How to start with FPGA? Replacement for STK673-010. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: rtek1000
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2021, 02:01:55 am
content: Hi,I'm thinking about how to start using FPGA to support 3 circuits equivalent to the electronic diagram in the attached image, based around the 74HC191 counter. I found a post about the EPM3032A, butI would like to know if anyone can tell if this EPM3023A is enough for this job.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/fpga/altera-epm3032-cpld-guide-tour-please/I posted a while ago about this STK673-010, but I still haven't been successful, so I saw that the manufacturer of the board that uses this STK673 replaced the STK with a board with an FPGA. But I don't have access to these new boards at the moment.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/buysellwanted/where-to-buy-original-stk673-010/msg3363172/#msg3363172Basically this STK is a micro-stepping motor driver, with 12 steps of current. But it is for 3-phase motor, type BLDC without feedback sensor.I managed to get the similar operation with an STM32F103C8T6, but I would like to avoid using a microcontroller.I also need a 63kHz output for synchronizing the output PWM. I thought about using a PWM controller in current mode.I noticed that this STM32F103C8T6 can do the job with the 50kHz clock signal that the STK673 must support.I have a Segger J-Link V8 J-tag programmer,I would like to know if it is compatible with the EPM3032A, I saw that the software to be used is Quartus II.https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/programmable/downloads/download-center.htmlI would like to avoid a lot of problems when installing a lot of software and spend many hours looking for something about it, because I have already spent many hours with other microcontrollers. If anyone who really understands the subject and can give me any tips, I appreciate it.Thank you.

author: Scrts
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2021, 03:29:58 am
content: Should be sufficient, but how about you try it yourself?Download Quartus, create a new project, select your desired device and design your logic in a schematic editor. Here's an example:Then synthesize and see the results.

author: bingo600
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2021, 02:28:59 pm
content: You would need an Altera USB Blaster clone for programming the CPLD.But that's around $4..5 on ebayIf you can use 3.3v logic i'd recommend the EPM240 board , easy to use. (It is NOT 5v compatible , but due to the onboard LDO it can be powered by 5v)The EPM240 allows for larger designs , and you can port the design to a 3xxx with a few clicks.Get the blue EPM240 board , not the red ... Red has lousy layout & decoupling.https://www.ebay.com/itm/Altera-EPM240-CPLD-programmer-Development-Learning-Board-USB-Blaster-com/401255990048https://www.ebay.com/itm/5V-MAX-II-EPM240-CPLD-Minimum-System-Core-Board-Development-Board/273822278669https://www.ebay.com/itm/Altera-USB-Blaster-Download-Cable-High-Speed-Programmer-For-CPLD-FPGA-NIOS-JTAG/232396569306Remember to download Quartus 13.0.1.SP1 -NOT any later (Latest for MAX3xxx)The cheap clone USB Blaster works fine "directly" on Linux , and i suppose Win too.But i can't get it to work in VirtualBox.For Vbox i have a "Real" USB Blaster clone 100% Altera hw compatible, and that one works./Bingo

author: BrianHG
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2021, 02:58:54 pm
content: Quote from: bingo600 on January 04, 2021, 02:28:59 pmNot any earlier than Quartus 12.0.0.SP2 if you are using a 64bit OS. The USB programmer crashes. Though, Quartus 9.1.sp2 is the last one to have good a built in waveform editor and simulator. I use the 9.1 to simulate & 12.0 for programming.