Fun, Fun, Fun with the GXS TOOLS

 
XESS has created four easy-to-use Windows graphical user interface utilities to enable the user the interact with its XS series of boards. The GXTOOLS package contains the following programs:
 

GXSTEST

Via a few simple steps, the GXSTEST utility can be used to ensure that the XESS board is functioning properly. Before proceeding with the test, ensure that the jumpers are set in their default configurations.

To run the GXTEST utility:

1.    Click on the "GXSTEST" icon. (This icon is placed on the desktop during the installation of the GXSTOOLS). The high un-self-explanatory window for the utility pops up on the screen:

2.    Use the "Port" pull-down menu to select the parallel port to which the XS board is connected. The possibilities are LPT1, LPT2 and LPT3.

3.    Use the "Board Type" pull-down menu to chose the type of board being tested.

4.    Click on the "TEST" button to commence the testing procedure. The test utility will program the FPGA to perform the aforementioned procedure. The user will be entertained with status messages, which shall appear at the bottom of the GXSTEST window, while the health of the board is being assessed. The finale involves the display of a message indicating whether or not the XS board has passed the test. In the event that the board did not pass the test, a list of possible reasons is provided.

Needless to say, to terminate the utility, click on the "Exit" button.

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GXSSETCLK

GXSSETCLK is a spiffy utility that can be used to set the frequency of the programmable oscillator on the XSBOARD. This can be accomplished through the following steps, which are not highly self-evident and will thus be documented here:

1.    Start the GXSSETCLK program by clicking on the associated icon. (The icon should have been placed on the desktop during the installation process).

2.    Use the "Port" pull-down menu to select the parallel port (either LPT1, LPT2 or LPT3) that the XS board is connected to.

3.    Use the "Board Type" pull-down menu to select your board from the list provided.

4.    In the field reserved for the "Divisor," enter a number ranging from 1 to 2052. The maximum clock frequency of 100 MHz will be divided by the value entered in this field. Alternatively, the "External Clock" box can be checked to indicate that you are using your own oscillator to provide the clock signal to the board.

5.    Click the "SET" button to commence the oscillator programming procedure. Instructions will appear, instructing the user to set the appropriate jumpers which are required to program the board. Status messages will appear. Once the process has been completed, instructions on returning the jumpers to their previous positions will appear. Your clock has now been programmed!

To terminate the program, click on the "Exit" button.

From experience, it has been learned that after some time, the clock will return to its natural frequency of 100 MHz, so it is necessary to periodically perform this process to ensure that the desired clock frequency is being used.

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GXSLOAD

The GXSLOAD utility can be used to upload the .bit files (created with Project Navigator) on to the XS board. This feat can be accomplished as follows:

1.      Start the GSXLOAD program by clicking on the appropriate icon on the desktop. (The icon should have been placed on the desktop during the installation process).

2.      Use the "Board Type" pull-down menu and select the board being used from the list provided.

3.      Use the "Port" pull-down menu to select the port to which your board is connected, the options being limited to either LPT1, LPT2 or LPT3.

4.      Locate the icon corresponding to the .bit file to be sent to the XS board. Drag and drop it in to the white box with the heading "FPGA/CPLD."

5.      Click on the "Load" button in order the commence the programming procedure. When the board has been successfully programmed, a message indicating the finale will be displayed.

6.      To terminate the program, click on the "Exit" button.

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GXSPORT

GXSPORT is a spiffy little utility that allows the user to exercise design functionality, once a program has been loaded on to the board using GXLOAD.

1.      To start GXSPORT, click on the "gxsport" icon, which should be located on the Windows desktop.
2.      Use the "Port" list to select the port to which the XS board is connected.

3.      The buttons D7, D6, D5, D4, D3, D2, D1 and D0 correspond to a pin on the parallel connector. The value of each pin pin can be toggled by pressing on the corresponding button. For the pins to be stimulated and set to the desired values, the "strobe" button must be pressed.

4.      Checking the "Count" box makes the value output on the data pins to increment every time te "Strobe" button is pressed.

5.      To leave the program, click the "Exit" button.

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The GXSTOOLS were designed to ensure that the user enjoyed a rockin' good time with his or her XS board.

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