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Do I have to know how to work with FPGAs?

No. I am assuming most of you will not have this area of expertise, so this project will not

require you to write code, synthesize, or simulate the FPGA operation. I will provide source

code and the FPGA pinout so you can make your own custom modifications if you choose,

but most of you will just need to pick up the hcs_c_top.pof FPGA programming file, get the

JTAG adapter and the free Quartus Web software to program the FPGA Eprom. In fact,

if you order the loaded HCS_C board, you don't even need to do that, it will come

programmed for you. However, I'm always making improvements and bug fixes, so I

strongly recommend being able to update the FPGA Eprom.

How do I put code for the ARM processor in HCS_C?

The DIP switch controls how the ARM processor comes up. The FPGA contains boot code that reads the DIP switch and decides whether to run from Flash EPROM or go into download mode. If you go into download mode, the FPGA boot code will set up the ARM console UART, and wait for a valid set of packets from the console that will be written to memory. The second DIP switch controls whether it downloads to SRAM or Flash EPROM. You can override all of this if the JTAG emulator connection is hooked up, but that connection is not necessary to run the board. With the JTAG emulator, you can directly load memory and even replace (temporarily) the FPGA boot code with your own boot code if desired. But note that the FPGA boot code is hard programmed, you will not be able to change that (and hopefully there will be no need to). Also note that the Flash EPROM can be programmed via the JTAG emulator. That's how everything will work, the only code I don't have written yet is the console-to-Flash downloading code (to SRAM works, though). I will have that done before I ship boards.

My HCS_C is broken/doesn't work/hit by lightning/etc. Will you fix it for me?

Within reasonable limits, yes, as time permits, for an initial charge plus an hourly fee. See the ordering page HCS_C_Order Page

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