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Getting Started with the HS Development Kit

Qiang Gu edited this page Jan 10, 2018 · 8 revisions

Supported Hardware

The ARC HS Development Kit (HSDK) features an SoC from Synopsys featuring a quad-core ARC HS Processor (HS38x4) and integrated support for a rich set of peripherals including Ethernet, WiFi, Bluetooth, USB, I2C, SPI and UART. It is supported with tools and software necessary for Linux, RTOS and bare-metal applications development. Linux distributions can be built for the platform using standard build systems (buildroot, Yocto/OE, OpenWrt) while RTOS & bare metal applications can be developed using the embARC Open Software Platform (OSP). I/O functionality can be extended using Digilent® Peripheral Modules (Pmods™), as well as Arduino Shields and mikrobus modules.

Supported Peripheral Modules

The embARC OSP software includes drivers for the following Pmods for use with the embARC examples.

PMOD Module Image Description
PmodWiFi Digilent® PmodWiFi - 802.11g WiFi Interface
Adds IEEE 802.11G Wi-Fi communication support for embedded applications.
PmodRF2 Digilent PmodRF2 - IEEE 802.15.4 RF Transceiver
Adds RF support for applications at data rates of 250kbps (IEEE 802.15) or 625 kbps (Turbo mode).
Temperature-Sensor Pmod PmodTMP - Thermometer/thermostat
Provides temperature measurements and standalone thermostat capability from -55º C to +125º C.

Note: Some Digilent distributors may still ship the older PmodWifi 802.11b module, which is not supported with embARC software (no driver provided). To receive the supported 802.11g module, be sure to order your Pmods from digilentinc.com.


Setting Up the ARC HS Development Kit

1. ARC HSDK components

The below figures show the placement of various components on HSDK. ARC HSDK components - Top

ARC HSDK components - Top

ARC HSDK components - Bottom

ARC HSDK components - Bottom

2. Connect Pmods

Connect the PmodWiFi and PmodRF2 as shown below. ARC HSDK Pmod Connections

ARC HSDK Pmod Connections

3. Configure DIP Switches

The HSDK boot switches are shown below. There are multiple configurations, such as boot mirror, boot image location, boot start mode, core selection and multi-core mode. For example, the configurations in the following picture are boot image location: 0x1 (internal ROM), boot start mode: generate cpu_start autonomously after reset, core selection: 0x0 (HS38X4_0), and multi-core mode: 0x0 (signal-core). For complete HSDK information, see the HS Development Kit User's Guide provided with the HSDK. ARC HSDK DIP Switch Settings

ARC HSDK DIP Switch Settings

4. Connect HSDK to Development Host

  1. Connect USB cable to the HSDK mini-USB connector and to the USB port on your development host. If using the Ashling Opella-XD for ARC Debug Probe or Digilent JTAG-HS2 Probe, connect it to the right connector.
  2. Connect the power supply to the board and to the power outlet.
  3. Install the Digilent Adept software from Digilent Adept 2 Website. ARC HSDK Debug Interface

ARC HSDK Debug Interface