Introduction
The universal FPGA driver allows for simpler use of Connect Tech’s Universal FPGA boards in Windows operating systems. Using the included driver and libraries the user can easily write applications to interface with the board.
The following is a brief description of the directories included in the package:
API-lib
This directory contains API to use with Universal FPGA boards. 32 and 64 bit API dll and lib
are in x86 and x64 directories respectively.
Driver
This directory contains the driver files for Universal FPGA board; after inserting the Universal FPGA board
and booting up windows select this directory during driver installation by ‘Found New Hardware’ wizard.
Sample-app
This directory contains a sample application using the API to operate Universal FPGA board.
Supported Windows Operating Systems
As of August 08,2011 the following Windows operating systems are known to be supported by the Universal FPGA Driver:
32-Bit Operating Systems:
Windows XP
Windows 7
Windows XP Embedded
Windows Embedded Standard 7
64-Bit Operating Systems:
Windows XP 64-Bit
Windows 7 64-Bit
Supported Devices
As of August 08,2011 the following Connect Tech products are known to be supported by the Universal
FPGA Driver:
FreeForm/PCI-104
Xtreme I/O Opto
FreeForm/Express
For a detailed description of our products please visit our website at: https://connecttech.com
Driver Installation
Installation consists of installing the Universal FPGA board into a PCI slot and booting up Windows. The PCI BIOS and Windows will detect the board as an unknown PCI device, and will request that you insert the driver CD. Windows drivers are installed using information provided in an .inf file. Simply use the Windows device driver installation dialogue by telling it the location of the driver files. Follow the installation wizard and Windows will now detect and install all the Universal FPGA boards into the system.
The FPGA boards installed will appear in device manager (Control Panel -> System -> Hardware -> Device Manager) under the class “CTI Universal FPGA Device”.
Each board will be listed under the class as “ctiufpgax” where x is an index to the board.
Working with the API
The 32 and 64 bit API dll and lib files are in the x86 and x64 directories respectively.
The header file ‘ctifpgalib.h’ lists all API. Before starting your application, copy the dll file to WINDOWS\SYSTEM32 directory or in the application directory.
Sample Application
A sample application project is provided that can be compiled using Visual Studio 10. Some changes may need to be made to the DEFAULT_OFFSET, BAR and Device ID values in the sample application code depending on the board that is being used. When the application is run it will provide information regarding the BAR and Device ID of each universal FPGA board that is installed in the system. Using this information the appropriate changes can be made in the code. To determine the DEFAULT_OFFSET value please consult the manual for the board being used.
Please ensure that all reads and writes are being done to appropriate registers before running the application.
Consult ufpgaioctl.h header file for various IOCTL and parameter values.
Finding Driver Version
For troubleshooting purposes it is often important to determine which device driver version is being used. Many problems may be corrected by simply installing an updated device driver on your system.
- Go to Start ® Control Panel ® System.
- From the System menu, click on the Hardware tab.
- Click on the Device Manager button.
- From the Device Manager, a list of devices will be displayed. Double-click on the CTI Universal FPGA Device icon.
- Right-click on one of the FPGA devices, and select Properties.
- Select the Driver tab.
- Click on the Driver Details button.
- Look for the file:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\DRIVERS\ctiufpga.sys - Select this file.
- Once the file is selected, at the bottom of the screen there will be a line:
“File version X.X.X.X”, where X.X.X.X is your driver version.
Uninstalling the Driver
Windows 7
- Go to Start ® Settings ® Control Panel ® System.
- From the System menu, select the Hardware tab.
- Click on the Device Manager button.
- Double click on CTI Universal FPGA Device
- Right click on device labeleled ctiufpgax and select Uninstall
- Check the box that says Delete the driver software for this device and click OK
- Repeat the above for all devices ctiufpgax where x is an index to the board
Windows XP
To successfully uninstall from a previous installation, follow these steps to ensure the complete removal of driver components from your system.
Step 1: Remove the Universal FPGA device from the device manager
- Go to Start ® Settings ® Control Panel ® System.
- From the System menu, select the Hardware tab.
- Click on the Device Manager button.
- Double click on CTI Universal FPGA Device
- Right click on device labeleled ctiufpgax and select Uninstall
- Repeat the above for all devices ctiufpgax
Step 2: Remove System files
The following files must be removed from your system:
C:\WINDOWS\INF\oem#.inf (1 or 2 files)
C:\WINDOWS\INF\oem#.PNF
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ctiufpga.sys
The # sign represents a number. This number will change from system to system. Please make sure to open the .inf file to ensure that they are Connect Tech .inf files before removing them.
- Go to Start ® Search ® Search for Files or Folders.
- Type in oem*.inf.
- Open .inf file to make sure they are Connect Tech Universal FPGA .inf files and then delete them but remember the number of the oem.
- Type in oem*.PNF and delete the .PNF files with the same oem number and the .inf files that were deleted.
- Then delete the following file
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ctiufpga.sys
Known Issues
- When trying to run the sample application in Windows 7 make sure that command line is started with “Run as Administrator” otherwise there may be errors when running the program.
- Upon reinstalling the driver if you encounter an error stating “Windows could not load the installer for CTI_UFPGA. Please contact the hardware vendor for assistance” copy the file ctiufpga.dll from the driver package to C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32 directory.
Contacting Technical Support
If you require any further assistance, please check the Connect Tech Knowledge Database (KDB), product manual or specification sheets for more technical information at connecttech.com/sub/Support/Support.asp
For driver updates, manuals, installation guides and diagnostic utilities, please check the Download Zone at: https://connecttech.com/asp/Support/DownloadZone.asp
If you have any other questions please contact the Technical Support department by email at [email protected]