Lab 7: Performing Memory and Peripheral Tests using MicroBlaze on EDK

Statement: The objective of this lab is to provide basic learning of Embedded Development Kit using MicroBlaze this time and performing Memory and Peripheral Tests. MicroBlaze: MicroBlaze is one of the two Processors present in this Embedded Development Kit. It is a virtual processor. Equipment: Embedded development kit Xilinx 12.1 Assignment: The entire process of downloading the hardware and software onto the FPGA board using Xilinx 12.1 is divided into four steps: Selection of Device Configuration Downloading Bit stream Downloading Software (code) 1. Selection of Device The following steps are to be followed for selecting the device to be programmed: Go to Start menu bar Go to Program files Go to Xilinx 12.1 and select Platform Studio from EDK folder. Platform studio will be the interface used to program the FPGA. Make a Base file in any hard disk. First make a folder with your own name. Inside that folder, include another folder with the name LAB2. All the files will be created in this folder later on. There should be no space in this name LAB2.

Now, In the Platform Studio, open a new project. Browse the Base file to give the exact path. In this case the path that would be created will be: D:\\Name\Lab2\system.xmp A .xmp file is created. Now A window saying Welcome to Base System Bundle. Press the Okay Button. Next, a window with System Board will open. Choose the device in this step. In this case, the device would be Virtex FF1136.

2.Configuration Next, the configuration process comes in. It involves the following steps: 2.1. System Configuration: Board Select: I would like to create a system for the following development board. Architecture:Virtex5 On the screen for system configuration, single processor is to be selected. The settings for this step are done. 2.2. Processor Configuration:

Processor Type: MicroBlaze System Clock Frequency: 125.00 Local Memory: 16 kB Then steps for this configuration are done. 2.3. Peripheral Configuration:

On the screen for processor configuration, on the left side are the components that are not required by you while on the right side are the components that you want to include. These components can be shifted from Left>>>right by ADD button on the screen. Right>>>left by REMOVE button on the screen. In this case, the following components are required:

DDR2_SDRAM (Core: mpnc) LEDs_8bit (Core:xps_gpio) Push_Buttons_5bit (Core: xps_gipo) RS232_Uart_1 (Core xps_uartlite,Baudrate 115200). These values are selected by UART configuration. SRAM (xps_mch_emc) dlmb_cntlr ilmb_cntlr 2.4. Cache configuration: Default settings are applied. 2.5. Application configuration: Settings for input/output remain as set by default.

In this step: For Peripheral Test: Select DDR2_SRAM for both options For Memory Test: Select Bram for both options

2.5. Summary: This screen shows the summary of all the components that are selected and all the other configuration details.

3. Generate libraries and BSPs: Click Software button from the top menu Click Generate Libraries and BSPs. When process is completed, on console window Done! will come. All Libraries associated with peripherals are included.

MEMORY TEST

From left panel, right click on TestApp_Memory_MicroBlaze.Click on Build Project.

4. Generate Netlist:

From top menu Click on hardware and click on Generate Netlist Connecting the FPGA: Connect the FPGA with power. One end of the blaster FPGA JTAG cable to be connected to JPEG connector and the other end to the Computer. Green light should be on. Now go to Device Configuration menu and select Download Bitstream. This step will take about 5 minutes.

5. Generate Bitstream: From top menu Click on hardware and click on Generate Bitstream

6. Update Bitstream: From top menu Click on Device Configuration and then click on Update Bitstream.

. 6.Hyper Terminal: Open Start; go to Programs, Accessories, System Tools then Hyper Terminal.Enter a name to create a New Connection. Click OK. Select Connection using COM1. Click OK. 7.Port Settings: In the COM1 properties: Bits per second: 115200 Data bits:8 Parity: None Stop Bit: 1 Flow Control: None Then click OK. 3.8. Download Bitstream: Click on Device Configuration on top menu. Then click on Download Bit stream.

Peripheral Test: From left panel, right click Project_peripheral_microbaze and then select Build from it. When it is completed, Launch XMD by clicking Debug from top menu

On the command line window, following commands are used: con Rst stop

9. Result If the software and hardware is downloaded correctly, no error will occur and the green LEDs on the FPGA board will start blinking one by one as per the code.