FlashPro v4.0 Release Notes
(Oct 27, 2005)
FlashPro v4.0 is Actel's new redesigned programming software tool for
the Flash family of devices (ProASIC, ProASICPLUS,
ProASIC3, and ProASIC3E). FlashPro v4.0 combines all the features of
FlashPro v3.4. You can navigate easily through the FlashPro v4.0 software
because of its similarities with other Actel software tools.
Microsoft Windows - U.S. Version
- Windows 2000 with SP2 or later
- Windows XP SP1 or later
- Pentium II 450 or higher processor with Microsoft Windows 2000 or
newer
- 256 MB available memory
- 50 MB available hard disk space
- VGA or higher-resolution video adapter (SVGA 256-color and 800x600
or higher resolution recommended)
- Administrative rights are required to your local workstation for
Windows 2000 and Windows XP systems for installation and for running
the software.
- Supports all ProASIC and ProASICPLUS devices with
FlashPro
- Supports ProASICPLUS devices with FlashPro Lite
- Supports ProASIC3 and ProASIC3E including CoreMP7(ARM7) ready devices
with FlashPro3
The FlashPro v4.0 software includes the following new features:
- Supports a single GUI to drive multiple FlashPro3 or FlashPro USB
programmers connected in parallel
- This can result in a faster programming time for volume production
- Supports device serialization programming for ProASIC3 and ProASIC3E
parts in parallel
- Automatically programs unique serialization numbers while programming
multiple parts in parallel
- A redesigned GUI featuring a project manger that manages the programming
files and data
SARno46033: FlashPro3 driver may not be detected automatically
by Windows
If you are asked for the location of the FlashPro3 driver, you will
find it under the <FlashPro v4.0 software installation directory>/Drivers
folder.
SARno50181: Increased programming time using FlashPro with USB
1.1 for programming APA devices
A 12% or slightly greater programming time increase may be observed
with FlashPro v4.0 compared to FlashPro 3.4 while programming APA
devices. This is to be expected.
SARno50661: Self-test is not supported for FlashPro Programmer
SARno48268: Single click selection of a target device is not
supported when more than one ACTEL device is found in the JTAG chain
The target device can be selected by creating a STAPL file using Chain
Builder software or by using the "Advanced settings" dialog
box in the FlashPro v4.0 software. Please refer to the "Single
STAPL file programming" section on page 56 of the FlashPro v4.0
User Guide for the detailed procedure.
SARno48333: Multiple instances of FlashPro v4.0 software should
not be invoked at the same time
Second or subsequent instances of the FlashPro v4.0 software may not
be able to find the connected programmers. The subsequent instances
of the FlashPro v4.0 software should be closed.
SARno50666: After installing FlashPro v4.0 on windows 2000 machine,
old FlashPro software icon will show up instead of the new FlashPro v4.0
icon SARno50533: Do not use TCK=8MHz when programming
with FlashPro3 Programmer
Occasionally, instability has been observed with TCK=8MHz. use the
recommended TCK frequency of 4MHz for programming ProASIC3 and ProASIC3E
devices using FlashPro3 programmer.
SARno50653: Occasional refresh/rescan issues while connecting
or adding multiple programmers
It has been observed that the FlashPro v4.0 software occasionally stalls
when the refresh/rescan button is clicked for connecting or adding
multiple programmers.
SARno48459: FlashPro v4.0 stalls when FlashPro programmer has
both USB and Parallel port connected to the computer
The workaround is to use either the USB or Parallel port connection
on the FlashPro programmer but not both.
SARno48103: Occasional connectivity issues while connecting FlashPro3
programmers to a Dell D600 laptop
The workaround is to use the recommended PCMCIA to USB 2.0 card instead
of directly connecting to the laptop and to follow the connection
procedure outlined in the FlashPro v4.0 user's guide.
We have tested several PCI/PCMCIA to USB 2.0 cards along with different
USB 1.1/2.0 hubs and we have observed that the Belkin PCI/PCMCIA to USB
2.0 cards with Belkin USB 1.1/2.0 hubs have demonstrated the appropriate
performance criteria for programming with FlashPro v4.0 software.
