MICROCHIP Silicon Sculptor 4 Conformance Test
Introduction
This Quick start Card applies to the Microchip Silicon Sculptor 4 (SS4). Silicon Sculptor 4 is an FPGA programming tool equipped to deliver high data throughput and promote ease of use. It incorporates the industry’s widely accepted high-speed USB v2.0 standards bus communication. It is a highly reliable programmer for Microchip’s portfolio of FPGAs.
Initial Setup for Silicon Sculptor 4
To make the initial setup for Silicon Sculptor 4, perform the following steps:
- Download the latest version of the Silicon Sculptor software (SculptW) from Microchip website.
- Install SculptW using the admin login and restart the PC.
- Connect the accompanying 24V switching power supply to the programmer.
If the accompanying power supply is lost or damaged, contact Microchip for a replacement. Using an incompatible power supply may cause damage to the programmer. - To the back of the programmer, connect the USB cable to type-B USB port.
- Connect the USB cable to type-A USB port on PC. To verify the driver installation, see the on-screen information.
Important: The Found New Hardware Wizard launches for the connected SS4 programmer. After installing the USB drivers, the PC recognizes that the SS4 programming site is connected at a later time. If a different USB port on the PC is used, the Found New Hardware Wizard launches and installs new USB drivers. - After the USB driver installation, click Finish.
Figure 1-1. Device Manager after USB Driver Installation - Verify that all USB drivers are loaded correctly, recognized by Windows®. The programmer sites will be listed in Windows Device Manager. Perform the following steps to verify the USB drivers:
- Go to Device Manager.
The BPM Microsystems appears in the list as shown in the preceding figure. - Expand the BPM Microsystems node.
There must be a BPM Microsystems programmer site for the programmer attached.
- Go to Device Manager.
Powering-up the Programmer
To power-up the programmer, perform the following steps:
CAUTION
When using this equipment, follow ESD prevention procedures. Adapter modules and devices are ESD susceptible.
- Silicon Sculptor 4 does not have any power ON/OFF switch. Connect the accompanying switching power supply to the programmer.
- To the back of the programmer, connect the USB cable to type-B USB port.
- Connect the USB cable to type-A USB port on PC.
- To launch SculptW software, double click the SculptW desktop icon or go to Windows Start > Programs list and select the SculptW icon. When running the software for the first time after installation, run the application as administrator.
The programmer powers-up.
The programmer LEDs turns on for a brief amount of time while the software is being initialized. The green LED light must stay on after the initialization process is completed. If the programmer does not power-up, close the software and check the USB and power connections (and/or use another USB port of the PC) and try again. Check the software screen to ensure that the software recognizes the programmer. Programmer and adapter module (if attached to the programmer) must appear on the status bar at the bottom of the SculptW software.
Testing the Programmer
Before programming any FPGA, you must run two tests: programmer diagnostic test (see Perform Programmer Diagnostics Test section) followed by verification of calibration test (see Verification of Calibration Procedure section). Programmer diagnostic test must be performed two times—with and without programming adapter module. Programmer diagnostic test must pass with and without programming adapter module. If you have any failures during either of two tests, stop using the Programmer and contact Microchip
Tech Support (provide the log file from C:BP\DATALOG folder). For the complete list of programming adapter module, see SILICON -SCULPTOR -ADAPTOR-MODULE.
If both tests pass, continue to Verification of Calibration Procedure.
Before using the programmer for the first time, calibration verification test must be performed. Before programming any batch of RT FPGAs, you must run this test.
Hardware Required to Perform the Verification of Calibration Test
The following hardware items are required for this test:
- SS4 programmer
- Power supply that is provided with the programmer (Do not use your own power supply.)
- SM48D or SM48DB adapter module
- Voltmeter
- Oscilloscope
Perform Programmer Diagnostics Test
To perform the programmer diagnostics test, follow these steps:
- Connect the SS4 programmer to the PC using the USB cable.
Note: Programmer must be powered-off during the next step. - Connect the programmer power supply to SS4 programmer and power outlet.
- Install the latest version of the SculptW software on your computer if it is not already installed.
- Launch the SculptW software. Wait for the programmer to power-up. The programmer LEDs turns on for a brief amount of time while the software is being initialized, but the green LED light must stay on after the initialization process is completed. If the programmer does not power-up, close the software, check the USB and power connections, and try again.
- Without installing any programming adapter module on the SS4 programmer, go to Tools > Programmer Diagnostics and run the programmer diagnostics test.
Self Test Configuration pop-up appears.
Figure 1-4. Self Test Configuration Pop-up - To continue, click OK and wait for the test to complete.
Note: If you are programming an FPGA, repeat step 5 after attaching programming adapter module.
Verification of Calibration Procedure
Before proceeding to the programmer verification of calibration test, the programmer must pass diagnostic test without any adapter module.
To verify the calibration, perform the following steps:
- Place SM48D or SM48DB on the SS4 programmer, see the following figure.
Figure 1-5. SM48D or SM48DB on the SS4 ProgrammerNote: Ensure to note the location of pins 1 (Test pin) and 48 (GND) of the SM48D/SM48DB adapter module (see the following figure) as these pins perform the actual voltage and waveform measurements.
Figure 1-6. Test Pin and GND Pin - Click Device icon and type BP in the Look for: field.
- Select BP Microsystems SS4 Certificate of Conformance Test option and click Select.
Figure 1-7. BP Microsystems SS4 Certificate of Conformance Test Option - Once selected, the following window appears which explains about how to run the test. To close this window, press the Enter key.
Figure 1-8. Test Run Instructions Window - Connect the voltmeter probes to pins 1 and 48.
Note: Ensure special attention to avoid shorting pin 1 and pin 48. - To start the test, on the software, click Execute icon.
High Voltage Test
To perform high voltage test, follow these steps:
- Measure the voltage of pin 1, see the following figure. Voltage reading must be within the specified range. Otherwise, the programmer is out of calibration and needs servicing.
Figure 1-9. Measuring the Voltage of Pin 1The following figure shows the allowable range of the high voltage test.
Figure 1-10. Test Output—High Voltage Test - To proceed to the next test, on the SS4 programmer, press the START push button.
Low Voltage Test
To perform the low voltage test, follow these steps:
- Measure the voltage of pin 1, see the following figure. Voltage reading must be within the specified range. Otherwise, the programmer is out of calibration and needs servicing.
Figure 1-11. Measure the Voltage of Pin 1The following figure shows the allowable range of the low voltage test.
Figure 1-12. Test Output—Low Voltage Test - Remove the voltmeter probe pins from the SM48D adapter module.
Note: Ensure special attention to avoid shorting pin 1 and 48. - Connect the scope probe to pin 1 and ground to pin 48.
Notes:- Ensure to give special attention to avoid shorting pin 1 and 48.
- Do not connect the ground pin of the scope to pin 1 of the SM48D adapter module.
- To proceed to the next test, on the SS4 programmer, press the START push button.
Low Frequency Test
To perform the low frequency test, follow these steps:
- Set the probe voltage of the oscilloscope to 2V/Div.
- Adjust the timing to see an entire wave period, see the following figure.
Figure 1-13. Entire Wave Period - Measure the frequency of one period of the wave form. Frequency measured must be within the specified range. Otherwise, the programmer is out of calibration and needs servicing. The following figure shows the allowable range of the of low frequency test.
Figure 1-14. Test Output—Low Frequency Test - To proceed to the next test, on the SS4 programmer, press the START push button.
Pulse Width Test
To perform the pulse width test, follow these steps:
- To capture the signal on the rising edge of the signal, set the trigger of the oscilloscope.
- Measure the pulse width. Measured pulse width must be within the specified range. Otherwise, the programmer is out of calibration and needs servicing.
Figure 1-15. Pulse WidthThe following figure shows the allowable range of the pulse width test.
Figure 1-16. Test Output—Pulse Width Test - To terminate the test, on the SS4 programmer, press the START push button.
- Remove the test probes from the SM48D adapter module.
- To ensure that there was no programmer damage during the verification of calibration test, perform programmer diagnostics test with the SM48D.
Figure 1-17. Output of Programmer Diagnostics Test with the SM48D - To exit the Sculptor Software, close its window or go to File and click Exit. At this point, the programmer turns-off.
Programming a Device
To program a device, follow these steps:
Note: Prior to handling ESD components, attach a grounding strap to your wrist and the antistatic connection on the side of the programmer.
- Click Device.
Figure 1-18. Device Selection Window - Select the intended device from the list.
Figure 1-19. Device and Data Pattern (Programming File) Selection - Click Data Pattern.
- To open a file, click Open.
- To search a file, click Browse.
- Select the file to load.
- Select the appropriate settings.
- Click Open.
- Click OK.
- Click OK.
Figure 1-20. Loading Programming File
- On the Program tab, select the appropriate settings for device operations.
Figure 1-21. Program Tab - On the Quantity field, select the number of devices to program.
- Place the first device in the programming adapter module.
- Click Program.
- If the quantity field is set greater than one, on the SS4 programmer, press the START push button.
Figure 1-22. START Push Button
- After the green Pass or red Fail LED is lit, place another device (if the quantity field is greater than 1) in the programming adapter module.
- On the programmer, press the START push button.
The following figure shows the output after programming the device.
Figure 1-23. Output—Programing Device
Handling Programming Failure
If there is any programming failure outside the guideline provided in Programming and Functional Failure Guidelines User Guide, create a tech support case at Microchip support and attach the programming log (C:\BP\DATALOG) in the case.
Microchip Information
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- ISBN: 979-8-3371-1262-6
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FAQ
- Q: What should I do if the programmer does not power up?
A: Check the USB and power connections, ensure proper installation of USB drivers, and try using a different USB port on the PC. If issues persist, contact support.
Documents / Resources
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MICROCHIP Silicon Sculptor 4 Conformance Test [pdf] User Guide Silicon Sculptor 4 Conformance Test, Sculptor 4 Conformance Test, Conformance Test |