CPLD programming: Difference between revisions
Created page with "Category:ATW800/2 (Re)Programming/flashing the CPLD (nicknamed "Absinth") should normally not be needed. If there should a currently unknown bug which inhibits the ATW800/2 from working properly, it might be necessary. The firmware is stored inside the flash memory on the CPLD and requires special hardware and cable to reprogram it. TBC" |
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If there should a currently unknown bug which inhibits the ATW800/2 from working properly, it might be necessary. | If there should a currently unknown bug which inhibits the ATW800/2 from working properly, it might be necessary. | ||
The firmware is stored inside the flash memory | The firmware is stored inside the flash memory build into the CPLD and requires special hardware and cable to reprogram it. | ||
This hardware is called '''USB Blaster''' and was originally made by Altera (now Intel), the manufacturer of the CPLD used on the ATW800/2. Sadly this programmer is not available in its original version anymore. The market was swamped with cheaper clones and even cheaper know-offs. | |||
To make things worse, the CPLD is long time EOL and so is the software needed to program that thing. The software is still available for free but it does not play well with recent OS versions. The most recent supported Windows is version 10, the Linux version comes in a ''huge'' (4GB) VM image incl. the Linux kernel etc. which is IMHO a total overkill for just programming the CPLD. | |||
That said, we recommend using a (virtual) Windows XP, 7 or 10 installation with the programming tool provided in our public share, wich is a comparably mere 122MB, located in "Firmware\CPLD_Absinth". | |||
Revision as of 18:49, 18 June 2025
(Re)Programming/flashing the CPLD (nicknamed "Absinth") should normally not be needed. If there should a currently unknown bug which inhibits the ATW800/2 from working properly, it might be necessary.
The firmware is stored inside the flash memory build into the CPLD and requires special hardware and cable to reprogram it.
This hardware is called USB Blaster and was originally made by Altera (now Intel), the manufacturer of the CPLD used on the ATW800/2. Sadly this programmer is not available in its original version anymore. The market was swamped with cheaper clones and even cheaper know-offs.
To make things worse, the CPLD is long time EOL and so is the software needed to program that thing. The software is still available for free but it does not play well with recent OS versions. The most recent supported Windows is version 10, the Linux version comes in a huge (4GB) VM image incl. the Linux kernel etc. which is IMHO a total overkill for just programming the CPLD.
That said, we recommend using a (virtual) Windows XP, 7 or 10 installation with the programming tool provided in our public share, wich is a comparably mere 122MB, located in "Firmware\CPLD_Absinth".