Keywords: XST, Synplfiy, Leonardo, Precision, Synopsys
How can I use a third-party synthesis tool with XPS?
Using a third-party synthesis tool with XPS is not supported. The following are guidelines to help you use a third-party synthesis tool for your custom pcores if necessary:
Solution 1
Pre-compile your non-Xilinx cores outside EDK. Mark them as "black box" in the MPD file using OPTION STYLE = BLACKBOX. Specify the name of the EDIF netlist in the BBD file of the core. If your core includes parameters that you want to vary, you can compile a netlist for each possible parameter combination and put them in the netlist directory of the pcore. You also must specify each such pre-compiled netlist in the BBD file along with the parameter values used to compile them. EDK recognizes the correct netlist based on the parameter values chosen.
Solution 2
Instruct EDK not to synthesize your core by marking the MPD of the pcore with OPTION IMP_NETLIST = FALSE. When EDK compiles its cores, it will skip any user-compiled cores. You must use the customer makefile flow in XPS (see Project Options to specify your own makefile). In your custom makefile, you can either add a command to synthesize user pcores using Synplify, or, if you have already synthesized them elsewhere, you can copy them from the Synplify project directory into the XPS implementation directory.
NOTE: Syntax for the MPD and BBD files is located in the Platform Specification Format Reference Manual found in "$XILINX_EDK/doc/usenglish".