Friday, May 13, 2011

Altera Qsys

  • Improve performance by adding pipeline and also adopting packet layer for MM interface 
 Q: what about the latency of MM command?
  • a Qsys can be re-used as a sub-system
  • The conduit interface can be either connected within a Qsys or export to top, which is very good.
  • The .v doesn't include the source files anymore. will need to adjust script to get rtl file list. 
  • More adapters available for MM and ST interface. especially Avalon-ST Multiplexier and De-Multiplexier .......
Notes:
    • If a Avalon-MM interface waits for waitrequest to be high before starting write/read, it may deadlock.  watirequest condition should be removed. but, write/read should still wait for waitrequest being de-asserted before complete. 
    • Qsys doesn't  generate cpu.v which includes rtl source files and path.

    Altera PLL re-configure

    See Altera app note: AN507 - implement PLL reconfiguration in Cyclone III device
    http://www.altera.com/literature/an/AN507.pdf

    Basically, if only the freqency needs to be changed, the ALTPLL_RECONFIG megafunction can be used and connected with ALTPLL core.

    ALTPLL_RECONFIG can have a init file which can be used to re-configure ALTPLL in runtime.

    In terms of changing shift phase, it's a bit more work to do, which involves directly control of phase shift interface of ALTPLL_RECONFIG..............

    Monday, May 9, 2011

    State-Based trigger in Altera SignalTap

    http://www.altera.com/support/examples/on-chip-debugging/signal-tap/signaltap2-design-examples.html

    Note:  In example, the counter c1 should be added first prior to be used in state flow.