how does PC communicate with FPGA?

Question

Hi,

I am unable to understand that how a PC communicate with FPGA. I have used Xilinx software to implement codes and then connected a USB cable to Xilinx test kit that did all jobs for me. Of course I assigned the chip pins with the signal names through Xilinx software itself. I am unaware what happens after I connect the USB cable to the kit. Please tell me what devices are in between the PC and the chip in the kit and how does the PC communicate w ith the chip or loads the design into the chip?

thanks Koyel

Gabor · Accepted Answer

Most Xilinx kits use some sort of FTDI USB chip.  You should be able to find the schematic for your kit on the Xilinx site. --  Gabor

Tim Wescott · Answer

The design is loaded into the FPGA through a synchronous serial connection. There should be some Xilinx data sheet that describes the process. If they haven't changed things since I last really paid attention that synchronous serial connection can be used by a processor (on-board or external) to push a bitstream into the FPGA, or it can be used at boot up for the FPGA to suck a bitstream out of a serial flash chip.

In a production system with a separate microprocessor, you can keep the FPGA design in the processor flash memory, and load the FPGA from the microprocessor -- Xilinx has app notes that detail that process, too. I remember doing that during a period when the biggest Xilinx FPGAs were quite a bit bigger than the biggest Xilinx serial flash chips, and 'big' microcontrollers all tended to come equipped for external flash.

how does PC communicate with FPGA?

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