Forum Discussion

Altera_Forum's avatar
Altera_Forum
Icon for Honored Contributor rankHonored Contributor
14 years ago

Fast & Large block data transfer over USB - DE1/DE2 ?

Hi I have a DE1 fpga module, which has a single USB port that seems to be dedicated to programming. Is it possible to use it to do fast, large block data transfers over the USB ?

I see quite a bit of discussion here in a similar vein, but do not see anything conclusive.

I see the USB is connected to an FTDI FT245BL - this should be capable of 1M Byte / Sec, using their D2XX Drivers. It is then connected to an Altera MAX chip.

Previous fpga modules that I have used with FTDI chips have been able to use the USB port for both programming and for data transfer.

Or am I better to junk the DE1 board and buy a DE2 which I see has a second USB port ?

cheers,

Beau

54 Replies

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
    Icon for Honored Contributor rankHonored Contributor

    Hi Beau,

    --- Quote Start ---

    I have completed a GUI to drive the PC to FPGA VHDL code ...

    --- Quote End ---

    Awesome. I'm traveling at the moment, and only have a dial-up connection (how ancient), so I'll wait until I get a real internet connection before checking it out.

    --- Quote Start ---

    Even sold my first copy !

    --- Quote End ---

    Nice!

    --- Quote Start ---

    And I expect plenty of pointers as to where I could do things better ! :)

    --- Quote End ---

    Next week, I'll check out the code and concept and give you my review :)

    Ping me next week some time, if you haven't heard from me.

    Cheers,

    Dave
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
    Icon for Honored Contributor rankHonored Contributor

    @BeauWebber

    how easy would it be to include a EPCS4 configuration eeprom to the MorphicII fpga module design? would dwh@ovro.caltech.edu test .c upload problem need any amendments to work with the EPCS4

    im very new to this / very interested! :)
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
    Icon for Honored Contributor rankHonored Contributor

    --- Quote Start ---

    @BeauWebber

    how easy would it be to include a EPCS4 configuration eeprom to the MorphicII fpga module design? would dwh@ovro.caltech.edu test .c upload problem need any amendments to work with the EPCS4 ? :)

    --- Quote End ---

    Such a configuration eeprom is not really needed - the MorphicII fpga module is programmed over the same USB as transfers data, and it only takes about 100ms for the upload and program.

    There is an example binary GUI with binary VHDL code that programs the MorphicII and demonstrates transferring data over the USB at full USB2 rates, at :

    http://www.lab-tools.com/instrumentation/soft-firm-hard-ware/fpga_interface_to_pc/help.html

    cheers,

    Beau
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
    Icon for Honored Contributor rankHonored Contributor

    --- Quote Start ---

    you can transfer your data by usb but if you can also the data by using networking.

    --- Quote End ---

    Can you please explain more ?

    I am using all the expansion IO for a Terassic ADA module - I did not think the DE1 had a LAN connection ?

    cheers,

    Beau