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Altera_Forum's avatar
Altera_Forum
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18 years ago

Specify voltage on input pins

Hi All,

I am using a Cyclone 3 development board. I will be implementing a circuit with 6 input and 4 output pins. I have written the code, compiled and run simulations of the circuit, but now I want to test it on the board....

I'm using SignalTap to see the outputs. Could somebody tell me, how can I assign values to the input pins? In the past I have used the push buttons on the board to specify inputs. But here are only four such buttons and 6 inputs this time. I don't think I can use a vector-waveform-file in real time. I tried using the .pin file, but it doesn't seem to work. I'm out of ways :(

Any help will be much appreciated !

Thanks.

2 Replies

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    18 years ago

    --- Quote Start ---

    I don't think I can use a vector-waveform-file in real time. I tried using the .pin file, but it doesn't seem to work.

    --- Quote End ---

    The header of the .pin file says this:

    --- Quote Start ---

    This is a Quartus II output file. It is for reporting purposes only, and is not intended for use as a Quartus II input file.

    --- Quote End ---

    A .vwf file is for simulation, not driving signals in real hardware.

    If your board doesn't have other things you can use as drivers for your input pins, you might be able to use the In-System Sources and Probes feature that is new in QII 7.1. See the Quartus handbook, Volume 3, Section V: In-System Design Debugging. I've never tried this feature. I don't know whether it will let you insert a stimulus right after the input pin, but it might let you insert sources at a point that will let you test out the rest of your logic.
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    18 years ago

    scanseer (http://www.scanseer.com), a software for 'manual' boundary-scan, can help you. Scanseer allows to manipulate with values on pins when chip is in INTEST mode -- to test chip internal logic; and in EXTEST mode -- to test PCB interconnections.

    + the software is very nice and easy to use.