Platform Cable USB II
Table 1: Platform Cable USB II Software Compatibility
Software
ISE Foundation / ISE WebPACK
ChipScope Pro Analyzer
Version
6.3i SP3 and later
6.3i SP3 and later
7.1i and later
Embedded Development Kit
System Generator for DSP
8.1i and later
Notes:
1. An installer must be run to enable Platform Cable USB II for use
with Xilinx design tools prior to 10.1. Refer to Device Driver
Installation, page 4 for additional details.
The minimum system requirements for these applications are located on the Xilinx website at:
http://www.xilinx.com/products/design_resources/design_tool/index.htm
Note: To receive the current enhancements and bug fixes, Xilinx recommends using the newest version of a tool and applying the latest
service pack.
Operating Power
Platform Cable USB II is a bus-powered device (drawing less than 150 mA from the host USB port under all operating
conditions), automatically adapting to the capabilities of the host USB port to achieve the highest possible performance.
Platform Cable USB II enumerates on any USB port type: USB ports on root hubs, external bus-powered hubs, external self-
powered hubs and legacy USB 1.1 hubs (see USB Hub Types and Cable Performance, page 28). However, performance is
not optimal when attached to USB 1.1 hubs (refer to Hot Plug and Play, page 5 for an explanation of USB enumeration).
Device Driver Installation
For a complete guide to installation of the Platform Cable USB II refer to UG344, USB Cable Installation Guide.
A proprietary device driver is required to use Platform Cable USB II. This driver is automatically installed when a supported
Xilinx design tool is installed.
Note: Automatic driver installation is available beginning with version 10.1 of Xilinx design tools. For earlier versions, a driver installer
must be run prior to using the cable. Refer to the USB Cable Installation Guide for instructions on downloading and running the installer.
Firmware Updates
The Platform Cable USB II firmware resides in an USB microcontroller and a FPGA/PROM. The microcontroller is RAM-
based and firmware is downloaded each time the cable is connected and detected by the host operating system. Additional
firmware can also be downloaded to the microcontroller once a design tool establishes a connection with the cable. The USB
protocol guarantees that the firmware is successfully downloaded.
Upgraded firmware for the USB microcontroller is periodically distributed in Xilinx design tool releases or, on rare occasions,
in a Xilinx Answer Record. In most cases, an upgrade requires replacing one or more of the design tool's application files and
depending on operating system, one or more cable driver files.
Platform Cable USB II contains a Xilinx Spartan-3A FPGA with an in-system programmable Xilinx XCF02S PROM. Each
time a design tool establishes a connection with the cable, the firmware version stored in the PROM is examined. The PROM
is automatically reprogrammed over the cable if the firmware version is out of date. If an update is required, the design tool
displays the following warning message:
Warning: USB Cable firmware must be updated. This operation may take up to 40 seconds. Do not stop
the process or disconnect the cable prior to completion. The cable STATUS LED will be RED for the
duration of the update process.
Similarly, upgraded firmware for the FPGA/PROM is periodically distributed in Xilinx design tool releases or, on rare
occasions, in a Xilinx Answer Record. In most cases, an upgrade requires replacing a single design tool application file. The
PROM is reprogrammed with the new firmware the next time the tool connects to the cable. PROM reprogramming takes
DS593 (v1.2.1) March 17, 2011
www.xilinx.com
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