Source File Types

ISE

Source File Types

To use and manage source files in Project Navigator, you must add the source files to the project. You can either create new source files in Project Navigator and automatically add them to the project, or you can add existing source files to the project. Following is a list of the supported source types. Some source types may not be available, depending on your design properties (top-level module type, target device, and synthesis tool).

Note For a list of all the file types generated by the ISE® software, see the "Xilinx® Development System Files" appendix in the Command Line Tools User Guide.

File Type	Extension	Description	New Source Wizard Behavior/Tool Launched
Block RAM Memory Map (BMM File)	.bmm	Used in PowerPC® and MicroBlaze™ processor designs to describe the organization of Block RAM memory. Note Only one BMM Module is allowed per project.	Opens the file in the text editor you specify in the Editors page of the Preferences dialog box. The CPU executable code is automatically inserted in the configuration file during design implementation.
ChipScope Definition and Connection (CDC File)	.cdc	Contains generic information about the trigger and data ports of the ChipScope™ core.	Adds the file to the project. Double-click the CDC file in the Hierarchy pane of the Design panel to run the implementation process and launch the ChipScope Pro Core Inserter. For details, see the ChipScope Pro Tool Debugging Overview. Note The ChipScope Pro tool must be installed for this source type to be available.
Electronic Data Interchange Format (EDIF)	.edn, .edf, .edif, .sedif	Specifies the design netlist in an industry standard file format.	N/A Must be generated by a third-party design entry tool and added to the project. Note You can only add an EDIF file as a top-level module, not as a lower-level module. If you are using hierarchical EDIF files, lower-level EDIF files are automatically processed during the implementation process.
ELF	.elf	Contains an executable CPU code image. Note Only one ELF file is allowed per project.	N/A Must be generated by the Data2MEM command line tool and added to the project.
Embedded Processor	.xmp	Embedded microprocessor project file created with Xilinx Platform Studio.	Launches the Xilinx Platform Studio in which you can define the embedded processor system portion of your design. For details, see the Embedded Development Kit Documentation.
Implementation Constraints File also known as User Constraints File (UCF)	.ucf	Contains user-specified logical constraints.	Adds the file to the project. Double-click the UCF file in the Hierarchy pane of the Design panel, or double-click a Constraints Entry process in the Processes pane to open the file. You can assign multiple UCFs to the top-level module. For details, see Constraints Entry Methods.
IP (Architecture Wizard)	.xaw	Contains predefined logic functions that configure architecture features or modules.	Launches one of the Xilinx Architecture Wizards in which you can define your IP. For details, see Working with Architecture Wizard IP.
IP (CORE Generator)	.xco	Contains predefined logic functions.	Launches one of the Xilinx IP core customization tools in which you can define your IP. For details, see Working with CORE Generator™ IP.
Memory Definition (MEM File)	.mem	Used to define the contents of memory (RAMB4 and RAMB16). Note Only one MEM file is allowed per project.	Opens the file in the text editor you specify in the Editors page of the Preferences dialog box. The CPU executable code is automatically inserted in the configuration file during design implementation.
Schematic	.sch	Contains a schematic design.	Opens the schematic file in the Project Navigator Workspace. For details, see the Schematic Overview.
System Generator module	.sgp	Contains Digital Signal Processing (DSP) system module created with System Generator for DSP.	N/A Must be added to the project.
Targeted device, package, and speed grade	N/A	Shows the targeted device, package, and speed grade.	N/A
Undefined	N/A	Contains an instantiated module that has not been added to the ISE project but is referenced by a source file in the ISE project.	N/A
User Document	Multiple file types	Contains user information that is not implemented with the project, for example, supporting documentation.	N/A Must be added to the project.
Verilog Module	.v	Contains Verilog design code.	Opens the file in the text editor you specify in the Editors page of the Preferences dialog box.
Verilog Test Fixture	.v	Defines the stimulus to the ports of an HDL file.	Prompts you to associate the file with a Verilog source module and then opens a skeleton test bench file in the text editor you specify in the Editors page of the Preferences dialog box.
VHDL Library	N/A	Contains a collection of VHDL packages.	Adds a new directory to the vhdl library directory in the Libraries panel.
VHDL Module	.vhd	Contains VHDL design code.	Opens the file in the text editor you specify in the Editors page of the Preferences dialog box.
VHDL Package	.vhd	Contains definitions, macros, sub-routines, supplemental types, subtypes, constants, functions, and other files.	Opens the file in the text editor you specify in the Editors page of the Preferences dialog box.
VHDL Test Bench	.vhd	Defines the stimulus to the ports of an HDL file.	Prompts you to associate the file with a VHDL source and then opens a skeleton test bench file in the text editor you specify in the Editors page of the Preferences dialog box.