://www.c5g.terasic.com) also serves as a resource.
Careful Handling: The manual emphasizes turning off the board before installing the HSMC loopback adapter to prevent damage, indicating the importance of careful handling during maintenance and setup.