picorv32 for the spi ethernet setup?

[TurBoss]

Hello,

I'm not sure it this makes sense but Ive been thinking about this, instead of use a esp32 a picorv32 :).

Got one on the Alhambra II and wrote some code for it in c but can't figure if is really possible to do this, so I'm asking :)

Thanks

[multigcs]

it is possible, but how many gates needs the picorv32 ?
Are there any advantages ?
I like the KIS concept, a softcore makes all very complex.

[bioname]

Hello,
here is a table with the required resources:
https://www.cnx-software.com/2022/01/17/tang-nano-9k-fpga-board-can-emulate-picorv32-risc-v-soft-core-with-all-peripherals/?amp=1

[multigcs]

it would be nice to have an ethernet driver directly in verilog,
that can handle simple UDP messages

[bioname]

is that possible to pick a part from mesa hostmot2?

[TurBoss]

Hello, I just found this implementation https://github.com/regymm/quasiSoC
https://github.com/regymm/quasiSoC/blob/master/rtl/quasisoc/w5500/w5500.v

its gpl3

:)

[multigcs]

In general, I would like to keep softcores out.
For the network connection, if it is not already available on the board, I think a real MCU is advantageous and makes things a lot easier.

I got an artix board cheap, which already has a network port on it and there are also 2 on the Colorlight boards. But I would like to have a simple softcore that can only handle the network part. But then only in such a way that it can be optionally integrated as an interface plugin.

I have never used a softcore and therefore have no experience of how to integrate it correctly. the firmware also has to be included in the bitfile/spiflash somehow.

I am somewhat helpless at this point :)

[multigcs]

found and test this one on my arty board:
https://github.com/alexforencich/verilog-ethernet/tree/master/example/Arty/fpga
works, so it is possible to run UDP without a softcore :)

[kzali]

Oliver have you looked at this:
https://github.com/enjoy-digital/liteeth

[multigcs]

yes, but it's not verilog and too complex, also the verilog-ethernet :(

at the moment i try to test the picosoc/picorv32

[multigcs]

the first step :)

4235480

the bad:

• only for TangPrimer20K - ext-board with Ethernet (RTL8201)
• very experimental !
• never tested with LinuxCNC, only with the python test-tool
• works only with the gowin toolchain

the good:

• i understand the verilog interface (a little bit)
• it using 'rmii' for the PHY communication, so i think it's portable to other chips and boards
• the only 'gowin' related part is the PLL (clock generation)

[multigcs]

Same code but external ETH (RMII) module and with LAN8720 chip, works :)

[TurBoss]

Hello,

I was testing the picorv32 branch but i could not figure how to upload the C firmware to the EPROM
i have , firmware.bin

but looks like there is a extension filter :/

✗ openFPGALoader -b tangprimer20k -o 0x00200000 -f firmware.bin --file-type bin

this did not work

thanks

[multigcs]

i know, i have no glue how to upload the firmware for the gowin boards :(

You need to put the firmware at a higher address in the Flash, that works fine on the Lattice and Arty boards, but not on the gowin.

BTW, the picosoc stuff is only a test and have bo connections to the cnc stuff, i only used the rio build system to play around.

[TurBoss]

hello!
yeah was just curious

thanks!

[multigcs]

got it :)
Wiznet W5500 without softcore, direct on the FPGA:

​https://youtube.com/shorts/xcC7Dun8vxE

works for me :)

testet on IceBreaker and MAX10, but i think it should run on all FPGA's,
nothing special.

[TurBoss]

just saw this morning the experimental W5500 thing

tried to get it up on the tangprimer20k but could not get it to work

goin to give a try again

Thanks!

[multigcs]

i send you later my test-configuration,
the default ip is '192.168.10.193'

[multigcs]

    "interface": [
        {
            "type": "w5500",
            "max": "AA:AF:FA:CC:E3:1C",
            "ip": "192.168.10.194",
            "port": "2390",
            "pins": {
                "MOSI": "PIN_60",
                "MISO": "PIN_59",
                "SCK": "PIN_56",
                "SEL": "PIN_55"
            }
        }
    ],

[multigcs]

i have test it with my tankprime20k board (not the lite) and it works

i removed the generated 'qt_spitest.py' tool now, but you can use this now:

python3 qt-testgui.py configs/TangPrimer20K/config-uart.json 192.168.10.194

if you can ping the w5500 IP ('192.168.10.194') than the module is initialized and should work,
if not, check your config and cables

[multigcs]

i using the gowin tools:

make clean gowin_build

[TurBoss]

Hurray bravo!! 🥳

this is awesome

Thank you !

[TurBoss]

just found that the tandprimer 20k package is PBGA256

[multigcs]

in gowin, PBGA256 & PG256 works, but have changed it , thanks