FlashPro v8.4 Release Notes

(Aug 4, 2008)

FlashPro v8.4 is the latest production release of Actel's programming software tool for the entire flash family of devices: IGLOO—the world's lowest power FPGA, IGLOO PLUS, Fusion, ProASIC3L, ProASIC3, ProASIC^PLUS, and ProASIC, as well as ARM-enabled versions of these devices.

This FlashPro v8.4 version has been produced to be compatible with the libraries used in the software build generated for the Libero IDE v8.4 release.

FlashPoint, historically part of the Designer software tool suite, provides the interface to generate programming files for IGLOO, IGLOO PLUS, Fusion, ProASIC3L, and ProASIC3 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.

• Supported Platforms
• Minimum System Requirements
• Device Support
• Enhancements
• Resolved Issues
• Known Issues and Workarounds
• Recommended Hardware
• Download Software

Microsoft Windows - U.S. Version

• Windows Vista Business
• Windows XP Professional with SP1 or later
• Windows 2000 Professional 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 installation and running the software.

New Devices

• M1A3PE3000

• SARno74381: IEEE 1532 programming file format, for single device, can now be exported from FlashPro.

• SARno77350: Exported SVF file, with serialization data greater than 0x7FFFFFFF, is invalid.
• SARno74955: When exporting a Chain STAPL file, the export progress bar can appear much later in the export process.
• SARno74850: Exporting a Chain STAPL file with an M1/AFS that has Calibration IP setting overlap will generate an invalid STAPL file.
• SARno65110: Copying a device with PDB crashes in chain mode

General Issues

• SARno8914: Online Help does not include 8.4 graphics.
  Online Help contains FlashPro v8.4 content but graphics do not display. Please see the FlashPro v8.4 User's Guide.
• SARno77279: Scanchain reports "Unknown device" when an AGL1000 is detected.
  Programming an AGL1000 or a chain containing an AGL1000 device is unaffected.
• SARno75472: Cannot load the same PDB for multiple devices or copy paste
• SARno58761: A saved project with serialization opens with an incorrect serial index.
  The workaround is to open the Serial Settings dialog box and choose the desired index.
• SARno75238: When using FlashPro programmer with Vista operating system, the Refresh/Rescan will remove the programmer from the programmer list.
• SARno75116: FlashPro terminates during a PDB audit if the PDB's ufc is referenced by a relative path.
  This problem occurs when PDBs are generated from TCL scripts that contain relative paths for ufc files. Use qualified full paths when specifying ufc files in your TCL script.
• SARno75019: Exporting a Chain STAPL with serialization is not supported.
  Use direct Chain programming.
• SARno74848: Updating an M1/AFS PDB with a NVM block that has Calibration IP setting overlap is not supported.
  Update the eNVM block in Designer v8.2 SP2 or later, then regenerate the PDB.
• 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 v8.3 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>/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 software.

The FlashPro v8.4 software is packaged with Libero IDE v8.4 and is also available as a standalone installation.

• FlashPro v8.4 (283 MB)