GOWIN PL-USB-Cable User manual

Gowin USB Programming Download Cable
User Guide
UG112-1.1.1E, 07/21/2022

Copyright © 2022 Guangdong Gowin Semiconductor Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
is a trademark of Guangdong Gowin Semiconductor Corporation and is
registered in China, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and other countries. All other
words and logos identified as trademarks or service marks are the property of their
respective holders. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form
or by any denotes, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without
the prior written consent of GOWINSEMI.
Disclaimer
GOWINSEMI assumes no liability and provides no warranty (either expressed or implied)
and is not responsible for any damage incurred to your hardware, software, data, or
property resulting from usage of the materials or intellectual property except as outlined in
the GOWINSEMI Terms and Conditions of Sale. GOWINSEMI may make changes to this
document at any time without prior notice. Anyone relying on this documentation should
contact GOWINSEMI for the current documentation and errata.

Revision History
Date
Version
Description
03/28/2017
1.0E
Initial version published.
07/15/2022
1.1E
The descriptions of PL-U2X-Cable added.
07/21/2022
1.1.1E
Figure 2-4 Cable Functional Block Diagram updated.

Contents
UG112-1.1.1E
i
Contents
Contents...............................................................................................................i
List of Figures.....................................................................................................ii
List of Tables......................................................................................................iii
1 About This Guide.............................................................................................1
1.1 Purpose .............................................................................................................................. 1
1.2 Supported Products............................................................................................................1
1.3 Related Documents............................................................................................................1
1.4 Terminology and Abbreviations...........................................................................................2
1.5 Support and Feedback ....................................................................................................... 2
2 Introduction......................................................................................................3
2.1 Appearance and Composition ............................................................................................ 3
2.2 Features..............................................................................................................................5
2.3 Functional Block Diagram...................................................................................................5
2.4 Signal Definition.................................................................................................................. 6
2.5 AC/DC Characteristic.......................................................................................................... 6
2.6 ESD Features..................................................................................................................... 7
3 Cable Driver .....................................................................................................8
3.1 PL-USB-Cable Driver..........................................................................................................8
3.1.1 Windows ..........................................................................................................................8
3.1.2 Linux ..............................................................................................................................14
3.2 PL-U2X-Cable Driver........................................................................................................ 14
3.2.1 Windows ........................................................................................................................14
3.2.2 Linux ..............................................................................................................................15

List of Figures
UG112-1.1.1E
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List of Figures
Figure 2-1 The Appearance of PL-USB-Cable ..................................................................................3
Figure 2-2 The Appearance of PL-U2X-Cable...................................................................................4
Figure 2-3 Box List.............................................................................................................................4
Figure 2-4 Cable Functional Block Diagram......................................................................................5
Figure 3-1 Programmer Setup...........................................................................................................8
Figure 3-2 Select Programmer Installation Directory.........................................................................9
Figure 3-3 Installing Programmer ...................................................................................................... 9
Figure 3-4 Finish Installing Programmer............................................................................................10
Figure 3-5 Start to Unpack Cable Driver............................................................................................10
Figure 3-6 Unpacking Cable Driver.................................................................................................... 11
Figure 3-7 Finish Installing Cable Driver............................................................................................11
Figure 3-8 Agreement License........................................................................................................... 12
Figure 3-9 Installing Cable Driver ...................................................................................................... 12
Figure 3-10 Finish Installing Cable Driver..........................................................................................13
Figure 3-11 Cable Driver Interface on PC.......................................................................................... 13
Figure 3-12 Check “List All Device” Option ........................................................................................14
Figure 3-13 Select the Device that Requires Driver Installation........................................................ 14
Figure 3-14 Select the Driver to be Installed .....................................................................................15

List of Tables
UG112-1.1.1E
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List of Tables
Table 1-1 Terminology and Abbreviations.......................................................................................... 2
Table 2-1 JTAG Interface Signal Definition........................................................................................ 6
Table 2-2 Signal Definition of USB Interface......................................................................................6
Table 2-3 Limit Operating Parameters............................................................................................... 6
Table 2-4 Recommended Operating Parameters Based on VCC ..................................................... 7

1 About This Guide
1.1 Purpose
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1About This Guide
1.1 Purpose
This guide includes two parts:
1. The features, functions, signal definitions of Gowin USB programming
download cable;
2. How to install, download, and use Gowin USB programming download
cable.
For simplification, Gowin USB programming download cable is
hereinafter referred to as the “cable”.
1.2 Supported Products
The cable in the guide applies to all Gowin FPGA products.
1.3 Related Documents
The latest user guides are available on the GOWINSEMI Website. You
can find the related documents at www.gowinsemi.com:
1. DS100, GW1N series of FPGA Products Data Sheet
2. UG103, GW1N series of FPGAProducts Package and Pinout User
Guide
3. UG290, Gowin FPGA Products Programming and Configuration Guide
4. DS102, GW2A series of FPGA Products Data Sheet
5. UG111，GW2A series of FPGAProducts Package and Pinout User
Guide

1 About This Guide
1.4 Terminology and Abbreviations
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1.4 Terminology and Abbreviations
The terminology and abbreviations used in this manual are as shown
in Table 1-1.
Table 1-1 Terminology and Abbreviations
Terminology and Abbreviations
Meaning
FPGA
Field Programmable GateArray
USB
Universal Serial Bus
1.5 Support and Feedback
Gowin Semiconductor provides customers with comprehensive
technical support. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions,
please feel free to contact us directly by the following ways.
Website: www.gowinsemi.com
E-mail: [email protected]

2 Introduction
2.1 Appearance and Composition
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2Introduction
Gowin USB programming download cable is mainly used to download
the bit stream file generated by Gowin Software to Gowin FPGAchip or
external storage device. Gowin USB programming download cable is
available in two versions, including PL-USB-Cable and PL-U2X-Cable.
2.1 Appearance and Composition
The appearance of PL-USB-Cable is shown in Figure 2-1.
Figure 2-1 The Appearance of PL-USB-Cable
The appearance of PL-U2X-Cable is shown in Figure 2-2.

2 Introduction
2.1 Appearance and Composition
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Figure 2-2 The Appearance of PL-U2X-Cable
As shown in Figure 2-3, in addition to the download cable ①, a flat
cable ②and a connection cable ③are also contained in Gowin USB
cable box. The list is as follows:
1. One download cable
2. One 10 Pin cable
3. One USB-A to USB-B type connection cable
Figure 2-3 Box List
2
1
3
①Download Cable
②Flat Cable
③Connection Cable
Note!
The red line in cable ②is Pin1(TCK).

2 Introduction
2.2 Features
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2.2 Features
Support Windows and Linux operating systems;
Support all series of Gowin FPGA products;
Download the bitstream file of the internal SRAM, on-chip Flash, and
off-chip Flash via JTAG.
The USB interface supports USB1.0, USB2.0;
The USB interface supports DC +5V power supply;
The JTAG interface supports 1.2V~3.3V programming download;
PL-USB-Cable JTAG interface up to 30MHz; PL-U2X-Cable JTAG
interface at a fixed rate of 1.33MHz;
LED power supply, download instructions;
Conform to RoHS standard.
2.3 Functional Block Diagram
The functional block diagram of the cable mainly includes USB
interface socket, ESD, OSC, USB interface circuit. FPGA, LED, level
conversion circuit, and JTAG socket. The USB programming download
cable supports JTAG download of all series of Gowin FPGA products,
downloading bitstream files from FPGA SRAM, on-chip Flash, and off-chip
Flash. It also supports Gowin online logic analyzer.
Figure 2-4 Cable Functional Block Diagram
VCC_USB
OSC VCC
TMS
TCK
TDI
TDO
Voltage
Translator
ESD ESD
USB
Receptacle
10-Pin
Right-Angle
Receptacle
Pin 1
Pin 10
NC
NCNC
LED
R
VCC3.3V
GWU2X

2 Introduction
2.4 Signal Definition
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2.4 Signal Definition
Table 2-1 JTAG Interface Signal Definition
Pin No.
Signal Name
I/O
Description
1
TCK
O
Clock signal
2
GND
-
GND
3
TDI
O
Data sent to the device
4
NC
-
-
5
TDO
I
Data received from the device
6
VCC
Input VCC on the device
7
NC
-
-
8
NC
-
-
9
TMS
O
Control signal of state machine
10
GND
-
GND
Table 2-2 Signal Definition of USB Interface
Pin No.
Signal Name
I/O
Description
1
VCC_USB
I
Input power on USB
2
USB_D+
I/O
Differential data on USB interface
3
USB_D-
I/O
Differential data on USB interface
4
GND
-
Power Ground
2.5 AC/DC Characteristic
The limit working parameters of the cable and the recommended
working parameters of VCC are introduced follows. It is recommended to
use advised working conditions to ensure reliably operation of the cable.
Table 2-3 Limit Operating Parameters
Item
Description
Min.
Max.
Unit
VCC
Device-side power supply
-0.3
4.6
V
VCC_USB
USB-side power supply
-0.5
6.0
V
Io
Output current
-50
50
mA
II
Input current
-50
50
mA

2 Introduction
2.6 ESD Features
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Table 2-4 Recommended Operating Parameters Based on VCC
Item
I/O Level
Min.
Max.
Unit
VCC
3.3
3.0
3.6
V
2.5
2.375
2.625
V
1.8
1.71
1.89
V
1.5
1.43
1.57
V
1.2
1.14
1.26
V
2.6 ESD Features
Comply with IEC 61000-4-2 standard.
ESD protection ±15kV for contacting discharge and ±8kV for air
discharge.

3 Cable Driver
3.1 PL-USB-Cable Driver
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3Cable Driver
3.1 PL-USB-Cable Driver
3.1.1 Windows
Before using the cable, you need to install the driver on your Windows
system. Download the Programmer installer from the support and
download interface of Gowin Website.
1. Double click the installer after finishing download. The interface pops
up, as shown in Figure 3-1.
Figure 3-1 Programmer Setup

3 Cable Driver
3.1 PL-USB-Cable Driver
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2. Click "Next>" to install Programmer, as shown in Figure 3-2.
Figure 3-2 Select Programmer Installation Directory
3. Install via clicking "Install" after selecting the installation directory, as
shown in Figure 3-3.
Figure 3-3 Installing Programmer

3 Cable Driver
3.1 PL-USB-Cable Driver
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4. Click "Finish" to install Programmer, as shown in Figure 3-4.
Figure 3-4 Finish Installing Programmer
5. After installing Programmer, click "Extract" to start extracting the cable
driver, as shown in Figure 3-5. The interface of extracting the cable
driver is as shown in Figure 3-6.
Figure 3-5 Start to Unpack Cable Driver

3 Cable Driver
3.1 PL-USB-Cable Driver
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Figure 3-6 Unpacking Cable Driver
6. After finish unpacking, click "Next>" to the next step, as shown in
Figure 3-7.
Figure 3-7 Finish Installing Cable Driver

3 Cable Driver
3.1 PL-USB-Cable Driver
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7. Select "I accept this agreement" and click "Next>" to install, as shown
in Figure 3-8. The cable driver installation interface is as shown in
Figure 3-9.
Figure 3-8 Agreement License
Figure 3-9 Installing Cable Driver

3 Cable Driver
3.1 PL-USB-Cable Driver
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8. Click "Finish" to finish installing the cable driver, as shown in Figure
3-10.
Figure 3-10 Finish Installing Cable Driver
9. The “USB Serial Converter A” is appeared at the end of the Universal
Serial Bus controller after the USB download cable is connected to the
PC, which means that the cable driver is installed successfully and you
can download/configure the FPGA through the download cable, as
shown in Figure 3-11.
Figure 3-11 Cable Driver Interface on PC

3 Cable Driver
3.2 PL-U2X-Cable Driver
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3.1.2 Linux
The cable driver is not required to be installed. You can use the USB
download cable after downloading the Gowin Software of Linux version.
3.2 PL-U2X-Cable Driver
3.2.1 Windows
1. Download and save Zadig driver
installer:https://github.com/pbatard/libwdi/releases/download/v1.4.1/za
dig-2.7.exe.
2. Connect GWU2X device to the computer USB interface, double-click to
open Zadig (administrator privileges required), click “Options”, and
check the "List All Device" option. All USB devices connected to the
computer will be listed, as show in Figure 3-12.
Figure 3-12 Check “List All Device” Option
3. Select the GWU2X device that requires driver installation, as show in
Figure 3-13.
Figure 3-13 Select the Device that Requires Driver Installation