[partial-reconfig] DPR on ML310 - Introduction and Issues

[Nipun Java <Nipun.Java@xxxxxxx>]

Hi guys,

Let me begin by saying, this is a great forum!!!. I have read the relevant archives and here I present my case. 

About Myself:

Name - Nipun Java
Occupation-  Grad student (MS in computer science)
Objective summary- Trying to explore partial reconfiguration capabilities on FPGA as part of my masters thesis.

Toolset: 

Board- Xilinx ML310 with Xilinx XC2VP30 (virtex 2pro) on it (Same as Karel, Jason and Lakshmi Narayan (LN))
Software -
1) Xilinx 6.3 and EDK 6.3 (No service packs applied!)
2) Xilinx 8.1 and EDK 8.1 with Planahead 8.1 (30 day eval version, DPR disabled, one needs a TCL script for Xilinx for this, have opened a webcase for this, yet to hear from them)

Current Objective and Approach: (open to suggestions and change)

1) I'm trying to explore dynamic partial reconfiguration capabilities as part of my masters thesis using PPC or microblaze (standalone with no kernel, cuz im not sure if kernel would help me right now).

2) Am thinking of using ICAP interface and am starting with Karel's design for this. He has been kind enough to access his design from this link - http://www.elis.ugent.be/digital/?q=project/pr_ml310. Thank You Karel!

3) Also I am planning to explore Jason's useful tips on how to use EDK from <http://wiki.ittc.ku.edu/rtrjvm/EDK_and_MD>
and his design using EDK 6.3 from http://wiki.ittc.ku.edu/rtrjvm/Image:Project6.tar.gz
Thank You Jason! Tips are most useful.

Progress So Far: 

1) Implemented a modified version (combinational with no clock) of xapp290 application note appendix code for the virtex 2pro and tried toggling the Leds. Was stuck on this for 2 weeks when I found this mailing list!!

2) After reading LN's views on the archive, I used Xilinx ISE 6.3 with no service pack and the design worked. I can see led toggling on ML310 using xapp290 code. Thanks LN!!

Now I wish to add a microcontroller which does the reconfiguration using ICAP. My questions as follows

a) Has anyone been able to use a single PPC and JTAG together? If not, then I would have to be forced to use microblaze.
b) This is very important - where does one store the partial bitstreams on the ML310 board? I assume Compact Flash on the board should be used only. So does one need a compact flash programmer? Or is there another way to access the compact flash
c) I read that one might require use of SPI E2PROM for boot code. Is this really necessary (shouldnt compact flash be sufficient?) and if yes, how can we download anything on the E2PROM. 
d) Has anyone experimented with Xilinx 8.1 versions of softwares specifically PlanAhead for its DPR capabilities. Ive heard it requires a TCL script for enabling the same. Any inputs here?

******As of now the only way I know of downloading anything is using Xilinx Parallel 4 cable with PC4 JTAG jumper.********

Any inputs would be greatly appreciated. Would gladly accept any mentoring :-)

Thanks,
Nipun Java (NJ),
Masters in CS,
Arizona State University
Email - Nipun(dot)Java(@)asu(dot)edu


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