Issues programming TinyFPGA AX2

[burko]

I have been trying to program a TinyFPGA AX2 (Lattice MachX02) using an ebay version of the Lattice HW-USBN-2A programmer (the tinyFPGA programmer seems to be out of stock everywhere).

Using the lattice diamond programmer software it appears to try and do a JTAG scan but will just sit there forever and do nothing (yes i installed the drivers for the device).

I downloaded an older version of the Lattice ispVM software and seem to get a little further as it will complete a JTAG scan and show there is a device. However, when i go to program a file it does nothing for a few seconds then comes back with: Failed to Load LSC Windows USB driver. I have tried reinstalling the driver and running ispVM as admin but still no luck.

Any ideas as to what is wrong?

[miken]

My memory is a little hazy but I think we had some odd problems with Diamond. Try a computer with a different Windows version if you have one around.

[burko]

Thanks for replying. I didn't have another computer with an older version but i did have a VM that was running Windows 7 so i gave that a try. It still wouldn't work on Lattice Diamond but would work on Lattice ispVM, although painfully slow.

I ended up getting a Adafruit FT232H module that is recognized as a HW-USBN-2B (FTDI) without any firmware changes. It still didn't work on Lattice Diamond but would work fine on Lattice ispVM on Windows 10. I would recommend this approach to anyone wanting a cheap programmer and avoid the HW-USBN-2A clones. Connections for the Adafruit module are:

Adafruit Module | FPGA
D0                      TCK
D1                      TDI
D2                      TDO
D3                      TMS

[SiliconWizard]

I don't know really. Never had any problem programming MachXO2 devices with Diamond on Windows 7.

[Bassman59]

I don't know really. Never had any problem programming MachXO2 devices with Diamond on Windows 7.

Same here -- in fact I run Win7 in a VMWare VM on macOS.

[SiliconWizard]

I don't know really. Never had any problem programming MachXO2 devices with Diamond on Windows 7.

Same here -- in fact I run Win7 in a VMWare VM on macOS.

But from what can be read here, it looks more like an issue with dodgy programming adapters than a problem with Diamond, Windows 7 or the TinyFPGA board anyway.