iMPACT

iMPACT allows designers to easily perform device configuration and programming either as a batch operation or through a convenient graphical user interface

iMPACT is a full featured software tool used for configuration and programming of all Xilinx PLDs (FPGAs and CPLDs) and PROMs. This technology is incorporated into ISE™ design tools (both Foundation™ and WebPACK™ software).

iMPACT features a series of design wizards that easily guide the user through each step of the configuration process.

With iMPACT, users:

• Can quickly shift among the various programming modes.
• Receive instant visual feedback on all operations and testing.
• Have support for a host of output file types including STAPL and SVF.

Key Features

• iMPACT configuration software enables users to easily configure all Xilinx FPGAs using three different modes:
  • Xilinx Slave Serial (Single Bit Serial) - Two-line implementation with performance up to 66 Mbits.
  • Xilinx SelectMAP (8-bit parallel) - Fast mode (500 Mbits per second in system design performance) requiring eight data lines and several control lines to implement.
  • JTAG (IEEE 1149.1) mode (also known as Boundary Scan mode) -- Requires the traditional four wire interface, the same interface used for point-to-point testing and diagnostics by various standard third party tools.
• iMPACT supports three different cables:
• MultiPRO Desktop Tool
• Parallel Cable IV
• Platform Cable USB

Boundary Scan Functionality

iMPACT features a special function in the JTAG mode to test both the operation of the cable and the robustness of the JTAG chain. The user can test chain operation by instructing iMPACT to write to and read back from the user code location multiple thousands of times. It then counts the number of errors that occur in this operation. This gives the user the opportunity to evaluate the relative robustness of the JTAG chain and the susceptibility to noise and other influences like board layout.