ISE
Managing the Configuration Project
The Manage the Configuration Project process opens iMPACT, the tool that allows you to perform device configuration and configuration device file generation. iMPACT uses the output from the Generate Programming File process, a BIT, JEDEC, or ISC file, to configure your target device or to create the following types of programming files: System ACE™ CF, PROM, SVF, SXVF, and STAPL files.
iMPACT is used in the ISE® flow to do the following:
  •  Specify the settings under which a target device (FPGA, CPLD, PROM, Flash, or System ACE CF device) is configured or programmed. These settings are used when you run the Configure Target Device process.
  •  Set or change the target device to configure or program when you run the Configure Target Device process.
  •  Specify the settings under which a PROM or ACE file is generated. These settings are used when you run the Generate Target PROM/ACE File process for an FPGA device. To configure a target FPGA device, the PROM or ACE files are programmed into an external memory source, such as a PROM, Flash, or System ACE CF or external processor solution.
  •  Generate and execute Boundary Scan (JTAG) vector files (SVF, XSVF, or STAPL) using the Boundary Scan Flow option after running the Configure Target Device process.
  •  Readback and verify design configuration and programming data after running the Configure Target Device process.
  •  Debug configuration or programming problems. iMPACT allows you to perform many debugging operations using Boundary Scan (JTAG), such as IDCODE verification, status register read, and Debug mode, which allows you to manually step through the Boundary Scan state machine for troubleshooting.
When you are finished working in iMPACT, preferences and settings from the session are saved in an iMPACT configuration (.ipf) file. These settings can then be used when you run the Configure Target Device and the Generate Target PROM/ACE File processes.
Note For more information about using iMPACT, see the iMPACT Help. In the Help Viewer, click the Synchronize TOC button Image to view all related Help topics.
To Manage a Configuration Project
  1.  In the Design panel, select Implementation from the Design View drop-down list. Image
  2.  In the Hierarchy pane, select the top module Image.
  3.  In the Processes pane, expand Configure Target Device.
  4.  Optional.  Right-click the Manage Configuration Project (iMPACT) process, and select Process Properties. In the Mange Configuration Project (iMPACT) Properties dialog box, specify an iMPACT project file (IPF) for the iMPACT Project File property.
  5.  Double-click the Manage Configuration Project (iMPACT) process.
  6.  In iMPACT, do the following:
    1.  Perform your configuration project management operations.
    2.  To set the target device, right-click a device and select Set Target Device.
    3.  Save the project as an iMPACT project file.
      Note The default project file name is <ISE_project_name>.ipf.
After running this process, you can perform either of the following:
  •  Run the Configure Target Device process. Image
  •  Run the Generate Target PROM/ACE File process. Image
See Also
Configuring or Programming a Target Device
Generating a Target PROM or ACE File
Generating an SVF, XSVF, or STAPL File

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