PCI-Express communication with Xilinx FPGA?

[eromlignod]

Hi guys:

First of all, forgive me for being a dumb mechanical engineer...FPGA's are new to me.

I'm programming a Xilinx Spartan-3 FPGA development kit. I'm doing pretty well so far. I've gotten my huge Verilog program written and finally got it to simulate correctly and set up all the I/O pins, etc. Now all I have to do is download it to the chip.

My problem is that the board communicates via a PCI-Express slot. I shut down my computer, plug the Xilinx board into my PCI-x slot, then turn the computer back on. Unfortunately, the computer then insists that I provide it with some sort of software or drivers to recognize the new hardware (which it identifies as a "coprocessor").

Well, as far as I can tell, they never gave me these drivers or software (and I wouldn't know them if I found them anyway) and if you are familiar with Xilinx, you'll know that finding any answers on their website is virtually impossible.

Has anyone here ever dealt with this kit? And, if so, do you know how I can get hooked up? I'm thinking it's probably something ridiculously simple that I'm not grasping right now. Thanks for any help.

Don

 

[itsmoked]

Got a monkey by the tail do we, hmmmmm?

Seriously we all end up down a road like that occasionally. You have my condolences.

Often the manufacturer is only vaguely useful. What works best is finding the forum that handles that particular family. An entry level problem like you're experiencing can often be solved by just searching the user forum as many people have hit that same exact wall.

Have you found the Xilinx Spartan forum?

Keith Cress
Flamin Systems, Inc.-

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[MacGyverS2000]

Xilinx reps are typically pretty useful. The Spartan-3 line is the low end of the product line, so it's not big money for them, but being pointed to the correct driver shoudl be a no-brainer for them. Call up your local rep and they should be able to email you a link, or at least tell you where to look on their site.


BTW, I'm very impressed when a non-EE/CsE gets into something like VHDL, so I would hardly call you dumb... just temporarily unlearned in the art.

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[itsmoked]

I'll second that!

Keith Cress
Flamin Systems, Inc.-

http://www.flaminsystems.com