Move FAQ, Wiki stuff to docs/
Signed-off-by: Clifford Wolf <clifford@clifford.at>
This commit is contained in:
parent
6f9bc1e92b
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141
README.md
141
README.md
@ -4,13 +4,6 @@ nextpnr -- a portable FPGA place and route tool
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nextpnr aims to be a vendor neutral, timing driven, FOSS FPGA place and route
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tool.
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nextpnr was [started by SymbioticEDA](https://www.symbioticeda.com/) as an
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experimental replacement for the existing Arachne-PNR base toolchain (hence the
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name *next*pnr). Focusing on supporting timing driven place and route for
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multiple FPGA architectures from the ground up, the experiment has proven
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successful and we believe nextpnr is on its way to being a suitable
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replacement for all users of Arachne-PNR.
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Currently nextpnr supports;
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* Lattice iCE40 devices supported by [Project IceStorm](http://www.clifford.at/icestorm/),
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* *(experimental)* Lattice ECP5 devices supported by [Project Trellis](https://github.com/SymbiFlow/prjtrellis),
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@ -22,11 +15,14 @@ FPGAs supported in the future. We would love your help in developing this
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awesome new project.
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Here is a screenshot of nextpnr for iCE40. Build instructions and
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[getting started notes](#getting-started) and an [FAQ](#FAQ) can be found
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below.
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[getting started notes](#getting-started) can be found below.
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<img src="https://i.imgur.com/0spmlBa.png" width="640"/>
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See also:
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- [F.A.Q.](docs/faq.md)
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- [Architecture API](docs/archapi.md)
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Prerequisites
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-------------
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@ -150,133 +146,6 @@ Testing
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- `-DSANITIZE_UNDEFINED=ON`
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- Running valgrind example `valgrind --leak-check=yes --tool=memcheck ./nextpnr-ice40 --json ice40/blinky.json`
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FAQ
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---
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### Which tool chain should I use and why?
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* If you wish to do new **research** into FPGA architectures, place and route
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algorithms or other similar topics, we suggest you look at using
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[Verilog to Routing](https://verilogtorouting.org).
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* If you are developing FPGA code in **Verilog** for a **Lattice iCE40** and
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need an open source toolchain, we suggest you use nextpnr.
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* If you are developing FPGA code in **Verilog** for a **Lattice iCE40** with
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the **existing Arachne-PNR toolchain**, we suggest you start thinking about
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migrating to nextpnr.
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* If you are developing Verilog FPGA code targeted at the Lattice ECP5 and
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need an open source toolchain, you may consider the **extremely
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experimental** ECP5 support in nextpnr.
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* If you are developing FPGA code in **VHDL** you will need to use either a
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version of [Yosys with Verific support]() or the vendor provided tools due
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to the lack of open source VHDL support in Yosys.
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### Why didn't you just improve [Arachne-PNR](https://github.com/cseed/arachne-pnr)?
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[Arachne-PNR](https://github.com/cseed/arachne-pnr) was originally developed as
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part of [Project IceStorm](http://www.clifford.at/icestorm/) to demonstrate it
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was possible to create an open source place and route tool for the iCE40 FPGAs
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that actually produced valid bitstreams.
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For it's original purpose it has served the community extremely well. However,
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it was never designed to support multiple different FPGA devices, nor more
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complicated timing driven routing used by most commercial place and route
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tools.
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It felt like extending Arachne-PNR was not going to be the best path forward, so
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[SymbioticEDA](https://www.symbioticeda.com/) decided to invest in an
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experiment around creating a replacement. nextpnr is the result of that
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experiment and we believe well on it's way to being a direct replacement for
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Arachne-PNR (and hence why it is called *next*pnr).
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### Arachne-PNR does X better!
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If you have a use case which prevents you from switching to nextpnr from
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Arachne, we want to hear about it! Please create an issue following the
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[Arachne-PNR regression template]() and we will do our best to solve the problem!
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We want nextpnr to be a suitable replacement for anyone who is currently a user
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of Arachne.
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### Why are you not just contributing to [Verilog to Routing](https://verilogtorouting.org)?
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We believe that [Verilog to Routing](https://verilogtorouting.org) is a great
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tool and many of the nextpnr developers have made (and continue to make)
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contributions to the project.
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VtR is an extremely flexible tool but focuses on research around FPGA
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architecture and algorithm development. If your goal is research, then we very
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much encourage you to look into VtR further!
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nextpnr takes a different approach by focusing on users developing FPGA code
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for current FPGAs.
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We also believe that support for real architectures will enable interesting new
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research. nextpnr (like all place and route systems). depends heavily on
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research groups like the VtR developers to investigate and push forward FPGA
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algorithms in new and exciting ways.
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#### What is VPR?
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VPR is the "place and route" tool from Verilog To Routing. It has a similar
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role in an FPGA development flow as nextpnr.
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### What about [SymbiFlow](http://symbiflow.github.io)?
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We expect that as nextpnr matures, it will become a key part of the
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[SymbiFlow](http://github.com/SymbiFlow). For now, while still in a more
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experimental state SymbioticEDA will continue to host the project.
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For the moment SymbiFlow is continuing to concentrate on extending Verilog to
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Routing tool to work with real world architectures.
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### Who is working on this project?
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nextpnr was
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[started as an experiment by SymbioticEDA](https://www.symbioticeda.com/) but
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hopes to grow beyond being both just an experiment and developed by a single
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company. Like Linux grew from Linus Torvalds experiment in creating his own
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operating system to something contributed too by many different companies, are
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hope is the same will happen here.
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The project has already accepted a number of contributions from people not
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employed by SymbioticEDA and now with the public release encourages the
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community to contribute too.
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### What is [Project Trellis](https://github.com/SymbiFlow/prjtrellis)?
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[Project Trellis](https://github.com/SymbiFlow/prjtrellis) is the effort to
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document the bitstream format for the Lattice ECP5 series of FPGAs. It also
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includes tooling around bitstream creation.
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Project Trellis is used by nextpnr to enable support for creation of bitstreams
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for these parts.
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### What is [Project X-Ray](https://github.com/SymbiFlow/prjxray)?
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[Project X-Ray](https://github.com/SymbiFlow/prjxray) is the effort to document
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the bitstream format for the Xilinx Series 7 series of FPGAs. It also includes
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tooling around bitstream generation for these parts.
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While nextpnr currently does **not** support these Xilinx parts, we expect it
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will soon by using Project X Ray in a similar manner to Project Trellis.
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### What is [Project IceStorm](http://www.clifford.at/icestorm/)?
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[Project IceStorm](http://www.clifford.at/icestorm/) was both a project to
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document the bitstream for the Lattice iCE40 series of parts **and** a full
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flow including Yosys and Arachne-PNR for converting Verilog into a bitstream for
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these parts.
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As the open source community now has support for multiple different FPGA parts,
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in the nextpnr documentation we generally use Project IceStorm to mean the
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tools that fulfil the same role as Project Trellis or Project X-Ray.
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Links and references
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--------------------
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docs/archapi.md
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282
docs/archapi.md
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@ -0,0 +1,282 @@
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Each architecture must implement the following types and APIs.
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The syntax `const_range<T>` is used to denote anything that has a `begin()` and `end()` method that return const forward iterators. This can be a `std::list<T>`, `std::vector<T>`, a (const) reference to those, or anything else that behaves in a similar way.
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archdefs.h
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==========
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The architecture-specific `archdefs.h` must define the following types.
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With the exception of `ArchNetInfo` and `ArchCellInfo`, the following types should be "lightweight" enough so that passing them by value is sensible.
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### delay_t
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A scalar type that is used to represent delays. May be an integer or float type.
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### DelayInfo
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A struct representing the delay across a timing arc. Must provide a `+` operator for getting the combined delay of two arcs, and the following methods to access concrete timings:
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```
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delay_t minRaiseDelay() const { return delay; }
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delay_t maxRaiseDelay() const { return delay; }
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delay_t minFallDelay() const { return delay; }
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delay_t maxFallDelay() const { return delay; }
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delay_t minDelay() const { return delay; }
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delay_t maxDelay() const { return delay; }
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```
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### BelType
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A type representing a bel type name. `BelType()` must construct a unique null-value. Must provide `==` and `!=` operators and a specialization for `std::hash<BelType>`.
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### PortPin
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A type representing a port or pin name. `PortPin()` must construct a unique null-value. Must provide `==` and `!=` operators and a specialization for `std::hash<PortPin>`.
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### BelId
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A type representing a bel name. `BelId()` must construct a unique null-value. Must provide `==` and `!=` operators and a specialization for `std::hash<BelId>`.
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### WireId
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A type representing a wire name. `WireId()` must construct a unique null-value. Must provide `==` and `!=` operators and a specialization for `std::hash<WireId>`.
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### PipId
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A type representing a pip name. `PipId()` must construct a unique null-value. Must provide `==` and `!=` operators and a specialization for `std::hash<PipId>`.
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### GroupId
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A type representing a group name. `GroupId()` must construct a unique null-value. Must provide `==` and `!=` operators and a specialization for `std::hash<GroupId>`.
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### DecalId
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A type representing a reference to a graphical decal. `DecalId()` must construct a unique null-value. Must provide `==` and `!=` operators and a specialization for `std::hash<DecalId>`.
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### ArchNetInfo
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The global `NetInfo` type derives from this one. Can be used to add arch-specific data (caches of information derived from wire attributes, bound wires and pips, and other net state). Must be declared as empty struct if unused.
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### ArchCellInfo
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The global `CellInfo` type derives from this one. Can be used to add arch-specific data (caches of information derived from cell attributes and parameters, bound bel, and other cell state). Must be declared as empty struct if unused.
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arch.h
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======
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Each architecture must provide their own implementation of the `Arch` struct in `arch.h`. `Arch` must derive from `BaseCtx` and must provide the following methods:
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General Methods
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---------------
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### Arch(ArchArgs args)
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Constructor. ArchArgs is a architecture-specific type (usually a struct also defined in `arch.h`).
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### std::string getChipName() const
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Return a string representation of the ArchArgs that was used to construct this object.
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### IdString belTypeToId(BelType type) const
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Convert a `BelType` to an `IdString`.
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### IdString portPinToId(PortPin type) const
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Convert a `PortPin` to an `IdString`.
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### BelType belTypeFromId(IdString id) const
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Convert `IdString` to `BelType`.
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### PortPin portPinFromId(IdString id) const
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Convert `IdString` to `PortPin`.
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### int getGridDimX() const
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Get grid X dimension. All bels must have Y coordinates in the range `0 .. getGridDimX()-1` (inclusive).
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### int getGridDimY() const
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Get grid Y dimension. All bels must have Y coordinates in the range `0 .. getGridDimY()-1` (inclusive).
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### int getTileDimZ(int x, int y) const
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Get Z dimension for the specified tile. All bels with the specified X and Y coordinates must have a Z coordinate in the range `0 .. getTileDimZ(X,Y)-1` (inclusive).
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Bel Methods
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-----------
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### BelId getBelByName(IdString name) const
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Lookup a bel by its name.
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### IdString getBelName(BelId bel) const
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Get the name for a bel. (Bel names must be unique.)
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### Loc getBelLocation(BelId bel) const
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Get the X/Y/Z location of a given bel.
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### BelId getBelByLocation(Loc loc) const
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Lookup a bel by its X/Y/Z location.
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### const_range\<BelId\> getBelsByTile(int x, int y) const
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Return a list of all bels at the give X/Y location.
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### bool getBelGlobalBuf(BelId bel) const
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Returns true if the given bel is a global buffer. A global buffer does not "pull in" other cells it drives to be close to the location of the global buffer.
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### uint32_t getBelChecksum(BelId bel) const
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Return a checksum for the state of a bel. (Used to calculate the design checksum.)
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### void bindBel(BelId bel, IdString cell, PlaceStrength strength)
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Bind a given bel to a given cell with the given strength.
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### void unbindBel(BelId bel)
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Unbind a bel.
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### bool checkBelAvail(BelId bel) const
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Returns true if the bel is available. A bel can be unavailable because it is bound, or because it is exclusive to some other resource that is bound.
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### IdString getBoundBelCell(BelId bel) const
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Return the cell the given bel is bound to, or `IdString()` if the bel is not bound.
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### IdString getConflictingBelCell(BelId bel) const
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If the bel is unavailable, and unbinding a single cell would make it available, then this method must return the name of that cell.
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### const_range\<BelId\> getBels() const
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Return a list of all bels on the device.
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### BelType getBelType(BelId bel) const
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Return the type of a given bel.
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### WireId getBelPinWire(BelId bel, PortPin pin) const
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Return the wire connected to the given bel pin.
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### PortType getBelPinType(BelId bel, PortPin pin) const
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Return the type (input/output/inout) of the given bel pin.
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### const_range\<PortPin\> getBelPins(BelId bel) const
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Return a list of all pins on that bel.
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Wire Methods
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------------
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```
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WireId getWireByName(IdString name) const
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IdString getWireName(WireId wire) const
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IdString getWireType(WireId wire) const
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uint32_t getWireChecksum(WireId wire) const
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void bindWire(WireId wire, IdString net, PlaceStrength strength)
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void unbindWire(WireId wire)
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bool checkWireAvail(WireId wire) const
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IdString getBoundWireNet(WireId wire) const
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IdString getConflictingWireNet(WireId wire) const
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DelayInfo getWireDelay(WireId wire) const
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const_range<WireId> getWires() const
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const_range<BelPin> getWireBelPins(WireId wire) const
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```
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Pip Methods
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-----------
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```
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PipId getPipByName(IdString name) const
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IdString getPipName(PipId pip) const
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IdString getPipType(PipId pip) const
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uint32_t getPipChecksum(PipId pip) const
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void bindPip(PipId pip, IdString net, PlaceStrength strength)
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void unbindPip(PipId pip)
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bool checkPipAvail(PipId pip) const
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IdString getBoundPipNet(PipId pip) const
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IdString getConflictingPipNet(PipId pip) const
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const_range<PipId> getPips() const
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WireId getPipSrcWire(PipId pip) const
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WireId getPipDstWire(PipId pip) const
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DelayInfo getPipDelay(PipId pip) const
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const_range<PipId> getPipsDownhill(WireId wire) const
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const_range<PipId> getPipsUphill(WireId wire) const
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const_range<PipId> getWireAliases(WireId wire) const
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```
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Group Methods
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-------------
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```
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GroupId getGroupByName(IdString name) const
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IdString getGroupName(GroupId group) const
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const_range<GroupId> getGroups() const
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const_range<BelId> getGroupBels(GroupId group) const
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const_range<WireId> getGroupWires(GroupId group) const
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const_range<PipId> getGroupPips(GroupId group) const
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const_range<GroupId> getGroupGroups(GroupId group) const
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```
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Delay Methods
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-------------
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```
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delay_t estimateDelay(WireId src, WireId dst) const
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delay_t getDelayEpsilon() const
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delay_t getRipupDelayPenalty() const
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float getDelayNS(delay_t v) const
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uint32_t getDelayChecksum(delay_t v) const
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```
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Flow Methods
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------------
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```
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bool pack()
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bool place()
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bool route()
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```
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Graphics Methods
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----------------
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```
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const_range<GraphicElement> getDecalGraphics(DecalId decal) const
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DecalXY getFrameDecal() const
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DecalXY getBelDecal(BelId bel) const
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DecalXY getWireDecal(WireId wire) const
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DecalXY getPipDecal(PipId pip) const
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DecalXY getGroupDecal(GroupId group) const
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```
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Cell Delay Methods
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------------------
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```
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bool getCellDelay(const CellInfo *cell, IdString fromPort, IdString toPort, DelayInfo &delay) const
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IdString getPortClock(const CellInfo *cell, IdString port) const
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bool isClockPort(const CellInfo *cell, IdString port) const
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```
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Placer Methods
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--------------
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```
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bool isValidBelForCell(CellInfo *cell, BelId bel) const
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bool isBelLocationValid(BelId bel) const
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```
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128
docs/faq.md
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128
docs/faq.md
Normal file
@ -0,0 +1,128 @@
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FAQ
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===
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Nextpnr and other tools
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||||
-----------------------
|
||||
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### Which tool chain should I use and why?
|
||||
|
||||
* If you wish to do new **research** into FPGA architectures, place and route
|
||||
algorithms or other similar topics, we suggest you look at using
|
||||
[Verilog to Routing](https://verilogtorouting.org).
|
||||
|
||||
* If you are developing FPGA code in **Verilog** for a **Lattice iCE40** and
|
||||
need an open source toolchain, we suggest you use nextpnr.
|
||||
|
||||
* If you are developing FPGA code in **Verilog** for a **Lattice iCE40** with
|
||||
the **existing Arachne-PNR toolchain**, we suggest you start thinking about
|
||||
migrating to nextpnr.
|
||||
|
||||
* If you are developing Verilog FPGA code targeted at the Lattice ECP5 and
|
||||
need an open source toolchain, you may consider the **extremely
|
||||
experimental** ECP5 support in nextpnr.
|
||||
|
||||
* If you are developing FPGA code in **VHDL** you will need to use either a
|
||||
version of [Yosys with Verific support]() or the vendor provided tools due
|
||||
to the lack of open source VHDL support in Yosys.
|
||||
|
||||
### Why didn't you just improve [Arachne-PNR](https://github.com/cseed/arachne-pnr)?
|
||||
|
||||
[Arachne-PNR](https://github.com/cseed/arachne-pnr) was originally developed as
|
||||
part of [Project IceStorm](http://www.clifford.at/icestorm/) to demonstrate it
|
||||
was possible to create an open source place and route tool for the iCE40 FPGAs
|
||||
that actually produced valid bitstreams.
|
||||
|
||||
For it's original purpose it has served the community extremely well. However,
|
||||
it was never designed to support multiple different FPGA devices, nor more
|
||||
complicated timing driven routing used by most commercial place and route
|
||||
tools.
|
||||
|
||||
It felt like extending Arachne-PNR was not going to be the best path forward, so
|
||||
[SymbioticEDA](https://www.symbioticeda.com/) decided to invest in an
|
||||
experiment around creating a replacement. nextpnr is the result of that
|
||||
experiment and we believe well on it's way to being a direct replacement for
|
||||
Arachne-PNR (and hence why it is called *next*pnr).
|
||||
|
||||
### Arachne-PNR does X better!
|
||||
|
||||
If you have a use case which prevents you from switching to nextpnr from
|
||||
Arachne, we want to hear about it! Please create an issue following the
|
||||
[Arachne-PNR regression template]() and we will do our best to solve the problem!
|
||||
|
||||
We want nextpnr to be a suitable replacement for anyone who is currently a user
|
||||
of Arachne.
|
||||
|
||||
### Why are you not just contributing to [Verilog to Routing](https://verilogtorouting.org)?
|
||||
|
||||
We believe that [Verilog to Routing](https://verilogtorouting.org) is a great
|
||||
tool and many of the nextpnr developers have made (and continue to make)
|
||||
contributions to the project.
|
||||
|
||||
VtR is an extremely flexible tool but focuses on research around FPGA
|
||||
architecture and algorithm development. If your goal is research, then we very
|
||||
much encourage you to look into VtR further!
|
||||
|
||||
nextpnr takes a different approach by focusing on users developing FPGA code
|
||||
for current FPGAs.
|
||||
|
||||
We also believe that support for real architectures will enable interesting new
|
||||
research. nextpnr (like all place and route systems). depends heavily on
|
||||
research groups like the VtR developers to investigate and push forward FPGA
|
||||
algorithms in new and exciting ways.
|
||||
|
||||
#### What is VPR?
|
||||
|
||||
VPR is the "place and route" tool from Verilog To Routing. It has a similar
|
||||
role in an FPGA development flow as nextpnr.
|
||||
|
||||
### What about [SymbiFlow](http://symbiflow.github.io)?
|
||||
|
||||
We expect that as nextpnr matures, it will become a key part of the
|
||||
[SymbiFlow](http://github.com/SymbiFlow). For now, while still in a more
|
||||
experimental state SymbioticEDA will continue to host the project.
|
||||
|
||||
For the moment SymbiFlow is continuing to concentrate on extending Verilog to
|
||||
Routing tool to work with real world architectures.
|
||||
|
||||
### Who is working on this project?
|
||||
|
||||
nextpnr was
|
||||
[started as an experiment by SymbioticEDA](https://www.symbioticeda.com/) but
|
||||
hopes to grow beyond being both just an experiment and developed by a single
|
||||
company. Like Linux grew from Linus Torvalds experiment in creating his own
|
||||
operating system to something contributed too by many different companies, are
|
||||
hope is the same will happen here.
|
||||
|
||||
The project has already accepted a number of contributions from people not
|
||||
employed by SymbioticEDA and now with the public release encourages the
|
||||
community to contribute too.
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
### What is [Project Trellis](https://github.com/SymbiFlow/prjtrellis)?
|
||||
|
||||
[Project Trellis](https://github.com/SymbiFlow/prjtrellis) is the effort to
|
||||
document the bitstream format for the Lattice ECP5 series of FPGAs. It also
|
||||
includes tooling around bitstream creation.
|
||||
|
||||
Project Trellis is used by nextpnr to enable support for creation of bitstreams
|
||||
for these parts.
|
||||
|
||||
### What is [Project X-Ray](https://github.com/SymbiFlow/prjxray)?
|
||||
|
||||
[Project X-Ray](https://github.com/SymbiFlow/prjxray) is the effort to document
|
||||
the bitstream format for the Xilinx Series 7 series of FPGAs. It also includes
|
||||
tooling around bitstream generation for these parts.
|
||||
|
||||
While nextpnr currently does **not** support these Xilinx parts, we expect it
|
||||
will soon by using Project X Ray in a similar manner to Project Trellis.
|
||||
|
||||
### What is [Project IceStorm](http://www.clifford.at/icestorm/)?
|
||||
|
||||
[Project IceStorm](http://www.clifford.at/icestorm/) was both a project to
|
||||
document the bitstream for the Lattice iCE40 series of parts **and** a full
|
||||
flow including Yosys and Arachne-PNR for converting Verilog into a bitstream for
|
||||
these parts.
|
||||
|
||||
As the open source community now has support for multiple different FPGA parts,
|
||||
in the nextpnr documentation we generally use Project IceStorm to mean the
|
||||
tools that fulfil the same role as Project Trellis or Project X-Ray.
|
Loading…
Reference in New Issue
Block a user