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Here are the files needed for running P8X32A on the BeMicroCV — Parallax Forums

Here are the files needed for running P8X32A on the BeMicroCV

cgraceycgracey Posts: 14,155
edited 2014-08-17 07:40 in Propeller 1
I got into the BeMicroCV board today and got things straightened out.

The problem with the cog-indicator LEDs was that, aside from being driven inversely, they were laid out in this order on the PCB: 7-1-0-2-3-4-6-5. That's fixed now, requiring changes to the top.qsf file (different pin order) and a change to the top.tdf file ("!" on the right-hand side of the 'ledg' assignment to invert signal polarity). The .png file was updated, too, to show the 3.3V I/O jumper placement. Here is a .zip containing the new files:

P8X32A_BeMicroCV_files.zip

As before, start off with the DE2-115 directory setup and get rid of all files that have DE2_115 in their names. Then, put these files into that folder and rename the folder P8X32A_BeMicroCV. After that you can follow directions in the readme.txt file.

Also, be sure to modify the 'dira' register assignment starting on line 317 of the cog.v file, so that it reads:
always @(posedge clk_cog or negedge ena)
if (!ena)
    dira <= 32'b0;
else if (setdira)
    dira <= alu_r;


It turns out that only 'dira' was needing the reset, not 'outa'. This was an AHDL-to-Verilog transcription error I had made in the original files release.

This should be final for the BeMicroCV board.
zip
zip
P8X32A_BeMicroCV_files.zip
2M

Comments

  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2014-08-10 18:01
    Chip,
    The file is identifying as attachment.php
    Is this correct???
  • Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,392
    edited 2014-08-10 18:06
    Chip,

    Shouldn't we host these files on our web site along with the rest of the downloads so they can be easily found?

    Let me know please.

    - Ken
  • cgraceycgracey Posts: 14,155
    edited 2014-08-10 18:06
    Cluso99 wrote: »
    Chip,
    The file is identifying as attachment.php
    Is this correct???


    Well, that's what's in the link text:

    http://forums.parallax.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=110303&d=1407717164

    When I click on it, though, it downloads P8X32A_BeMicroCV_files.zip, as I'd expect.

    I don't know why it's not working for you.
  • cgraceycgracey Posts: 14,155
    edited 2014-08-10 18:08
    Ken Gracey wrote: »
    Chip,

    Shouldn't we host these files on our web site along with the rest of the downloads so they can be easily found?

    Let me know please.

    - Ken

    Yes, I have a new master file, but it needs to have that GPL text stuffed into the .v and .src files. I'm just putting patches on this forum. I'll send you the new files, sans GPL text.
  • mindrobotsmindrobots Posts: 6,506
    edited 2014-08-10 18:08
    Cluso99 wrote: »
    Chip,
    The file is identifying as attachment.php
    Is this correct???

    Mine shows and downloads as a .zip

    Mac OSX 10.9 and Firefox

    I'll grab it on my Windows machine later....
  • TubularTubular Posts: 4,702
    edited 2014-08-10 18:25
    Downloaded the zip and opened it just fine.
  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2014-08-10 19:05
    Really weird. Another problem with IE11 & Windows 8.1 64bit !
    It downloaded the file ok but called it attachment.php.

    Tried with Firefox and no problems.

    BTW I cannot post to the forum with IE11 either.
  • KMyersKMyers Posts: 433
    edited 2014-08-11 09:20
    Downloaded fine on my win7 and Chrome...
  • AleAle Posts: 2,363
    edited 2014-08-12 11:12
    I can only say this:

    Wahnsinn !!

    It says "propeller Version1 found on COM3" ;-)

    Sadly it takes 25 minutes to re-compile, even for changes the pin assignment (I have my own prop-plug with 5 pins instead of 4). (i7 Quad-core 2.2 GHz), no multicore license.

    Good work Chip !, Great work!
  • Bill HenningBill Henning Posts: 6,445
    edited 2014-08-12 11:58
    I think Quartus web edition 14 enables multi-core if you enable Snoopy Mode (talkback) - Altera says they do not send design files.

    http://www.altera.com/literature/po/ss_quartussevswe.pdf

    http://www.altera.com/support/kdb/talkbackfaq.html
  • User NameUser Name Posts: 1,451
    edited 2014-08-12 16:23
    Bill,

    Are you going to give that (talkback) a try when your board arrives today? I'm very interested to hear how that works for you.
  • Bill HenningBill Henning Posts: 6,445
    edited 2014-08-12 16:45
    Yes, I plan to try talkback, once I get to the point of being able to compile the Verilog.

    I'll post compile times with/without talkback.

    If I find it annoyingly slow, I may bump the memory to 32GB, and maybe go to a 4.4GHz eight core processor with an SSD (instead of 8 core 4GHz / 8GB / 3TB 7200rpm drive)
    User Name wrote: »
    Bill,

    Are you going to give that (talkback) a try when your board arrives today? I'm very interested to hear how that works for you.
  • AleAle Posts: 2,363
    edited 2014-08-12 23:43
    I have 10 GB of RAM, and quartus hardly uses 1....

    I installed Quartus 14... and I get : 
    Info: Command: quartus_map --read_settings_files=on --write_settings_files=off top -c top
Warning (20028): Parallel compilation is not licensed and has been disabled
Warning (12125): Using design file top.tdf, which is not specified as a design file for the current project, but contains definitions for 1 design units and 1 entities in project
	Info (12023): Found entity 1: top

    Edit: I thought this talkback was enabled by default ?.. it is not. enable it per hand.
    Info: Project  = top
Info: Revision = top
Info (11104): Parallel Compilation has detected 8 hyper-threaded processors. However, the extra hyper-threaded processors will not be used by default. Parallel Compilation will use 4 of the 4 physical processors detected instead.
Info (119006): Selected device 5CEFA2F23C8 for design "top"

    :D

    Compiled in 15 minutes wall time, 21 minutes CPU time, not the screamer by any length. I'm glad orca (www.thch.uni-bonn.de/tc/orca) does it right...
    Utilization climbs to 90 % from 85 % in Quartus 13...
    q.jpg
    797 x 725 - 160K
    prop_cv.jpg
    1024 x 847 - 123K
  • pik33pik33 Posts: 2,366
    edited 2014-08-12 23:44
    Ale wrote: »
    Warning (20028): Parallel compilation is not licensed and has been disabled

    Set talkback feature on. It will enable parallel compilation which reduces compilation time.
  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2014-08-13 00:03
    Ale,
    What were the compile times with and without multicores?
  • AleAle Posts: 2,363
    edited 2014-08-13 02:34
    Single core, fitter 20 wall time mins. quartus 13. 85 % used 81 MHz
    Multicore 4 cores, fitter 15 wall time min, cpu time 21 min. Quartus 14. 90% used 65 MHz
    Multicore 2 cores, fitter 18 wall time mins, cpu time 21 min. Q 14. 90% used 65 MHz

    Back to q13 I suppose. Have to look at the reset issue now....
  • Bill HenningBill Henning Posts: 6,445
    edited 2014-08-13 07:06
    Thanks for the multicore results ... I am surprised the improvement is so small.
  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2014-08-13 12:57
    What is more surprising isQ14 uses more logic and slower than Q13.

    And yes, I would have expected better results from more cores. Guess they cannot divide the chores up that easily.
  • pmrobertpmrobert Posts: 673
    edited 2014-08-13 14:03
    What is more surprising isQ14 uses more logic and slower than Q13.
    I have the same observation. Almost the same compile speed for the two but 14 reports more LEs used and a markedly slower FMAX. I wonder if there's some setting somewhere that needs a little attention. All things considered, 14.0 is significantly less efficient and less productive than 13.1 even with the parallel compilation enabled in 14. ?!!?
  • Kerry SKerry S Posts: 163
    edited 2014-08-13 14:26
    Thanks for posting this!

    Downloading V13.1 now...
  • jmgjmg Posts: 15,173
    edited 2014-08-13 14:46
    pmrobert wrote: »
    I have the same observation. Almost the same compile speed for the two but 14 reports more LEs used and a markedly slower FMAX. I wonder if there's some setting somewhere that needs a little attention. All things considered, 14.0 is significantly less efficient and less productive than 13.1 even with the parallel compilation now enabled. ?!!?

    I'd be a little cautious about 'blaming' Q14, as sometimes the device speed files these tools use are revised.
    IIRC those files set the corner cases, and they can sometimes revise down due to more experience in corner-case failures, and even varying FAB suppliers corner cases.

    For bench testing, it is probably ok to focus on the faster/smaller case, (Q13) and do some of your own margin sanity tests. ( ie hike the clock, until test suites fail, and confirm there is plenty of headroom )
  • pmrobertpmrobert Posts: 673
    edited 2014-08-13 15:07
    Yes, I agree. There's something different and it very well may be and more likely to be that way for a good reason. Thx for the 'define info elsewhere - that works perfectly.
  • Bill HenningBill Henning Posts: 6,445
    edited 2014-08-13 15:34
    thanks guys.

    Downloading 13.1 ...
  • Bill HenningBill Henning Posts: 6,445
    edited 2014-08-13 16:49
    Chip,

    I downloaded your 8-11 zip, and followed you instructions - Quartus 14.0 compiled the BE MICRO CV image in ~15min!

    Thank you!

    Quartus pegged one core at 100%.

    I'll try enabling Snoopy mode, and seeing what difference it makes on my AMD box.


    Ok, I enabled talk back.

    Compilation time dropped to 9 minutes.

    I had the system monitor open, they do not make efficient use of multiple cores.

    Looks like there is a LOT of memory still available on the BE/CV!
  • David BetzDavid Betz Posts: 14,516
    edited 2014-08-17 06:25
    Is the code in the first post of this thread the most current BeMicro CV code? My board finally arrived and I'd like to load it.
  • Bill HenningBill Henning Posts: 6,445
    edited 2014-08-17 06:52
    See

    http://www.parallax.com/downloads/propeller-1-design

    for the latest design files
    David Betz wrote: »
    Is the code in the first post of this thread the most current BeMicro CV code? My board finally arrived and I'd like to load it.
  • David BetzDavid Betz Posts: 14,516
    edited 2014-08-17 06:55
    Bill Henning wrote: »
    See

    http://www.parallax.com/downloads/propeller-1-design

    for the latest design files
    Thanks! I really wish Parallax would setup a github repository for this!
  • Bill HenningBill Henning Posts: 6,445
    edited 2014-08-17 06:57
    You are welcome!

    And I agree, a github would be nice.

    I've been able to re-compile the 8-11 code, now I just need to find the time to test it, and start making changes :)
    David Betz wrote: »
    Thanks! I really wish Parallax would setup a github repository for this!
  • David BetzDavid Betz Posts: 14,516
    edited 2014-08-17 07:40
    My BeMicro CV board is now running Chip's latest P1 code. Seems to run the propgcc fibo demo okay. As Bill said, now I just need to find some time to try making a few changes to the code to see if I can make a contribution to a new P1 chip. :-)
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