Docsan runs optimally when used with the following browsers: Netscape Navigator ™ version 4.x and above, Microsoft Internet Explorer™ version 4.x and above or other Java™ enabled browsers.

Introduction to Xilinx Manuals Online

Welcome to the Xilinx software manuals online library. These manuals include reference information, tutorials, and instructions for using the Xilinx Development tools, EDA partner interface tools, and download cables. You can search our entire online library by entering keywords and phrases, or you can select an individual book and browse through it.

Online Library Structure

The twenty-four books in the online library are called a collection. There are two sub-collections in the library, for the Alliance™ and Foundation Software Series™. Some manuals are found in both sub-collections.

What is Docsan?

Docsan™ is a document access system that allows you to search for specific information that is in the Xilinx software manuals. Docsan does not require a plugin; it loads a Java™ applet each time you access the Xilinx book collection. See your browser documentation for more information about frames, bookmarks, and printing.

Using the Online Library

Locate the Collection Home icon, which is displayed in the left frame of your browser window. Clicking this icon from anywhere in the library will always bring you back to this page. The Alliance and Foundation 1.5i Software Series sub-collection icons are displayed below the Collection Home icon.

Viewing Contents of a Collection

  1. In the left frame of your browser window, locate the book icons and the adjacent icons for each sub-collection.
  2. Click the book icon for "Foundation Series" or "Alliance Series" to open the corresponding collection.
  3. Click the icon to display the books in each collection.
  4. Click the icon to hide the collection titles.

Opening and Navigating Books

  1. Click a book's title to open the book.
  2. Click the icon to expand each book's table of contents. The book's chapters display as sub-headings.
  3. Click on a chapter title to open it.
  4. Click the icon to close the expanded view of each book.
  5. Use the Next and Back buttons to page through each book, or click a link to go directly to a particular section.
  6. To display a graphic, click the icon next to a figure title. Use the Back button on your browser window to go back to the previous page view.
Description
Button
Click to go to the previous page in a book.
Click to go to the next page in a book.
Click to display a graphic.

Re-Sizing Your Window

  1. Place your cursor over the vertical window divider bar.
  2. Your cursor becomes a horizontal arrow.
  3. Select the vertical divider bar by clicking it.
  4. Drag the vertical bar to re-size your browser window frames.

How to Search

You can search the online collection using a parametric search or a keyword search.

Parametric Search

The parametric search feature allows you to focus your search to categories of information that are specific to the Xilinx software manuals. For example, you can select logic elements such as buffers or flip/flops, and constrain your search by their function and size. A Tutorial on how to use Docsan's Parametric Search is available for Windows users (2.6 MB download).


Use the following steps to perform a parametric search.

  1. Click the Search button in the left frame of your browser window.
  2. In the Search dialog box, click the Parametric tab.
  3. Select a category fron the list box on the left, and specify parameters from the drop-down lists on the right. Click the Search button when you finish choosing parameters. Docsan compiles a list of the design elements that match your chosen parameters, and displays a table in the book view frame.
  4. Each search hit is displayed as a link. Click the link text to display more information.
  5. Click the Back button in your browser window to return to the previous page view, or click the Search button to perform another search.

Full-Text Search

You can search across the online software manuals for specific keywords and phrases. You can also constrain your search to the Alliance or Foundation collections, or even a specific book. Use the following steps to perform a full-text search.

  1. Click the Search button at the top of your left browser frame.
  2. Click the Search tab in the Search dialog box.
  3. Enter your keywords or phrases. You can also use Boolean expressions.
  4. Click the Options tab in the Search dialog box to constrain or focus your search.
  5. In the Options tab dialog box, select the collection or book(s) that you wish to search. An "X" in the box next to a book or collection title indicates that Docsan will include that item in the search.
  6. When you finish setting your options, click the Search tab to apply your options to the search. Click the Search button to implement your search.
  7. Your search results appear in the search dialog box as a list of manual sections where your keywords occur. Double-click a document title to display it in the book view frame.
  8. Your keywords are surrounded by red arrows . Click the right arrow to go to the next occurence of your key word, or click the left arrow to go to the previous occurence.
  9. To return to your compiled search results, click the Search button in the left frame of your browser window, or you can perform a new seach by entering a new keyword.

Note: For more information about using the searching and browsing capabilities of Docsan, click the Help button located at the top of the left frame in your browser window.

Printing

Use the DynaText™ online browser to print software manuals. The DynaText browser is included on a CD-ROM along with the documentation for the Xilinx M1.4, M1.5, and M1.5i software releases. For more information about installing and using DynaText, refer to the Installation document for your Xilinx software.

You can also access printable files (in .pdf format) for the Development System Reference Guide and the Libraries Guide.

Online Manual Descriptions

The following tables include descriptions of the manuals in the Xilinx book collection, organized by book category. Some manuals are used exclusively for the Foundation or Alliance Software Series, while others are listed in more than one category. Click the title of a manual to open it.

Note: In the following tables, the acronym GUI stands for "Graphical User Interface," and EDA stands for "Electronic Design Automation".

Getting Started Manuals

Manual Title
Description
Quick Start Guide for Xilinx Alliance Series 1.5 Alliance software installation instructions, tutorial, getting started with the Xilinx Design Manager GUI
Foundation Series Quick Start Guide 1.5 Foundation software installation instructions, getting started with the Xilinx Design Manager and Project Manager GUI
Development System User Guide Overview of Xilinx design implementation flow, descriptions of FPGA and CPLD architectures
Foundation Series 1.5i User Guide Overview of Foundation software design flow, tutorial, using the Foundation GUI tools

Design Entry Manuals

Manual Title
Description
Cadence Interface/Tutorial Guide Setting up the interface environment, tutorial, converting Verilog output files, and design tips for Cadence users
Mentor Graphics Interface/Tutorial Guide Setting up the interface environment, tutorial, design tips for Mentor users
Viewlogic Interface/Tutorial Guide Setting up the interface enviroment, tutorial, translating schematic FPGA and CPLD designs to implemented design and simulation files
Synopsys (XSI) Interface/Tutorial Guide Setting up the interface environment, synthesizing and simulating designs, tutorial
LogiBLOX Reference/User Guide Using the LogiBLOX GUI interface to enter and implement designs with library of modules
CPLD Schematic Design Guide Design techniques for schematic entry tools, using CPLD fitter
CPLD Synthesis Design Guide Preparing Synopsys files, installation verification, and implementing designs
VHDL Reference Guide Using the Xilinx Foundation Express program to compile VHDL designs
Verilog Reference Guide Using the Foundation Express program to translate and optimize a Verilog HDL description to a gate-level equivalent

Design Implementation Manuals

Manual Title
Description
Constraints Editor User Guide Using the Constraints Editor GUI, creating new constraints for implementation (Beta version document)
Development System Reference Guide Describes components, command options, syntax, and input/output files for Xilinx Development System software
Design Manager/Flow Engine Reference/User Guide Using the Design Manager and Flow Engine GUIs, interaction with other Xilinx design implementation GUIs
EPIC Design Editor Reference/User Guide Using the EPIC GUI, modifying placement and routing, using constraints, and verifying timing
Floorplanner Reference/User Guide Using the Floorplanner GUI, placing logical design symbols into target FPGA
Timing Analyzer Reference/User Guide Using the Timing Analyzer GUI, static analysis of mapped design, placing and routing your design
PROM File Formatter Reference/User Guide Using the PROM File Formatter GUI, formating bitstream files into HEX, and programming a PROM device

Design Verification and Hardware Manuals

Manual Title
Description
Hardware User Guide Descriptions of FPGA and CPLD demonstration boards, connecting and using the XChecker Download Cable and Parallel Cable III
JTAG Programmer Guide Using the JTAG Programmer GUI, how to download, readback, verify CPLD design data using download cables
Hardware Debugger Reference/User Guide Using the Hardware Debugger GUI, how to download, readback, and verify FPGA devices using Xilinx cables

Xilinx GUI Tools Manuals

Manual Title
Description
Design Manager/Flow Engine Reference/User Guide Using the Design Manager and Flow Engine GUIs, interaction with other Xilinx design implementation GUIs
Constraints Editor User Guide Using the Constraints Editor GUI, creating new constraints for implementation (Beta version document)
EPIC Design Editor Reference/User Guide Using the EPIC GUI, modifying placement and routing, constraints, and verifying timing
Floorplanner Reference/User Guide Using the Floorplanner GUI, placing logical design symbols into target FPGA
Timing Analyzer Reference/User Guide Using the Timing Analyzer GUI, static analysis of mapped design, placing and routing your design
PROM File Formatter Reference/User Guide Using the PROM File Formatter GUI, formatting bitstream files into HEX, and programming a PROM device
LogiBLOX Reference/User Guide Using the LogiBLOX GUI interface to enter and implement designs with library of modules
JTAG Programmer Guide Using the JTAG Programmer GUI, how to download, readback, verify CPLD design data using download cables

EDA Interface Guides

Manual Title
Description
Cadence Interface/Tutorial Guide Setting up the interface environment, tutorial, converting Verilog output files, and design tips for Cadence users
Mentor Graphics Interface/Tutorial Guide Setting up the interface environment, tutorial, design tips for Mentor users
Viewlogic Interface/Tutorial Guide Setting up the interface enviroment, tutorial, translating schematic FPGA and CPLD designs to implemented design and simulation files
Synopsys (XSI) Interface/Tutorial Guide Setting up the interface environment, tutorial, synthesis and simulation of designs


More Information

Go to http://support.xilinx.com for software updates, tutorials, application notes, the Xilinx Data Book, and Expert Journals.
Use the Answers Search to look through other Xilinx technical documentation.
Order the printed Libraries Guide.
Learn more about Xilinx Software Solutions.