6 Appendix 2: Programming the Device and External SPI Flash Using FlashPro Express

This section describes how to program the PolarFire device with the .job programming file using FlashPro Express. The .job files are available at the following design files folder location:
mpf_an4660_df\Programming_Job

progamming_appnote_FPGA_SPI_images_v1 contains both PolarFire device contents and SPI images. When the file is selected for programming, the FlashPro express software programs the PolarFire FPGA device and the external SPI Flash memory with programming images. The programming takes nearly 30 minutes to complete.

progamming_appnote_only_FPGA_v1 contains only PolarFire device contents. When the file is selected for programming, the FlashPro express software programs the PolarFire FPGA device only.

To program the device and external SPI Flash, perform the following steps:

  1. Ensure that the jumper settings on the board are the same as those listed in Table 2-3 (for Evaluation board).
    Important: The power supply switch must be switched off while making the jumper connections.
  2. Connect the power supply cable to the J9 connector on the Evaluation board.
  3. Connect the USB cable from the host PC to the J5 (FTDI port) on the Evaluation board.
  4. Power on the Evaluation board using the SW3 slide switch.
  5. On the host PC, launch the FlashPro Express software.
  6. To create a new job project, click New or select New Job Project from FlashPro Express Job, as shown the following figure.
    Figure 6-1. FlashPro Express Job Project
  7. Enter the following in the New Job Project from FlashPro Express Job dialog box:
    • Programming job file: Click Browse and navigate to the location where the .job file is located and select the file. The default location is: <download_folder>\mpf_an4660_df\Programming_Job.
    • FlashPro Express job project location: Click Browse and navigate to the location where you want to save the project.
      Figure 6-2. New Job Project from FlashPro Express Job
  8. Click OK. The required programming file is selected and ready to be programmed in the device.
  9. The FlashPro Express window appears. Confirm that a programmer number appears in the Programmer field. If it does not, confirm the board connections and click Refresh/Rescan Programmers.
    Figure 6-3. Programming the Device
  10. Click RUN. When the device is programmed successfully, a RUN PASSED status is displayed, as shown in the following figure. To run the demo, see Running the Demo.
    Figure 6-4. FlashPro Express—RUN PASSED
  11. Close FlashPro Express, Project > Exit.