Programming and Debug
Microchip’s Programming solutions provide various programming options based on product’s life-cycle and system requirements. Various features available on-chip and in tools allow for secure remote upgrade and protection against overbuilding. The solution comprises hardware, software, and collaterals, which allow easy access to the programming and debugging features available in SoC FPGA and FPGA devices and shorten the learning curve. PolarFire SoC,PolarFire , RTG4, SmartFusion2 , IGLOO2 ,IGLOO Series, ProASIC3 Series, SmartFusion, Fusion, ProASICPLUS,and Legacy & Discontinued Flash FPGA devices support programming via an external host as well as self-programming. Device can be programmed either using JTAG interface or SPI. The system controller residing inside the device handles the programming and complies to IEEE 1532 and IEEE 1149.1 JTAG standards. For SPI programming, a dedicated port SPI_SC is available. Microsemi’s Programming solutions provide various programming options based on product’s life-cycle and system requirements. Various features available on-chip and in tools allow for secure remote upgrade and protection against overbuilding. The solution comprises hardware, software, and collaterals, which allow easy access to the programming and debugging features available in SoC FPGA and FPGA devices and shorten the learning curve. PolarFire, SmartFusion2 and IGLOO2 devices support programming via an external master as well as self-programming. Device can be programmed either using JTAG interface or SPI. The system controller residing inside the device handles the programming and complies to IEEE 1532 and IEEE 1149.1 JTAG standards. For SPI programming, a dedicated port SPI_SC is available. Auto Programming – In this mode, the devices are automatically programmed by downloading the bitstream from an external SPI flash memory. The system controller configures SPI master mode and other on-chip resources to enable the programming. Auto Update – Auto-update mode allows a pre-programmed device to be automatically programmed with an updated bitstream image if image is available in external SPI flash; whenever devices powers-up or comes out of hardware reset. This mode is also useful in field upgrades. In-System Programming (ISP) – This mode is supported in SmartFusion2 SoC FPGA devices and allows devices to fetch programming bitstream from communication ports like USB, UART, SPI, I2C etc. Cortex-M3 core receives the bitstream and feeds to the system controller; which in-turn programs the device. This mode requires devices to have required firmware for Cortex-M3 to implement these features. This mode allows user to choose their preferred communication interface to program device in-system. Program-recovery feature is available to allow device to automatically recover from a power failure during a programming operation. It requires SPI flash to be connected to the device with a valid bitstream. Debug Overview Microchip provides various debug tools to compliment design simulations and development by allowing verification and troubleshooting at the hardware level. After successful functional and post-layout simulations, Microsemi's design debug tools can help provide the designer with a pre-system level implementation early warning of other design issues. Microsemi design debug focuses on analysis of the key elements of a flash design, such as embedded non-volatile memory (eNVM) data, SRAM data, Logic Elements, System Builder blocks. Microsemi provided two debugging software tools for on-chip debugging – SmartDebug and Synopsys Identify ME. Programming Tools FlashPro (discontinued) In-System programming & debug hardware for Microsemi flash-based FPGAs & SoCs SmartFusion2 ,IGLOO2 ,RTG4,Fusion,SmartFusion,ProASIC3,RT PolarFire FPGAs,ProASIC Plus In-System programming & debug hardware for Microsemi flash-based FPGAs & SoCs PolarFire SoC,PolarFire,RTG4 ,IGLOO2,SmartFusion2, IGLOO, ProASIC3, RT PolarFire , SmartFusion and Fusion To prevent overbuilding of systems in any manufacturing facility anywhere in the world PolarFire, RTG4 , IGLOO2 and SmartFusion2 Easy-to-use, single-site programming tool for Microsemi FPGAs IGLOO2, SmartFusion2, IGLOO, ProASIC3, RT ProASIC3, SmartFusion and Fusion Programming software Microsemi's flash family of devices using a microprocessor PolarFire SoC,PolarFire, RTG4, IGLOO 2, IGLOO, IGLOO nano, IGLOO PLUS, ProASIC3, ProASIC3L, SmartFusion2, SmartFusion, Fusion, and ProASICPLUS. STAPL Player(Legacy and Discontinued) Program that interprets the contents of the Standard Test and Programming Language (STAPL) files Debug Tools On-Chip FPGA debug without using an internal logic analyzer(ILA) PolarFire SoC,PolarFire, IGLOO2, SmartFusion2 and RTG4 Families On-chip debugging with Synopsys Identify ME using internal logic analyzer(ILA) PolarFire SoC,PolarFire, IGLOO2, SmartFusion2, IGLOO Series, ProASIC3 series, Fusion and SmartFusion,ProASICPLUS Allows designer to insert probes into the design and bring signals out to the FPGA package pins to evaluate and debug the design IGLOO, ProASIC3, SmartFusion and Fusion. FPGA design verification process by providing a tightly integrated suite of tools and capabilities that enable rapid isolation of functional and timing problems FlashPro Express programming software, Job Manager(for SPPS) and SmartDebug are installed as part of Libero SoC by default. It is also available for standalone download for convenience if needed for production programming and lab use. Programming and Debug Tools now include the following software. Always download the latest version of the software available Note: Microsemi had not released Programming & Debug v11.9 service packs prior to SP4. This Service Pack 4 must be installed on top of Programming & Debug v11.9.
Overview
Programming Overview
In-Application Programming (IAP) – In this programming mode, device receives the bitstream from a host device and writes it into an external SPI flash. Or, an external SPI programmer can be used to program the SPI flash directly. Then the device verifies the content of SPI flash and goes through the programming cycle. Debug Lifecycle of an FPGA Design
Programming and Debug Tools
Tool Name
Description
Supporting Product Family
Device Suppot
Operating System Support
Tool Name Windows 10 Windows 7 RHEL 6/7 CentOS 6/7 Programming Tools
FlashPro Express
Secure Production Programming Solution
Silicon Sculptor
DirectC
Debug Tools
SmartDebug
Identify ME
On-Chip Debug Tools
Silicon Explorer
Device Support
Tool Name PolarFire
PolarFire SoCSmartFusion2
IGLOO2
RTG4IGLOO
ProASIC3Fusion
SmartFusion Antifuse ProASICPlus Programming Tools
FlashPro(discontinued)
(Includes RT ProASIC3)
FlashPro Express
Secure Production Programming Solution
(except RTG4)
Silicon Sculptor
(except RTG4)
DirectC
Debug Tools
SmartDebug
Identify ME
On-Chip Debug Tools
Silicon Explorer
Downloads
Software Release Notes and Downloads
Software Name
Release Notes and Download
FlashPro and FlashPro Express
Programming and Debug standalone software release notes and software download are available at the bottom of this page that includes FlashPro Express ,SmartDebug and Job Manager.
Job Manager
SmartDebug
Secure Production Programming
Secure Production Programming Solution software release notes and software download are available here
Silicon Sculptor
Silicon Sculptor software release notes and software download is available here
DirectC
DirectC release notes and software download is available here
Identify ME
Identify ME software is installed as part of Libero SoC by default and Standalone software release notes and software download are availablehere
On Chip Debug
On-Chip Debug software is installed as part of Libero IDE by default.
No standalone release notes and software download available for On-Chip Debug software
Silicon Explorer
Silicon Explorer software release notes and software download are available here
STAPL Player(Legacy and Discontinued)
The STAPL Player is discontinued. No standalone release notes and software download available to download
Programming & Debug Tools are installed automatically with Libero SoC.
Programming and Debug v12.6 (Does not include FlashPro) (12/11/20)
Programming and Debug v12.5 SP1 (Does not include FlashPro) (11/05/20)
Programming and Debug v12.5 (Does not include FlashPro) (09/08/20)
Programming and Debug v12.4 (Does not include FlashPro) (04/16/20)
Programming and Debug v12.3 (Does not include FlashPro) (12/10/19)
Programming and Debug v12.2 (Does not include FlashPro) (09/24/19)
Programming and Debug v11.9 SP4 (Includes FlashPro v11.9) (06/11/19)
Programming and Debug v12.1 (Does not include FlashPro) (04/18/19)
Programming and Debug v12.0 (Does not include FlashPro) (01/23/19)
Programming and Debug PolarFire v2.3 (Includes FlashPro v2.3) (09/17/18)
Programming and Debug v11.9 (Include FlashPro v11.9) (08/17/18)
Archives
Version Release History
Installation Notes