FlashPro v6.0 SP3 Release Notes
(Nov 1, 2007)
FlashPro v6.0 SP3 is the newest release of Actel's programming software tool for the entire Flash family of devices: ProASIC, ProASICPLUS, ProASIC3, ProASIC3E, Fusion, and IGLOO, the world's lowest power FPGA, as well as ARM-enabled ProASIC3, ProASIC3E, and Fusion. FlashPro v6.0 SP3 provides all the features of the previous FlashPro v6.0 SP2 and includes updates to programming of commercially qualified silicon AGL600 and AFS600 devices. These programming updates require STAPL files for AGL600, AFS600, M1AFS600 and M7AFS600 to be regenerated with Libero IDE/Designer v8.0 SP3.
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 FlashPoint functionality was integrated into the FlashPro software in FlashPro v6.0. The FlashROM, embedded flash memory, and security settings can 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 SP3 version has been produced to be compatible with the libraries used in the software build generated for the Libero IDE v8.0 SP3 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 with 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.
- Support for AGL125 has been added as well as support for Cortex-M1-enabled M1AGL600 and Cortex-M1-enabled M1A3PE1500 with dual-key security.
- Supports all Fusion, ProASIC3, ProASIC3E, and ARM-enabled ProASIC3/E and Fusion devices with FlashPro3. IGLOO programming is possible using this release of FlashPro software, but not all devices have yet been added to the database. On any unrecognized Actel device, Scan Chain will report "Unknown Actel device" but STAPL programming can still be done successfully.
- Supports all ProASIC and all ProASICPLUS devices with FlashPro
- Supports all ProASICPLUS devices with FlashPro Lite
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. Several known issues in FlashPro v6.0 were fixed:
- SARno70702: VNR fix in STAPL for commercial qualified AGL600 silicon. Requires STAPL regeneration.
STAPL files for AGL600 need to be regenerated with Libero IDE/Designer v8.0 SP3.
- SARno70699: VNR fix in STAPL for commercially qualified RevE M1/M7/AFS600 silicon. Requires STAPL regeneration.
STAPL files for latest version of AFS600 silicon, including M1AFS600 and M7AFS600 silicon need to be regenerated with Libero IDE/Designer v8.0 SP3.
- SARno66624: Remove M7 devices from express configuration
The M7 devices no longer appear in the list for PDB configuration.
- SARno66522: Silicon Signature is not exported into the Tcl file (Express Security)
The Silicon Signature is now exported to the Tcl file.
- SARno66514: NVM Verify fails when CFI client present
This issue does not occur if you use Designer v8.0 SP1.
- SARno66497: Disable option '-secured_device' in update_programming_file TCL cmd
This issue has now been fixed.
- SARno66316: Unloading STAPL file in chain mode causes GUI error
This issue has now been fixed.
General Issues
- SARno71157: Generating SVF with old .efc file causes FlashPro to crash
The workaround for this is to regenerate a .efc file with Libero IDE v8.0 SP2 or later.
- SARno70993: FlashPro crashes when trying to do express configuration for IGLOO
The workaround is to not do express configuration. This is targeted to be fixed in FlashPro v6.1 by adding the AGL and AGLe devices to the list of known families for creating a PDB in FlashPro.
- SARno70850: Export Chain STAPL file for A3PE1500 is not supported in FlashPro v6.0 SP3
- SARno69541: Save As adds extra devices in Chain mode
The workaround for this is to save the current project in FlashPro. Using Windows Explorer, copy the current project folder and paste it to the desired location. Note: the project name will not change when opened in FlashPro.
- SARno67000: FlashPro3 drivers cannot be installed on Windows Vista
Windows Vista is not a supported Operating System. No programming can be undertaken on Windows Vista; you must use an approved Operating System listed under Supported Platforms above.
- SARno65110: Cannot load the same PDB for multiple devices or copy paste
Targeted to be fixed in FlashPro v6.2
- SARno64035: Run action TCL command should return STAPL exit code
In FlashPro v6.0, v6.0 SP1, v6.0 SP2, and v6.0 SP3, 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.
- 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 IDE profile settings to link Libero IDE with FlashPro v6.0 (you are informed via a pop-up message before the installation of FlashPro v6.0).
- 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 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.
