Step 3: Programming the Base Platform

All applications compiled by the SDAccel™™ compiler for the data card are compiled against a specific device. A device is a combination of interfaces and infrastructure components on the card that are required for proper execution of the user program. The base device program or firmware is different for all devices. This program must be loaded onto the FPGA before the user application is loaded. To program the firmware program:

  1. Using a micro USB cable, connect between the Xilinx® VCU1525 card and the programming computer with an installation of the Vivado Design Suite.
  2. On the programming computer, start the Vivado Design Suite Open Hardware Manager.
  3. Select Open a New Hardware Target.
  4. Click Next in the Open Hardware Target window.
  5. Select Local server in the Connect to field and click Next.
  6. In the Open New Hardware Target window, select xilinx_tcf and click Next.
  7. In the Open Hardware Target Summary window, click Finish.
  8. Right-click the FPGA (vu9p_0) and select Add Configuration Memory Device.
  9. Select mt25qu01g-spi-x1_x2_x4 as the configuration memory.
  10. Click OK to program the configuration memory.
  11. In the Programming Configuration Memory Device window, go to the Configuration File entry box, browse to, and select the MCS file (xilinx_vcu1525_dynamic_5_0.mcs) that you copied to the programming computer in Step 1. Do not use a configuration file 2. Verify all other settings as shown in the Program Configuration Memory Device window. Click OK to start programming the configuration memory.
  12. After the memory has been configured, right-click the FPGA (xcku115_0) and select Boot From Configuration Device.

    The Tcl Console displays Done pin status: HIGH after the FPGA is booted successfully.
  13. Reboot the host computer.
    Note: Programming of the device firmware is required only once per device. All applications targeting the same device can share a single programming instance of the card firmware.