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On-chip Logic Analysis is Key to Cutting Design Cycles
The need for thorough de-bugging capabilities in today's multi-million gate FPGA designs is critical. Verifying logic externally by probing package pins or board traces is becoming increasingly difficult. Using traditional methods, capturing traces on devices running at system speeds of >200MHz can be challenging. Ball grid arrays have rows of leads buried beneath the package that are inaccessible using conventional probing methods. Small, multilayer boards have lines buried deep within the epoxy that cannot be accessed using external tools and oscilloscope. Attaching headers to aid in debugging can have adverse effects on system timing for high-speed busses, and consumes valuable PCB real estate. Since external access is no longer always possible, Xilinx has created a solution that integrates the verification capability into the silicon itself.
ChipScope Software combined with the Integrated Logic Analysis (ILA) core allows real-time access to any node in the chip, with an easy-to-use GUI interface. With these powerful tools, designers spend less time verifying chip functionality and speed up their time-to-market. Today's complex devices and leadless packaging require on-chip logic analysis. Xilinx' ChipScope ILA facilitates real-time, on-chip de-bugging.
Co-Developed with Agilent Technologies for Flexibility and Ease-of-Use
The ChipScope software and ILA core were developed in partnership with Agilent Technologies, today's market leaders in logic analysis. The FBDF format output from ChipScope is compatible with the Agilent Technology 16700 series analyzer. Using ChipScope software and the ChipScope ILA core, designers have access to every internal node and the complete data bus at full system speed. Once the ILA core is integrated into the FPGA device, easy-to-use ChipScope software allows the designer to quickly download to the FPGA, modify trigger and set-up functions, and display waveforms for the captured traces. The ChipScope tools can be used with Virtex, Virtex-E and Spartan-II FPGA families.
U.S. Pricing and Availability
The ChipScope tool and the ILA core for Virtex", Virtex-E and Spartan-II" FPGAs are now available for download and are available at the introductory price of $195. The ChipScope IPA and ChipScope BIST modules are currently in beta testing and are expected to be available in second quarter. The tools also will be offered with high-density configurations of the Xilinx Foundation Series" and Alliance Series" software.
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