The next step after generating the FPGA bitstream file is to download it into the target FPGA device. 1
The Vivado IDE tool includes functionality that allows us to connect to hardware containing one or 2
more FPGA devices to program and interact with those FPGA devices. In this lecture, 3
we are going to walk through the FPGA programming process. 4
Conceptually, an FPGA comprises of two layers: application and configuration layers. The application 5
layer contains all the hardware modules that can be configured and connected together to implement an 6
algorithm or a function. 7
After configuring this layer, we can apply the input data and get the generated outputs. 8
The configuration later consists of a set of memory cells used to configure the application layer modules. 9
The configuration data saved in this layer is call bitstream and is generated by synthesis tools. 10
Theoretically, the configuration memories are accessible sequentially, and FPGA bitstream data is written 11
to the FPGA using a streaming scheme. 12
There are five steps to configure our board with the generated bitstream file. Firstly, connect the board to the 13
computer with a micro-USB cable. 14
Secondly, If your project is not open, run the Vivado IDE and open the project. 15
Thirdly, Open the Hardware Manager which controls and manages all the connections and data communication 16
with the target hardware. Then, open the target FPGA, using a hardware server. 17
The hardware server creates a connection from the Vivado Design Suite to the physical programming 18
target. 19
Before programming the target FPGA, you should attach the bitstream file. 20
Finally, program the FPGA. 21
Ok, let’s do these steps in practice. First, connect your board to your computer. If your project 22
is not open, run the Vivado and open your project. 23
Probably you can find your project in the resent project area on the right, or you can click on Open 24
Project in the QuickStart section, or use the menu for this purpose. 25
In the case of using one of the last two options, the open project dialog will be opened, find your 26
project and select that. 27
Notice that the extension of the Vivado project file is xpr. 28
Click the Open Hardware Manager link in the Program and Debug section of the Vivado flow navigator. 29
Click the Open Target selection under Hardware Manager in the Program and Debug section of the Vivado flow 30
navigator and select the auto-connect to open the hardware targets. 31
You should see the FPGA device in the list of hardware. 32
Now program your device. You have two options for doing that 1- Right-click on the name of FPGA 33
and select the “Program device …” option. 2- Or click on the Program device link on top of the hardware pane 34
The program device dialog will be opened. If your bitstream file is not denoted in the Bitstream file box, 35
click on the ellipsis icon and find the bitstream file and select that. Then click on the program button. 36
After programming the board, you should see 4 LEDs illuminating. 37
In the next step, you will have a couple of exercises to master what you have learned during this 38
section. 39
This is our takeaway message. 40
There are five steps to configure our board with the generated bitstream file. 41
Firstly, connect the board to the computer 42
Secondly, open, the Vivado project 43
Thirdly, Open the Hardware Manager, Then, open the target FPGA, Finally, program the FPGA. 44
Now the quiz question. What are the hardware manager and server?