
MultiPRO Desktop Tool
DS114 (v1.9) February 8, 2008 www.xilinx.com
Product Specification 4
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IEEE 1284 Cable Specifications
Level 1 compliant host parallel ports are only designed to
operate over a maximum cable length of 10 feet. Level 2
compliant ports are designed to operate over a maximum
cable length of 33 feet. MultiPRO uses a Level 2 compliant
cable interface buffer. The MultiPRO case has an integrated
mini-centronics connector for attachment to off-the-shelf
IEEE 1284 cables.
Xilinx recommends that the MultiPRO tool be directly
connected to the host parallel port without the use of a switch
box. Software license "dongles" should not be attached to the
parallel port when communicating with the MultiPRO tool.
Automatic Voltage Sensing
The MultiPRO Desktop Tool continuously monitors the VREF
pin on the Serial/JTAG/SPI and SelectMAP target interface
connectors. The current drain from the target power supply
attached to the VREF pin is less than 10 mA at 3.3V DC. The
target system reference voltage must be regulated and
cannot have a current limiting resistor in series with the
VREF pin on the interface.
No damage will occur to the MultiPRO Desktop Tool if the
target system is powered when the MultiPRO tool is not
powered. However, when powering up a system, it is
preferable to apply power to the MultiPRO tool first, followed
by power to the target system. The sequence should be
reversed when powering down.
The MultiPRO Desktop Tool always puts interface signals
on inactive ports in a 3-state condition.
The MultiPRO output drive voltage levels do not linearly
track voltage changes on the VREF pin. An appropriate
output signal level is established for a range of VREF
voltages. For example, if VREF is any voltage from +3.0V DC
to +5.0V DC, the MultiPRO tool sets the output signals for
the respective port to +3.3V DC.
Refer to Ta b l e 2 for the relationship between VREF voltage
and MultiPRO output signal levels.
Connecting to Host Computer
The MultiPRO tool connects to any PC using Windows or
Linux1 through the built-in, standard IEEE 1284 DB25 parallel
(printer) port connector2. To fully utilize the higher speeds of
this cable, the host PC must have a parallel port that is
enabled3 to support extended capability port (ECP) mode. If
ECP mode is not enabled, the MultiPRO tool will default to
compatibility mode and will not run at the optimum speeds
listed. Performance also depends on the MultiPRO Desktop
Tool firmware revision and ISE iMPACT software version.4
Notes:
1. Refer to ISE software manuals for details regarding supported
operating systems.
2. Xilinx makes no representations about compatibility with third-
party IEEE 1284 add-on adapters and does not support the add-
on adapters.
3. Refer to host PC BIOS to see if ECP mode is enabled.
4. Refer to the MultiPRO Desktop Tool firmware history at
http://www.xilinx.com/support/programr/mp_history.htm.
High Performance Ribbon Cable
Two insulation displacement connector (IDC) ribbon cables
are supplied and recommended for connection to target
systems. See Figure 5 and Figure 6. These cables incorporate
multiple signal-ground pairs and facilitate error-free
connection. A very small footprint, keyed mating connector is
all that is required on the target system. Refer to Figure 7 and
Figure 8 for the appropriate connector pin assignments and
sample vendor part numbers. The 14-conductor ribbon cable
can also be used with Parallel Cable IV.
.
Tabl e 2 : Output Signal Levels as a Function of VREF
VREF Voltage on Target
System
MultiPRO Output
Signal Levels Units
0.80 to 1.65 1.5 V
1.65 to 2.00 1.8 V
2.00 to 3.00 2.5 V
3.00 to 5.00 3.3 V
X-Ref Target - Figure 5
Figure 5: High Performance Ribbon Cables