myCSoC Tutorial CDROM
by David Vanden Bout

 Triscend Corp. has developed a configurable system on a chip (CSoC) that combines programmable logic with an 8032 microcontroller core in a single device. Application software runs in the 8032 with assistance from peripherals built with soft modules in the programmable logic. Combined with their FastChip 1999 development software, you can now design systems where both the software and hardware can be changed at a moment's notice.

But you have a number of skills to master before you can use CSoCs successfully. The skill set is best illustrated by the following questions:

  1. How do I build a system in a CSoC using a pre-existing library of soft modules?
  2. How do I develop application code for an 8032 microcontroller?
  3. How do I extend the capabilities of the microcontroller by adding soft modules?
  4. How do I develop new soft modules for functions that are not already in the library?

The answers to questions 1–4 are provided in Chapters 1–4 of this CDROM-based tutorial:

myCSoC: Design Explorations With Your Configurable System on a Chip
Table of Contents
1. Logic Design With Soft Modules

Introduces the Triscend FastChip 1999 CSoC development software. In this chapter, you use FastChip 1999 to build combinational and sequential logic systems from an existing library of soft modules. In effect, the CSoC is used as if it were a programmable logic chip without any microcontroller capabilities.

Example 1.1: Using the LED decoder soft module.

Example 1.2: Building a three-bit adder with a display.

Example 1.3: Constructing a simple timer with a display.

Example 1.4: Receiving keypresses from a keyboard.
2. Programming the 8032 MCU Core

In this chapter, the CSoC serves as a microcontroller with no programmable logic capabilities.  It discusses the Keil software development tools for the 8032 microcontroller.  The Keil tools include a C compiler and linker along with a debugger.  The 8032 object code you develop with the Keil tools is downloaded by FastChip 1999 into the CSoC where it executes.

Example 2.1: Using the 8032 I/O ports.

Example 2.2: Implementing polled loopback between the UART transmitter and receiver.

Example 2.3: Implementing interrupt-driven UART loopback.

Example 2.4: Testing the CSoC memory spaces.
3. 8032 MCU + Soft Modules

Illustrates how you can augment 8032 application programs with logic functions built from soft modules.

Example 3.1: Interfacing the 8032 to a PS/2 keyboard.

Example 3.2: Interfacing the 8032 to a PS/2 keyboard using the CSoC DMA controllers. 
4. Designing Your Own Soft Modules

Shows you how to design logic circuits with OrCAD schematic capture tools and import these circuits into the FastChip 1999 library of soft modules.  Then you can use these custom modules in your designs.

Example 4.1: Designing, importing, and using a PS/2 keyboard interface module.
A1: Installing the Software

Steps you through the installation of the FastChip 1999 software and its update patch, the Keil software development environment, and the OrCAD schematic capture tools. 
A2: XSTE5 CSoC Board Installation

Shows you how to configure and set-up your CSoC Board so it can be used to run the example designs presented in Chapters 1-4.

All the project files for each design example are provided on the CDROM.  You should be able to re-create each design just from following the text, but you can use the project files in case you have problems or are in a hurry.  Of equal importance, these working examples serve as a starting point for your own designs and explorations.  If you have difficulties using a particular feature of the Triscend CSoC, you should be able to find an example where that feature is used.  Then you can modify the example and see what works and what doesn't.

After you complete this text will you be an expert in using Triscend CSoCs?  Working with programmable logic?  Developing 8032 application code with the Keil tools?  Designing logic circuits with OrCAD?  The answer is a definite NO.  This text is just a starting point. After you complete this text you will be able to:

  • Understand the basic operations of the Triscend CSoC and be able to further your understanding by reading the Triscend TE505 Datasheet.
  • Understand the basic functions of the soft modules and use the FastChip 1999 software to build larger systems from the library of soft modules.
  • Create simple software applications with the Keil software development and debugging tools and expand your knowledge using the Keil documentation.
  • Develop new soft modules from elementary logic circuits with the OrCAD schematic capture tools and extend your abilities by reading the online OrCAD documentation.
  • Comprehend how the FastChip 1999, Keil, and OrCAD tools interact and share information with each other to create a CSoC design.
  • Use the FastChip 1999, Keil, and OrCAD tools to actually create a CSoC design which runs on your CSoC Board.
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