Embedded Programming

Overview

DirectC

The DirectC solution is available in two versions: (1) DirectC for PolarFire, RTG4, IGLOO 2, IGLOO, IGLOO nano, IGLOO PLUS, ProASIC3, ProASIC3L, SmartFusion2, SmartFusion, and Fusion and (2) DirectC for ProASIC^PLUS. Each version is specifically designed for programming its corresponding Microsemi devices using a microprocessor. ProASICPLUS devices must use DirectC v1.3. ProASIC devices have different algorithm requirements and cannot be programmed using DirectC.

SPI-DirectC is available for the PolarFire, IGLOO2 and SmartFusion2 families of devices.  SPI-DirectC works the same as DirectC but uses the SPI slave programming protocol instead of JTAG.

Product Features

DirectC and SPI-DirectC can be used by making minor modifications to the source code, adding the necessary Application Programming Interface (API), and compiling the source code and the API together to create a binary executable. The binary executable is downloaded on to the system along with the programming data file. DirectC and SPI-DirectC use DAT files as the programming data file. DirectC for ProASICPLUS devices uses a STAPL file as the programming data file, The STAPL file also contains the programming algorithm, DirectC ignores it and uses only the programming data.

The DirectC/SPI-DirectC solutions have a relative speed advantage compared to interpreters such as STAPL Player when executed on smaller and slower microprocessors/systems. With DirectC/SPI-DirectC, the algorithm is embedded into the source and compiled. Therefore, if the programming algorithm changes, you can obtain a new DirectC/SPI-DirectC source, recompile the source, and download the binary executable on to your system.

Currently, DirectC supports the PolarFire, RTG4, IGLOO2, IGLOO, IGLOO nano, IGLOO PLUS, ProASIC3, ProASIC3L, SmartFusion2, SmartFusion, Fusion, and ProASICPLUS devices.

STAPL Player

The STAPL Player may be used to program ProASICPLUS, as well as third-generation flash devices such as IGLOO, ProASIC3, ProASIC3L, and Fusion, and interprets the contents of a STAPL file, which is generated by Microsemi's Libero IDE and Designer software tools. The file contains information about the programming of Microsemi ProASIC^PLUS devices, as well as the JTAG scan chain for a single device. The data format is a JEDEC standard known as the Standard Test and Programming Language (STAPL) format. The JEDEC STAPL standard (JESD71) can be obtained from www.jedec.org. For third-generation devices, note that the STAPL Player will not support serialization of the FlashROM nor will it support Smart Erase-enabled silicon.

The STAPL Player reads the STAPL file and executes the file's programming instructions. Because all programming details are in the STAPL file, the STAPL Player itself is completely device-independent. In other words, the system does not need to implement any programming algorithm details; the STAPL file provides all of the details.