FPGA Design with Xilinx ISE 7.1 i Software for Windows 7: Features, Benefits, and Tips
Xilinx ISE 7.1 i Software: A Powerful Tool for FPGA Design
If you are looking for a free, downloadable, and easy-to-use software tool for designing, simulating, and implementing FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) systems, you might want to check out Xilinx ISE 7.1 i software. This software is a comprehensive and integrated design environment that supports a wide range of FPGA devices and platforms, including the popular Zynq-7000 SoC family. In this article, we will show you what Xilinx ISE 7.1 i software is, how to download and install it for Windows 7, and how to use it for FPGA design.
xilinx ise 7.1 i software free download for windows 7
What is Xilinx ISE 7.1 i Software?
Xilinx ISE (Integrated Synthesis Environment) is a software tool that enables you to create and optimize FPGA designs using HDL (Hardware Description Language) code, such as Verilog or VHDL. You can use Xilinx ISE to perform various tasks in the FPGA design process, such as:
Creating and managing projects
Writing and editing HDL code
Simulating and verifying the functionality of your design
Synthesizing and implementing your design on the target FPGA device
Programming and testing your FPGA device
Xilinx ISE also provides various features and benefits that make it a powerful and versatile tool for FPGA design, such as:
Features and Benefits of Xilinx ISE 7.1 i Software
It supports a large repository of IP (Intellectual Property) cores, such as MicroBlaze soft processor, that you can use to enhance your design.
It offers high-level synthesis tools, such as Vivado HLS, that allow you to generate HDL code from C, C++, or SystemC specifications.
It enables partial reconfiguration technology, which allows you to change the functionality of your FPGA device on the fly without reprogramming the whole device.
It includes ChipScope Pro Serial I/O Toolkit, which helps you to debug serial I/O channels in high-speed FPGA designs.
It integrates with Platform Studio and Software Development Kit (SDK), which help you to design embedded processing systems using Zynq SoC devices.
It includes System Generator for DSP, which is a high-level tool for designing high-performance DSP systems using FPGA devices.
It provides advanced timing analysis and optimization tools, such as SmartCompile, SmartGuide, SmartXplorer, and Power Optimization.
It supports both Windows and Linux operating systems.
Supported Devices and Platforms by Xilinx ISE 7.1 i Software
Xilinx ISE supports a wide range of FPGA devices and platforms from different families and generations, such as:
Zynq-7000 SoC family
Virtex-6 family
Spartan-6 family
Virtex-5 family
Spartan-3A DSP family
Virtex-4 family
Spartan-3E family
Virtex-II Pro and Virtex-II Pro X families
Spartan-3 family
Virtex-II family
Spartan-IIE family
Virtex-E and Virtex-EM families
Spartan-II family
Virtex family
CoolRunner-II CPLD family
XC9500XL and XC9500XV CPLD families
XC18V00 ISP PROM family
Platform Flash XL and Platform Flash XCF00S/XCF00P families
How to Download and Install Xilinx ISE 7.1 i Software for Windows 7?
If you want to use Xilinx ISE 7.1 i software for Windows 7, you need to download and install it on your computer. Here are the steps you need to follow:
System Requirements for Xilinx ISE 7.1 i Software
Before you download and install Xilinx ISE 7.1 i software, you need to make sure that your computer meets the minimum system requirements, such as:
Operating system: Windows 7 (32-bit or 64-bit)
Processor: Intel Pentium 4 or equivalent (minimum), Intel Core 2 Duo or equivalent (recommended)
Memory: 1 GB RAM (minimum), 2 GB RAM (recommended)
Disk space: 6 GB free disk space (minimum), 10 GB free disk space (recommended)
Display: 1024 x 768 resolution (minimum), 1280 x 1024 resolution (recommended)
Internet connection: Required for downloading and installing the software, as well as for accessing online documentation and support.
Download Links and Instructions for Xilinx ISE 7.1 i Software
To download Xilinx ISE 7.1 i software, you need to visit the official Xilinx website and register for a free account. You can use this link to access the registration page: https://www.xilinx.com/registration/create-account.html
After you register and log in, you can use this link to access the download page for Xilinx ISE 7.1 i software: https://www.xilinx.com/support/download/index.html/content/xilinx/en/downloadNav/design-tools/v2012_4---14_7.html
On the download page, you need to select the appropriate version of Xilinx ISE 7.1 i software for your operating system. For Windows 7, you can choose either the WebPACK edition or the Full Installer edition. The WebPACK edition is a free and lightweight version that supports only a limited number of FPGA devices and features. The Full Installer edition is a complete and comprehensive version that supports all FPGA devices and features, but requires a license file to activate.
You can use this table to compare the differences between the WebPACK edition and the Full Installer edition of Xilinx ISE 7.1 i software:
EditionSizeSupported DevicesSupported FeaturesLicense Required
WebPACK5.9 GBSpartan-6 LX4/LX9, Spartan-3A/3AN/3A DSP Starter Kit, CoolRunner-II CPLD Starter Kit, Zynq-7000 EPP ZC702 Evaluation Kit.XST Synthesis, PlanAhead Design Analysis, ChipScope Pro Serial I/O Toolkit, Partial Reconfiguration.No
Full Installer16.3 GBAll FPGA devices supported by Xilinx ISE.All features supported by Xilinx ISE.Yes
You can click on the Download button next to the edition you want to download. You will be asked to fill in a short survey before you can start the download process. You can also choose to download the software in multiple parts or as a single file.
Installation Steps and Tips for Xilinx ISE 7.1 i Software
After you download Xilinx ISE 7.1 i software, you need to install it on your computer. Here are the steps you need to follow:
Extract the downloaded file to a folder on your computer.
Run the setup.exe file from the extracted folder.
Follow the instructions on the screen to select the installation options and agree to the license terms.
Wait for the installation process to complete. It may take several minutes depending on your system configuration and internet speed.
If you downloaded the Full Installer edition, you need to activate your license file. You can obtain a license file from the Xilinx website by registering your product and generating a license key. You can use this link to access the license management page: https://www.xilinx.com/getlicense
Copy the license file to the Xilinx installation directory, which is usually C:\Xilinx.
Launch Xilinx ISE 7.1 i software from the Start menu or the desktop shortcut.
Here are some tips and tricks for installing Xilinx ISE 7.1 i software:
If you encounter any errors or issues during the installation process, you can check the log files in the Xilinx installation directory for troubleshooting.
If you want to uninstall Xilinx ISE 7.1 i software, you can use the Add or Remove Programs feature in the Control Panel or run the uninstall.exe file in the Xilinx installation directory.
If you want to update Xilinx ISE 7.1 i software, you can use the Update Manager feature in the Xilinx ISE software or download and install the latest service packs from the Xilinx website.
How to Use Xilinx ISE 7.1 i Software for FPGA Design?
Now that you have downloaded and installed Xilinx ISE 7.1 i software, you can use it for FPGA design. Here are the steps you need to follow:
Creating a New Project with Xilinx ISE 7.1 i Software
To create a new project with Xilinx ISE 7.1 i software, you need to do the following:
Launch Xilinx ISE 7.1 i software from the Start menu or the desktop shortcut.
Select File > New Project from the menu bar or click on the New Project icon on the toolbar.
In the New Project Wizard, enter a name and a location for your project and click Next.
Select the target FPGA device and platform for your project and click Next.
Select the preferred HDL language (Verilog or VHDL) and simulator for your project and click Next.
Review the summary of your project settings and click Finish.
You have successfully created a new project with Xilinx ISE 7.1 i software. You can see your project files and folders in the Project Navigator window on the left side of the screen.
Writing and Simulating HDL Code with Xilinx ISE 7.1 i Software
To write and simulate HDL code with Xilinx ISE 7.1 i software, you need to do the following:
In the Project Navigator window, right-click on your project name and select New Source from the pop-up menu.
In the New Source Wizard, select HDL Module as the source type and enter a name for your HDL file and click Next.
Enter the port names and directions for your HDL module and click Next.
Review the summary of your HDL file settings and click Finish.
You will see your HDL file opened in the Editor window on the right side of the screen. You can write your HDL code in the Editor window using the syntax highlighting, auto-completion, and error-checking features.
After you finish writing your HDL code, you can save your file by selecting File > Save from the menu bar or clicking on the Save icon on the toolbar.
To simulate your HDL code, you need to create a testbench file that provides the input and output signals for your HDL module. You can create a testbench file by following the same steps as creating an HDL file, but selecting Test Bench as the source type in the New Source Wizard.
After you create and write your testbench file, you can simulate your HDL code by selecting Tools > Simulator from the menu bar or clicking on the Simulator icon on the toolbar.
In the Simulator window, you can see the waveform of your input and output signals and verify the functionality of your HDL code. You can also use various features of the Simulator, such as adding markers, zooming in and out, changing the radix, and measuring values.
You have successfully written and simulated HDL code with Xilinx ISE 7.1 i software. You can see your HDL file and testbench file in the Project Navigator window under the Sources tab.
Synthesizing and Implementing the Design with Xilinx ISE 7.1 i Software
To synthesize and implement your design with Xilinx ISE 7.1 i software, you need to do the following:
In the Project Navigator window, select your HDL file under the Sources tab and right-click on it. Select Synthesize - XST from the pop-up menu.
The synthesis process will start and you can see the progress and messages in the Console window at the bottom of the screen. The synthesis process will convert your HDL code into a netlist that describes the logic elements and connections of your design.
After the synthesis process is completed, you can view the synthesis report by selecting View > Synthesis Report from the menu bar or clicking on the Synthesis Report icon on the toolbar. The synthesis report will show you various information about your design, such as resource utilization, timing analysis, power estimation, and optimization statistics.
To implement your design, you need to perform three steps: Translate, Map, and Place & Route. You can perform these steps by selecting Implement Design from the Processes tab in the Project Navigator window.
The implementation process will start and you can see the progress and messages in the Console window at the bottom of the screen. The implementation process will map your netlist to the physical resources of your target FPGA device and optimize its performance and power consumption.
After the implementation process is completed, you can view the implementation report by selecting View > Implementation Report from the menu bar or clicking on the Implementation Report icon on the toolbar. The implementation report will show you various information about your design, such as resource utilization, timing analysis, power estimation, and optimization statistics.
You have successfully synthesized and implemented your design with Xilinx ISE 7.1 i software. You can see your netlist file and implementation files in the Project Navigator window under the Sources tab.
Programming and Testing the FPGA with Xilinx ISE 7.1 i Software
To program and test your FPGA with Xilinx ISE 7.1 i software, you need to do the following:
Connect your FPGA device to your computer using a USB cable or a JTAG cable.
In the Project Navigator window, select Generate Programming File from the Processes tab.
The programming file generation process will start and you can see the progress and messages in the Console window at the bottom of the screen. The programming file generation process will create a bitstream file that contains the configuration data for your FPGA device.
After the programming file generation process is completed, you can program your FPGA device by selecting Tools > Program from the menu bar or clicking on the Program icon on the toolbar.
In the Program window, select your FPGA device and your bitstream file and click Program.
The programming process will start and you can see the progress and messages in the Console window at the bottom of the screen. The programming process will transfer the bitstream file to your FPGA device and configure it according to your design.
After the programming process is completed, you can test your FPGA device by observing its behavior and outputs. You can also use various tools to debug your FPGA device, such as ChipScope Pro Analyzer, which allows you to monitor and analyze internal signals of your FPGA device.
You have successfully programmed and tested your FPGA with Xilinx ISE 7.1 i software. You can see your bitstream file in the Project Navigator window under the Sources tab.
Conclusion
In this article, we have shown you what Xilinx ISE 7.1 i software is, how to download and install it for Windows 7, and how to use it for FPGA design. We hope that you have found this article helpful and informative. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. Thank you for reading!
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Xilinx ISE 7.1 i software:
Q: Is Xilinx ISE 7.1 i software still supported by Xilinx?
A: Xilinx ISE 7.1 i software is an old version of Xilinx ISE that was released in 2012. It is no longer supported by Xilinx and has been replaced by newer versions of Xilinx ISE and Vivado Design Suite. However, you can still use Xilinx ISE 7.1 i software for legacy FPGA devices and platforms that are not supported by newer versions of Xilinx software tools.
Q: How can I get a license file for Xilinx ISE 7.1 i software?
A: If you downloaded the Full Installer edition of Xilinx ISE 7.1 i software, you need to get a license file to activate it. You can get a license file from the Xilinx website by registering your product and generating a license key. You can use this link to access the license management page: https://www.xilinx.com/getlicense
Q: How can I update Xilinx ISE 7.1 i software?
A: If you want to update Xilinx ISE 7.1 i software, you can use the Update Manager feature in the Xilinx ISE software or download and install the latest service packs from the Xilinx website. You can use this link to access the download page for Xilinx ISE 7.1 i software updates: https://www.xilinx.com/support/download/index.html/content/xilinx/en/downloadNav/design-tools/v2012_4---14_7.html
Q: How can I learn more about Xilinx ISE 7.1 i software?
A: If you want to learn more about Xilinx ISE 7.1 i software, you can refer to the online documentation and tutorials provided by Xilinx. You can use this link to access the documentation page for Xilinx ISE 7.1 i software: https://www.xilinx.com/support/documentation/dt_ise.htm
Q: How can I get help and support for Xilinx ISE 7.1 i software?
A: If you need help and support for Xilinx ISE 7.1 i software, you can contact the Xilinx technical support team or visit the Xilinx user community forums. You can use these links to access the support page and the forums page for Xilinx ISE 7.1 i software: https://www.xilinx.com/support.html and https://forums.xilinx.com/ dcd2dc6462