MiiElAOD AX7A035 XILINX Artix-7 FPGA Development Board User Manual

1. Introduction

This manual provides essential information for the setup, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of the MiiElAOD AX7A035 XILINX Artix-7 FPGA Development Board. The AX7A035 is a high-performance development platform featuring the Xilinx Artix-7 XC7A35T FPGA, designed for PCIe solution verification and product development. It integrates various interfaces and components to facilitate rapid prototyping and testing of FPGA-based designs.

2. Product Overview

The MiiElAOD AX7A035 development board consists of a core board and a carrier board, providing a comprehensive environment for FPGA development. Key components and interfaces are detailed below.

2.1 Core Board Components

Image 1: Top view of the AX7A035 Core Board, highlighting key components such as the FPGA Chip (Xilinx Artix-7 XC7A35T), DDR3 memory, 125M and 200M Crystal Oscillators, 2PIN Power-Input, JTAG interface, and QSPI Flash.

2.2 Core Board Expansion

Image 2: Bottom view of the AX7A035 Core Board, showing the 80-Pin Expansion Port used for connecting to the carrier board or other compatible modules.

2.3 Full Development Board Interfaces

Image 3: The complete AX7A035 Development Board, including the core board mounted on the carrier board. This view labels various interfaces such as USB UART, Gigabit Ethernet, 40-Pin Expansion Ports, Power Switch, 6-pin Power Connector, Power-Input, Keys, LED, PCIe 2.0 x 2, JTAG, HDMI Input/Output, and SFP Fiber Interfaces x2.

3. Package Contents

The MiiElAOD AX7A035 (AN706 Package) includes the following items:

• AX7A035 FPGA Development Board
• USB Downloader
• AN706 Carrier Board

4. Setup

Follow these steps to set up your MiiElAOD AX7A035 Development Board:

1. Unpack Components: Carefully remove all items from the package. Inspect for any visible damage.
2. Connect Core Board to Carrier Board: If not already assembled, securely connect the AX7A035 core board to the AN706 carrier board via the expansion ports. Ensure proper alignment to avoid damage to pins.
3. Power Connection: Connect the appropriate power supply to the 6-pin power connector or 2-pin power input on the board. Ensure the power supply voltage matches the board's requirements (typically 12V).
4. USB-to-UART Connection: Connect the USB-to-UART bridge connector to your computer using a standard USB cable. This provides a serial communication interface for debugging and control.
5. Ethernet Connection: For network connectivity, connect an Ethernet cable to the Gigabit Ethernet port.
6. HDMI Connection: If using video input/output, connect HDMI cables to the respective HDMI ports.
7. PCIe Connection: For PCIe applications, insert the board into a compatible PCIe slot on your host system.
8. JTAG Connection: Connect the USB Downloader to the JTAG port on the board for programming and debugging the FPGA.

5. Operating Instructions

This section outlines basic operating procedures for the AX7A035 development board.

1. Power On: After connecting all necessary peripherals, switch on the power supply. Observe the power LED on the board to confirm it is receiving power.
2. FPGA Programming: Use the USB Downloader and Xilinx development tools (e.g., Vivado) to load your FPGA bitstream (.bit file) onto the XC7A35T FPGA via the JTAG interface. Refer to Xilinx documentation for detailed programming steps.
3. Serial Communication: Utilize a terminal emulator (e.g., PuTTY, Tera Term) on your computer to communicate with the board via the USB-to-UART bridge. Configure the serial port settings (baud rate, data bits, parity, stop bits) as required by your application.
4. PCIe Interface Usage: When using the PCIe 2.0 x 4 interface, ensure your host system's drivers are correctly installed and configured to recognize the FPGA board. Develop your PCIe application logic within the FPGA to interact with the host.
5. Ethernet Communication: Configure the Gigabit Ethernet interface within your FPGA design to enable network communication.
6. HDMI Input/Output: Implement video processing logic within the FPGA to utilize the HDMI input and output capabilities.

6. Maintenance

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

• 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 an anti-static bag in a dry, cool environment.
• 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.
• Environmental Conditions: Operate the board within its specified temperature range (-40°C to 85°C) and avoid excessive humidity.

7. Troubleshooting

This section addresses common issues you might encounter.

• No Power Indication:
  • Check if the power supply is correctly connected and providing the correct voltage.
  • Ensure the power switch on the board is in the 'ON' position.
  • Verify the power adapter is functional.
• FPGA Not Detected by Development Software:
  • Confirm the USB Downloader is properly connected to both the board's JTAG port and your computer.
  • Install or update the necessary USB-JTAG drivers on your computer.
  • Check the JTAG chain integrity in your development software.
• Serial Communication Issues:
  • Verify the USB-to-UART cable connection.
  • Ensure correct baud rate and other serial port settings in your terminal emulator.
  • Check if the USB-to-UART drivers are installed.
• PCIe Link Failure:
  • Ensure the board is seated correctly in the PCIe slot.
  • Verify that the host system's BIOS/UEFI settings are configured for PCIe.
  • Check for any driver conflicts or missing drivers on the host system.

8. Specifications

Detailed technical specifications for the MiiElAOD AX7A035 Development Board are provided below.

8.1 Core Board Parameters

Image 4: Table detailing the core board parameters, including FPGA chip type, logic cells, LUTs, CLB flip-flops, block RAM, DSP slices, expansion I/Os, speed grades, chip level, working temperature, PCIe Gen2 support, and XADC specifications.

8.2 Interface and Function

Image 5: Table outlining the various interfaces and their functions on the AX7A035 development board.

8.3 Physical Dimensions

Image 6: Diagrams illustrating the physical dimensions of the Core Board (55mm x 60mm) and the Carrier Board (176mm x 106mm).

9. Warranty and Support

The MiiElAOD AX7A035 Development Board comes with a 180-day warranty from the date of purchase. For technical support, inquiries, or warranty claims, please contact MiiElAOD customer service or visit the official MiiElAOD website for resources and contact information.