CSSE 232 - Computer Architecture I
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Computer Science and Software Engineering Department

Exercise 4 -- Installing Xilinx

Objectives

Upon completion of this lab you should have a properly installed, licensed, and functioning copy of the Xilinx ISE tools.

General

You will be provided with the files to install Xilinx ISE version 6.3i and ModelSim XE II v5.8c. Once installed, Xilinx ISE and the associated tools will require nearly 1.9GB of disk space. Somewhat more (that's the technical term) is needed during the installation process.

Disclaimer: These instructions guide the user through the process of installing Xilinx ISE, version 6.3i, avoiding several pitfalls in the process. Using these instructions, dozens of students have successfully installed the software on personal computers running a variety of Microsoft Windows operating systems. However, such systems are complex, and these instructions are not guaranteed to avoid all problems. It is highly recommend that students

• ensure that their critical data is backed up in a safe location before beginning the installation, and

• follow these instructions carefully.

Installing Xilinx ISE 6.3i

Step 0: Before you begin the installation

• If you’re running Windows XP, you'll need to install as localmgr for some part of the installation. It will be indicated when you should log in as yourself. You will be directed to restart your machine several times. Remember to log in using the appropriate account when you do.

• Copy the files from the two Xilinx ISE 6.3i CDs ( tibiaAppsXilinxISE Disk 1 and tibiaAppsXilinxISE Disk 2) into a convenient location on your hard drive. Do not put it in C:. Do not put it in C:Program Files.

• Copy the folder G: cssecsse232 0405aXilinxUpdates to a convenient location on your hard drive. Do not put it in C:. Do not put it in C:Program Files.

• Read these notes completely before doing anything else. Before you begin each of the remaining, re-read our notes about that step.

Step 1: Installing ISE 6.3i

• Run the program ISE Disk 1setup.exe (where ``'' refers to the convenient location that you chose in Step 0.)
  • In the ``Welcome - Xilinx Software Installation Window,'' choose the option to obtain your Registration ID using the Website. A browser window will open. Follow the directions on the website. Use an e-mail address that you can read in class and that allows you to receive attachments. Use the Product ID: LIF360818621.

  • Continue following the steps of the installation wizard, accepting the default options.

  • Be patient. The installation might appear to get ``stuck'', but experience suggests that it will eventually move on and finish successfully.

• Run the program ISE Disk 2setup.exe (where ``'' again refers to the convenient location that you chose in Step 0).
  • When you get to the window ``Select Software Modules to Install - Xilinx Software Installation'', do not install the MultiLINX drivers. The website for Xilinx ISE warns of dire but unspecified consequences of installing them under Windows XP. It was enough to convince the authors of these notes not to install them.

  • You will be given the opportunity to search the Xilinx website for service packs. Decline the option. You copied the files to your local drive in Step 0.

Step 2: Installing the Latest Service Packs

• Find 6_3_01i_pc.exe under the convenient location that you chose in Step 0, and run it.

• Decline the option to search the Xilinx website for IP updates, for the same reason.

Step 3: Finding the Latest IP Update

• There are no IP updates at this time.

Step 4: Installing Modelsim XE II Starter

• You should be logged in as yourself for this step.

• Copy the files from the ModelSim II v5.8c CD ( tibiaAppsXilinxModelSim) into a convenient location on your hard drive. Do not put it in C:. Do not put it in C:Program Files.

• Run the program ModelSim1setup.exe (where ``'' refers to the convenient location that you chose in Step 0.)
  • In the ``Select Components Window'', choose ``MXE Starter II - Limited Version of MXE II (Free)''.

  • In the ``Select Library Installation Options'' window, you should select ``Full Verilog''.

  • Accept the option to complete the license request process.

Step 5: License Modelsim XE II

• You should be logged in as yourself for this step, and you will need to be able to access your e-mail.

• When you get the license.dat file in an e-mail message, save it into C:Modeltech_xe_starterwin32xoemlicense.dat.

• Next, go to StartProgramsModelSimLicensingWizard.

• Press ``Continue'' and then when asked for the location of the license file, specify the above location.

Step 6: Updating ModelSim to Match the Latest IP Update

• Unzip each of the following into C:Modeltech_xe_starter in turn, replacing all existing files:
  • mxe5.8c_6.3isp1_simulation_libraries.zip

Testing your installation

The following steps will test your installation.

1. Create the folder C:Xilinxprojects. Notice that there are no spaces in this path (we mention this important detail in case you stray from these instructions).

2. Download G:cssecsse2320405aXilinxTrip.zip to a convenient location on your hard drive. Extract trip.zip into C:Xilinxprojects (where ``'' is the convenient location that you picked when downloading.). If you're using WinRAR and it complains about some of the contents of the ZIP file, you probably need to get the latest version from tibia.

3. Start the Xilinx Project Navigator.

4. Click on FileOpen Project

5. Navigate to your Trip folder and select Trip.npl. Update it to the new version, and don't worry about archiving it.

6. You should see something like:

   

7. Double-click on trip (Trip.sch). You will see the circuit being simulated in schematic form.

   

8. Go back to the Project Navigator and double-click on TestTrip (TestTrip.tbw). Agree to update the ports. You will then see test inputs and outputs for the circuit.

   

9. Go back to the Project Navigator. With TestTrip (TestTrip.tbw) still highlighted, go down to the lower left pane and expand the next to Modelsim Simulator. Double-click on Simulate Behavioral Model.

10. The first time that ModelSim runs, it will ask you if you want to change some file associations. You probably don't need any of them, and you can always create them later if you decide you want them.

11. After a moment, something similar to the following will appear:

    

    Note, the left pane of the window lists the inputs and output.

12. Click the button. The right pane should now show the value of each input/output at a given time. Are the values correct? Click the

    icon to see more data.

More Information

Resources can be found at http://www.xilinx.com. The course discussion group is an excellent place to post questions, answers, tips, etc.

Footnotes

... attachments.

We've not ben spammed by providing an address here.