EB75 - iCEblink40-LP1K Evaluation Kit User`s Guide


iCEblink40-LP1K Evaluation Kit
User’s Guide
September 2012
Revision: EB75_01.1

iCEblink40-LP1K Evaluation Kit
User’s Guide
Introduction
Thank you for choosing the Lattice Semiconductor iCEblink40™-LP1K Evaluation Kit.
This guide describes how to begin using the iCEblink40-LP1K Evaluation Kit, an easy-to-use platform for rapidly
prototyping designs using the iCE40™ FPGA.
Features
• Ultra low-power iCE40LP1K FPGA
• USB programming, debugging, virtual I/O functions, and power supply
• Four user LEDs
• Four capacitive-touch buttons
• 3.3 MHz clock source
• 1Mbit SPI serial configuration PROM
• Supported by Lattice iCEcube2™ design software
• 63 LVCMOS/LVTTL (3.3V) digital I/O connections on 0.1” through-hole connections
• Supports third-party I/O expansion boards and modules, including 3.3V Arduino Shield boards (requires additional sockets, not supplied)
Figure 1. iCEblink40 LP1K Evaluation Board and Major Hardware Features
USB Programming,
Debug and Power
Ultra-Low Power
iCE40 FPGA
63 User I/O Pins (3.3V)
Capacitive Touch
Buttons
User LEDs
Software Requirements
Before using the iCEblink40 board, please be sure to download and install iCEcube2 Release 2011.12 or later.
This and later versions include the programming software for the iCEblink40 board. Currently, the programming
software is only available for the Windows operating system.
http://www.latticesemi.com/products/designsoftware/icecube2/downloads.cfm
During the installation process, be sure to install the Adept USB Programming Software, as shown in Figure 2.
2
iCEblink40-LP1K Evaluation Kit
User’s Guide
1. Make sure that Adept USB Programming Software is checked. This is the default setting.
2. Click Next.
Figure 2. Select the Adept Programming Software for Installation
1
2
A few steps later, select the installation for the Adept programming software, as shown in Figure 3.
3. Make sure that both the Adept Runtime and Adept Application options are checked, which are the default
settings.
4. Click Next.
Figure 3. Adept Setup Options
3
4
Connecting to the iCEblink40 Evaluation Board
Before connecting the iCEblink40 board, be sure to download and install a supported version of the iCEcube2 software.
Connect the iCEblink40 evaluation board to your PC using the USB cable provided. The USB connector on the
board is labeled with reference designator J3 and is located in the upper left corner. Once connected, the red
3
iCEblink40-LP1K Evaluation Kit
User’s Guide
power-good LED (LD5) adjacent to the USB connector illuminates. See Figure 4 to locate the power-good LED.
Power and Configuration Status LEDs
The iCEblink40 evaluation board has two status LEDs, as shown in Figure 4. These two status LEDs indicate the
current status of the iCEblink40 board, as listed in Table 1. The red LED, LD5, located near the USB connector indicates if the USB power supply, the 3.3V supply, and the 1.2V supply are within the specified ranges.
The yellow LED, LD6, located below the FPGA indicates whether the FPGA is configured properly. This LED lights
up when the FPGA is correctly loaded with a valid bitstream.
Figure 4. iCEblink40 Status LEDs
Power-Good LED (LD5)
(Red LED)
iCE40
LP1K
QN84
FPGA Configuration
Done LED (LD6)
(Yellow LED)
Table 1. iCEblink40 Status LED Descriptions
Power-Good
LED (LD5)
On
Configuration DONE
LED (LD6)
On
Off
Off
On
Off
Off
On
Description
The board is powered, the FPGA successfully configured and the FPGA
application is operating.
Board is unpowered. Connect the board to a computer USB port, a powered hub, or a USB-based wall plug.
If board is plugged in and previously operating, indicates that an SPI
Flash programming operation is in progress
The board is powered but the FPGA is not yet configured.
ACTION: Program the onboard SPI Flash PROM with a valid
FPGA configuration bitstream.
ERROR: The board is powered but there is a problem with the USB
power supply or with the on-board regulator.
4
iCEblink40-LP1K Evaluation Kit
User’s Guide
Pre-programmed Demonstration Design
The iCEblink40 board comes preprogrammed with a demonstration application. The application supports two interfaces.
1. Control the LEDs from the four capacitive touch buttons on the board itself.
2. Control the LEDs and other internal logic using the USB-based I/O expansion interface.
Operating the Capacitive Touch Buttons
Upon power up, the green LEDs on the board scroll in an upward pattern, as described in Figure 5. Pressing any of
the capacitive touch buttons stops the LEDs from scrolling and places the board in a different operating mode.
Figure 5. Preprogrammed Demonstration Design
LEDs Scroll Upward
1. Power On
Green LEDs scroll upward.
2. Press any button to enter
LED Toggle Mode.
Toggle LED with Button Press
3. Press a button to toggle the
associated LED on or off.
If no button is pressed within
five seconds, the board returns
to Scroll LEDs Mode.
In the second operating mode, toggle individual LEDs on and off by pressing the associated capacitive touch button.
If no button was pressed during the last five seconds, the board returns to scrolling the LEDs.
The demonstration application is available for download from the Lattice website at: 
www.latticesemi.com/iceblink40-LP1K.
Virtual I/O Expansion Debugging Interface
The iCEblink40 board is powered and programmed via the USB interface. Additionally, the USB interface also provides a convenient means to monitor and control logic inside the FPGA, as shown in Figure 6. The USB controller
drives a byte-wide parallel port expander implemented within the FPGA, controlled by software running on the PC.
The Digilent ADEPT2 I/O Expansion screen, shown in Figure 7, provides a mix of virtual switches, pushbuttons,
LEDs, light bars, and 32-bit input and outputs.
5
iCEblink40-LP1K Evaluation Kit
User’s Guide
Figure 6. iCEblink40 Board Supports Virtual I/O Connections over USB
Debug I/O Expansion Core
Debug I/O Expansion Core
DB
LightBar[23:0]
ASTB
USB
Controller
LEDs[7:0]
Data[7:0]
Address Strobe
FromFPGA[31:0]
DSTB
Data Strobe
WRITE
Read/#Write
WAIT
To/From
FPGA
Switches[15:0]
Buttons[15:0]
Wait
ToFPGA[31:0]
FPGA
Control and monitor FPGA logic values
in real-time, over USB, from PC graphical interface
Digilent Adept 2
Figure 7. Digilent Adept 2 I/O Expansion Interface and FPGA Connections
VLightBar
To FPGA [31:0]
From FPGA [31:0]
23
0
VLEDs
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
2
1
0
VButtons
VSwitches
7
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
6
5
4
3
0
Using the Virtual I/Os in the Demo Application
By default, the virtual I/Os are disconnected and the USB controller’s I/O connections to the FPGA are high-impedance (Hi-Z).
To connect the virtual I/O, perform the following steps outlined in Figure 8.
1. From the Windows Start menu, select Start > All Program > Digilent > Adept > Adept.
2. Ensure that the Adept interface connects to the iCE40.
3. Click the I/O Ex tab.
6
iCEblink40-LP1K Evaluation Kit
User’s Guide
4. Click Start I/O. Remember, the associated I/O Expander design must be part of the compiled FPGA design
before the Virtual I/Os work.
5. If the virtual I/O expansion design is functioning correctly, the green virtual status LED will turn from red to
green.
Figure 8. Starting the Digilent Adept Virtual I/O Expansion Application
2
3
4
5
To disconnect the virtual I/O interface, simply click the Stop I/O button in the graphical interface.
Controlling the Physical LEDs from Virtual I/Os in the Demonstration Design
When active, the virtual I/Os optionally control the physical LEDs on the board, as shown in Figure 9. For example,
with the virtual I/Os active, change the position of virtual switch [7] (the bottom left switch in the graphical interface).
Note how the physical LEDs on the board change direction.
Change virtual switch [6] to the up position. Now, the physical LEDs are controlled by the virtual switches [3:0] and
virtual pushbuttons [3:0]. The values of the virtual switches are XORed together inside the FPGA. The virtual slide
switches set a specific value for the physical LEDs. The pushbutton momentarily inverts the value while the virtual
pushbutton is pressed in the graphical interface.
7
iCEblink40-LP1K Evaluation Kit
User’s Guide
Figure 9. Controlling the Physical LEDs from Virtual I/O
Virtual Switches
[7]
[3] [2] [1] [0]
Virtual Pushbuttons
[6]
[3] [2] [1] [0]
1: Scroll down
0: Scroll up
1: Control LEDs from Virtual I/Os
0: Control LEDs from FPGA
LD2
BTN1
LD3
BTN2
LD4
BTN3
LD5
BTN4
Physical Buttons
and LEDs
Direction
Controlling the Virtual Light Bar in the Demonstration Design
When the virtual I/Os are active, the virtual light bar lights up from left to right, controlled by logic inside the FPGA.
The virtual pushbuttons [15] and [14] control the light bar. Pushbutton [15] resets the light bar, clearing all the lights.
Pushbutton [14] forces the light bar to hold its current value.
Figure 10. Controlling the Virtual Light Bar
Lights Up from Left to Right
Light Bar
[15]
[14]
Reset
Light
Bar
Hold
Value
Controlling the Virtual LEDs in the Demonstration Design
The virtual I/O interface includes eight, round, green LEDs, as shown in Figure 11. The values displayed on these
virtual LEDs depends on the settings of virtual switches [9] and [8].
The eight LEDs are separated into left and right halves. When both virtual switches [9] and [8] are Low—the down
position—the left LEDs echo the scrolling pattern of the LEDs, regardless if a physical cap-sense button was
pressed. Use virtual switch [7] to reverse the direction of these LEDs. The right-most LEDs show the current toggle
status of the four physical cap-sense buttons.
Changing virtual switch [8] to High—the up position—the four left-most LEDs then show the current value of the
time-out counter than marks the five seconds after pressing a cap-sense button. Press a cap-sense button to reset
the timer and note that the toggle status of the physical button changes on the right-most LEDs. The timer resets
each time a physical button is pressed. Wait five seconds and the physical LEDs change back to the scrolling pattern.
8
iCEblink40-LP1K Evaluation Kit
User’s Guide
Figure 11. Controlling the Virtual LEDs
LEDs
[9]
[8]
[9]
[8]
[9]
[8]
Scrolling LED
pattern
Cap-sense
time-out counter
[3] [2] [1] [0]
Toggle value
of physical
cap-sense buttons
(push button to
change)
[3] [2] [1] [0]
When virtual switch [9] is High—in the up position—then the left LEDs are controlled by virtual switches [3:0] and
the right LEDs are controlled by virtual pushbuttons [3:0].
Virtual Values to and from FPGA in the Demonstration Design
The virtual I/O interface also includes a 32-bit value from the FPGA logic and a 32-bit value to the FPGA logic, as
shown in Figure 12. Two virtual switches, [14] and [15], control the behavior in of the virtual 32-bit values in the
demonstration design.
Figure 12. Virtual Values to and from the FPGA
To FPGA
0x1000ffff
From FPGA
efff0000
Send
Format: Hexadecimal
[15] [14]
No function
Continuously
increment
No function
Continuously
decrement
Input value
One’s complement
of input value
Input value
Reverse bit order
of input value
[15] [14]
[15] [14]
[15] [14]
[13]
Reset
Clocking Resources
The iCEblink40 board includes a Linear Technology LT1799 oscillator (X1 on the board and in the schematic) to
generate a 3.33 MHz clock.
FPGA Input
The output from the LT1799 oscillator feeds pin A9 of the iCE40LP1K FPGA. FPGA pin A9 is also the global buffer
input GBIN7.
9
iCEblink40-LP1K Evaluation Kit
User’s Guide
Supporting Other Frequencies
On the iCEblink40 board, the LT1799 produces a 3.3 MHz clock output by default. Other frequencies are possible
via simple modifications of the board using the 1x3 connections on JP2, as listed in Table 2.
Table 2. Selecting Other Oscillator Frequencies Using Jumper JP2
Clock Frequency
JP2 Setting
Jumper Position
3.33 MHz (default)
None
333 kHz
Upper Position
33.3 MHz
Lower Position
User LEDs
The iCEblink40 iCE40LP1K evaluation board includes four green user LEDs, located along the left side of the
board, as shown in Figure 1.
Operation
To light a user LED, drive the associated FPGA pin High, as shown in Table 3. To darken the LED, drive the associated FPGA pin Low.
Table 3. User LED Operation
Operation
FPGA Action
Light LED
Drive High (1)
Darken LED
Drive Low (0)
The LEDs may appear to glow slightly before the FPGA is configured or if the FPGA pin is unused. This is because
the FPGA I/Os have a soft pull-up resistor which may provide just enough current for the LED to glow dimly. To
completely turn off an LED, drive it Low.
FPGA Connections
The FPGA drives the user LEDs using the FPGA pins listed in Table 4. These same signals also connect to the J12
header located in the lower left corner.
10
iCEblink40-LP1K Evaluation Kit
User’s Guide
Table 4. User LED Connections
Designator
Location
FPGA Pin
Header Connections
LD1
LD1 [A29]
A29
J12.1
LD2
LD2 [B20]
B20
J12.2
LD3
LD3 [B19]
B19
J12.3
LD4
LD4 [A25]
A25
J12.4
Capacitive Touch Buttons
The iCEblink40 iCE40LP1K evaluation board has four capacitive-touch buttons, located toward the left side of the
board, as shown in Figure 1. These buttons have dedicated connections only to the FPGA. These signals go
nowhere else on the board and are not available on any of the breakout headers.
FPGA Connections
Table 5 lists the four capacitive touch buttons on the iCEblink40 board and the associated FPGA pins.
Table 5. Capacitive Touch Buttons
Designator
Location
FPGA Pin
BTN1
BTN1 [B22]
B22
BTN2
BTN2 [B21]
B21
BTN3
BTN3 [A27]
A27
BTN4
BTN4 [A26]
A26
Operation
Figure 13 shows the circuit used for each capacitive-touch button. Each button is attached to one I/O pin on the
FPGA. Each signal line includes a 100 k pull-up resistor to 3.3V and a 100 pF capacitor down to ground.
Figure 13. Example Capacitive Touch Button Circuit
I/O Pin
Capacitive
Touch Button
Sample
100 kΩ
Value
100 pF
Figure 15 shows the general overall flowchart for the demonstration design to read the value on a capacitive touch
button.
The sampling signal drives the voltage on the capacitive-touch button to ground in order to bleed of any residual
charge as shown in Figure 14. After a period of time, depending on the button sample frequency, the button is
allowed to float High.
Once the FPGA output goes to Hi-Z (high-impedance, floating, three-state), the 100k pull-up resistor to 3.3V
charges the 100 pF capacitor. After about an RC time constant ( or tau), the voltage on the pad exceeds the input
switching threshold of the FPGA. A finger pressed against the capacitive-touch button adds about another 5 pF of
capacitance, increasing the RC constant and delaying the Low-to-High transition for a pressed button.
11
iCEblink40-LP1K Evaluation Kit
User’s Guide
Figure 14. Capacitive Touch Timing Examples
Sampling
Signal
Drive pad to ground
Button:
No Finger
Allow pad to
float High
Switching
Threshold
Button Value:
No Finger
τ = RCBUTTON
Time delta between
pressed and unpressed button
~300-500 ns
Button:
Finger Press
Switching
Threshold
τ = R(CBUTTON + CFINGER)
Button Value:
Finger Press
The switching time difference between an unpressed and one or more pressed buttons is roughly 300 to 500 ns.
Using the 3.33 MHz input, this amounts to a one clock delay difference between an unpressed and pressed buttons.
The simple circuit used on the iCEblink40 board detects simultaneous button presses on up to three of the capacitive-touch buttons. Pressing all four buttons is the same as pressing no buttons.
12
iCEblink40-LP1K Evaluation Kit
User’s Guide
Figure 15. iCEblink40 Demo Application Capacitive Touch Button Flowchart
Start
Drive pin connected to
capacitive button Low long
enough to guarantee that
the pin is at GND, despite
the attached RC network.
Force pin to Hi-Z. The
external pull-up resistor pulls
the pin High and charges
the capacitor.
Did any pin
go High?
Yes
Wait one 3.3 MHz clock
period (300 ns).
Sample all pin values.
Yes
No
Are all
buttons
High?
Did pin
value change from
last sample?
Yes
Toggle pin value
13
iCEblink40-LP1K Evaluation Kit
User’s Guide
User I/O Connections
Figure 16 shows the location of the 3.3V-compatible digital I/O connections on the iCEblink40 board. Each connection shows the pin number of the FPGA I/O pin that attaches to the connection. Likewise, Table 6 lists the various
I/O headers and their designed usage.
Figure 16. Location of the 3.3V Digital I/O Connections and the FPGA Pin Number
[ A5]
GND
[ B2]
[ B1]
[ A1]
[ A47]
[ A46]
[ A45]
[ A44]
[ B32]
[ A41]
[ A40]
[ A39]
[ A35]
[ A34]
[ A33]
[ B34]
[ A43]
[ B31]
[ B30]
[ B29]
[ A38]
[ B27]
[ B26]
3.3V Arduino Shield compatible
[ B4]
[ B3]
[ A4]
[ A3]
[ A2]
[ A48]
[ B36]
[ B35]
Digital I/ O (3.3V)
Digital I /O (3.3V)
3.3V
GND
[ B8]
[ A10 ]
[ B9]
[ A11 ]
[ B5]
[ A8]
[ B7]
PMOD
SPI PROM
Connections
[ B18 ]
[ B17 ]
[ A22 ]
[ A23 ]
GND
3.3V
PMOD
PMOD12
3.3V
GND
PMOD
[ A16 ]
[ A14 ]
[ A13 ]
[ A12 ]
PMOD
[ B10]
[ B12]
[ B14]
[ B15]
[ B23]
[ A32]
PMOD12
Digilent 2x6 header
Digilent 1x6 header
Digital I /O (3.3V)
14
PMOD
PMOD
Clocks
User LEDs
PMOD12
[ B11]
[ B13]
[ A19]
[ A20]
[ A31]
[ B24]
GND
3.3V
[ A9]
[ A16 ]
PMOD
GND
3.3V
[ A25]
[ B19]
[ B20]
[ A29]
PMOD
iCEblink40-LP1K Evaluation Kit
User’s Guide
Table 6. Digital I/O Headers and Their Functions
I/O Header
Group
Header
Type
Location
Function
J2
2x8 0.1” centers
Top edge, middle
3.3V digital I/O. Compatible with 3.3V Arduino Shield boards.
J4
2x8 0.1” centers
Top edge, left side
3.3V digital I/O. Compatible with 3.3V Arduino Shield boards.
J1
2x6 0.1” centers
Left edge, top
3.3V digital I/O. 3.3V digital I/O. Compatible with Digilent 1x6 and
2x6 PMod modules. Also supports double PMod12 modules
when used with header J6.
J6
1x6 0.1” centers
Left edge, bottom
3.3V digital I/O. Compatible with Digilent 1x6 PMod modules.
J7
1x6 0.1” centers offset
Left edge, top
Production programming of USB controller.
J11
1x6 0.1” centers offset
Middle, toward left
3.3V digital I/O. Connections between the mobile FPGA and the
SPI PROM. Compatible with Digilent 1x6 PMod modules.
J5
2x8 0.1” centers
Bottom edge, right side
3.3V digital I/O. Portions compatible with Digilent 1x6 and 2x6
PMod modules. Portions also compatible with 3.3V Arduino
Shield boards.
JP3
1x2 0.1” centers
Middle, to left of
FPGA
3.3V digital I/O. Clock connections from the LTC1799 oscillator
(GBIN7) and possible into GBIN2.
J12
1x6 0.1” centers
Bottom edge, left side
3.3V digital I/O. Connections to the user LED I/O. Compatible
with Digilent 1x6 Pmod modules.
Supported Pmod Peripheral Modules
As shown in Figure 16, the iCEblink40 board supports a variety of Pmod peripheral modules for easy I/O expansion. Table 7 lists the 0.1” through-hole headers on the iCEblink40 board that support Pmod modules. Pmod modules come in a few different form factors and each Pmod header includes power and ground supplies. Figure 17
shows the how the different Pmod form factors interrelate. The easiest way to support a Pmod module is to add the
appropriate female socket listed, or an equivalent. Straight-through or right-angle through-hole sockets are listed.
Male headers are also possible solutions when using the interface cable provided with most Pmod modules.
Table 7. Pmod Module Headers
Female Socket (Manufacturer/Part Number)
Header
Straight-through
Right-angle
1x6 header on 0.1” centers. A six-pin Pmod header.
Sullins Connector
Solutions
PPPC061LFBN-RC
Sullins Connector
Solutions
PPPC061LGBN-RC
J1
2x6 header on 0.1” centers. A Pmod12 header that also supports two six-pin Pmod modules.
Sullins Connector
Solutions
PPPC062LFBN-RC
Sullins Connector
Solutions
PPPC062LJBN-RC
J5
2x8 header on 0.1” centers. The left side of header J5 forms
a Pmod12 header, as shown in Figure 16. A 2x6 header similar to J1 can also be used but must be mounted toward the
right end of the holes as marked.
Sullins Connector
Solutions
PPPC082LFBN-RC
Sullins Connector
Solutions
PPPC082LJBN-RC
J6, J12
Type
As shown in Figure 17, a Pmod module has six connections—four I/O plus power and ground. A Pmod12 module
has 12 connections and the module is effectively two six-pin Pmod modules stacked together. Most of the Pmod
modules also include interface cables to allow easy connection to other header types.
15
iCEblink40-LP1K Evaluation Kit
User’s Guide
Figure 17. Pmod Module Types
1
Pmod12
Pmod Pmod
1
3.3V
I/O
3.3V
I/O
GN D
Pmod
GND
Pmod12
For a complete list of Pmod peripheral modules, visit the Digilent web site.
www.digilentinc.com/Products/Catalog.cfm?NavPath=2,401&Cat=9
Arduino Shield Board Support
The iCEblink40 board also mechanically and electrically supports select 3.3V Arduino Shield boards popular in the
microcontroller development community. The Shield connections are located on headers J4, J2, J8 and a portion of
J5 as shown in Figure 18. Headers jumper J4 and J2 are 3.3V digital I/O connections. Header J8 provides power
connections to the Shield board. The left side of header J5 also provides 3.3V digital I/O but the 3.3V and GND
connections do not connect to the Shield board.
Figure 18. Arduino Shield Board Connections
Arduino Shield Connections
Required Header Sockets
To support Arduino Shield boards, the indicated headers must be loaded with female socket headers on 0.1” headers, as listed in Table 8.
Table 8. Sockets to Support Arduino Shield Boards
Header(s)
Description
Quantity
Manufacturer/Part Number
J2, J4, J5
2x8 female header socket on 0.1” centers
3
Sullins Connector Solutions
PPPC082LFBN-RC
J8
1x6 female header socket on 0.1” centers
1
Sullins Connector Solutions
PPPC061LFBN-RC
16
iCEblink40-LP1K Evaluation Kit
User’s Guide
Tested Arduino Boards
Figure 19 shows the Arduino Shield boards have been tested for basic compatibility. Other Arduino Shield boards
may also be compatible.
Figure 19. Compatible Arduino Shield Boards
chipKITBasic I/O Shield
chipKIT Pmod Shield-Uno
USB Interface
The iCEblink40 board is powered by connecting the board to a computer USB port, a power USB hub, or a USBbased AC adapter, commonly used in consumer electronics. A typical USB port provides up to 500 mA at 5V, providing up to 2.5W of total power. The iCE40LP1K consumes SIGNIFICANTLY LESS power, even when operating at
full performance. However, be careful when using the board to power off-board peripheral funds.
Connector
The USB connector to the board is located in the upper left corner, labeled J3. The board connects using a standard USB cable with a male mini-B connector.
Power Supply
Figure 20 shows the iCEblink40 power supply circuit that derives power from the USB mini-B connector (J3). The
USB connector provides up to 500 mA at +5V DC. An Analog Devices ADP2140 regulator generates +1.2V for the
FPGA core VCC and +3.3V for all I/O connections. The regulator also indicates when power is good and lights up
the red power-good LED (LD5).
Figure 20. iCEblink40 USB Power Supply Circuit
Power-Good LED
(LD5)
Mini-B USB
Connector (J3)
+5V
(500 mA)
(JP1)
Analog Devices
+1.2V
VCC
ADP2140
(300 mA)
Voltage
Regulator
+3.3V
(600 mA)
iCE40LP1K
FPGA
VCCIO
Configuration
Done LED (LD6)
17
iCEblink40-LP1K Evaluation Kit
User’s Guide
Jumper JP1 provides a convenient location from which to measure core power to the FPGA.
SPI Flash Programming
The USB interface also provides Flash programming for the on-board SPI PROM, as described in “Programming
the iCEblink40 Board” below.
Digilent Parallel Port (DPP)
The Digilent Parallel Port (DPP) interface is used for virtual I/O and debugging using a USB connection to the
board from a Windows PC. See “Virtual I/O Expansion Debugging Interface” on page 5 for additional information.
1Mbit SPI Configuration PROM
The configuration bitstream for the iCE40 FPGA is stored in a M25P10A 1Mbit SPI serial Flash PROM. The PROM
is large enough to hold two configuration images and supports the iCE40 WarmBoot feature, if so enabled within
the FPGA application. The PROM is physically located on the back side of the board.
Programming the iCEblink40 Board
The iCEblink40 board includes on-board USB-based programming support either from the Lattice iCEcube2 software or using a command from a console window or DOS box.
From iCEcube2
Figure 21 shows the command sequence for programming the SPI Flash PROM on the iCEblink40 board using the
iCEcube2 development software.
Figure 21. Programming the iCEblink40 Board from iCEcube2
3
1
4
2
5
6
1. Select Tool > Programmer from the iCEcube2 menu bar.
2. Click the dropdown button (
) under Programming Hardware.
3. Select iCEblink40.
4. The bitstream file should already be set appropriately based on the iCEcube2 project settings. If not, click
Image Files Settings to select the configuration bitstream file.
5. Click Execute to program the iCEblink40 board.
18
iCEblink40-LP1K Evaluation Kit
User’s Guide
If all is working correctly, the power-on LED and the configuration done LED will both go out momentarily as
iCEcube2 programs the on-board SPI Flash PROM. After programming is complete, both LEDs should light up
again and the FPGA will execute the new configuration image.
From Command Line
The iCEblink40 programming software can also be executed from a console window or DOS box. To open a console window or DOS box, click the Start button and type cmd in the textbox immediately above the Start button.
Executable Location
After installation, the programming software executable is called iceutil.exe and is located in the \SbtTools\sbt_backend\bin\win32\opt directory. The iecutil.exe executable can be copied into the same directory as
the FPGA bitstream image or can be pointed to on the command line.
FPGA Bitstream Configuration File
The required bitstream image is part of the iCEcube2 project. Multiple versions of the bitstream are stored in the
<projname>_Implmnt\sbt\outputs\bitmap directory. The raw hexadecimal version of the bitstream is called
<projname>_bitmap.hex. The alternate format of the same information is an Intel hexadecimal file called <projname>_bitmap_int.hex.
Raw Hexadecimal Command Example
<path>/iceutil -d iCE40 -res -cr -m M25P10A -fh -w <path/projname>_bitmap.hex
Intel Hexadecimal Command Example
<path>/iceutil -d iCE40 -res -cr -m M25P10A -fi -w <path/projname>_bitmap_int.hex
Help
<path>/iceutil -help
Testing Core Power
Jumper JP1 provides the ability to measure core power consumption by the FPGA. Two power measurement methods are supported.
Easy Method Using a Multimeter
Connect the iCEblink40 board through your high-accuracy multimeter. Use a meter with a minimum of 10,000
counts; 50,000 counts or more is recommended for better accuracy.
To take a quick measurement, follow these steps.
1. Disconnect power to the iCEblink40 board by removing the USB cable connection, either at the board or at the
computer.
2. Remove the jumper JP1, which isolates the FPGA’s core supply from the 1.2V supply on the board.
3. Connect your multimeter’s alligator or test clips to the stake pins on header JP1.
4. Configure the multimeter to measure current using its highest mA or Amp range. This setting typically has the
lowest voltage drop internally within the meter.
5. Re-connect the USB cable that supplies power to the iCEblink40 board and configure the FPGA device if necessary.
6. Observe the power reading on the multimeter. At low clock rates, which results in lower power consumption,
switch the meter to a lower amperage setting for better accuracy. However, this also may increase the resistance across the meter leads. Using too low of a meter setting causes a large voltage drop within the meter,
potentially violating the minimum input voltage specification to the FPGA device.
19
iCEblink40-LP1K Evaluation Kit
User’s Guide
7. The value measured by the multimeter is a current. Convert the measurement to power using Equation 1. The
voltage is the operating voltage, the voltage across the jumper. This value can be accurately measured with a
second multimeter to show the voltage drop across the first. However, just measuring the initial voltage, before
taking any current readings, usually provides acceptable accuracy and the voltage drop across the meter is
generally small.
Power = Current  Voltage
(1)
Although this method is easy, here are a few caveats and pointers.
• Always start at the highest current setting for your meter. Using too small a setting may damage your
meter! After determining the maximum current range for your measurement, then you can safely use the appropriate lower current setting.
• The voltage drop across the meter leads may violate the minimum supply voltage specification for the mobileFPGA device. To determine the voltage drop, use a second multimeter to measure either the voltage across the
first meter’s leads during a test or the resistance between the first meter’s leads.
• Using the highest current measurement setting typically results in the lowest voltage drop.
Using High-Precision, Small-Value Resistors
For more-accurate, time-sensitive measurements, place a low-value resistor across the jumper test point. According to Ohm’s Law, the current passing through the resistor produces a voltage drop. Measure the voltage differential across the resistor during expected operation. Convert the measurement to power using Equation 2. The
voltage is the measured voltage across the resistor; the resistance is the value of the resistor.
2
 Voltage 
Power = -------------------------Resistance
(2)
The following are a few guidelines on selecting a resistor.
• Use a high-precision resistor.
• The resistor must handle the power dissipated under the anticipated test conditions.
• Too small a resistor value may result in too small a voltage difference across the resistor to measure with your
test equipment.
• Too large a resistor value may result in too large of a voltage difference across the resistor. Too large a voltage
drop might violate the minimum voltage specifications for the FPGA device.
Figure 22 shows an example header block designed to fit over one of the jump locations. Measure the voltage drop
across the low-value resistor, either with a voltmeter or with data acquisition equipment.
Figure 22. Resistor Header Block
Voltmeter
Low Ω, High
Precision Resistor
This method is recommended for taking power measurements over time.
20
iCEblink40-LP1K Evaluation Kit
User’s Guide
Mechanical Specifications
Figure 23 shows the mechanical dimensions for the iCEblink40 board, including the location of the four mounting
holes. With a jumper installed on JP1, the board height is approximately 0.700 inches high, including the four rubber feet mounted on the bottom side of the board.
Figure 23. iCEblink40 LP1K Board Mechanical Dimension
Ordering Information
Description
Ordering Part Number
iCEblink40-LP1K Evaluation Kit
China RoHS Environment-Friendly
Use Period (EFUP)
ICE40LP1K-BLINK-EVN
Technical Support Assistance
Hotline: 1-800-LATTICE (North America)
+1-503-268-8001 (Outside North America)
e-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.latticesemi.com
Revision History
Date
Version
July 2012
01.0
Initial release.
Change Summary
September 2012
01.1
Nomenclature change from “mobileFPGA” to “FPGA”.
© 2012 Lattice Semiconductor Corp. All Lattice trademarks, registered trademarks, patents, and disclaimers are as
listed at www.latticesemi.com/legal. All other brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of
their respective holders. The specifications and information herein are subject to change without notice.
21
D
C
B
A
AT90USB2
C3
1nF/250V
J3
S4
S1
G
ID
D+
DV
S2
IC3A
IC3B
USB-ASTB
USB-DSTB
USB-WRITE
USB-WAIT
26
25
23
22
GND
Lattice Semi
GND
USB3V3
D+
C38
0.1uF
22
C41
1uF
27
29
30
1
Chinese ROHS
R38 22
R37
AT90USB2-16MU
C37
0.1uF
VCAP
D+/SCK
D-/SDATA
C44
0.1uF
ROHS
GND
C35
0.1uF
VCC_3V3
USB-DB0
USB-DB1
USB-DB2
USB-DB3
USB-DB4
USB-DB5
USB-DB6
USB-DB7
USB-ON
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
CE
24
2
1
GND
AT90USB2
PC1/RESET
PC0/XTAL2
XTAL1
IC3D
3.0K
R28
USB5V0
USB-SS_B
USB-SCK
USB-MOSI
USB-MISO
D+
DUSB5V0
GND
5
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
Atmel USB Programming Block
USB5V0
USB3V3
D-
IC3C
S1
5
4
3
2
1
S2
NOT STUFFED
1x6
ISP-RESET
1
USB-MOSI
2
USB-MISO
3
USB-SCK
4
GND
5
USB3V3
6
J7
AT90USB2-16MU
PD0/OC0B/INT0
PD1/AIN0/INT1
PD2/RXD1/AIN1/INT2
PD3/TXD1/INT3
PD4/INT4
PD5/XCK/PCINT12
PD6/RTS/INT6
PD7/CTS/HWB/T0/INT7
AT90USB2
AT90USB2-16MU
PC4/PCINT10
PC5/OC1B/PCINT9
PC6/OC1A/PCINT8
PC7/INT4/ICP1/CLK0
PC2/PCINT11
AT90USB2
AT90USB2-16MU
PB0/SS/PCINT0
PB1/SCLK/PCINT1
PB2/PDI/MOSI/PCINT2
PB3/PDO/MISO/PCINT3
PB4/T1/PCINT4
PB5/PCINT5
PB6/PCINT6
PB7/OC0A/OC1C/PCINT7
GND
GND
R4
1M
S4
S3
R10
200
OUT
SYSCLK
2
3.33 MHz (DEFAULT)
33.33 MHz
333 kHz
C43
15pF
ISP-RESET
8MHz
X2
C42
15pF
200
R35
R32
10k
DIV=OPEN
DIV=VCC_3V3
DIV=GND
SET
V+
5
iCE40-DB7
iCE40-DB6
iCE40-DB5
iCE40-DB4
iCE40-DB3
iCE40-DB2
iCE40-DB1
iCE40-DB0
iCE40-WAIT
iCE40-WRITE
iCE40-DSTB
iCE40-ASTB
iCE40-CDONE
Basic oscillator
X1
200
200 R25
R24 200
200 R23
R21 200
200 R20
R19 200
200 R17
R16 200
200 R15
R14 200
200 R13
R12
USB-ON
iCE40-CRESET
iCE40-SI
iCE40-SO
iCE40-SCK
iCE40-SS_B
LD5
R3
10
C1
8.2uF
2
10
5
9
8
7
VIN1
VIN2
PG
EN1
EN2
4
2
6
C12
10nF
C30
0.1uF
A1
A2
B1
A3
B2
A4
B3
A5
B4
B5
A8
B7
A9
B8
A10
B9
A11
A12
C4
10uF
1uH
L1
C32
10nF
IC2A
J1
VCC_3V3
3
C6
1uF
VCC_3V3
A17
VCCIO_2
IC2B
iCE40QN84
C8
10nF
GND
C7
0.1uF
C2
1uF
JP1
J6
VCC_3V3
3
VCCIO_0
C19
1uF
VCC
VCC
VCC
VCC
C22
0.1uF
VPP_2V5
VPP_FAST
C21
0.1uF
A36
A37
A7
A15
A28
B28
C23
10nF
VCC_CORE
R27
4.7K
M25P10-SS_B
iCE40-SCK
iCE40-SO
LD6
R30
10
R26
4.7K
R34
10K
WP
C26
10nF
4
1
3
6
5
CS
WP
SCK
SDI
C40
10nF
iCE40QN84
C39
1uF
1x6
1
2
3
4
5
6
J8
IC4
5
NOT STUFFED
A35
B27
A34
B26
A33
A32
B24
A31
B23
B22
A29
B21
B20
A27
B19
A26
A25
R36
10K
C17
10nF
J2
R39
0
J10
1x2
1
2
NOT STUFFED
JP3
VCC_3V3
NOT STUFFED
VCC_3V3
GND
LED1
LED2
LED3
LED4
LED3
LED2
1x6
1
2
3
4
5
6
J12
NOT STUFFED
LED1
Foot
F3
Foot
F1
Foot
F4
Foot
F2
iCE40-SS_B
iCE40-SO
iCE40-SI
iCE40-SCK
GND
VCC_3V3
5
1x6
1
2
3
4
5
6
J11
Date:
File:
J5
Number
LED4
390
R31
390
R22
390
R11
390
R5
6/6/2012
C:\Users\..\iCEblink40-LP1K.SchDoc
C36
100pF
R29
100K
5%
1
1
1
1
6
A.0
Revision
No Load
CapButton
BTN4
No Load
CapButton
BTN3
No Load
CapButton
BTN2
No Load
CapButton
BTN1
Sheet
of 1/1
Drawn By: SK/GA
GND
6013-500-003
LD4
GND
C28
100pF
R18
100K
5%
VCC_3V3
CAPBTN4
LD3
GND
C27
100pF
R9
100K
5%
VCC_3V3
CAPBTN3
LD2
GND
VCC_3V3
CAPBTN2
LD1
6
C5
100pF
R2
100K
5%
VCC_3V3
CAPBTN1
iCEblink40-L1PK
Tabloid
Size
Title
NOT STUFFED
Optional SPI PMOD support requested by SiliconBlue field sales.
iCE40-SS_B
M25P10-SS_B
iCE40-WAIT
SYSCLK
NOT STUFFED
DSC2-05
DSC2-04
DSC2-03
DSC2-02
DSC2-01
IMOD-1
IMOD-2
IMOD-4
IMOD-3
CAPBTN1
LED1
CAPBTN2
LED2
CAPBTN3
LED3
CAPBTN4
LED4
C16
0.1uF
GND
C15
1uF
iCE40QN84
PIO1
PIO1
PIO1
PIO1
PIO1
PIO1
PIO1
PIO1
PIO1
GBIN2/PIO1
GBIN3/PIO1
PIO1
PIO1
PIO1
PIO1
PIO1
PIO1
HLD
J4
NOT STUFFED
Mechanically compatible with Basic I/O shield.
IC2D
M25P10-AVMN6
7
2
iCE40-SI
HOLD
GND
GND
iCE40-SS_B
NOT ST UFFE D
SDO
VCC_3V3
GND
CDBU0520
D1
C25
10nF
USB5V0
SPI_VCC
IC2C
R33
10K
C34
10nF
GND
C33
1uF
A24
4
iCE40-CRESET
VCC_3V3
C24
10nF
GND
iCE40LP1K
iCE40QN84
GND
GND
GND
GND
GND
GND
iCE40QN84
GND
P
A6
A18
A30
B33
IC2F
C20
1uF
IC2E
iCE40QN84
GND
A42
VCC_3V3
R40 Build Option
No Load
0
Power Measurement Test Point
SHUNT
VCC_CORE
PIO3
PIO3/DP00B
PIO3/DP00A
PIO3/DP01B
PIO3/DP01A
PIO3/DP02B
PIO3/DP02A
PIO3/DP03B
PIO3/DP03A
PIO3/DP04A
GBIN7/PIO3/DP04B
PIO3/DP05B
GBIN6/PIO3/DP05A
PIO3/DP06B
PIO3/DP06A
PIO3
PIO3
PIO3
GND
C11
0.1uF
GND
C29
1uF
DSC1-07
DSC1-08
DSC1-09
DSC1-10
DSC1-11
DSC1-12
DSC1-14
DSC1-15
DSC1-16
PMOD2-3
PMOD2-2
PMOD2-1
SYSCLK
PMOD1-4
PMOD1-3
PMOD1-2
PMOD1-1
iCE40-ASTB
C10
1uF
GND
IC1
FB
SW
VOUT2
ADP2140ACPZ3312R7
VCC_1V2
Mechanically compatible with Double Wide PMOD
NOT STUFFED
STUFFED
NOT STUFFED
VCC_3V3
2
4 DIV
GND DIV
GND
LTC1799CS5#TRPBF
JP2
3
1
75
R8
200
R7
75
R6
Power-On LED
iCE40-CRESET
R1
4.7K
VCC_3V3 USB5V0
A GND
GND
PGND
S3
1
31
UV CC
32
A V CC
4
V CC
GND
3
PA D
P
UGND
28
B6
V CCIO_3
PIO2
GB IN5/PIO2
PIO2
PIO2
PIO2
GB IN4/PIO2
PIO2
PIO2
PIO2
PIO2/CB
PIO2/C
/ B SE L 0
PIO2/CB
PIO2/C
/ B SE L 1
A 13
A 14
B 10
B 11
A 16
B 12
B 13
B 14
A 19
B 15
A 20
iCE 40-DST B
iCE 40-WR IT E
iCE 40-DB 7
iCE 40-DB 6
iCE 40-WA IT
iCE 40-DB 5
iCE 40-DB 4
iCE 40-DB 3
iCE 40-DB 2
iCE 40-DB 1
iCE 40-DB 0
3
P
1
Pmod 2x6
PMOD2-1
1 7
PMOD2-2
2 8
PMOD2-3
3 9
4 10
GND
5 11
6 12
PMOD1-1
PMOD1-2
PMOD1-3
PMOD1-4
GND
iCE 40-A ST B
iCE 40-DST B
iCE 40-W R IT E
iCE 40-W AIT
GND
DSC1-06
DSC1-05
DSC1-04
DSC1-03
DSC1-02
DSC1-01
DSC2-16
DSC2-15
DSC2-14
DSC2-13
DSC2-12
DSC2-11
DSC2-10
DSC2-09
DSC2-08
DSC2-07
DSC2-06
PIO0
PIO0
PIO0
PIO0
PIO0
PIO0
PIO0
PIO0
GB IN1/PIO0
GB IN0/PIO0
PIO0
PIO0
PIO0
PIO0
PIO0
PIO0
PIO0
PIOS/SPI_SO
PIOS/S
/ PI_SO
PIOS/S
PIOS/SPI_SI
/ PI_SI
PIOS/SPI_SCK
PIOS/S
/ PI_SCK
/ PI_SS_B
PIOS/SPI_SS_B
PIOS/S
B 17
A 22
A 23
B 18
B 25
V CCIO_1
A 48
A 47
B 36
A 46
B 35
A 45
B 34
A 44
A 43
B 32
B 31
A 41
B 30
A 40
B 29
A 39
A 38
CDONE
CR E SE T _B
B 16
A 21
iCE 40-CDONE
iCE 40-CR E SE T
1x6
1
2
3
4
5
6
8
V CC
GND
22
4
DSC1-15
GND
DSC1-11
DSC1-09
DSC1-07
DSC1-05
DSC1-03
DSC1-01
16 15
14 13
12 11
10 9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
2x8
DSC1-16
DSC1-14
DSC1-12
DSC1-10
DSC1-08
DSC1-06
DSC1-04
DSC1-02
DSC2-15
DSC2-13
DSC2-11
DSC2-09
DSC2-07
DSC2-05
DSC2-03
DSC2-01
16 15
14 13
12 11
10 9
7
8
6
5
4
3
2
1
2x8
DSC2-16
DSC2-14
DSC2-12
DSC2-10
DSC2-08
DSC2-06
DSC2-04
DSC2-02
iCE 40-DB 6
iCE 40-DB 4
iCE 40-DB 2
iCE 40-DB 0
IMOD-4
IMOD-2
GND
16 15
14 13
12 11
10 9
7
8
6
5
3
4
2
1
2x8
iCE 40-DB 7
iCE 40-DB 5
iCE 40-DB 3
iCE 40-DB 1
IMOD-3
IMOD-1
GND
USB Mini AB
D
C
B
A
iCEblink40-LP1K Evaluation Kit
User’s Guide
Appendix A. Schematic
Figure 24. Schematic
iCEblink40-LP1K Evaluation Kit
User’s Guide
Appendix B. Bill of Materials (Major Components)
Table 9. Bill of Materials
Reference
Vendor
Part Number
Description
IC2
Lattice Semiconductor
iCE40LP1K-QN84
iCE40 LP-series ultra low-power FPGA
IC1
Analog Devices
ADP2140ACPZ3312R7
Low-quiescent buck/LDO regulator (1.2V, 3.3V)
X1
Linear Technology
LTC1799CS5#TRPBF
Oscillator
IC4
Micron Technology
M25P10-AVMN6
1Mbit SPI serial configuration Flash PROM
IC3
Atmel Corporation
AT90USB162-16MU
USB programming and debugging interface
23