Compatible Xilinx USB Cables: worth to bother?

G

Giuseppe Marullo

Guest
Hi,
I see on Ebay cheap USB Cables(40-60USD) that claims to be compatible
with the Xilinx ones. I don't understand wich one, if any, they emulate
(DLC9G).

Do they work? Are they supported on latest webise under Win7 64bit? Wich
cable they are compatible with?

TIA,

Giuseppe Marullo

PS: Two examples:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Xilinx-Platform-Cable-USB-CPLD-FPGA-USB-download-cable-/270627772572?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f02ac189c
and

PPS: Someone could please explain the 7 vs 6 pins thing?
 
On Nov 28, 5:04 am, Giuseppe Marullo
<giuseppe.marullonos...@iname.com> wrote:
Hi,
I see on Ebay cheap USB Cables(40-60USD) that claims to be compatible
with the Xilinx ones. I don't understand wich one, if any, they emulate
(DLC9G).

Do they work? Are they supported on latest webise under Win7 64bit? Wich
cable they are compatible with?
Click to expand...
They are clones of Xilinx USB-JTAG cables. The one I've had a look at
was a clone of the DLC9G.
The circuitry is a 100% clone, so the XIlinx SW cannot distinguish it
from a real DLC9G. This means that it is 100% compatible with the
Xilinx SW, including accepting firmware updates that Xilinx release
from time to time.
Unfortunately the build quality is much lower than the Xilinx original
cables - the unit I examined worked just like an original until the
USB A socket in it broke after a few cable insertion / removal
cycles. This was repairable, but an annoying waste of time. Your
mileage may vary.

Stephen Ecob
Silicon On Inspiration
Sydney Australia
www.sioi.com.au
$49 Spartan 6 board with 32MB DDR DRAM ?
http://www.sioi.com.au/shop/product_info.php/products_id/47
 
They are clones of Xilinx USB-JTAG cables. The one I've had a look at
was a clone of the DLC9G.
Click to expand...
Stephen,
thanks for your answer. So they can be a [cheap] alternative, now the
last question: what's up about the 6 vs 7 pin debate? Is it really
needed? I see also a breakout board, does it make a difference?
Thanks in advance.

Giuseppe Marullo
 
On Nov 28, 5:04=A0am, Giuseppe Marullo
giuseppe.marullonos...@iname.com> wrote:

They are clones of Xilinx USB-JTAG cables. The one I've had a look at
was a clone of the DLC9G.
The circuitry is a 100% clone, so the XIlinx SW cannot distinguish it
from a real DLC9G. This means that it is 100% compatible with the
Xilinx SW, including accepting firmware updates that Xilinx release
from time to time.
Click to expand...
I haven't checked but I am pretty sure that the Xilinx download agreemen
doesn't allow you to do this. After all they do say that you cannot us
their
software to generate bits for anything other than a Xilinx part it would b
out of character if they let you use their firmware upgrades for
competitors product.

BTW: where did they get the bits that are shipped with their probe? I'
sure they put together a crack reverse engineering team that was so goo
that it came out to be bit for bit identical to a rom dump of the xilin
product.


This isn't a technical question. It is a personal morality one.


John Eaton





---------------------------------------
Posted through http://www.FPGARelated.com
 
This isn't a technical question. It is a personal morality one.
John, why would it be a personal morality one?
Click to expand...

software to generate bits for anything other than a Xilinx part it
would be
The adaper does contain a Xilinx part at least (A spartan 3A if I am not
Click to expand...
mistaken), AFAIK.

out of character if they let you use their firmware upgrades for a
competitors product
Given that their cable is 6x the price of the boards I would like to
Click to expand...
use, they can be smart and allow this.
I don't pay 300USD for their cable: stil remain a user of their chips.

I want the original one if I need better quality and support: I get
their one and pay for a better product.

Anyway, I am not a layer but as long it is your, you can
force/crack/destroy it once paid it full. *No*DCMA*yet*here.*

Giuseppe Marullo

PS: first time I got caught by FPGA police. I was thinking it was
peculiar to ham radio, LOL
 
I use Altera USB Blaster clone from eBay for ~10USD. Works perfectly:
drivers are exact the same as for original device, programming speed is also
the same, but the best thing is that the clone is nearly 3-4 times smaller
and has mini-USB connector.

"Giuseppe Marullo" <giuseppe.marullonospam@iname.com> wrote in message
news:javm1e$nm0$1@speranza.aioe.org...
This isn't a technical question. It is a personal morality one.
John, why would it be a personal morality one?

software to generate bits for anything other than a Xilinx part it would
be
The adaper does contain a Xilinx part at least (A spartan 3A if I am not
mistaken), AFAIK.

out of character if they let you use their firmware upgrades for a
competitors product
Given that their cable is 6x the price of the boards I would like to use,
they can be smart and allow this.
I don't pay 300USD for their cable: stil remain a user of their chips.

I want the original one if I need better quality and support: I get their
one and pay for a better product.

Anyway, I am not a layer but as long it is your, you can
force/crack/destroy it once paid it full. *No*DCMA*yet*here.*

Giuseppe Marullo

PS: first time I got caught by FPGA police. I was thinking it was peculiar
to ham radio, LOL
Click to expand...
 
On 11/28/2011 12:13 PM, scrts wrote:
I use Altera USB Blaster clone from eBay for ~10USD. Works perfectly:
Thanks, could you kindly post an example of what I need to search?
Click to expand...

Giuseppe Marullo
 
Thanks, could you kindly post an example of what I need to search?
Click to expand...
ebay.com -> search "altera usb"
E.g.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-USB-BLASTER-CABLE-CPLD-FPGA-JTAG-Altera-Programmer-/110767654671?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19ca44470f
 
On 11/28/2011 4:05 PM, scrts wrote:
Thanks, could you kindly post an example of what I need to search?

ebay.com -> search "altera usb"
E.g.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-USB-BLASTER-CABLE-CPLD-FPGA-JTAG-Altera-Programmer-/110767654671?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19ca44470f


Sorry to ask, but is this supposed to work for Xilinx too?
Click to expand...
Too good to be true.
 
This isn't a technical question. It is a personal morality one.
John, why would it be a personal morality one?
Click to expand...
Sometimes the reason that they can offer their product at such a discoun
is
because instead of paying a design team to create the product they simply
copied straight from the original manufacturer. This is piracy and i
nothing
more than stealing. I can get you a great price on an iPad if your willin
to
ignore the fact that it is stolen and I am fencing it for pennies on th
dollar.


Now there is a lot of overhead built into the prices from a large company
It
is quite possible to reverse engineer and create a "clean room" design tha

functions the same but you can build and sell for a lot less money. Th
entire
ibm pc-clone market did this. I would want to see who designed this probe
before buying. The guys that can do that stuff like to brag about it.

It is also possible that Xilinx never designed that probe and simply went
to an OEM to rebrand one of their products. In that case you could get a
better deal if you go straight to the source.

Either way I would want to know something about the manufacturer.


John Eaton


---------------------------------------
Posted through http://www.FPGARelated.com
 
Here is a $50 alternative that is supported by Xilinx. Support for
this cable is built into ISE 13.2 and later, and previous versions by
installing a plugin.
https://www.em.avnet.com/en-us/design/drc/Pages/Digilent-JTAG-HS1-Programming-Cable.aspx

In our testing at Avnet, we found this cable to be as fast or faster
than the Platform Cable USB-II. This is especially noticeable when
performing indirect Flash programming. You can order these cables
online or through your local Avnet/Silica office.

Bryan
 
On Nov 28, 9:11 am, Giuseppe Marullo
<giuseppe.marullonos...@iname.com> wrote:
On 11/28/2011 12:13 PM, scrts wrote:> I use Altera USB Blaster clone from eBay for ~10USD. Works perfectly:

Thanks, could you kindly post an example of what I need to search?

Giuseppe Marullo
Click to expand...
How about "Altera USB Blaster eBay"?

Rick
 
On 11/28/2011 6:40 PM, Bryan wrote:
Here is a $50 alternative that is supported by Xilinx. Support for

Bryan
Click to expand...
Bryan, glad to know. Tomorrow I will be in Avnet/Silica to attend a free
seminar near Milan on the little LX9 board, the board which has the most
elusive documentation on the net (or off the net, because of the several
broken links, or crashes even when attempting to register).

While there, I will ask about the cable.

Giuseppe Marullo
 
How about "Altera USB Blaster eBay"?

Rick
Rick, many thanks but I googled it and nowhere it was able to program a
Click to expand...
Xilinx part, hence the question.

Giuseppe Marullo
 
On 11/28/2011 9:32 PM, Giuseppe Marullo wrote:
On 11/28/2011 6:40 PM, Bryan wrote:
Here is a $50 alternative that is supported by Xilinx. Support for

Bryan

Bryan, glad to know. Tomorrow I will be in Avnet/Silica to attend a free
seminar near Milan on the little LX9 board, the board which has the most
elusive documentation on the net (or off the net, because of the several
broken links, or crashes even when attempting to register).

While there, I will ask about the cable.

Giuseppe Marullo



Ok, got it using FireFox, no dice with IE.
Click to expand...
 
On Nov 28, 4:55 pm, Giuseppe Marullo
<giuseppe.marullonos...@iname.com> wrote:
How about "Altera USB Blaster eBay"?

Rick

Rick, many thanks but I googled it and nowhere it was able to program a
Xilinx part, hence the question.

Giuseppe Marullo
Click to expand...
No, the Altera cable won't do Xilinx, but only because of software
support. The Xilinx devices require a Xilinx cable clone which is
also sold on eBay. I think I saw some for around $10 or so up to
about $50 for the ones they say are "exact" duplicates of the Xilinx
design.

Rick
 
rickman <gnuarm@gmail.com> writes:

No, the Altera cable won't do Xilinx, but only because of software
Click to expand...
I seem to remember that I've generated SVF files using Xilinx Impact
which I've played back using urjtag and an Altera USB Blaster
connected to a Xilinx FPGA.

Not a supported toolchain and no guarantee that it will work and not
damage your devices...

Also it's not possible to use Chipscope this way.


//Petter
--
..sig removed by request.
 
Bryan <bryan.fletcher@avnet.com> writes:

Here is a $50 alternative that is supported by Xilinx. Support for
this cable is built into ISE 13.2 and later, and previous versions by
installing a plugin.
https://www.em.avnet.com/en-us/design/drc/Pages/Digilent-JTAG-HS1-Programming-Cable.aspx

In our testing at Avnet, we found this cable to be as fast or faster
than the Platform Cable USB-II. This is especially noticeable when
performing indirect Flash programming. You can order these cables
online or through your local Avnet/Silica office.
Click to expand...
Does this contain the same logic as the JTAG SMT1?

http://digilentinc.com/Products/Detail.cfm?NavPath=2,395,923&Prod=JTAG-SMT1

I can use the Xilinx Platform Cable USB II with Impact (ISE 13.3), but
I can't get the Digilent JTAG SMT1 to work. I just get a "Cable
connection failed" error message.


Using lspci the Xilinx cable shows up as:
Bus 002 Device 036: ID 03fd:0008 Xilinx, Inc.

And the Digilent JTAG SMT1:
Bus 002 Device 060: ID 0403:6010 Future Technology Devices International, Ltd FT2232C Dual USB-UART/FIFO IC

The Xilinx cable in /proc/bus/usb/devices
< T: Bus=02 Lev=01 Prnt=01 Port=06 Cnt=02 Dev#= 59 Spd=480 MxCh= 0
< D: Ver= 2.00 Cls=00(>ifc ) Sub=00 Prot=00 MxPS=64 #Cfgs= 1
< P: Vendor=03fd ProdID=0008 Rev= 0.00
< S: Manufacturer=XILINX
< S: Product=XILINX
< C:* #Ifs= 1 Cfg#= 2 Atr=80 MxPwr=300mA
< I:* If#= 0 Alt= 0 #EPs= 2 Cls=ff(vend.) Sub=00 Prot=00 Driver=(none)
< E: Ad=02(O) Atr=02(Bulk) MxPS= 512 Ivl=0ms
< E: Ad=86(I) Atr=02(Bulk) MxPS= 512 Ivl=0ms


The Digilent JTAG SMT1 in /proc/bus/usb/devices
< T: Bus=02 Lev=01 Prnt=01 Port=07 Cnt=02 Dev#= 60 Spd=480 MxCh= 0
< D: Ver= 2.00 Cls=00(>ifc ) Sub=00 Prot=00 MxPS=64 #Cfgs= 1
< P: Vendor=0403 ProdID=6010 Rev= 7.00
< S: Manufacturer=Digilent
< S: Product=Digilent Adept USB Device
< S: SerialNumber=210203299904
< C:* #Ifs= 2 Cfg#= 1 Atr=80 MxPwr= 94mA
< I:* If#= 0 Alt= 0 #EPs= 2 Cls=ff(vend.) Sub=ff Prot=ff Driver=ftdi_sio
< E: Ad=81(I) Atr=02(Bulk) MxPS= 512 Ivl=0ms
< E: Ad=02(O) Atr=02(Bulk) MxPS= 512 Ivl=0ms
< I:* If#= 1 Alt= 0 #EPs= 2 Cls=ff(vend.) Sub=ff Prot=ff Driver=ftdi_sio
< E: Ad=83(I) Atr=02(Bulk) MxPS= 512 Ivl=0ms
< E: Ad=04(O) Atr=02(Bulk) MxPS= 512 Ivl=0ms


//Petter
--
..sig removed by request.
 
On 11/29/2011 11:43 AM, Petter Gustad wrote:
Bryan<bryan.fletcher@avnet.com> writes:

Here is a $50 alternative that is supported by Xilinx. Support for
this cable is built into ISE 13.2 and later, and previous versions by
installing a plugin.
https://www.em.avnet.com/en-us/design/drc/Pages/Digilent-JTAG-HS1-Programming-Cable.aspx

In our testing at Avnet, we found this cable to be as fast or faster
than the Platform Cable USB-II. This is especially noticeable when
performing indirect Flash programming. You can order these cables
online or through your local Avnet/Silica office.

Does this contain the same logic as the JTAG SMT1?

http://digilentinc.com/Products/Detail.cfm?NavPath=2,395,923&Prod=JTAG-SMT1

I can use the Xilinx Platform Cable USB II with Impact (ISE 13.3), but
I can't get the Digilent JTAG SMT1 to work. I just get a "Cable
connection failed" error message.


Using lspci the Xilinx cable shows up as:
Bus 002 Device 036: ID 03fd:0008 Xilinx, Inc.

And the Digilent JTAG SMT1:
Bus 002 Device 060: ID 0403:6010 Future Technology Devices International, Ltd FT2232C Dual USB-UART/FIFO IC

The Xilinx cable in /proc/bus/usb/devices
T: Bus=02 Lev=01 Prnt=01 Port=06 Cnt=02 Dev#= 59 Spd=480 MxCh= 0
D: Ver= 2.00 Cls=00(>ifc ) Sub=00 Prot=00 MxPS=64 #Cfgs= 1
P: Vendor=03fd ProdID=0008 Rev= 0.00
S: Manufacturer=XILINX
S: Product=XILINX
C:* #Ifs= 1 Cfg#= 2 Atr=80 MxPwr=300mA
I:* If#= 0 Alt= 0 #EPs= 2 Cls=ff(vend.) Sub=00 Prot=00 Driver=(none)
E: Ad=02(O) Atr=02(Bulk) MxPS= 512 Ivl=0ms
E: Ad=86(I) Atr=02(Bulk) MxPS= 512 Ivl=0ms


The Digilent JTAG SMT1 in /proc/bus/usb/devices
T: Bus=02 Lev=01 Prnt=01 Port=07 Cnt=02 Dev#= 60 Spd=480 MxCh= 0
D: Ver= 2.00 Cls=00(>ifc ) Sub=00 Prot=00 MxPS=64 #Cfgs= 1
P: Vendor=0403 ProdID=6010 Rev= 7.00
S: Manufacturer=Digilent
S: Product=Digilent Adept USB Device
S: SerialNumber=210203299904
C:* #Ifs= 2 Cfg#= 1 Atr=80 MxPwr= 94mA
I:* If#= 0 Alt= 0 #EPs= 2 Cls=ff(vend.) Sub=ff Prot=ff Driver=ftdi_sio
E: Ad=81(I) Atr=02(Bulk) MxPS= 512 Ivl=0ms
E: Ad=02(O) Atr=02(Bulk) MxPS= 512 Ivl=0ms
I:* If#= 1 Alt= 0 #EPs= 2 Cls=ff(vend.) Sub=ff Prot=ff Driver=ftdi_sio
E: Ad=83(I) Atr=02(Bulk) MxPS= 512 Ivl=0ms
E: Ad=04(O) Atr=02(Bulk) MxPS= 512 Ivl=0ms


//Petter
Click to expand...
Those cables are not exactly equivalent to the Xilinx platform USB
(though Digilent makes one that is, for a bit of a higher price).

For the Digilent-specific ones, you need to install the Digilent Plugin
for Xilinx Tools, which they kindly offer for Linux as well as Windows:

http://digilentinc.com/Products/Detail.cfm?NavPath=2,66,768&Prod=DIGILENT-PLUGIN

Have you done this? If not, I guess that would explain why it doesn't
work with impact.

Steve
 
I use Altera USB Blaster clone from eBay for ~10USD. Works perfectly:
drivers are exact the same as for original device, programming speed i
also
the same, but the best thing is that the clone is nearly 3-4 times smalle

and has mini-USB connector.

"Giuseppe Marullo" <giuseppe.marullonospam@iname.com> wrote in message
news:javm1e$nm0$1@speranza.aioe.org...
Click to expand...

Actually the 10 USD USB Blaster sold at ebay are not 100% perfect copy. I
order to make a cheaper device they use a Cypress chip to emulate th
FTDI+CPLD of the USB Blaster.

For a perfect copy you probably going to pay 30USD

Here is an example
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Altera-FPGA-CPLD-USB-Blaster-programmer-JTAG-cable-/280506472755?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item414f7d1933#ht_3351wt_1163

Cya

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