Problem with Avnet Virtex-II Pro Eval Board

[Fenrir]

impact virtex 2 not detecting

Hello guys,

I have a Avnet Virtex-II Pro Eval Board, do I have to use EDK to program the chip?
I ask this question now because I have EDK and ISE 8.1 but I only have a Multi-Linx cable which is no longer supported by Xilinx. I have to go back to use version 7.1 but I dont have EDK 7.1.....

Anyway, I tried to test the board by first powering the board with default jumper settings. Everything seems ok; I see the LED array flashing. Then I changed the jumper settings to JTAG mode, fired up iMPACT to see if I could detect the device in Boundary Scan Mode and got a problem.....When iMPACT was identifying the scan chain it kept on adding UNKNOWN devices. It seems the chain is infinite and I had to force the program to stop......I called Avnet about the problem and subsequently got a replacement board but I still have the same problem....(I am sure I got a different board bacause the chip is faster than the previous one)

So I want to know if the board is actually defective, or it just doesnt work with iMPACT (which I think is pretty weird if it is really so). Any owner of the same board can help me with this issue?

Thanks,

 

[EDALIST]

avnet virtex-ii

this error happens when chain is not detected, i always had it when i had a programmed prom and i wanted to programed it.
the solution is connect init pin to gnd and then fire the impact tool.
other option is that jtag flat cable doesnt work.

 

[Fenrir]

EDALIST, Thanks for your reply!
However I tried your method and it didnt work.....
I have just discover that Virtex-II Pro works at 1.5V, but my Multi-Linx only works down to 2.5V. I think it may be the source of the problem....

 

[SynKore Support]

Hi, Fenrir,

Have you solved the problem? I have an idea and you can have a try.

You can bypass the FPGA (maybe you need to open a trace on the board), chain only the PROM's JTAG pins with your cable, programming the PROM via your cable, then config the FPGA using master serial mode. I hope this helps.

Or, why not find a suitable download cable? It is not expensive, compare to the board. It seems I can buy this in my city. If you need help, please feel free to contact me.

Good Luck!

Michael Zhang


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