purpose of EDIF file in FPGA design

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shaiko

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What is the purpose of an EDIF file in FPGA design ?
 

EDIF file is vendor-neutral PnR netlist file, which is generated by synthesis tools (like Synplify pro) and contains all information about connections of different FPGA resources to implement the wanted logic. Place & roue tools take this file in addition to physical constraints file (containing information about IO pins & timing constraints) and does place & route. Information at following link will further clarify your doubts:
https://www.xilinx.com/support/documentation/sw_manuals/xilinx11/ise_c_using_xst_for_synthesis.htm.

Thanks,
FPGA
 
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    shaiko

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So...this file stores information about how to connect FPGA resources.
Is there another file that notes the exact resources to use ?
 

EDIF file itself contains information about resources as well as their connections (simply whatever you see in technology view) after synthesis. Definition of exact resources available in a particular FPGA is provided through component libraries in the synthesis tool.
 
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    shaiko

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So...an EDIF file is all you need in order to use a closed source IP core ?
 

Yes.. to some extent but that may be specific to a particular FPGA, because though the format of EDIF file is vendor independent but synthesis tool uses component libraries of that FPGA to create it.
 
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    shaiko

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fpgadsgnr,

Do you have any experience with devices from Actel and the Libero IDE ?
 

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    shaiko

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