May 2011
Updated Lattice Software Provides Complete 8-Bit Microcontroller System Support for Cost-Sensitive, Low Power PLD ApplicationsLattice Diamond Design Software Also Delivers Enhanced Support for the Low Cost, Low Power "Do-it-All" MachXO2 PLD Family.
Both version 1.2 of the Lattice Diamond FPGA design software, the flagship design environment for Lattice FPGA products, and the LatticeMico System development tools for Lattice soft microcontrollers are now available for download.
With this LatticeMico System update, users of the new MachXO2 PLDs can generate complete systems based on the LatticeMico8 open source 8-bit controller core. In addition, Lattice Diamond 1.2 enhances support for the MachXO2 by providing preliminary silicon-based models for the recently released LCMXO2-1200 and LCMXO2-1200U devices, and by adding support for all ultra-high I/O count MachXO2 devices as well as the wafer level package needed for very high volume, cost sensitive applications.
The LatticeMico8 soft processor is an easy-to-use embedded microcontroller optimized for implementation in Lattice FPGAs and PLDs. The LatticeMico8 consumes minimal device resources (less than 200 Look Up Tables in the smallest configuration) while maintaining a broad feature set. It is ideal for implementing control processing, control communications, state machine replacement and simple user interfaces.
The LatticeMico8 is provided free of charge through an innovative open source intellectual property (IP) core license. This open source license provides developers with access to the HDL for the IP, as well as full architecture independence and portability to allow design migration to other FPGA platforms or ASICs, if desired, while protecting the user's proprietary designs
Users of MachXO2 devices can now generate complete systems that include version 3.2 of the LatticeMico8 open source 8-bit controller core using version 1.2 of the open source Eclipse-based LatticeMico System tool.
Sample LatticeMico8 Platform Generated with Mico System Builder
The LatticeMico System tool creates and synchronizes the system hardware and the associated software development environment. Users can define a custom system by choosing their unique set of peripherals. The software development environment is automatically tailored to this generated system and includes the associated driver code. Both hardware and software environments remain in synch even if changes are made to the system, avoiding unnecessary housekeeping by the user.
A single development flow for both LatticeMico8 and LatticeMico32 is composed of a platform development tool called Mico System Builder (MSB) and a software development tool called Software Project Environment (SPE).
LatticeMico System Development Flow
With the rich library of peripheral components and pre-built platforms available within LatticeMico System, users can quickly explore various platforms and make cost versus performance trade-off decision. Users can also easily incorporate their user-defined logic.
Below is a list of peripheral components that LatticeMico System provides along with the two processors:
The Lattice Diamond design environment enables users to easily explore design alternatives as they target cost-sensitive, low power, high volume applications – the type of applications ideally suited for the MachXO2 family. Lattice Diamond 1.2 software includes updated power, timing and SSO analysis values based on the actual silicon characterization for the MachXO2 LCMXO2-1200 and LCMXO2-1200U devices. In addition, the Reveal hardware debugger has been validated with the actual silicon of these MachXO2 devices. This allows designers to easily debug their designs by simply specifying which signals to observe and then using the software to automatically configure and insert the necessary debug logic. Advanced runtime features offer the flexibility to dynamically define the necessary triggers to capture data for real-time analysis.
Originally released in June 2010, Lattice Diamond software incorporates an intuitive, modern GUI that enables several new concepts to help users quickly explore design alternatives to meet their cost, power and performance goals. Lattice Diamond 1.2 builds on this approach with several design flow enhancements. Users can now:
In addition, Diamond 1.2 supports Tcl version 8.5, the latest stable release of Tcl/Tk.
Lattice Diamond 1.2 includes Synopsys Synplify Pro advanced FPGA synthesis for all operating systems supported. The Aldec Active-HDL Lattice Edition II simulator is also included for Windows.
In addition to the tool support for Lattice devices provided by the OEM versions of Synplify Pro and Active-HDL, Lattice devices are also supported by the full versions of Synopsys Synplify Pro and Aldec Active-HDL. Mentor Graphics ModelSim SE and Precision RTL synthesis also support Lattice devices.
Lattice Diamond 1.2 is available for download from the Lattice web site for both Windows and Linux. Once downloaded and installed, it can be used with either the Lattice Diamond free license or subscription license.
The Lattice Diamond free license can be generated immediately upon request from the Lattice web site and provides no-cost access to many popular Lattice devices such as the MachXO2 and MachXO PLD families, and the LatticeXP2 and LatticeECP2/M FPGA families. The free license enables Synopsys Synplify Pro for Lattice synthesis and the Aldec Lattice Edition II mixed language simulator.
Purchase of the Lattice Diamond subscription license adds support for all Lattice FPGAs, including the latest LatticeECP3 devices. It also enables Synopsys Synplify Pro for Lattice synthesis and the Aldec Lattice Edition II mixed language simulator.
© Lattice Semiconductor Corporation 2012
