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Silicon Explorer Quick Start

The Silicon Explorer is the integration of two debugging 
instruments into a single device that attaches to a PC’s standard 
COM port. The Probe Instrument controls the ActionProbe 
circuitry, enabling the routing of two internal nodes dynamically 
to two dedicated pins of Actel devices. The Timing Instrument is 
an 18-channel logic analyzer that displays timing analysis of both 
the probe outputs, and up to 16 additional signals on the target 
system. Each instrument may be used separately.

Actel also offers the Silicon Explorer Lite, which only contains 
the Probe Instrument and relies on an external scope or logic 
analyzer for viewing signals. 

Connecting to the PC

The Probe Pilot and Probe Pilot Lite connect to a standard serial 
port using either an 8250 or 16550 UART. Communication is 
established via the 9-Pin D-Sub connector.

Software Settings

On installation, Silicon Explorer is set to the Demo mode. You 
may select com1 through 4 by selecting the port from the 
acquisition menu. The software continuously polls the Probe 
Pilot for activity. Setting the port to the Demo mode prevents the 
application from opening any COM ports on your system.

The serial port information is saved in the analyze.ini file found 
in your Windows directory.

The software defaults to 115,200 baud — at this speed data 
transfer will be less than 15 seconds for the entire buffer.

Note: Many notebook computers share the external COM port 

with a built-in infrared (IR) port. You may have to enter 
your CMOS setup menu to enable the external COM port.

Содержание Silicon Explorer

Страница 1: ...Silicon Explorer Quick Start Windows Environment...

Страница 2: ...icular purpose Informa tion in this document is subject to change without notice Actel assumes no responsibility for any errors that may appear in this document This document contains confidential pro...

Страница 3: ...e Target 2 Powering the Silicon Explorer 2 Current Consumption 2 Using an External Power Supply 3 Connecting the Probe Pilot to the FPGA 3 Connecting Signals to the Target for Logic Analysis 3 Connect...

Страница 4: ......

Страница 5: ...Silicon Explorer A more detailed description can be found in the on line help system The system requirements for Silicon Explorer and Silicon Explorer Lite are Designer R3 1998 or later 486 66 microp...

Страница 6: ......

Страница 7: ...necting to the PC The Probe Pilot and Probe Pilot Lite connect to a standard serial port using either an 8250 or 16550 UART Communication is established via the 9 Pin D Sub connector Software Settings...

Страница 8: ...rer is designed to withstand the abuse normally found in a lab environment However long term exposure to out of range conditions can cause failure In particular long term connection to reverse or over...

Страница 9: ...a 22 pin 18 channels a clock VCC GND and clock GND and a 16 pin connector for FPGA debug using Actel s Action Probe circuitry The Probe Pilot Lite only has the 16 pin connector Connecting Signals to...

Страница 10: ...CH2 inputs from the target cable assembly Using the Probe Instrument The following procedures describe how to use the Probe Instrument To open a Probe file 1 Launch The Silicon Explorer software Selec...

Страница 11: ...the debug connector The net name is also displayed in the waveform window Using the Timing Instrument Note This section does not apply to Silicon Explorer Lite Select Silicon Explorer from the Design...

Страница 12: ...is recognized or the stop button black square is pressed see Figure 2 During this period the status window displays PRE for the pre trigger state although you may not see it if the trigger pattern is...

Страница 13: ...requirement is fulfilled Then the data are uploaded to the host READ State with progress indicator The entire upload process takes less than 15 seconds although you may zoom in and view data immediat...

Страница 14: ...t features for viewing saving and printing data More detailed information is available from the on line help system Troubleshooting FAQs Q1 I ve connected Probe Pilot and the Silicon Explorer window d...

Страница 15: ...Silicon Explorer window flashes an error message and returns to IDLE A If the target power is incapable of supplying the necessary current then the Silicon Explorer window resets and returns to IDLE M...

Страница 16: ...ng test 1 Connect the supplied ribbon cable from the Probe Pilot or Probe Pilot Lite to the test header and apply power to the terminals on the test header Red is positive Black is negative 2 Disconne...

Страница 17: ...408 739 1010 Lutyens Close Lychpit 1 24 14 Ebisu Shibuya ku Customer Service FAX 408 522 8044 Basingstoke Toyko 150 Japan Action Facts Technical Documents 800 262 1062 Hampshire RG24 8AG Tel 81 0 3 34...

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