Xilinx Mimas Spartan 6 FPGA - User Manual

Mimas – Spartan 6 FPGA Development Board
User Manual
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 4517views  February 18, 2016  0
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1. Introduction
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Summary

1. Introduction

2. How to Use Mimas - Spartan 6 FPGA Development Board

2.1. Components;Tools Required

Lists essential items for board installation and fast setup.

2.2. Connection Diagram

Visual representation of how to connect the board and its components.

2.3. USB Interface

2.4. DC Power Supply

2.5. Power Select

2.6. On-Board Peripherals

2.7. JTAG Connector

2.8. GPIOS

3. Driver Installation

3.1. Installing on Windows

Instructions for downloading and installing the driver package for Windows, appearing as a serial port.

3.2. Installing on Linux

Information on Linux driver installation, often pre-compiled in the kernel.

3.3. Installing on Mac

4. Generating Bit Stream for Mimas

5. Powering Up Mimas

6. Configuring Mimas

6.1. Configuring Mimas Using Configuration Tool

Steps to use the Mimas configuration tool via USB for programming the SPI flash.

6.2. Configuring Mimas Using JTAG

7. Programming FPGA Using ISE IMPACT

8. Technical Specifications

9. Mechanical Dimensions

10. Schematics

Overview

1. Important Technical Specifications
2. Usage Features
3. Maintenance Features

The Mimas – Spartan 6 FPGA Development Board is an easy-to-use FPGA development board featuring a Xilinx Spartan-6 FPGA, specifically designed for experimenting with and learning system design. It offers a robust platform for product prototype development, home networking, signal processing, wired and wireless communications, and serves as an educational tool for schools and universities.

Important Technical Specifications:

• FPGA: Xilinx Spartan-6 XC6SLX9 in a TQG144 package.
• Flash Memory: 16 Mb SPI flash memory (M25P16).
• Oscillator: 100MHz CMOS oscillator.
• User I/Os: Maximum of 70 user I/Os.
• On-board Peripherals: 8 LEDs and 4 micro switches for user-defined purposes.
• Power Supply: Operates on +5V power supply, typically from USB. External 5V DC power supply is optional if USB current is insufficient. On-board regulators derive 3.3V and 1.2V supplies.
• Internal Supply Voltage (relative to GND): -0.5 to 1.32V.
• Auxiliary Supply Voltage (relative to GND): -0.5 to 3.75V.
• Output Drivers Supply Voltage (relative to GND): -0.5 to 3.75V.
• Mechanical Dimensions (L x W x H): 66.040 mm x 62.230 mm x 13 mm.
• Mechanical Hole Diameter: 3.2 mm.

Usage Features:

• Easy Configuration Download: The board features a USB 2.0 interface for fast and easy configuration download, eliminating the need for a separate programmer or special downloader cable.
• FPGA Configuration Options:
  • USB Interface: An on-board full-speed USB controller allows communication with a PC/Linux/Mac computer using a USB A to Mini B cable. By default, the module is powered from USB.
  • JTAG Configuration: The JTAG connector provides access to the FPGA's JTAG pins, allowing programming using a XILINX platform cable tool and XILINX ISE IMPACT software. This method supports both SRAM and on-board SPI flash programming.
• On-board Peripherals: The 8 LEDs and 4 micro switches are connected to FPGA I/Os, providing immediate feedback and interaction for user-defined applications. These peripherals have on-board pull-ups, requiring users to enable weak pull-ups on corresponding I/Os in their design.
• GPIOs: Equipped with 70 user I/O pins for various custom applications, with detailed pin assignments provided for both HEADER P1 and HEADER P2.
• Power Select: A solder jumper allows configuration of the power source, enabling selection between on-board USB power or an external DC power supply.
• Bit Stream Generation: HDL designs must be converted to a binary (.bin) bit stream using XILINX ISE Web Pack before programming the FPGA. The manual provides a step-by-step guide for generating this bit stream, including creating a binary configuration file and an MCS file for SPI flash programming.
• Driver Installation:
  • Windows: A specific driver package is required for proper functioning. Installation involves unzipping the package and pointing the Windows device installation wizard to the driver files. The module will appear as a serial port (e.g., COM1, COM2) in Device Manager.
  • Linux: Most Linux distributions (Ubuntu, Redhat, Debian) come with the necessary USB CDC driver pre-installed, so rebuilding the kernel is rarely required. The device typically appears in the /dev directory as "ttyACMx" or similar.
  • Mac: Similar to Linux, Mac operating systems have the required drivers pre-installed, and the device appears as a serial port when connected.
• Configuration Tool: Mimas provides a dedicated configuration tool for easy reprogramming of the on-board SPI flash via USB. This tool allows users to select the COM port, open the .bin file, and program the device, with the micro-controller handling the boot process from the flash.

Maintenance Features:

• Power Supply Management: Users are advised to ensure the USB port can supply sufficient current for the board, especially depending on the application and clock used. If USB power is insufficient, an external 5V DC power supply can be used, with proper configuration of the power select jumper. Consulting the FPGA datasheet for detailed power requirements is recommended.
• Documentation: The device comes with a comprehensive user manual and schematics, providing detailed information for setup, programming, and troubleshooting.
• Community Support: Numato Lab offers resources and support through their website and social media channels (Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, Google+).

Xilinx Mimas Spartan 6 FPGA Specifications

General

Brand	Xilinx
Model	Mimas Spartan 6 FPGA
Category	Motherboard
Language	English