Author : Rami Zewail

Group : JPEG2000 Project

XESS Board v.1.2.1

Overview

This an Application note on using an Xess Board V.1.2.1. The application goes through the steps in order to load an image in the on board SDRAM and displaying it on the VGA monitor.

Introduction

TheXess board v.1.2.1 contains a Xilinx Spartan2 XCS2100 chip, a CPLD ,a 16 M SDRAM , Flash RAM, and VGA Display.

Tools and Enviroment:

- Xilinx ISE v.6.2.3 Though Xilinx Web-Pack can be used).

- XSTools to program the on board chip through the Parallel port

Drivers Required :

- SDRAM controller : Download from www.xess.com/downloads.

- VGA Driver : Download from www.xess.com/downloads.

- An xess type image : You can use image2hex software to convert your images to xess format. The program is downloadable from www.xess.com/downloads.

1- Import The SDRAM controller files to a ISE project. Make changes you want to the files. Implement the design for Xilinx Spartan 2 XC2S100 family.

2- Do the same thing with the VGA driver files.

3- The bit files are generated in the same project directory.

4- Connect the Parrall port cable to the board, then plug in the power cable.

5- Open the Xstools, For firt time open the gxstest program.

6- Select the Port of the parrallel port, and press TEST. If the test fails, then you have to adjust the Parallel port settings to SSP mode and restart the test.

7- Divide the Master Clock Frequency. Double click on gxsetclk to divide the clock frequency. In the Divisor Section write 2. Press Set, and then follow the instructions that appears concerning changing the jumpers setting in the board before and after the process.

8- Now you are ready to download the image and start programming. Double click on the gxsload icon. This window appears.

9- Program the FPGA with your Memory driver. Browse to the directory of the memory driver bit file generated in step three. Drag and Drop the bit file to the FPGA/CPLD window and press Load.

10- Download a sample Image. Browse to the directory of your xess image file ( a sample one is found with the VGA driver). Drag and Drop it in the RAM window, and press load. This intiates the memory driver and the image is downloaded into the RAM.

11. Now use the generated vga driver bit file (in Two), to display the image on the screen. Browse to the directory of your vga driver bit file. Drag and drop the file in the FPGA/CPLD window and press load

12- The image should then appear on your VGA display.