Testing FPGA based digital system using XILINX ChipScope logic analyzer

Abstract

This paper presents the use of Xilinx ChipScopetrade Pro integrated logic analyzer for Field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) as a board-and system-level diagnostic tool. FPGA designs have become increasingly dense and complex. They are difficult to debug because more and more of the relevant signals are buried deep within the logic fabric. Access to signals in the FPGA, on board or in the system is very restricted whether troubleshooting is done in the lab or in the field. The Xilinx ChipScopetrade Pro integrated logic analyzer has solved much of the problem at the FPGA level. In this work, ChipScopetrade has been used to test and verify a developed system that presents the digital core of a wireless sensor module and it has been implemented in (Spartan 3) based FPGA development board.