IceCore myStorm firmware

Folknology 2019-08-12 18:04:47 UTC #341

Yup time to move this to a new thread, just start a new one with relevant title, this thread getting somewhat long..

tbalon 2019-08-15 15:20:44 UTC #342

Have been away using the new MX connected to my ADC hv ultrasonic pulser project. I'm using SPI to talk with the MX from my raspberry pi. All working ok so far, but I want to store my bitfile into flash so that when the MX powers up it will load the bitfile. Found this long thread and wanted to know what the supported method is...

Folknology 2019-08-15 22:43:19 UTC #343

You need to install the new firmware (not released yet) which can be found on github on the USB-CDC-Issue-3 firmware branch. you need to update using dfu-util

Folknology 2019-08-18 16:09:17 UTC #344

I have been a bit busy over the last week starting a new contract, however I now have most of my toolchain up and running on my new laptop running windows (I need this for the contract). That means I can hopefully finish the new firmware and merge it into master for a release. On top of this perhaps later in the week I can get nextpnr, verilator etc.. all up and running in order to start work on some of the Verilog for SDRAM and other peripherals..

AndyCap 2019-08-18 19:33:22 UTC #345

Good luck with the contract, my last one was on Windows and it was definitely an experience, before that the previous time was over 20 years ago and I must admit it hadn't got any easier, possibly a lot worse!

The SDRAM stuff I am very interested in, I have no idea how to do that.

I have built nextpnr and got that going though, the clock timing side of it is much better, you can actually see what's going on.

My months holiday messing around with stuff that interests me is now over so I am back to work on stuff that doesn't interest me, I am looking forward to what has changed here next time I get some spare time...

tbalon 2019-09-04 19:49:52 UTC #346

Took at look at the branch and there have been no updates . Is there an ETA for having the iceboot (USB-CDC-Issue-3) available ? Just checking ...

Folknology 2019-09-09 16:21:40 UTC #347

Working on this today and tomorrow so should be released in a couple of days

Folknology 2019-09-11 09:29:05 UTC #348

Just pushed a new version to USB-CDC-issue-3 branch, can you folks please check it out for issues etc.. before I merge into master.

BTW any comments welcome..

lawrie 2019-09-16 10:10:38 UTC #349

It worked for me in both normal and flash modes.

It also built for me with the same latest version of arm-gcc as you are using and the size was the same, but I have not tried the one I built.

I have not looked at the new code much yet.

DrConcern 2019-09-23 17:07:33 UTC #350

Hi Tom

I have the same idea as you - of connecting my newly arrived BlackIce Mx to an HV ultrasonic pulser - like with Luc’s development at http://un0rick.cc/.

Have you got any further?

David

tbalon 2019-09-23 18:35:02 UTC #351

I've got the MX talking to a raspberry pi over SPI. I've implemented a small API to allow me to control the sample rate and to collect samples. At this stage, I just need to trigger the pulser and collect waveforms every 3ms. The application uses a bistatic setup where particles that pass through the FOV and have to be detected.

DrConcern 2019-09-27 05:13:58 UTC #352

Wouldn't this be possible talking directly to the MX?

As in Lawrie's 'Gameduino + Mystorm = Oscilloscope!' on Hackaday - there a 'Flashy' ADC was used with 'HDL design'.

Elminster 2019-09-30 09:21:38 UTC #353

I may have missed it, quite a long thread, and many threading covering bits and pieces but is there an up todate list of everything that the new ICECORE will give if upload, and why you migth want it. Perhaps on the github Wiki or code Readme?

I am just trying to work out if I need to/or will be use full to try the new Core, or if it would just be a distraction. I am thinking I need to to play with Lawrie's new SDRAM code.

Folknology 2019-09-30 16:02:06 UTC #354

I do need to summarise the changes, but the short answer is the ability to program flash as well as Ice40 directly. The other stuff is to do with better structured code and better USB/Prog arrangements..