FlexyICE - Revision history

Stepan: /* About the FlexyICE */

2010-04-20T09:53:15Z

‎About the FlexyICE

Ward: /* Booting SPI boards */ add potential SPI testclip

2010-04-17T19:23:19Z

‎Booting SPI boards: add potential SPI testclip

Stepan: /* Booting an ALIX.1C */

2009-11-04T09:13:31Z

‎Booting an ALIX.1C

Stepan: /* Using the dongle */ name fixes

2009-11-03T17:28:09Z

‎Using the dongle: name fixes

Stepan: rename dongle -> FlexyICE

2009-11-03T17:23:46Z

rename dongle -> FlexyICE

Stepan at 17:21, 3 November 2009

2009-11-03T17:21:58Z

Stepan: moved Artecgroup programmable LPC dongle to FlexyICE: the official product name is now FlexyICE, so let's call the page like that, too. Old name will be forwarded to the new one.

2009-11-03T17:18:37Z

moved Artecgroup programmable LPC dongle to FlexyICE: the official product name is now FlexyICE, so let's call the page like that, too. Old name will be forwarded to the new one.

Ward at 00:58, 11 April 2009

2009-04-11T00:58:25Z

Stepan at 11:31, 22 March 2009

2009-03-22T11:31:08Z

Stepan: /* Using the dongle */

2009-01-12T10:31:42Z

‎Using the dongle

@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 == About the FlexyICE ==
-The FlexyICE (formerly known as LPC dongle) is made by [http://www.artecgroup.com/products/hardware-products/programmable-lpc-dongle.html Artec Group], based in Estonia. It costs about EUR 160 (2009-11).
+The FlexyICE (formerly known as LPC dongle) is made by [http://www.artecgroup.com/flexyice Artec Group], based in Estonia. It costs about EUR 160 (2009-11).
 The FlexyICE connects to a computer via USB. It connects to the target via an LPC header.

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:23, 17 April 2010
Line 131:		Line 131:
	With a VHDL change and the proper cable, it should be possible to use the FlexyICE to boot SPI-based boards. Artec is considering this as a planned feature for [http://www.opencores.org/projects.cgi/web/artec_dongle_ii_fpga/overview FlexyICE II] VHDL - when that is done, interested parties can try to backport the relevant open source VHDL parts.		With a VHDL change and the proper cable, it should be possible to use the FlexyICE to boot SPI-based boards. Artec is considering this as a planned feature for [http://www.opencores.org/projects.cgi/web/artec_dongle_ii_fpga/overview FlexyICE II] VHDL - when that is done, interested parties can try to backport the relevant open source VHDL parts.

		+	An SPI adapter would also be needed. This might be a good candidate: [http://www.dediprog.com/SPI-flash-in-circuit-programming/ISP-Testclip-SO8 ISP Testclip SO8]


	{{GPL}}		{{GPL}}

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:13, 4 November 2009
Line 40:		Line 40:

	If you actually wrote and read an image, you should now md5sum both files to make sure they are identical.		If you actually wrote and read an image, you should now md5sum both files to make sure they are identical.
		+
		+	== Adapters and Cables ==

	=== Booting an ALIX.1C ===		=== Booting an ALIX.1C ===

@@ Line 17: / Line 17: @@
 Artec Group provides [http://opencores.org/cvsweb.shtml/usb_dongle_fpga/release/EPCS_update_tool.zip a tool] to upgrade the VHDL on the dongle that can be run under GNU/Linux (it's a python program). They also provide the binary image for the v5 of the VHDL. Of course all sources are available to build that binary image, but currently proprietary software on Windows is needed to do so. You will need a byteblaster-II cable (which can be purchased at http://www.customcircuitsolutions.com/cable.html or http://fpgaguy.110mb.com/, for instance). This tool has only received limited testing, so please be careful and report any problems to the author.
-== Using the dongle ==
+== Using the FlexyICE ==
 === Drivers for Windows and Mac OS ===
-The dongle can be accessed using its usb-to-serial chip (FT245B(M)). For Windows and Mac OS, you need a driver for the chip, which can be found at the [http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm chip vendor's website].
+The FlexyICE can be accessed using its usb-to-serial chip (FT245B(M)). For Windows and Mac OS, you need a driver for the chip, which can be found at the [http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm chip vendor's website].
-=== Reading from and writing to the dongle ===
+=== Reading from and writing to the FlexyICE ===
-If you use Ubuntu, make sure to uninstall brltty (apt-get remove brltty --purge) before you hook up the dongle; otherwise it will hijack the dongle and you won't be able to talk to it. Brltty is a software braille terminal.
+If you use Ubuntu, make sure to uninstall brltty (apt-get remove brltty --purge) before you hook up the FlexyICE; otherwise it will hijack the FlexyICE and you won't be able to talk to it. Brltty is a software braille terminal.
-Images are downloaded via USB. With the latest version of the VHDL (v5), it should take about 8 seconds to write a 512KByte image to the dongle.
+Images are downloaded via USB. With the latest version of the VHDL (v5), it should take about 8 seconds to write a 512KByte image to the FlexyICE.
-Here's a command that writes a 512KByte image to the dongle
+Here's a command that writes a 512KByte image to the FlexyICE
    ./dongle.py -v -c /dev/ttyUSB0 alix0-1.bin 3584K
-The -v parameter makes the command verbose. -c /dev/ttyUSB0 means 'use device /dev/ttyS0'. Alix0-1.bin is the image that is to be written to the dongle (it's a 512KByte file), and 3584K is the offset at which it should be written. Always calculate that number as 4Mbyte - size of your image.
+The -v parameter makes the command verbose. -c /dev/ttyUSB0 means 'use device /dev/ttyS0'. Alix0-1.bin is the image that is to be written to the FlexyICE (it's a 512KByte file), and 3584K is the offset at which it should be written. Always calculate that number as 4Mbyte - size of your image.
 And here's how you can read the image back:
@@ Line 43: / Line 43: @@
 === Booting an ALIX.1C ===
-First of all, you'll need to make a custom cable. The ALIX.1C has a 20-pin header (J16) that can be used to hook up the dongle. The pin layout is documented on page 13 and 14 in the [http://pcengines.ch/pdf/alix1c.pdf ALIX.1C manual]:
+First of all, you'll need to make a custom cable. The ALIX.1C has a 20-pin header (J16) that can be used to hook up the FlexyICE. The pin layout is documented on page 13 and 14 in the [http://pcengines.ch/pdf/alix1c.pdf ALIX.1C manual]:
 <pre>
@@ Line 68: / Line 68: @@
 </pre>
-The Artec Group FlexyICE has a 10-pin LPC dongle that is described [http://www.artecgroup.com/downloads/task,doc_download/gid,5/Itemid,33/ in the schematics]. This is the pin layout:
+The Artec Group FlexyICE has a 10-pin LPC connector that is described [http://www.artecgroup.com/downloads/task,doc_download/gid,5/Itemid,33/ in the schematics]. This is the pin layout:
 <pre>
@@ Line 86: / Line 86: @@
 <pre>
-   Dongle - ALIX.1C
+   FlexyICE - ALIX.1C
 - 13
@@ Line 101: / Line 101: @@
 </pre>
-In the above, pin 7 on the dongle should not be connected to anything on the ALIX.1C. Pin 9 on the dongle should be connected to one of 2/4/6/8/10/12/17 on the ALIX.1C, not all of those pins. Pin 15 and 18 on the ALIX.1C side need to be shorted, but not connected to anything on the dongle side.
+In the above, pin 7 on the FlexyICE should not be connected to anything on the ALIX.1C. Pin 9 on the FlexyICE should be connected to one of 2/4/6/8/10/12/17 on the ALIX.1C, not all of those pins. Pin 15 and 18 on the ALIX.1C side need to be shorted, but not connected to anything on the FlexyICE side.
 Cable length is important - your cable should not be more than a few centimeter long.
-The easiest way to make such a cable is to take an old floppy or IDE-40 flat ribbon cable (don't use IDE-80, its wires are much thinner which makes things harder), cut it, and put a 10-pin header on the dongle side.
+The easiest way to make such a cable is to take an old floppy or IDE-40 flat ribbon cable (don't use IDE-80, its wires are much thinner which makes things harder), cut it, and put a 10-pin header on the FlexyICE side.
 If you are in the US, you can buy 10-pin headers [https://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&pa=32492&productId=32492 here] (Jameco part number 32492). You might also want to get [https://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&pa=73252&productId=73252 a crimping tool] (Jameco part number 73252).
@@ Line 113: / Line 113: @@
 [[Image:Dscn3151_640_480.jpg||Custom ALIX.1C to FlexyICE cable]]
-You can test your cable by booting the ALIX.1C, and then hooking it up to the dongle (using J16 on the ALIX.1C, of course). Now reboot the ALIX.1C board; the LEDs on the dongle should show post codes as the ALIX.1C shuts down and tries to boot. Unless you've prepared the dongle and stored an image into it, the ALIX.1C will not boot. But if you see POST codes on the LEDs, your cable is likely to be good. If not, use a multimeter and make sure it matches the layout above. Also make sure that it is not too long.
+You can test your cable by booting the ALIX.1C, and then hooking it up to the FlexyICE (using J16 on the ALIX.1C, of course). Now reboot the ALIX.1C board; the LEDs on the FlexyICE should show post codes as the ALIX.1C shuts down and tries to boot. Unless you've prepared the FlexyICE and stored an image into it, the ALIX.1C will not boot. But if you see POST codes on the LEDs, your cable is likely to be good. If not, use a multimeter and make sure it matches the layout above. Also make sure that it is not too long.
-Now make sure the dongle is correctly configured:
+Now make sure the FlexyICE is correctly configured:
-Jump pin 1/2 on J1. Make sure JMP4 is set to position 1/2 (i.e. NOT to the pins marked as LPC). Make sure that you leave the mode select jumpers in the same position between the writing of the image into the dongle and trying to boot off it.
+Jump pin 1/2 on J1. Make sure JMP4 is set to position 1/2 (i.e. NOT to the pins marked as LPC). Make sure that you leave the mode select jumpers in the same position between the writing of the image into the FlexyICE and trying to boot off it.
-Now write your image to the top of the memory bank you want to use (see higher). Then <i>disconnect the dongle from your computer</i>, reconnect it, make sure that you have your cable connected to the LPC port on the dongle and J16 on the ALIX.1C, and plug in power to the ALIX.1C. Also hook up a serial port to the ALIX.1C so that you see what happens during boot. If all goes well, you will see post codes on the dongle LEDs as the ALIX.1C boots.
+Now write your image to the top of the memory bank you want to use (see higher). Then <i>disconnect the FlexyICE from your computer</i>, reconnect it, make sure that you have your cable connected to the LPC port on the FlexyICE and J16 on the ALIX.1C, and plug in power to the ALIX.1C. Also hook up a serial port to the ALIX.1C so that you see what happens during boot. If all goes well, you will see post codes on the FlexyICE LEDs as the ALIX.1C boots.
 === Booting FWH PLCC boards ===
@@ Line 127: / Line 127: @@
 === Booting SPI boards ===
-With a VHDL change and the proper cable, it should be possible to use the dongle to boot SPI-based boards. Artec is considering this as a planned feature for [http://www.opencores.org/projects.cgi/web/artec_dongle_ii_fpga/overview Artec Dongle II] VHDL - when that is done, interested parties can try to backport the relevant open source VHDL parts.
+With a VHDL change and the proper cable, it should be possible to use the FlexyICE to boot SPI-based boards. Artec is considering this as a planned feature for [http://www.opencores.org/projects.cgi/web/artec_dongle_ii_fpga/overview FlexyICE II] VHDL - when that is done, interested parties can try to backport the relevant open source VHDL parts.
 {{GPL}}

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-[[Image:artec_dongle.jpg|thumb|right|Artec Group FlexyICE (version 1).]]
+[[Image:artec_dongle.jpg|thumb|right|Artec Group FlexyICE <br/>(version 1).]]
 == About the FlexyICE ==
@@ Line 68: / Line 68: @@
 </pre>
-The Artec Group LPC dongle has a 10-pin LPC dongle that is described [http://www.artecgroup.com/downloads/task,doc_download/gid,5/Itemid,33/ in the schematics]. This is the pin layout:
+The Artec Group FlexyICE has a 10-pin LPC dongle that is described [http://www.artecgroup.com/downloads/task,doc_download/gid,5/Itemid,33/ in the schematics]. This is the pin layout:
 <pre>
@@ Line 111: / Line 111: @@
 This is what a finished cable looks like:
-[[Image:Dscn3151_640_480.jpg||Custom ALIX.1C to Artec Group LPC dongle cable]]
+[[Image:Dscn3151_640_480.jpg||Custom ALIX.1C to FlexyICE cable]]
 You can test your cable by booting the ALIX.1C, and then hooking it up to the dongle (using J16 on the ALIX.1C, of course). Now reboot the ALIX.1C board; the LEDs on the dongle should show post codes as the ALIX.1C shuts down and tries to boot. Unless you've prepared the dongle and stored an image into it, the ALIX.1C will not boot. But if you see POST codes on the LEDs, your cable is likely to be good. If not, use a multimeter and make sure it matches the layout above. Also make sure that it is not too long.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-[[Image:artec_dongle.jpg|thumb|right|Artecgroup programmable LPC dongle.]]
+[[Image:artec_dongle.jpg|thumb|right|Artec Group FlexyICE (version 1).]]
-== About the dongle ==
+== About the FlexyICE ==
-The dongle is for sale by [http://www.artecgroup.com/products/hardware-products/programmable-lpc-dongle.html Artecgroup], based in Estonia. It costs about EUR 150 (2007-12).
+The FlexyICE (formerly known as LPC dongle) is made by [http://www.artecgroup.com/products/hardware-products/programmable-lpc-dongle.html Artec Group], based in Estonia. It costs about EUR 160 (2009-11).
-The dongle connects to a computer via USB. It connects to the target via an LPC header.
+The FlexyICE connects to a computer via USB. It connects to the target via an LPC header.
-The dongle comes with [http://opencores.org/projects.cgi/web/usb_dongle_fpga/overview free software and full schematics] (scroll all the way to the bottom for download links, or click on the CVS: browse link near the top). The host-based software is written in Python, and works just fine under GNU/Linux.
+The FlexyICE comes with [http://opencores.org/projects.cgi/web/usb_dongle_fpga/overview free software and full schematics] (scroll all the way to the bottom for download links, or click on the CVS: browse link near the top). The host-based software is written in Python, and works just fine under GNU/Linux.
-The dongle has 16 MByte of onboard memory, divided in 4 banks of 4 Mbyte each. The 'mode-selection' jumpers allow selection of each bank: 00, 01, 10, 11.
+The FlexyICE has 16 MByte of onboard memory, divided in 4 banks of 4 Mbyte each. The 'mode-selection' jumpers allow selection of each bank: 00, 01, 10, 11.
 The dongle also has two 16-segment LED displays that can show POST codes.
@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
 If you hold the reset button on the dongle, the second LED will show the version of the VHDL you have - currently 03, 04 or 05.
-Artecgroup provides [http://opencores.org/cvsweb.shtml/usb_dongle_fpga/release/EPCS_update_tool.zip a tool] to upgrade the VHDL on the dongle that can be run under GNU/Linux (it's a python program). They also provide the binary image for the v5 of the VHDL. Of course all sources are available to build that binary image, but currently proprietary software on Windows is needed to do so. You will need a byteblaster-II cable (which can be purchased at http://www.customcircuitsolutions.com/cable.html or http://fpgaguy.110mb.com/, for instance). This tool has only received limited testing, so please be careful and report any problems to the author.
+Artec Group provides [http://opencores.org/cvsweb.shtml/usb_dongle_fpga/release/EPCS_update_tool.zip a tool] to upgrade the VHDL on the dongle that can be run under GNU/Linux (it's a python program). They also provide the binary image for the v5 of the VHDL. Of course all sources are available to build that binary image, but currently proprietary software on Windows is needed to do so. You will need a byteblaster-II cable (which can be purchased at http://www.customcircuitsolutions.com/cable.html or http://fpgaguy.110mb.com/, for instance). This tool has only received limited testing, so please be careful and report any problems to the author.
 == Using the dongle ==
@@ Line 68: / Line 68: @@
 </pre>
-The Artecgroup LPC dongle has a 10-pin LPC dongle that is described [http://www.artecgroup.com/downloads/task,doc_download/gid,5/Itemid,33/ in the schematics]. This is the pin layout:
+The Artec Group LPC dongle has a 10-pin LPC dongle that is described [http://www.artecgroup.com/downloads/task,doc_download/gid,5/Itemid,33/ in the schematics]. This is the pin layout:
 <pre>
@@ Line 111: / Line 111: @@
 This is what a finished cable looks like:
-[[Image:Dscn3151_640_480.jpg||Custom ALIX.1C to Artecgroup LPC dongle cable]]
+[[Image:Dscn3151_640_480.jpg||Custom ALIX.1C to Artec Group LPC dongle cable]]
 You can test your cable by booting the ALIX.1C, and then hooking it up to the dongle (using J16 on the ALIX.1C, of course). Now reboot the ALIX.1C board; the LEDs on the dongle should show post codes as the ALIX.1C shuts down and tries to boot. Unless you've prepared the dongle and stored an image into it, the ALIX.1C will not boot. But if you see POST codes on the LEDs, your cable is likely to be good. If not, use a multimeter and make sure it matches the layout above. Also make sure that it is not too long.

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:58, 11 April 2009
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[[Image:artec_dongle.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Artecgroup programmable LPC dongle.]]		[[Image:artec_dongle.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Artecgroup programmable LPC dongle.]]
−	~~This page is maintained by Ward Vandewege (ward at gnu dot org).~~

	== About the dongle ==		== About the dongle ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:31, 22 March 2009
Line 1:		Line 1:
		+	[[Image:artec_dongle.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Artecgroup programmable LPC dongle.]]
	This page is maintained by Ward Vandewege (ward at gnu dot org).		This page is maintained by Ward Vandewege (ward at gnu dot org).