31-10-2012, 04:20 PM
Embedded System Tools Guide
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Software Application Creation and Verification
The software application is the code that runs on the hardware and software platforms.
The source code for the application is written in a high level language such as C or C++, or
in assembly language. XPS provides a source editor for creating these files, but any other
text editor may be used here. Once the source files are created, they are compiled and
linked to generate executable files in the ELF (Executable and Link Format) format. GNU
compiler tools (see Chapter 11, “GNU Compiler Tools” for more information) for PowerPC
and MicroBlaze are used by default but other compiler tools that support the specific
processors used in the hardware platform may be used as well. XMD and the GNU
debugger (GDB) are used together to debug the software application. XMD provides an
instruction set simulator, and optionally connects to a working hardware platform to allow
GDB to run the user application. This entire process is depicted in Figure 1-5. See Chapter
13, “Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger (XMD)” for more information on XMD and Chapter
12, “GNU Debugger” for more information on GDB.
Some Useful Tools
Xilinx Platform Studio
The Xilinx Platform Studio (XPS) tool provides a GUI for creating the MHS and MSS files
for the hardware and software flow. XPS also provides source file editor capability and
project and process management capability. XPS is used for managing the complete tool
flow, that is, both hardware and software implementation flows. Please see Chapter 2,
“Xilinx Platform Studio (XPS)” for more information.
Platform Generator
The embedded processor system in the form of hardware netlists (HDL and EDIF files) is
customized and generated by the Platform Generator (PlatGen).
See Chapter 5, “Platform Generator” for more information.
HDL Synthesis
PlatGen generates hierarchal NGC netlists in the default mode. This means that each
instance of a peripheral in the MHS file is synthesized. The default mode leaves the toplevel
HDL file untouched allowing any synthesis tool to be used. Currently, Platform
Generator only supports XST (Xilinx Synthesis Technology).
Xilinx Platform Studio (XPS)
This chapter describes the Xilinx Platform Studio (XPS) IDE for the Xilinx Embedded
Processors, MicroBlaze and PowerPC.
Xilinx Platform Studio (XPS) provides an integrated environment for creating the software
and hardware specification flows for an Embedded Processor system. It also provides an
editor and a project management interface to create and edit source code. XPS offers
customization of tool flow configuration options. It also provides a graphical system editor
for connection of processors, peripherals and buses. XPS is available on both Windows and
Solaris platforms. There is also a batch mode invocation of XPS available.
This chapter contains the following sections.
[attachment=37617]
Software Application Creation and Verification
The software application is the code that runs on the hardware and software platforms.
The source code for the application is written in a high level language such as C or C++, or
in assembly language. XPS provides a source editor for creating these files, but any other
text editor may be used here. Once the source files are created, they are compiled and
linked to generate executable files in the ELF (Executable and Link Format) format. GNU
compiler tools (see Chapter 11, “GNU Compiler Tools” for more information) for PowerPC
and MicroBlaze are used by default but other compiler tools that support the specific
processors used in the hardware platform may be used as well. XMD and the GNU
debugger (GDB) are used together to debug the software application. XMD provides an
instruction set simulator, and optionally connects to a working hardware platform to allow
GDB to run the user application. This entire process is depicted in Figure 1-5. See Chapter
13, “Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger (XMD)” for more information on XMD and Chapter
12, “GNU Debugger” for more information on GDB.
Some Useful Tools
Xilinx Platform Studio
The Xilinx Platform Studio (XPS) tool provides a GUI for creating the MHS and MSS files
for the hardware and software flow. XPS also provides source file editor capability and
project and process management capability. XPS is used for managing the complete tool
flow, that is, both hardware and software implementation flows. Please see Chapter 2,
“Xilinx Platform Studio (XPS)” for more information.
Platform Generator
The embedded processor system in the form of hardware netlists (HDL and EDIF files) is
customized and generated by the Platform Generator (PlatGen).
See Chapter 5, “Platform Generator” for more information.
HDL Synthesis
PlatGen generates hierarchal NGC netlists in the default mode. This means that each
instance of a peripheral in the MHS file is synthesized. The default mode leaves the toplevel
HDL file untouched allowing any synthesis tool to be used. Currently, Platform
Generator only supports XST (Xilinx Synthesis Technology).
Xilinx Platform Studio (XPS)
This chapter describes the Xilinx Platform Studio (XPS) IDE for the Xilinx Embedded
Processors, MicroBlaze and PowerPC.
Xilinx Platform Studio (XPS) provides an integrated environment for creating the software
and hardware specification flows for an Embedded Processor system. It also provides an
editor and a project management interface to create and edit source code. XPS offers
customization of tool flow configuration options. It also provides a graphical system editor
for connection of processors, peripherals and buses. XPS is available on both Windows and
Solaris platforms. There is also a batch mode invocation of XPS available.
This chapter contains the following sections.