Easiest way to transfer data between FPGA and computer

[spman]

Hi friends

I have a design containing DDR3 module on ML605 board. I want to initialize DDR3 and after processing its data with FPGA, return it back to the computer.
What is the easiest way to perform it? PCI-Express, USB, Ethernet or any other? I haven't worked with any of these protocols and also I have not enough time !

Thanks in advance

 

[TrickyDicky]

You havent enough time for what? none of those cores are simple. Afaik, Altera and Xilinx provide cores for all 3, but they take some understanding. They're not something you could connect in a week.

 

[spman]

So which one is the easiest?

 

[TrickyDicky]

I suggest you get hold of the documentation. I have only used PCIe in Avalon streaming mode. It wasnt too bad for my application but you have to ensure you handle all of the packet types. If you use a memory mapped interface all of the packet handling should be done for you by the IP.

 

[rberek]

On the ML605 board, the easiest interface to use is the USB-UART bridge. On the FPGA, you would have to write a standard RS232 serial interface, and the Cypress USB-UART chip takes care of the complicated USB stuff.

On the PC, you can receive the data with Hyperterminal, MATLAB or write your own Windows program.

The interface is a bit slow (under a megabit per second) but you could easily implement it in a week ot two if you are decent at HDLs , faster if you already had the UART block and the PC-side software ready to go.

r.b.

 

[barry]

I agree with rberek; unless you are developing a product where cost is a factor, and speed is not an issue, implementing an RS-232 interface to a converter is many,many orders of magnitude easier than trying to get USB or Ethernet or PCI-e working.

 

[yourcheers]

I agree with rberek; unless you are developing a product where cost is a factor, and speed is not an issue, implementing an RS-232 interface to a converter is many,many orders of magnitude easier than trying to get USB or Ethernet or PCI-e working.

If you are using Xilinx FPGA, Try using TEMAC. when you generate a core, you will get example design along with that. Only thing you need to do is to implement a glue logic to read from the DDR and write it to FIFO in ethernet core.
By using simple socket application you can capture data in your computer. I doesn't take more than a week, if you know how to tweak the existing things.

 

[barry]

I doesn't take more than a week, if you know how to tweak the existing things.

That's a mighty big "if".