FlashPro v8.6 Release Notes
(updated on Oct 7, 2009)
New Features
I/O settings for used and unused I/Os when using a PDB programming file can be specified during programming. The I/O settings during programming can be set to drive high, drive low, tri-state, or to the last known state in normal view. For further customization, the Boundary Scan Register (BSRs) for each I/O can be modified to allow for more detailed customization of the I/O states during programming. These settings can now be saved and loaded into a file.
Database support for non-Actel devices. A BSDL or group of BSDL files for non-Actel devices can be imported into FlashPro, which then supports automatic device identification of Actel and non-Actel devices, and construction of a chain.
Placing unselected Actel IGLOO, ProASIC3, Fusion, and ProASICPLUS devices in a daisy chain into a high impedance during daisy chain programming.
A FlashPro3x programmer setting in the FlashPro programming software has been added to switch between free running clock and discrete clocking TCK mode.
Supported Platforms
- Windows Vista® Business
- Actel software may operate on other Vista editions. However, Actel only guarantees operation on the Business edition, which is used during software testing.
- FlashPro3 and USB-connected FlashPro programmers will not operate when connected to 64-bit Vista systems due to FlashPro USB driver incompatibilities. The workaround is to use a supported OS.
- Windows® XP Professional with SP3 (cumulative)
Minimum System Requirements
- Pentium II 450 or higher processor with Microsoft Windows 2000 or
newer
- 256 MB available memory
- 100 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.
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.
- SAR 15097: When manually configuring non-Actel devices, the scan and check chain will fail
- SAR 19292: Scan chain will place device in HIGHZ for 7ms during scan chain on a blank device
General Issues
SAR 20950: Programming file with FlashROM region content that utilizes "read from file" loads improper data into region.
The workaround is to use a different region content type or generate programming file using v8.5 SP2.- SAR 75472: Cannot load the same PDB for multiple devices or copy and paste
The workaround is to use STAPL files. You can generate the STAPL files from Designer or FlashPro.
- SAR 58761: 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.
- SAR 75238: When using FlashPro programmer with Windows Vista operating system, the Refresh/Rescan may remove the programmer from the programmer list
The workaround is to restart the FlashPro software. This action will refresh the list of programmers.
- SAR 52280: 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.
- SAR 48103: 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 user's guide.
- SAR 46033: 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.
