HiSPARC firmware

This repository contains the VHDL source code of the firmware for the FPGA in the HiSPARC electronics.

Because of different versions of the electronics there are 3 branches that contain the latest firmware version for each version of the electronics:

• HiSPARC III (master), firmware needs to be loaded each time the power is cycled.
• HiSPARC II (hisparc_ii), firmware is loaded using a USB blaster on an internal port.
• HiSPARC II LED (hisparc_ii_led), special version that sends additional signals from the PMT Control to flash extra LEDs.

Graphical HDL Design

The hisparc.ews file (seen by git as a directory) can be worked on with EASE. This program produces output that can be used to make the firmware.

Fitting

To make the final firmware file the Quartus II software can be used.

The files in the synthesis directory are also input for the fitting, they contain information about what is connected to which pin of the FPGA.