FPGA Configuration from Flash PROMs on the Spartan-3E 1600E Board
Casey Cain · 2007
This application note describes three FPGA configuration modes using Flash PROMs. These modes are BPI Up mode, BPI Down mode, and SPI mode. The step-by-step process to bootload a software application in flash in each of the configuration modes is detailed in this application note. The process includes creating the bootloader, programming the software application files and the system configuration into flash memory, and setting which configuration mode the FPGA will use when the board is powered on. The types of files used in the bootloading process are also described in this application note. A reference system is included with this application note that is targeted for the Spartan®-3E 1600E (SP3E1600E) development board. The reference system is configured for programming the Intel StrataFlash parallel NOR Flash PROM on the SP3E1600E board. Sample software applications are used with the reference system to illustrate the bootloading process described in this application note.