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www.microsemi.com/products/fpga-soc/design-resources/programming-debug

• Supports in-system programming

• Supports IEEE 1149 JTAG

programming through STAPL

• Supports IEEE 1532

• Uses Microsemi FlashPro

software, available as part of

Libero SoC or Libero IDE. Also

available standalone.

• Free software updates

• USB Connection to PC

• Operating systems

- Windows XP Professional

(SP2 recommended)

- Windows 2000 Professional

(SP4 recommended)

FlashPro4 In-System FPGA Programmer

DirectC

DirectC v2.3 is a set of C code designed to support embedded

microprocessor–based in-system programming for IGLOO, ProASIC3 and

Fusion families. To use DirectC v2.3, you must make some minor modifications

to the provided source code, add the necessary API and compile the source

code and the API together to create a binary executable. The target system

must contain a microprocessor with a minimum 256 bytes of RAM, a JTAG

interface to the target device from the microprocessor and access to the

programming data to be used for programming the FPGA. Access to

programming data could be provided by a telecommunications link for most

remote systems.

Download DirectC source files and the complete user’s guide at:

www.microsemi.com/soc/products/hardware/program_debug/directc/default.aspx.

STAPL Player

The STAPL Player can be used to program third-generation flash devices such

as IGLOO, ProASIC3 and Fusion, and interprets the contents of a STAPL file,

which is generated by Libero IDE software tools. The file contains information

about the programming of Microsemi flash-based devices, as well as the

JTAG scan chain for a single device. The data format is a JEDEC standard

known as the Standard Test and Programming Language (STAPL) format.

For third-generation devices, note that the STAPL Player will not support

serialization of the FlashROM, nor will it support Smart Erase enabled silicon.

The STAPL Player reads the STAPL file and executes the file’s programming

instructions. Because all programming details are in the STAPL file, the

STAPL Player itself is completely device-independent. In other words, the

system does not need to implement any programming algorithm details; the

STAPL file provides all of the details.

The key differences between the DirectC and the STAPL player methods are

in the memory footprint in the microprocessor and amount of data to transmit.

The DirectC option requires more code space on the processor, but as a

result less data has to be transmitted to perform programming. On the other

hand, the STAPL player communicates both the information to be programmed

and the intelligence needed to perform programming. So, the code footprint

is smaller but the amount of data to transmit will be larger. One advantage of

the STAPL player method is that if updates are required to the programming

algorithm, the STAPL method does not require new code in the processor,

but the DirectC would require new code for the processor.

Programming Devices In-System Using a Microprocessor

Although the FlashPro3 programmer can perform in-system programming, it does require a specific header to be connected externally. For example, if

your system already has external communication available through a microprocessor interface, you may prefer to have the processor perform the in-system

programming. This can be done in two ways.

Ordering Code

Price

SILICON-SCULPTOR 3

$ 4,330

• Programs all Microsemi packages,

including PL, PQ, VQ, QN, BG, FG

and CS

• Universal Microsemi socket

adapters

• Use with Silicon Sculptor software

• Security fuse can be programmed

to secure the devices

• Includes self-test to test its

own hardware

• Protection features

- Overcurrent shutdown

- Power failure shutdown

- ESD protection

- ESD wrist straps with banana

jacks (included as standard)

• Operating systems

- Windows XP Professional

(SP2 recommended)

- Windows 2000 Professional

(SP4 recommended)

Silicon Sculptor 3 FPGA Programmer

For adapter modules, refer to www.microsemi.com/soc/products/hardware/program_debug/ss/modules.aspx

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Price

FLASHPRO4

$ 49