Reading Spartan-3A Device DNA - Page 3
Design Overview
This design reads the unique device DNA value embedded in the XC3S700A Spartan-3A device and displays it on the LCD display. Device DNA can be used
to provide a serial number for your own products, be useful in hardware and software design security techniques or be sued as part of product registration
procedures. This document provides details of the reference design which employs a PicoBlaze processor to perform most of the tasks. As well as enabling
the DNA feature of the device to be evaluated, it is hoped that the design will provide a useful reference for PicoBlaze users especially those interested in
using LCD character modules with an 8-bit data interface as provided on the 3A starter kit (note that the 3E starter kit has the 4-bit interface).
double click on ‘install_device_DNA_reader.bat’.
Load it now
– it only takes 30 seconds!
It is recommended that you try this to become
familiar with what the design does.
XC3S700A
with embedded
‘DNA’
J2 used to
observe DNA
signals
LEDs ‘heart beat’ counter
LCD display of DNA value
+5v supply and
power switch
USB cable used to configure the Spartan-3A
(The cable plus devices on the board provide
the same functionality as a Platform Cable
USB to be used in conjunction with iMPACT)
As well as the source design files, a compiled
configuration bit file is provided which you can
immediately download into the Spartan XC3S700A
device on your board. To make this task really
easy the first time, unzip all the files provided into a
directory and then….
Assuming you have the Xilinx software installed, your board
connected with the USB cable and the board powered (don’t forget
the switch), then this should open a DOS window and run iMPACT
in batch mode to configure the Spartan-3A with the design.