Using unused space on a PROM (configuration device) as an EE

[:: Gabster ::]

Hi,

To configure a Spartan-IIE FPGA, I use a XCF02S PROM. The configuration file
in the PROM uses 89% of the memory (this is constant on my 300k gates FPGA).
I'm wondering if it is possible to use the remaining memory of the PROM as a
way to store my own data, just like if there was a EEPROM attached to the
FPGA?

thanks

 

[Glen Herrmannsfeldt]

":: Gabster ::" <gabsterblueNOMORESPAM@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:3mWob.28776$RG1.1588319@wagner.videotron.net...

To configure a Spartan-IIE FPGA, I use a XCF02S PROM. The configuration
file
in the PROM uses 89% of the memory (this is constant on my 300k gates
FPGA).
I'm wondering if it is possible to use the remaining memory of the PROM as
a
way to store my own data, just like if there was a EEPROM attached to the
FPGA?

I think you asked before, and didn't get any answers.

Is the XCF02S an EEPROM? If so, and if you can address where you want to
write, I don't see why it wouldn't work. There is probably some risk of
accidentally erasing the configuration data. I believe the FPGA's stop
reading when they reach the end of the configuration data, so extra data in
the PROM wouldn't bother them.

How about Flash memory? That would seem more designed for storing such
data.

-- glen