fwd: re: Re: in circuit programmable logic?

[SRavet at bangate.compaq.com]

Comments By: Steve Ravet at Prj Eng at PCPD Hou
Originally To: <SRavet at bangate.compaq.com>
Originally Cc: <smd at cypress.com>, <npt at cypress.com>, <hlp at cypress.com>, <drc at cypress.com>, <alggroup at cypress.com>, <klv at cypress.com>
Originally From: mdl at cypress.com (Matt Landrum)
Original Date:  5/2/96  4:05 PM
Comments:

There was a thread a while ago about cheap FPGA software/programmers.  
Here's what I've found:

1)  Lattice has a deal for $100.  This includes windows based software, 
which is either their proprietary PDS language, or ABEL.  This software 
will only work with 3 devices, the 1016 (16 Generic Logic Blocks), the 2032 
(8 GLBs), and the 22v10.  I have no idea how "big" these chips are.  It 
includes programming software for the ispGDS (generic digital switch) line 
of chips.  It includes download software and a download cable.  It also 
includes three devices, a 2032, a 22v10b, and a GDS14-7j.  No dedicated 
device programmer is necessary, but you need a special socket on the board 
to accept the programming cable.

The software appears to be basically PAL-like software, equations only.  No 
simulator, etc.

2)  Cypress has a deal for $200, if you have a PC w/windows.  They sell the 
Warp2 VHDL compiler for $99, and the programming/download 
software/cables/etc. for $99  The VHDL compiler runs on PC, Sun, HP, but 
the download software only runs on the PC.  Again, no dedicated device 
programmer is needed, (if you have a PC) but you have to have a special 
connector on your board to accept the programming cable.  This package 
supports GAL type devices as well as CPLDs up to 128 macrocells.

It seems to me that you could make your own "programmer" for either of 
these systems by building a special board with the cable connector, and 
sockets for whatever types of devices you want to program.

Umm..  Guess that's about all I know.  I've attached an email that I got 
from a rep at cypress.

--steve

Steve Ravet
sravet at bangate.compaq.com
Baby you're a genius when it comes to cooking up some chili sauce...


-------------------------[Original Message]--------------------------

->  From SRavet at bangate.compaq.com Thu May  2 12:44:36 1996
->  
->  Hi Matt, thanks for getting back to me.  I am interested in this package 
->  for home/hobby purposes, which is why cost is important.  The Lattice 
->  package is a lot more limited than Warp, but for $100 it includes 
->  everything I need, including 3 devices.

Yes, this is a nice package.  Perfect for home use/prototyping.  Of
course this does not include PLD design software.  With Lattice you
will have to learn their proprietary PDS software or use a Third party
solution like ABEL.  If what you really want is to do PLD design, I
would strongly suggest Warp2 which supports IEEEE 1076/1164 VHDL, LPM
2.1, and all Cypress PLDs/CPLDs and FPGAs. I'll assume you are only
interested in building boards and already have the JEDEC file for the
purposes of discussion.

->  My wife won't let me spend $1000 
->  for a device programmer  :-)  It's not clear to me what the up front cost 
->  of going with Warp would be, including everything I need to start 
->  programming devices.  I got the fax you mentioned.  Since the 370i parts 
->  are ISR, then do they still require a programmer?  

No, you do not need a programmer.

Right now for Flash370i, we only have PC cable programming available
(no embedded controller programming).  There's a connector that goes on
on your board and a cable that hooks into the port on your PC.

-> The Lattice kit only needs a cable, which is included. 
-> Tell me what a minimal system would be 
-> that would allow me to design and program 370i parts.

1. CY3120 Warp2 - $99, VHDL Development system for PLDs, CPLDs, and FPGAs
   You can do your designs and learn VHDL (looks great on the resume)

2. CY3600 ISR Programming Kit (should be available by the end of this month) - $99

   The kit contains the programming software, user's guide, application notes,
   and cable.

3. PC (Warp2 runs on the PC, Sun, and HP.  The ISR programming s/w itself only
       runs on the PC).

4. Your completed/prototype board with a connector to which the
programming cable connects.

It sounds like providing a board with a few adapters to provide a low-cost
programming system would be nice.  The design is the fun part to me and
what I like to do at home.

If the design is what you are most interested in, you can always
use a programming service or program the devices at work.  There's really no
reason to need devices and do programming if you are just interested in the
design part.   You can do the design and simulate it with the software.
And with Warp2, you're using VHDL which can be used by any major CAE tool.

Our FAE, Kenny Van Zant, has regular VHDL classes which use the Warp2 software.
Let me know if you want to go to one of those.  Possibly Kenny could come over
and give the class to a group of you guys if 10-15 of you are interested.

So the bottom line is "tell me exactly what your objective is" and I'll think
of some reason for you to buy Cypress :)

Let us know if you have further questions.

->  
->  My phone number is 713 514 7633, and my fax # is 713 514 1731
->  
->  Steve Ravet
->  sravet at bangate.compaq.com
->  Baby you're a genius when it comes to cooking up some chili sauce...
->