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Question & Answer
Classification:
Date: Feb 08, 2000
Programming the EEPROM AT17C256 with a SpartanXL
Q:
I have an XS-4010XL v 1.3., and I am using the last XSTOOLS version (v3.0 I guess) with the Patch as well. I have been trying to store my designs on the serial EEPROM AT17C256. It is working properly.
A:
I am surprised by this. The XC4010XL FPGA requires a bitstream which is too long to store in the AT17C256 device.
Q:
Now, I am trying to use a cheaper FPGA (Spartan XCS-05XL) and I tried to use the same XS-40 v1.3 board to do so. The FPGA slave serial configuration works properly (By using the PC parallel port), but when I want to store the design on the EEPROM by using the XCS-05XL chip, the XSLOAD program closes and nothing happens. I would like to know whether the XSLOAD software requires an XC4000XL or not; Is it possible to program the EEPROM by using the Spartan XL?
A:
The XS40 Board cannot program the Atmel EEPROM when a Spartan device is inserted in the board. Xilinx removed some of the mode pins in the Spartan series and the single remaining mode pin cannot be used for general-purpose I/O. It happens that the mode pin I/O is needed to enable the EEPROM during programming, so the Spartan can't do it.