FlashPro v9.0 Release Notes

(updated on Jul 7, 2010)

• What's New in this Release
• System Requirements
• Resolved Issues
• Known Issues and Workarounds
• Download Software

New Features

• SmartFusion support. FlashPro v9.0 introduces support for SmartFusion, providing programming in the traditional Libero FPGA hardware design flow and supporting the SmartFusion Cortex-M3 embedded processor design flow. For more information, read the SmartFusion Programming Tutorial in the FlashPro Online Help and various SmartFusion tutorials.
• Design Debug. Libero IDE v9.0 also introduces new design debug features within FlashPro. FlashPro On-Chip Debug enables you to inspect specific software features within a programmed IGLOO, ProASIC3, SmartFusion, and Fusion family devices via the JTAG interface. FlashPro On-Chip Debug is launched using the Inspect Design button in the FlashPro software tool interface. On-Chip Debug features enable you to view the programmed contents of embedded FlashROM (eFROM), embedded nonvolatile memory (eNVM), and analog blocks to determine if the data is as expected. This feature is helpful for final design analysis prior to the FPGA system testing or production.
  
  For the FlashROM, the On-Chip Debug reads the FlashROM data from the programmed FPGA device and automatically compares the data to the Libero IDE generated .pdb programming file. Any mismatch between the device data and the design file is automatically highlighted in the FlashROM inspection interface window.
  
  For the embedded nonvolatile memory, the On-Chip Debug reads the eNVM content from the programmed FPGA device and displays the data to the user. Using the On-Chip Debug feature, you can compare content of the device data to the data from the LiberoIDE generated .pdb programming file. This read-only feature displays the programmed eNVM data per user client or per eNVM page address.
  
  For the analog block, the On-Chip Debug feature enables you to perform a number of inquiries of the programmed Fusion analog block attributes, including the ability to inspect the analog block data on a channel per channel bases. The programmed FPGA device data can be compared to the Libero generated analog block configurations. Any mismatches are highlighted in the software.
  
  The FlashPro On-Chip Debug also supports viewing of the device status such as device state, security settings, and power supply voltages supplied to the FPGA.

Refer to System Requirements for Libero IDE and other Actel Software for information regarding operating system and minimum system requirements.

SAR 20950: Programming file with FlashROM region content that utilizes "read from file" loads improper data into region.

SAR 58761/6293: A saved project with serialization opens with an incorrect serial index

General Issues

  23592 - The device debug feature does not work if the chain is constructed through auto-chain-construction.
This happens because the software is not able to resolve the target device using JTAG IDCODE. The auto-chain-construction holds up the programming.

Workaround:

1. Select the appropriate programming file, or manually resolve the device to a specific device.
2. Savethe FlashPro project.
3. Run Scan Chain, or execute read_idcode action in the programming file.

  24344 - The DRC check is missing when the memory content file of eNVM client uses an obsolete path, and as a result, .efc file is not generated.

Workaround: Open the eNVM configurator within the MSS and fix the error related to the memory content file. Then, regenerate the MSS.

  25918 - PROGRAM_NVM page address is incorrect on error code.
ERROR_CODE = 0x8080: On eNVM programming failure the page address reported is incorrectly reported and incremented by 1. This will be fixed in v9.0 SP1.

Workaround: Decrement the page address reported by 1.

  25675 – Chain STAPL for SmartFusion design with STAPL file is incorrect
If you generate a chain STAPL with the STAPL file loaded with a SmartFusion device, it will result in an invalid chain STAPL file.

Workaround: Use the PDB file when exporting chain STAPL files.

  25439 - FlashPro fails to export chain STAPL/SVF with Array and another feature (FROM, EFMB) (ProASIC3/E, IGLOO, SmartFusion, Fusion)
Chain STAPL/SVF fails when source programming file has an Array in addition to the FlashROM or EFMB (Embedded Flash Memory Block).

Workaround: Contact technical support. This will be fixed in v9.0 SP1 (June 2010).

23423 – Error when using Inspect Device if JTAG chain is constructed by performing Auto-Chain Construction
If the JTAG chain is constructed automatically by selecting the Construct Chain Automatically in the Configuration Menu, and you click on the Inspect Device button, you will see the following error:

Error: Cannot initialize debug engine: Cannot initialize the programmer: No available Actel products found on USB port.

Workaround:

• Option 1: Construct the device chain by manually specifying the list of devices in the chain using the Add Actel Device or Add non-Actel Device options, and save the FlashPro project.
• Option 2: Manually resolve the device by selecting the Actel device that is in the chain, and save the FlashPro Project.
• Option 3: Load the programming file for the devices in the chain, execute read_idcode action in the programming files, and save the FlashPro Project.

24049 - Previously secured programming files with user pass key will erase the security when ERASE_ALL/ERASE action is run for IGLOO, ProASIC3, SmartFusion and Fusion devices.

Workaround: Do not use ERASE_ALL/ERASE action. Use separate actions to erase individual features. Use ERASE_ARRAY, if present, to only erase the array. Use ERASE_FROM, if present, to only erase the FlashROM.

24173 – Programming Error: Error on line xxx: syntax error.

Workaround: If using STAPL Player and your STAPL file programs or verifies the ARRAY. Do not generate STAPL file using Libero IDE/FlashPro v9.0. Use Libero IDE/FlashPro v8.6 SP1 or earlier STAPL files.

6871 - Cannot load the same PDB for multiple devices or copy and paste

Workaround: Use STAPL files. Generate STAPL files from Libero IDE or FlashPro.

6859 - When using FlashPro programmer with Windows Vista operating system, the Refresh/Rescan may remove the programmer from the programmer list

Workaround: Restart the FlashPro software. This action will refresh the list of programmers.

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 you that this is not possible. Use only one FlashPro programmer at a time for programming.

24433 - IEEE 1532 programming Error on line xxx: syntax error. No associated test data register for instruction U_ACTIVE.

Workaround: 1532 programming files generated using v8.6 SP1 or v9.0 have syntax errors. Use 1532 programming files from v8.6 release.

23987 - When attempting to use the permanent lock feature Save PDB generates message: "You must correct invalid data values before continuing…"

Workaround: Turn off the permanent lock setting and generate SmartFusion programming files without permanent lock feature.

23570 – Data reported through DEVICE_INFO action is incorrect for SmartFusion devices programmed with IAP

Workaround: None

  24624 - Fusion design specific BSDL files created from Libero IDE v9.0 are invalid.

Workaround: This issue is fixed in Libero IDE v9.0 SP1.

The version of software that you requested is no longer the most current version available. Please download the most recent software version.

If you need this specific version of software, please contact Actel Tech Support:
Email: tech@actel.com
Phone: 1.800.262.1060