Help, synthesis for Spartan XL; does FPGA Express licenses for ISE 3 or 4 expire?

Question

Hello,I need to change some logic for a board with Spartan XL chip. I got ISE 3.3 Foundation installed and when I want to synthesize, it tells me that it cannot check out a license. Doing some diagnostics with the licenses utility it tells me that the FPGA Express licenses expired in 2002.Does that mean I have to buy another FPGA Express licenses to do the synthesis?Seems like synthesis is not for free for those old chips? I guess I could try using a newer version, like 4.1, but I am not sure when the FPGA Express licenses for this one will expire.I searched in the archives for similar postings. I found some older postings from last year. I read from people keeping older versions of the software. Do they buy an update of the FPGA Express license?Did I do something wrong with the FPGA Express licenses and I can actually still use it?Thanks for the help.Guenter

Vanheesbeke Stefaan · Accepted Answer

hi,I think for the newer generation chips you need fpga express 3.6.Or using the free tools downloaded from Xilinx website. The last is probablythe best thing to do, since Xinlinx doesn't sell fpga express anymore, and Ibelieve that FPGA express is not on the market anymore.

rickman · Answer

Guenter is asking about the synthesis tools.  The "classic" Xilinx toolsdo not include synthesis.  They did back when they were current, butthey no longer do.  Vanheesbeke Stefaan wrote:-- Rick "rickman" CollinsIgnore the reply address. To email me use the above address with the XYremoved.Arius - A Signal Processing Solutions CompanySpecializing in DSP and FPGA design      URL  King Ave                               301-682-7772 VoiceFrederick, MD 21701-3110                 301-682-7666 FAX

Guenter Dannoritzer · Answer

Hi,rickman wrote:What option do I have? I seems like the newest versions of synthesis tools like Precision do not include the Spartan XL chip either?Can I buy a license for an old version?So FPGA Express does not work either because Xilinx does not sell it anymore?Thanks.Guenter

rickman · Answer

Try contacting Synopsis.  I think they still sell FPGA Express and ifyour older chip is not supported, maybe they can sell you a "classic"copy?  -- Rick "rickman" CollinsIgnore the reply address. To email me use the above address with the XYremoved.Arius - A Signal Processing Solutions CompanySpecializing in DSP and FPGA design      URL  King Ave                               301-682-7772 VoiceFrederick, MD 21701-3110                 301-682-7666 FAX

Ken McElvain · Answer

Synplify still supports these parts.   A single vendor 1 year TBLis available.- Ken McElvainrickman wrote:

Neeraj Varma · Answer

AFAIR, FPGA express license was locked to the Hard disk volume serial number (8-digits). If you still have the same PC and the license file, you should be able to setup the FPGA express license. Also, if you search in the archives of this newsgroup, there has been some discussions on this topic and some even suggested a tool which could change the hard-disk serial number to what you want. However this will work only if you still have the original fpga express license file.

If this option does not work, Mentor's Leonardo Spec still supports Spartan/XL (Precision does not). Maybe you should contact Mentor to see if they can help. Synplify also supports these devices.

--Neeraj

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Help, synthesis for Spartan XL; does FPGA Express licenses for ISE 3 or 4 expire?

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