Xilinx Alveo U50 User manual

Alveo Programming
Cable User Guide
UG1377 (v2019.1) September 17, 2019

2Alveo Programming Cable User Guide
UG1377 (v2019.1) September 17, 2019
Revision History
The following table shows the revision history for this document.
Section
Revision Summary
09/17/2019 Version 2019.1
General updates.
No technical content updates.
08/30/2019 Version 2019.1
Chapter 1: Introduction
Provided a general overview of the card.
Provided names of the supported cards and links
to each
Chapter 2: Preventing ESD Damage
Updated Figure 1.
Updated Tables 1-4.
Chapter 3: Setting Up the System
Updated Figures 2-7.
Revised steps to set up ribbon cable.
Added section “Connecting Alveo Programming
Module to the Card”
Chapter 4: Programming the Alveo Card
Described how to connect and program the card.
Appendix A: Board Specifications
Added physical descriptions of the board..
Entire Document
Edited for grammar and mechanics.
06/21/2019 Version 2019.1
Initial Release
N/A
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3Alveo Programming Cable User Guide
UG1377 (v2019.1) September 17, 2019
Table of Contents
Revision History..........................................................................................................................................................................2
Chapter 1: Introduction................................................................................................................................................................4
Overview........................................................................................................................................................................................4
Chapter 2: Board Overview .........................................................................................................................................................5
Preventing ESD Damage .........................................................................................................................................................6
Board Component Descriptions ...........................................................................................................................................6
Chapter 3: Setting Up the System with the Programming Cable.................................................................................8
Connecting the Ribbon Cable ...............................................................................................................................................8
Disconnecting the Ribbon Cable.......................................................................................................................................10
Connecting Alveo Programming Module to Card......................................................................................................10
Chapter 4: Programming the Alveo Card ........................................................................................................................... 12
Appendix A: Board Specifications .........................................................................................................................................15
Dimensions (Square Form-Factor)....................................................................................................................................15
Environmental ..........................................................................................................................................................................15
Humidity.....................................................................................................................................................................................15
Legal Notices
Please Read: Important Legal Notices ............................................................................................................................16
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4Alveo Programming Cable User Guide
UG1377 (v2019.1) September 17, 2019
Chapter 1: Introduction
Overview
The Alveo™ Programming Cable provides development access for debug-port enabled Alveo Cards
allowing the card to be programmed. The Alveo programming cable consists of a programming
module, ribbon cable and USB cable. Debug-port enabled Alveo cards have a 2x15-pin connector,
which connects to the programming module via the ribbon cable. The programming module connects
to the host computer via micro-USB, which also provides power. This setup is shown in Figure 7.
The following cards include a debug-port and support the Alveo Programming Cable:
•U50/U50DD
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5Alveo Programming Cable User Guide
UG1377 (v2019.1) September 17, 2019
Chapter 2: Board Overview
The Alveo™ programming module, along with a callout of the available interfaces, is shown in the
following figure. The description of each call-out is given in the table below with additional information
provided in Board Component Descriptions in Chapter 2.
Table 1: Alveo Programming Module Interface Descriptions
Call-Out No.
Interface
Description
1
2x15-pin debug connector
Provides connection between the programming
module and Alveo card. Used for programming the
FPGA.
2
Micro USB Connector Port 1
Provides connection between host system, with Vivado
installed, and the programming module. Used for
programming the Alveo card.
3
Unused
Used exclusively by Xilinx for manufacturing.
Unused for development tool flows.
Figure 1: Alveo Programming Module Interface Locations
IMPORTANT: While there are additional interfaces on the board, these will not be accessible on the
housed version of the DMC. Figure 1 is for visual reference only and might not reflect the current
revision of the board. There could be multiple revisions of this board. The specific details
concerning the differences between revisions are not captured in this document.
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Preventing ESD Damage
In order to preserve the integrity of the components, follow the recommendations listed below:
•Use an ESD wrist or ankle strap and ensure that it makes skin contact. Connect the equipment
end of the strap to an unpainted metal surface on the chassis.
•Avoid touching the adapter against your clothing. The wrist strap protects components from
ESD on the body only.
•Handle the adapter by its bracket or edges only. Avoid touching the printed circuit board or the
connectors.
•Put the adapter down only on an antistatic surface such as the bag supplied in your kit.
•If you are returning the adapter to Xilinx Product Support, place it back in its antistatic bag
immediately.
Board Component Descriptions
Debug Header for Main Board Interconnection
The programming module is populated with a 2x15-pin debug connector (Callout 1 in Figure 1) which
connects to the Alveo card via a ribbon cable.
2x15 Connector Details:
•Manufacturer: SAMTEC
•Part Number: FTSH-115-01-F-D-RA-K
•Description: CONN HEADER R/A 30POS 1.27MM
Connector debug header pin definitions are given in Table 2.
Micro USB Connectors
The programming module has two micro-USB connectors (Callouts 2 and 3 in Figure 1), one for each
FT4232 USB to multi-protocol converter. Connect the external micro-USB cable from the host to the
Micro-USB Connector 1 (Callout 2 in Figure 1). Micro-USB Connector 2 should be left unused (Callout 3
in Figure 1).
Pin description of the micro-USB connector is provided in Table 2.
CAUTION! ESD can damage electronic components when they are improperly handled and can
result in total or intermittent failures. Always follow ESD-prevention procedures when removing and
replacing components.
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7Alveo Programming Cable User Guide
UG1377 (v2019.1) September 17, 2019
Table 2: Micro USB Connectors
Pin No.
Signal Name
Functionality
1
USB_VBUS
USB Power
2
USB_DN
USB Differential data -
3
USB_DP
USB Differential data +
4
USB_ID
USB ID
5
GND
Ground
6
GND
Shield Ground
7
GND
8
GND
9
GND
10
GND
11
GND
Programming Cable
The required cables for the programming module are listed in Table 3.
Table 3: Maintenance Board Accessories
Item
No.
Quantity/
Board
Description
MANF
MANF_P/N
Remarks
1
1
Ribbon Cables / IDC Cables
.050" Tiger Eye IDC Ribbon
Cable Assembly, 1.27 mm,
30 Position, 6" length,
Female to Female
Samtec
FFSD-15-D-
06.00-01-N
Connection between
programming module and
Alveo card connector.
2
1
CABLE USB-A TO MICRO
USB-B 2M
Assmann
AK67421-2-R
Connection between
programming module and
external device (ie. host
computer)
Tools
Table 4 lists the Xilinx tools to access the FPGA via the Alveo Programming Module.
Table 4: Test Tools/Utility
Item
Number
Tool/Test
Utility
Manufacturer/Vendor
Version
Remarks
1
Vivado® Design
Suite
Xilinx
2019.1 or
later
For Xilinx FPGA - JTAG
programming
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8Alveo Programming Cable User Guide
UG1377 (v2019.1) September 17, 2019
Chapter 3: Setting Up the System with the Programming Cable
Connecting the Ribbon Cable
A 2x15 ribbon cable, as specified in Chapter 2, is required to connect between the Alveo™card and the
programming module. When connecting the ribbon, ensure to align the cable key with the spacing on
the maintenance connector. The cable key is shown in the following image:
Figure 2: Ribbon Cable Key
IMPORTANT: The ribbon length you use can vary depending on your system setup. For ribbon
cable length greater than 5”, it is necessary to reduce the JTAG transfer frequency used by
Vivado® hardware manager from 15 MHz to 10 MHz when programming the card. Complete
details are given in Chapter 4.
Debug-port enabled Alveo cards have a 2x15-pin maintenance connector that attaches to the
corresponding connector on the programming module via the ribbon cable. As an example, the 2x15-
pin maintenance connector debug connector port for the Alveo U50 is shown below and the
corresponding connector on the programming module is shown in Figure 3.
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9Alveo Programming Cable User Guide
UG1377 (v2019.1) September 17, 2019
Figure 3: Connecting Ribbon Cable to Debug Connector
Figure 4: Aligning Ribbon Cable to Alveo Maintenance Connector Port
When attaching the cable, apply gentle pressure and ensure the cable has a tight connection.
IMPORTANT: Do not apply excessive force when connecting the ribbon cable as the
connector pins can be damaged or bent.
CAUTION! When installing or removing the ribbon cable, ensure the power is disconnected
on the Alveo card, host and server computers. Ensure proper ESD protection is followed. Refer
to Preventing ESD Damage for guidelines.
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10Alveo Programming Cable User Guide
UG1377 (v2019.1) September 17, 2019
Disconnecting the Ribbon Cable
When removing the ribbon from either the Alveo card or programming cable, firmly hold the ribbon
connector and pull the cable out in a straight line. Twisting or rotating the connector will damage the
connector pins on the Alveo card or programming module.
Connecting Alveo Programming Module to Card
This section provides the programming module connection to Alveo card procedures. Depending on
your system setup, the following installation steps may differ. A 15” cable is used in the following
example. Two adjacent PCI slots are necessary: one for the Alveo card and the other for ribbon cable
access.
1. Before installing the Alveo card, connect one end of the ribbon cable to the 2x15-pin maintenance
port on the Alveo card following the instructions outlined in Connecting the Ribbon Cable.
2. Power off the server and Install the Alveo card in the server. See the Alveo U50 Data Center
Accelerator Card Installation Guide (UG1370) for Alveo card installation steps.
3. When the card is installed, guide the ribbon cable through the adjacent PCI slot, providing enough
length to attach to the Alveo Programming Module.
4. Attach the second end of the ribbon cable to the maintenance connector on the Alveo
Programming Module following the instructions outlined in Connecting the Ribbon Cable. The
following figures show the subsequent setup from a top and side view.
Figure 5: Installed Alveo Card Connected to Alveo Programming Module –Top View
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