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Altera_Forum
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15 years ago

LVDS and PLL IP on DE1

Hello,

I am trying to implement a LVDS to RGB converter in the DE1 board.

I am using the LVDS and PLL IP Megafunction. I used as a template the "Design Example 2: Cyclone II ALTLVDS Using External PLL Option" from the ALTLVDS Megafunction User Guide. I changed the FPGA used because it's not the exact same one as in the DE1 board.

Then when I am assigning the pins to the expansion header of the DE1 board (I also precise in the "I/O Standard": LVDS), Quartus Fitter gives me the following error:

"Error: Can't place PLL "lvds_pll:inst2|altpll:altpll_component|pll" -- I/O pin "ref_clock" (port type INCLK of the PLL) is assigned to a location which is not connected to port type INCLK of any PLL on the device"

Can somebody explain to me what this error means and how I can solve it?

Thank you in advance,

Meach

8 Replies

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    Hi Meach,

    You probably use an ordinary I/O pin for your ref_clock.

    You ref_clock must be connected to a dedicated clock input.

    Success, Ton
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    Hello Ton,

    Yes I am using one I/O pin from the expansion header because I thought that I need to get somehow the LVDS clock.

    If I want the LVDS data to be synchronised, how can it be if I don't have its clock in input?

    Meach
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    Aditionally, you can't use LVDS with the DE1.

    The GPIO pins are connected to a bank powered at 3.3V VCCIO.

    For LVDS, they'd have to be connected to a back with 2.5V VCCIO and have the proper external resistors.

    Among the examples and documentation of the DE1 board, you should have a mock up project that contains just an empty top level and all the correct pin assignments.

    I suggest you take it as base for any project you do on the DE1.
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    Oh great!

    There is no possibilities to use it anyway with the DE1?

    For the pin assignment I prefer doing it myself for any project. I prefer to check them anyway every time and so far I do not need to assign every time all the pin of the board.

    Meach
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    For now I am only interested in development board but if I will design my own one later, I will keep that in mind.

    Also this is a bit off topic but basically if I want to use the LVDS protocol with a development board, I have to make sure that the board has adjustable Input Signal Levels, right?

    rbugalho said that it should be connected to 2.5 VCCIO. But I read that the maximum input voltage of LVDS is 2.4 V. So for example with 1.8 VCCIO, will it work?

    Thank you

    Meach
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    To use LVDS with a development board, the board needs to have a LVDS interface.

    IIRC, the Cyclone III starter kit has.

    VCCIO is the voltage that powers the I/O elements. The maximum LVDS signal voltage is 2.4V but the FPGA I/O elements must be powered with 2.5V for LVDS.

    Trying to use LVDS with 1.8V VCCIO is not document anywhere, AFAIK, and it will problably not work.
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    ok thank you rbugalho, that's exactly what I wanted to hear!

    I made some research and instead of looking for another development kit I think I will go for a Quad Link LVDS Interface HSMC Daughtercard + GPIO-HSMC Card and the DE1.

    Meach