An Open-Source suggestion for Xilinx
In generic the decision about to use Open-Source strategies is very complex, but there is an easy and low risc way to at least make the first step, the portion that could be tried as Open-Source is related to programming cable support as first step the firmware for USB Platform Cable or at least the protocol information could be released to the public - the development that follows (or doesnt) could be used as indicator if there is change for success for larger parts of the tools to go Open-Source.
The current programming support is bad, this both on the PC side software (impact), the host drivers and and the embedded firmaware in platform cable(s).
There is already some effort done, I list it here
1) Impact TCP protocol has been reverse engineered and there is open-source cable-server 2) I have tried to make software support for Cable IV high speed mode, even made special FPGA-PCI design that emulates LPT port + Cable IV. There is no final result on that yet. 3) I have written Coolrunner disassembler in order to reverse engineer the Cable IV code 4) There is 3rd party replacement firmware for USB platform cable 5) possible more projects that we dont know about.ALL THOSE efforts have been done to improve the Support for the programming hardware manufactured by Xilinx Inc.
Xilinx Cable IV - it very seldomly works in high speed mode Xilinx has not been able fix the driver issues, and I guess never will
Xilinx USB Cable (and embedded USB Cable) is "kinda working" but it is only useable as download cable and XMD debug, but it can not be used as user communucation channel to user IP cores in Xilinx FPGA.
Those issues (bad support for Xilinx programming hardare) could be done by "Open-Source" initiative WITHOUT Xilinx support, as the reverse engineering needed is not complicated at all. The thing is that there is not enough interest, so everybody keeps using the existing solutions the way they work, not releasing the full potential.
There is lots of open-source software that supports Cable III, and NONE that would support Cable IV, or Platfrom USB Cable.
just me 2 eurocents.
Antti Lukats