Hi,
I'm new to this newsgroup, and also a relative FPGA newbie (though have lots of hardware and software experince). If I should need the FAQ, please kindly point me in the right direction.
I would like to implement a minimal RS232 interface on my Cyclone device. I only require TxD and RxD signals (I've got an RS232 level- shifter IC on board). I only require a bare-bones implementation as I need to communicate merely sufficient data to configure up to 16 8-bit registers on my Cyclone chip. Flow-control / buffer overruns should not be an issue.
It would be nice to have a terminal-like behaviour from the Cyclone (and enter commands like "R13:240" to set register 13 to value 240). A terse (and technically simpler) command structure such as "0af8[enter]" meaning: "set register 0x0a to 0xf8" would be perfectly adequate for the time being.
What is the best way to implement this function? Is there code I can download from the website?
I'm using the Quartus II software, and using a mixture of Graphical (Block) Design Files and AHDL. My present application does not require or use any Nios core.
I see downloadable UARTs on the site, but they are far more fully- functioned than I need, and apparently require licensing, which seems far too complicated and involved for a one-off project.
Thanks for any suggestion,
Andrew
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