Xilinx Spartan 3E - where to start? Online examples needed

[akohan]

Where to start?

Hello group,

I just have bought a Xilinx Spartan 3E and need to start the coding. Where should I start it?

I have done some design/programming using VHDL on D@ from Altera but new to Xilinx platform. any advice or suggestions will be appreciated.

Is there series of steps or online examples that I can follow as warm up?



Thanks,
Amit

 

[Marcel Majoor]

Re: Where to start?

The (free) Xilinx WebPack ISE has some examples included.
From the menu, under 'File' select 'Open example...'.
The ISE also includes some references to online tutorials (Menu -> 'Help' -> Tutorials -> ...)

 

[akohan]

Re: Where to start?

Thank you so much for the heads up. One thing I need to ask is where can I learn on how to download a code on a Spartan 3E?

Regards,
Amit

 

[Marcel Majoor]

Re: Where to start?

The VHDL compiler generates typically a .bit or .jed file (depending on if we are dealing with FPGA or CPLD).

The actual programming is done using the JTAG port of the FPGA/CPLD. For this you, obviously, need a JTAG programmer.
If you have a complete Xilinx development package, including such a JTAG programmer/adapter, then the whole compilation and programming is done from within the ISE.
If you don't use a Xilinx supported JTAG adapter then you have to use the software of your own JTAG adapter, and use the generated .bit/.jed file.

In some case such a development package can include some other means of programming the FPGA/CPLD. You have to check the manual of the development package for this.