ALINX AX7A035B/AX7A200B FPGA Development Board User Manual

1. Product Overview

The ALINX AX7A035B/AX7A200B is a high-performance FPGA development board designed around the AMD/Xilinx Artix-7 series. It integrates essential components such as DDR3 SDRAM, QSPI Flash, Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI, Uart, and PCIe 2.0 interfaces, making it suitable for a wide range of applications including high-speed communication and video processing.

Figure 1: Overview of the ALINX AX7A035B/AX7A200B FPGA Development Board, highlighting its main features and potential applications.

Applications:

• Industrial Control
• Video and Image Processing
• High-speed data acquisition and processing
• Communication systems development

2. Key Features

The ALINX AX7A035B/AX7A200B development board offers a robust set of features for advanced FPGA development:

• FPGA Chip: AMD Artix-7 series (XC7A35T or XC7A200T)
• Memory: 256MB DDR3 SDRAM, 16MB QSPI Flash
• High-Speed Interfaces: Gigabit Ethernet, PCIe 2.0 x2
• Video Interfaces: HDMI Input/Output
• Communication: USB Uart, JTAG
• Expansion: Multiple 40-pin expansion ports, SFP Fiber Interfaces x2
• On-board Peripherals: LEDs, User Keys, Crystal Oscillators (125MHz, 200MHz)

Figure 2: Detailed view of the SoM Core Board (AC7A035 variant), highlighting key components like the Artix-7 FPGA, DDR3, QSPI Flash, Crystal Oscillators, and JTAG interface.

Figure 3: Illustration of the various interfaces available on the ALINX development board, including HDMI, JTAG, expansion ports, Gigabit Ethernet, USB Uart, PCIe, SFP, power connectors, LEDs, and user keys.

3. Technical Specifications

3.1. Core Board Parameters

Figure 4: Comparison of core board parameters for the AC7A035 and AC7A200 FPGA modules, detailing FPGA chip, logic cells, LUTs, CLB Flip-Flops, BLOCK RAM, DSP, Expansion IOs, Speed Grades, Chip Level, Working Temperature, PCIe GEN2, and XADC.

3.2. Interface and Function

Figure 5: Overview of the various interfaces and their functions on the ALINX development board.

3.3. Form Factors

Figure 6: Dimensional drawings of the Core Board and Carrier Board, showing their physical sizes and layout.

• Core Board Dimensions: 2.36 x 2.36 inches (60 x 60 mm)
• Carrier Board Dimensions: 7.40 x 4.17 inches (188 x 106 mm)
• Number of Layers: 10-Layer Core Board PCB, 6-Layer Carrier Board PCB

4. Initial Setup

This section provides general guidelines for setting up your ALINX FPGA development board. For detailed, step-by-step instructions, please refer to the comprehensive documentation provided by ALINX.

1. Unpacking: Carefully remove the development board and all accessories from the packaging. Inspect for any visible damage.
2. Power Connection: Connect the appropriate power supply to the 6-pin power connector or 2-pin power input on the board. Ensure the power switch is in the OFF position before connecting.
3. JTAG Programmer: Connect the JTAG programmer (typically included) to the 10-pin JTAG port on the board and to your host PC via USB. This is essential for programming and debugging the FPGA.
4. USB Uart Connection: For serial communication, connect a USB cable from the USB Uart port on the board to your host PC. Install necessary drivers if prompted by your operating system.
5. Software Installation: Install the Xilinx Vivado Design Suite and any other required software tools on your host PC. Ensure all necessary drivers for the JTAG programmer and USB Uart are installed correctly.
6. Initial Power On: After all connections are secure, switch the power to the ON position. Observe the power LEDs to confirm the board is receiving power.

Note: Specific setup procedures, including driver installation and software configuration, are detailed in the official documentation available from ALINX. It is highly recommended to consult these resources for a successful setup.

5. Operation Guidelines

Operating the ALINX FPGA development board involves programming the FPGA and interacting with its various interfaces. This section provides general operational guidelines.

1. FPGA Programming:
   • Develop your Verilog/VHDL design using the Xilinx Vivado Design Suite.
   • Synthesize, implement, and generate the bitstream file (.bit).
   • Use the Vivado Hardware Manager to connect to the board via JTAG and download the bitstream to the FPGA.
   • For persistent designs, program the QSPI Flash with your bitstream.
2. Interacting with Peripherals:
   • HDMI: Connect HDMI displays or sources to the HDMI input/output ports for video applications.
   • Gigabit Ethernet: Connect an Ethernet cable to the RJ-45 port for network communication.
   • PCIe: Insert the board into a compatible PCIe slot on a host system for high-speed data transfer.
   • USB Uart: Use a terminal emulator (e.g., PuTTY, Tera Term) on your PC to communicate with the FPGA via the USB Uart.
   • Expansion Ports: Connect compatible ALINX modules (e.g., camera, LCD) to the 40-pin expansion ports.
   • LEDs and Keys: Utilize the on-board LEDs for status indication and user keys for input in your FPGA designs.
3. Power Down: Always power off the board using the power switch before disconnecting any cables or making hardware changes.

Refer to the provided Verilog HDL demos and experiment tutorials for practical examples and detailed operational procedures.

6. Maintenance and Care

Proper maintenance ensures the longevity and reliable operation of your ALINX FPGA development board.

• Handling: Always handle the board by its edges to avoid touching components, especially the FPGA chip. Use anti-static precautions (e.g., anti-static wrist strap) to prevent electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage.
• Cleaning: Keep the board clean and free from dust. Use a soft, dry brush or compressed air to remove dust. Avoid using liquids or abrasive cleaners.
• Storage: When not in use, store the board in its original anti-static packaging or a suitable anti-static container in a dry, temperature-controlled environment.
• Temperature: Operate the board within its specified working temperature range (-40°C to 85°C). Ensure adequate ventilation to prevent overheating, especially during intensive operations.
• Power Supply: Use only the recommended power supply with correct voltage and current ratings. Incorrect power can damage the board.
• Firmware/Software Updates: Regularly check the ALINX website or support channels for updates to drivers, software tools, and example designs.

7. Troubleshooting

This section provides general troubleshooting tips for common issues. For more specific problems, consult the detailed documentation or contact technical support.

• Board Not Powering On:
  • Verify the power supply is correctly connected and functional.
  • Ensure the power switch on the board is in the ON position.
  • Check for any loose connections or damaged cables.
• JTAG Programmer Not Detected:
  • Confirm the JTAG cable is securely connected to both the board and the PC.
  • Ensure JTAG drivers are correctly installed on your host PC.
  • Verify the board is powered on.
• USB Uart Communication Issues:
  • Check USB cable connection.
  • Confirm USB Uart drivers are installed.
  • Verify correct COM port and baud rate settings in your terminal emulator.
• FPGA Programming Errors:
  • Ensure your bitstream is correctly generated for the target FPGA (XC7A35T or XC7A200T).
  • Check for any error messages in Vivado Hardware Manager.
  • Verify power and JTAG connections are stable.
• Peripheral Not Functioning:
  • Ensure the peripheral is correctly connected to the board.
  • Verify your FPGA design correctly interfaces with and controls the peripheral.
  • Consult the peripheral's specific documentation and example designs.

8. Technical Support and Documentation

ALINX provides extensive documentation and support for its development boards. Upon purchase, users can request access to a comprehensive set of resources.

Available Documentation and Resources:

Figure 7: A list of supporting Verilog HDL demos and documents available for the ALINX development board, covering various experiments and tutorials.

• User Manual (this document)
• Schematic and PCB in PDF format
• Verilog HDL Demos and Experiment Tutorials (e.g., LED control, PLL, I2C, SD Card, HDMI, PCIe, Ethernet, AD/DA experiments)
• Vivado Installation Guide

To obtain these resources, please contact ALINX customer service or technical support via email after placing your order. The contact information is typically provided with the product packaging or can be found on the official ALINX website.

Technical Support Email: support@aithtech.com

Sales Email: rachel.zhou@aithtech.com

9. Warranty Information

ALINX products are typically covered by a limited warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. The specific terms and duration of the warranty may vary. Please refer to the warranty card included with your product or contact ALINX customer service for detailed warranty information and procedures for claims.

Disclaimer: This information is general. Always consult the official warranty statement provided with your purchase for precise terms and conditions.