OpenCores

FPGA remote slow control via UART 16550

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Details

Name: uart_fpga_slow_control
Created: Aug 29, 2011
Updated: Jan 31, 2019
Git: Browse
Download: master.zip
Bugs: 1 reported / 1 solved
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Other project properties

Category:Communication controller
Language:VHDL
Development status:Stable
Additional info:Design done, FPGA proven, Specification done
WishBone compliant: No
WishBone version: n/a
License: LGPL

Block Diagram

uart_overview

Description

Control the activity and status of your FPGA by targeting a memory mapped space inside it.

Based on:

Simple three steps access procedure:

  • -- Write words of 2 bytes address and 4 bytes data.
  • -- Ask for an update targeting the update register (default 0x8000 0x00000000)
  • -- Read words of 2 bytes address and 4 bytes data.

The code comes plug and play:

  • * the whole uart initialization process is automatic
  • * 4 pins interface to the outsideworld: serial tx, serial rx, uart clock, hard reset
  • * up to 2^16 32 bit wide registers for user logic control and monitor

Declare the registers you want to read and write in the top level entity:

  • + the rest will be handled automatically by FSMs.
  • + almost no documentation is required.
  • + no knowledge of the internals of the core required.
  • + the top entity is self-explanatory.

Remotely control the logic from a PC:

  • ~ Under Windows use RealTerm to simply send and receive HEX commands (realterm.sourceforge.net).
  • ~ Simple Python script to drive the uart via command line in linux (see software details tab above).
  • ~ TCP/IP to UART bridging is just around the corner using inexpensive external devices.

crossplatform compatible (tested on Xilinx Virtex-5 and Altera Stratix-4 devices).
Tested up to 1 Mbps with a 29.4912 MHz oscillator.

## Feeback:
>> Give comments and feedback using the official core thread on the OpenCores forum:
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>> Tell us what you do with our core posting an answer in the bug tracker ticket below
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