FlashPro v5.1 Release Notes
(Jan 24, 2007)
FlashPro v5.1 is the newest major release of Actel's programming software
tool for the entire Flash family of devices: ProASIC, ProASICPLUS,
ProASIC3, ProASIC3E, and Fusion, as well
as ARM-enabled ProASIC3, ProASIC3E, and Fusion. FlashPro v5.1 provides
all the features of FlashPro v5.0 along with many other additional enhancements,
such as generation of chain programming STAPL files for ARM-enabled ProASIC3
and Fusion devices.
Actel strongly recommends that you upgrade to this latest major release
of the FlashPro software.
Separate releases of ChainBuilder will no longer be offered by Actel
as its functionality is now integrated within the FlashPro software.
Microsoft Windows - U.S. Version
- Windows XP SP1 or later
- Windows 2000 with SP2 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 Fusion, ProASIC3, ProASIC3E, and ARM-enabled ProASIC3/E
and Fusion devices with FlashPro3. IGLOO support is planned for a future
release of the FlashPro software with FlashPro3.
- Supports all ProASIC and all ProASICPLUS devices
with FlashPro
- Supports all ProASICPLUS devices with FlashPro
Lite
The FlashPro v5.1 software allows users to program JTAG chains of ARM-enabled
ProASIC3 and Fusion devices, not only in a direct programming mode with
individual STAPL files for each device but also from a single STAPL file
for all the Actel devices within the chain. This can make management
of programming complex boards easy as the technical user can, with FlashPro
v5.1, create a single combined STAPL file for the entire board. Programming
houses can then use this single STAPL file to program all the devices
on additional boards. Although this capability was in the v5.0 version
for ProaASIC3 parts, it did not exist for Fusion devices or ARM-enabled
versions of Fusion and ProASIC3 devices. Full functionality is available
in the FlashProv5.1 version with both direct chain programming and combined
STAPL file programming.
- SARno48390: Enhancement to ping for Programmer
Enables the user to locate a programmer by forcing it to flash its
lights for up to 5 seconds to help identify it when many programmers
are connected to a system.
- SARno48781: Ability to specify log file name and serialization
log file name
Use the menu File > Set Project Log File ("Main
Log file…" and "Serialization Log file…") to set log
locations. With a serialized STAPL file, the serialization log is now
saved to the specified location.
- SARno50373: Add ARM-enabled Fusion (M7AFS) device support
ARM-enabled Fusion support is now provided.
- SARno52821: Chain STAPL file support: AFS, A3P/E device in
same file
Chained STAPL files containing any combination of Fusion, ProASIC3/E
and ARM-enabled Fusion and ProASIC3/E devices are now supported.
- SARno56241: In Chain Mode Delete button should delete a device
in the chain
Pressing the Delete button now enables the device to be deleted.
- SARno58961: FP3 now works if a FlashPro is connected to the
machine
When a FlashPro programmer is connected to a PC, it no longer prevents
programming using a FlashPro3 programmer connected to the same machine.
- SARno60994: Added Exit Codes: -31, -32, -42, -43, and -44
to User's Guide
Many issues have been addressed in this release as well as new developments
incorporating several usability improvements too numerous to mention
in these release notes. Actel recommends that all users upgrade to this
new major release immediately to take advantage of the many benefits
offered.
- SARno50533: Setting TCK to 8 MHz no longer allowed when programming
with FlashPro3 Programmer
The occasional instability observed has now been prevented by disallowing
the setting of TCK to 8MHz and the software operates in a stable manner.
New FlashPro3 Driver and Resulting Installation Issues
The new FlashPro3 dedicated driver, introduced with FlashPro v5.0,
provides a whole host of usability benefits compared to the previously
used HID driver. However, since it is a completely new driver, older
versions of the software will no longer work once the new version is
installed. The following bullets explain the additional steps necessary
when the automatic software removal tool encounters older versions. The
benefits of using the FlashPro v5.1 software far outweigh the minor issues
in the set up process listed below. The information below only applies
when you have pre-FlashPro v5.0 software installed; it does not apply
if you have already upgraded to FlashPro v5.0.
- Sometimes registry cleanup occasionally does not work, although rare
in FlashPro v5.1; if the FlashPro3 programmer is not recognized, you
need to follow the instructions in FlashPro3
Programmer Installation Help.
- FlashPro v4.X will not work properly after installing FlashPro v5.1
- the FlashPro v5.1 installer will try to uninstall FlashPro v4.X to
prevent you from encountering this.
- Libero IDE installations have links to their own installed FlashPro
v4.X components which will not work after installing FlashPro v5.1.
FlashPro v5.1 will automatically change your Libero IDE profile settings
to link Libero IDE with FlashPro v5.1 (you are informed via a popup
message before the installation of FlashPro v5.1).
- When installing/using a FlashPro3 programmer for the first time,
the Windows device wizard cannot always find the driver automatically;
the manual workaround is covered in SARno46033 below.
- When installing/using a FlashPro3 programmer for the first time,
the Windows Device Wizard has to install the driver twice in a
row before the FlashPro3 will work properly.
General Issues
- SARno52280: Parallel FlashPro programming is not a supported
programming mode
Parallel programming via USB 1.1 with FlashPro programmers (not FlashPro3)
is disabled. If you attempt to program using parallel FlashPro programmers,
a message will alert the user that this is not possible. Use only one
FlashPro programmer at a time for programming.
- 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. Follow the connection procedure
outlined in the FlashPro
v5.1 User's Guide.
- SARno46033: FlashPro3 driver may not be detected automatically
by Windows
If you are asked for the location of the FlashPro3 driver, you can
find it in <FlashPro v5.1 software installation directory>/Drivers
folder.
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 the FlashPro v5.1 software.
