FlashPro v6.0 Release Notes
(Jun 21, 2007)
FlashPro v6.0 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 v6.0 provides all the features of FlashPro v5.1 along with many other additional enhancements, such as integration of FlashPoint functionality into FlashPro. FlashPoint, historically part of the Designer software tool suite, provides the interface to generate programming files for IGLOO/e, ProASIC3/E and Fusion devices. The FlashROM, embedded flash memory, and security settings can now be updated and reprogrammed using the FlashPro software without having to re-invoke the Designer software.
Actel strongly recommends that you upgrade to this latest major release of the FlashPro software. This FlashPro v6.0 version has been produced to be compatible with the libraries used in the software build generated for the Libero v8.0 release.
Separate releases of ChainBuilder are no longer 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 FlashPoint function is now integrated into the FlashPro software. By having this feature in FlashPro, the user can modify the contents of the embedded flash memory, change the serialization sequence of the FlashROM contents, or modify security settings without needing to reenter the Designer software. In the Designer software, the programming file generation function of FlashPoint can now generate a programming database file (PDB) in addition to a STAPL (STP) file. The user has a choice of which file type to generate. PDB is required to enable modifications to be made with FlashPro. The new version of FlashPro uses the PDB file to allow configuration settings such as serialization to be modified by the user. When you want to change your programming settings, including the memory contents, simply click the Configure PDB button in FlashPro. All modifications are stored in the PDB file. FlashPro uses the information in the PDB file to program the device with the appropriate settings. Libero IDE or Designer do not have to be open to make these modifications.
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.
- SARno64532: Programming time slow down compared with FlashPro v5.0
This issue in FlashPro v5.1 has been fixed in FlashPro v6.0. Programming time is now optimal.
General Issues
- SARno64035: Run action TCL command should return STAPL exit code
In FlashPro v6.0, we only support return codes from script programming for one programmer. If the user has one programmer with a chain, the TCL command will return the exit code of the first failed device - if any device failed to program. If the user has several programmers, the engine will return the exit code of the first failed programmer. So if running "PROGRAM", an exit 0 should be returned if programming passes, and exit 11 if verify fails, etc
- SARno66523: Tcl update_programming_file command does not set header data
Problem isolated to TCL flow: Silicon signature (and some other header data) is not set correctly when running from TCL flow.
- SARno66522: Silicon Signature is not exported into the Tcl file (Express Security)
The Silicon Signature is missing in the exported Tcl file.
- SARno66316: Unloading STAPL file in chain mode causes GUI error
Unloading a STAPL file when operating in the Chain mode causes a blank row to appear in the GUI.
- SARno66624: Remove M7 devices from express configuration
The M7 devices should not appear in the list for PDB configuration.
- SARno66514: NVM Verify fails when CFI client present
Failure to verify NVM after programming on AFS600-PQ208 and AFS600-FG484 device/package combinations. This happens with STAPL only (PDB works correctly). The issue is a Designer software issue with Designer v8.0 and will be fixed in Designer v8.0 SP1.
- SARno66497: Disable option '-secured_device' in update_programming_file TCL cmd
In FlashPro, the option "Programming previously secured device" cannot be changed. The GUI disables it, TCL command should not support it either. This is fixed in the forthcoming FlashPro v6.0 SP1.
- SARno65110: Cannot load the same PDB for multiple devices or copy paste
Targeted to be fixed in FlashPro v6.1
- 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 v6.0 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 v6.0 software installation directory>/Drivers folder.
New FlashPro3 Driver (in v5.0) 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, as it is a completely new driver, older versions of the software will no longer work once the new version is installed. The following bullet points explain the additional steps necessary when the automatic software removal tool encounters older versions. The benefits of using the FlashPro v6.0 software far outweigh the minor issues in the set up process listed below. The steps below only apply when you have pre FlashPro v5.0 software installed, they do not apply if you have already upgraded to FlashPro v5.0 or newer.
- Registry cleanup occasionally does not work, although rare in FlashPro v6.0; if the FlashPro3 programmer is not recognized after installing FlashPro v6.0, you need to follow the instructions in FlashPro3 Programmer Installation Help.
- FlashPro v4.X will not work properly after installing FlashPro v6.0 — the FlashPro v6.0 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 v6.0 — FlashPro v6.0 will automatically change your Libero profile settings to link Libero with FlashPro v6.0 (you are informed via a pop-up message before the installation of FlashPro v6.0 ).
- When installing/using an FlashPro3 programmer for the first time, the Windows device wizard cannot always find the driver automatically; the manual workaround is covered in SARno46033 above.
- When installing/using a FlashPro3 programmer for the first time, the Windows Device Wizard has to install the driver twice before the FlashPro3 will work properly.
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 v6.0 software.
