What else do I need beside the EFM 01?
To convert a FPGA design into a loadable bitsream, you also need a FPGA development system. XILINX offers a free development system called ISE™ WebPack™ for download on their webssite. If you connect the EFM 01 to your PC by USB 2.0, you can use the Cesys provided tools to configure the FPGA and to program the flash memory of the EFM 01.
Dont I need a Xilinx download-cable?
You only need a download-cable when you want to use Xilinx tools or tools from other providers, that require a JTAG connection. This is true for Impact™ and ChipScope™ among others.
Do I need a power supply unit?
No, the EFM 01 module can take its power from the USB Interface.
Actually, it provides 3,3 Volt on its headers in this case. Only if you use the EFM 01 without USB connection, you'll have to provide 5 Volt external power.
So USB can even supply other devices connected to the EFM 01?
That is true. When attached to USB only the parts needed to establish connection are powered. Until the PC enables the device it must not draw more than 100 mA current. After the PC has loaded the driver and enabled the device, up to 500 mA are allowed. Then the EFM 01 switches on the FPGA supply and the 3,3 Volt supply of the headers.
Please take care not to draw more current than specified by the EFM 01 manual.
Can I also use the EFM 01 without any USB or JTAG connection?
You can write the FPGA configuration bitstream to the flash memory. For this you'll have to connect USB or JTAG one time. After this, the FPGA of the EFM 01 always configures itsself out of the flash memory after powering on.
Can I do more with the USB interface then just load configuration data to the FPGA?
The USB interface is a connection between your FPGA design and your software running on the PC. You can use the provided samples as a starting point for your own designs. We have optimized the drivers and the firmware to archieve the maximum data rate your PC can do. Start the benchmark tool that comes with the EFM 01 to measure the maximum USB data rate of your system. Depending on the chipset and the performance of the PC, up to 38 MByte/s are possible.
Which voltage levels can be used with the I/O Pins of the EFM 01?
The IO standard of the EFM 01 is LVTTL (3,3 Volt). For details please read the EFM 01 manual. Never apply 5 Volt signals directly to the EFM 01. This will cause irreparable damage.
To convert a FPGA design into a loadable bitsream, you also need a FPGA development system. XILINX offers a free development system called ISE™ WebPack™ for download on their webssite. If you connect the EFM 01 to your PC by USB 2.0, you can use the Cesys provided tools to configure the FPGA and to program the flash memory of the EFM 01.
Dont I need a Xilinx download-cable?
You only need a download-cable when you want to use Xilinx tools or tools from other providers, that require a JTAG connection. This is true for Impact™ and ChipScope™ among others.
Do I need a power supply unit?
No, the EFM 01 module can take its power from the USB Interface.
Actually, it provides 3,3 Volt on its headers in this case. Only if you use the EFM 01 without USB connection, you'll have to provide 5 Volt external power.
So USB can even supply other devices connected to the EFM 01?
That is true. When attached to USB only the parts needed to establish connection are powered. Until the PC enables the device it must not draw more than 100 mA current. After the PC has loaded the driver and enabled the device, up to 500 mA are allowed. Then the EFM 01 switches on the FPGA supply and the 3,3 Volt supply of the headers.
Please take care not to draw more current than specified by the EFM 01 manual.
Can I also use the EFM 01 without any USB or JTAG connection?
You can write the FPGA configuration bitstream to the flash memory. For this you'll have to connect USB or JTAG one time. After this, the FPGA of the EFM 01 always configures itsself out of the flash memory after powering on.
Can I do more with the USB interface then just load configuration data to the FPGA?
The USB interface is a connection between your FPGA design and your software running on the PC. You can use the provided samples as a starting point for your own designs. We have optimized the drivers and the firmware to archieve the maximum data rate your PC can do. Start the benchmark tool that comes with the EFM 01 to measure the maximum USB data rate of your system. Depending on the chipset and the performance of the PC, up to 38 MByte/s are possible.
Which voltage levels can be used with the I/O Pins of the EFM 01?
The IO standard of the EFM 01 is LVTTL (3,3 Volt). For details please read the EFM 01 manual. Never apply 5 Volt signals directly to the EFM 01. This will cause irreparable damage.