FPGA FPGA ConfigurationConfiguration

Introduction

• What is configuration?– Process for loading data into the FPGA

Configuration Data

Source

Configuration Data

SourceFPGAFPGA

ControlLogic

(optional)

ControlLogic

(optional)

Introduction

• When does configuration happen?– On power-up– On demand

• Why do FPGAs need to be configured?– FPGA configuration memory is volatile

• What do I need to know about FPGA configuration?– What happens during configuration– How to set up various configuration modes and daisy-chains– How to troubleshoot problems

FPGA Configuration Process

• In order to understand the configuration process, you need to know a little about:– Configuration modes– Configuration pins

Configuration Modes

• Configuration modes define the specifics of how the FPGA will interact with:– The data source– External control logic (if any)

• Many configuration modes to choose from– Serial modes (Master and Slave)– SelectMAP mode (Slave Parallel)– Boundary scan mode (Slave) - always available– Other Xilinx FPGA families have more configuration modes

Configuration Modes

• Configuration pins (M0, M1, M2))

Note:

• Data is loaded 1 bit per CCLK• Master serial

– FPGA drives configuration clock (CCLK)

– FPGA provides all control logic

• Slave serial– External control logic required to

generate CCLK• Microprocessor• Xilinx serial download cable• Another FPGA

Configuration Modes:Serial Modes

SerialData

SerialData FPGAFPGA

CCLK

Data

SerialData

SerialData FPGAFPGA

ControlLogic

ControlLogic

Data

CCLK

• CCLK is driven by external logic

• Data is loaded 1 byte per CCLK

Configuration Modes:SelectMAP Mode

Byte-WideData

Byte-WideData FPGAFPGA

ControlLogic

ControlLogic

Data

CCLKControl Signals

• External control logic required

• Control signals and data are presented on the boundary scan pins (TDI, TMS, TCK)

• Data is loaded 1 bit per TCK• Always available

(independently on M0,M1,M2)

Configuration Modes:Boundary Scan Mode

SerialData

SerialData FPGAFPGA

ControlLogic

ControlLogic

Data

Control Signals

Configuration Pins

•Specific pins on the FPGA are used during configuration•Some pins act differently depending on configuration mode

Example: CCLK is an output in some modes and an input in others

•Some pins are only used in specific configuration modesExample: CCLK is not used for Boundary Scan mode

Configuration Pin Descriptions

Mode Pins (M0, M1, M2)Input pins that select which configuration mode is being used

PROGRAMActive low input that initiates configuration

CCLK (Configuration Clock)Input or output, depending on configuration modeFrequency up to 10MHz (see Data Book for your device family)

DINSerial input for configuration data

Configuration Pin Descriptions

DOUTOutput to next device in a daisy-chainUsed in daisy-chains only

INITOpen-drain bi-directional pinError and Power Stabilization Flag

DONEOpen-drain bi-directional pinIndicates completion of configuration process

Other pins are used for specific configuration modes(i.e. JTAG Pins)

ConfigurationMemory

Clear

Initialization

LoadConfiguration

Data

Start-up

Configuration Process

• Four major phases in the process:

– Configuration memory clear

– Initialization

– Load configuration data

– Start-up

Initialization

Configuration Process Configuration Memory Clear Phase

• 2 Way to configure (power up - Program)

• Non-configuration I/O pins are disabled with optional pull-up resistors

• INIT and DONE pins are driven low• FPGA memory is cleared

– PROGRAM is checked after each memory pass

• Proceed to initialization

ConfigurationMemory

Clear

LoadConfiguration

Data

No

Yes

INITHigh?

ReleaseINIT

SampleModePins

Configuration Process:Initialization Phase

• INIT pin is released– INIT may be held low externally to

delay configuration

• Mode pins are sampled– Appropriate configuration pins

become active

• Proceed to load configuration data

Initialization

Start-Up

No

Yes

CRCCorrect?

LoadData Frames

Pull INITLow

Configuration Process:Load Configuration Data Phase

• FPGA starts receiving data• CRC is checked during the data

frames transmission– If incorrect value received, INIT is

driven low and rest of data is ignored

• If the CRC checks pass, proceed to start-up

Load

Configuration

Data

FPGA is Operational

ReleaseDONE

ActivateI/O Pins

ReleaseGWE

ReleaseGSR

Configuration Process:Start-up Phase

• Transition phase from configuration to normal operation

• Order of events is user programmable– Accessed through software options

• Default sequence is:– DONE pin is released– All I/O pins become active– Global write enable released– Global reset released

• FPGA is operational

Configuration Process:Start-up Phase

• Default sequence is:– DONE pin is released– All I/O pins become active– Global write enable released– Global reset released

• Another useful sequence is “Sync to DONE”– Useful for multiple FPGA configuration

(Daisy chain)– Configuration option

Master Serial Mode

• All mode pins tied low• FPGA drives CCLK as an output• Data stream loaded 1 bit at a time• Use when data stream is stored in a serial PROM

Slave Serial Mode

• All mode pins tied high• FPGA receives CCLK as

an input• Data stream loaded 1 bit at

a time• Use with the xilinx serial

download cable

What Is a Daisy-Chain?

• Multiple FPGAs connected in series for configuration– Allows configuration of many devices from a single data source – Minimal board traces

• First device in the chain can be in master serial or slave serial mode

• All other devices must be in slave serial mode

Daisy-Chain Question

• How do you think these FPGAs could be connected to form a Daisy-chain?

Daisy-Chain Answer

• Connect all PROGRAM, CCLK and DONE pins together• Connect each DOUT to the DIN of next device• Recommend connecting INIT pins, but not required

Creating a Daisy-Chain

• Connect PROGRAM pins– Required so that all FPGAs will reprogram together

• Connect CCLK pins– Required so that all FPGAs are synchronized with each other

and with the configuration data

• Connect DONE pins– Required so that all FPGAs start-up together

• Connect each DOUT to the DIN of next device– Required to allow each FPGA to receive configuration data

• Connect INIT pins– Recommended to create a single error flag, but not required

How a Daisy-Chain Works

• First FPGA in the chain is configured first– Keeps DOUT high until its configuration memory is full– Then data is passed to the next device in the chain

• Start-up sequence occurs after all devices are configured– FPGA devices pause after internally releasing DONE, and

continue when DONE externally goes high

Review Questions

• Which phase of the configuration process takes the most time?

• What is the main difference between the master serial and slave serial configuration modes?

Answers

• Which phase of the configuration process takes the most time?– The load configuration data phase takes the bulk of the

configuration time

• What is the main difference between the master serial and slave serial configuration modes?– CCLK is an output in master serial, input in slave serial

Summary

• Field programmable devices are configured on power-up from an external data source

• The phases of the configuration process are:– Configuration memory clear– Initialization– Load configuration data– Start-up

• Master serial and slave serial are the simplest configuration modes