(Newbie) Xilinx JTAG - Ebay Clone

[alin_im]

Hey guys,

I want to purchase a Xilinx JTAG Clone from ebay for a Spartan 3E.

My question is can I use this JTAG to program/test other FPGA brands as well (Altera Cyclone 2 for example) ? I know that JTAG is a standard like SPI or I2C and I was thinking that maybe the brand does not matter.

Kind regards,
Alin I.

Link:  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Xilinx-Platform-USB-Download-Cable-Jtag-Program-FPGA-CPLD-C-Mod-XC2C64A-M102-MO/152202904107?_trksid=p5411.c100167.m2940&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140131123730%26meid%3Dddb50a7b843e4b858ee0c8d6014ea60f%26pid%3D100167%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D3%26mehot%3Dag%26sd%3D201540354531

[rstofer]

On the JTAG end, it will probably work.  The piece that's unknown is whether there is a driver that will talk to the programmer and whether that driver is known to the development toolchain.

I buy my Xilinx related cables from Digilent Inc and, if the toolchain doesn't understand the programmer, I use Digilent's Adept software for programming.  I let ISE generate the bitfile and Adept handles the transfer.

[alin_im]

So you are saying that the hardware is compatible, but other FPGA manufacturers' software will not recognize the device because it is not supported.

I would be ok to program just Xlinx, but I was intending to do boundary scan testing for other platforms as well. Do I need to switch between modes in software ?

I don't want to spend a lot of money on a branded product because I don't know if I will be using it so extensively to worth the investment.

(PS: I know maybe those are stupid questions, but I never used an external JTAG)

[alin_im]

Is this a better alternative ?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-High-Speed-J-Link-JLink-V8-USB-ARM-JTAG-Emulator-Debugger-J-Link-V8-Emulator-/292091100180?hash=item4401fc7c14:g:lcYAAOSw5UZY-HKv

Is is just for ARM MCUs or it can be used with FPGAs as well?

[stj]

j-link is only for arm mcu's
the xilinx j-tag *probably* wont do anything else.

more interestingly, the clone altera usb byteblaster interfaces that *should* only do altera parts may actually be more flexable.
take a look here:
http://urjtag.sourceforge.net/
http://openocd.org/

[nctnico]

I want to purchase a Xilinx JTAG Clone from ebay for a Spartan 3E.

My question is can I use this JTAG to program/test other FPGA brands as well (Altera Cyclone 2 for example) ? I know that JTAG is a standard like SPI or I2C and I was thinking that maybe the brand does not matter.

You can use the JTAG interface from the Ebay link for Xilinx FPGAs just fine. No need to spend more.
However, don't make the mistake thinking JTAG is some kind of standard. JTAG is less standard than SPI or I2C because every manufacturer uses it differently so you'll need a different programmer for every manufacturer.

[ebclr]

Unfortunately, you can't use only one Jtag for a universal purpose, without a real mess, the implementation/drivers / connectors, aren't the same.  It's recommended to have several different jtags, like USB blaster for Altera, Xilinix jtag for Xilinix, and so soon, on arm wolrd is easier to have a universal jtag like jlink, but this does not apply to fpga world ( on theory is possible).

If you value your time, buy a programmer for each FPGA brand,  this will help to write directly from the vendor tool, with the correct connector and driver. 

[abyrvalg]

There are "altera xilinx lattice 3 in 1" cables on ebay/ali - you push a button and it switches.

Yes, JTAG wire/bit level is a standard like SPI or I2C or RS232, there is just no standard software API for it. Same for SPI/I2C - there are no common use SPI/I2C cables.

[ebclr]

Sounds interesting




http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-1-5-5-5V-USB2-0-XILINX-ALTERA-LATTICE-3IN1-Download-Cable-CPLD-FPGA-/131835251727?_trksid=p2349526.m2548.l4275

[coromonadalix]

I use this adapter, very practical,  flip the switch before connecting the usb ...  I use mostly with Xilinx stuff, it updated fine ... had it for 50$ usd