Run LiteX on ArtyA7

[kmezynski]

1. Go through Quick start guide from LiteX repo
2. Run LiteX on ArtyA7 board
3. Learn how LiteX attaches modules to Arty board (python script)
4. Arrange next meeting for further instructions

[kmezynski]

We're ready for further instructions. We both managed to compile LiteX on Arty.
I couldn't only upload the bitstream via xc3sprog to ArtyA7 board. I got following error:

xc3sprog -c nexys4 top.bit
...
Could not open FTDI device (using libftdi): unable to fetch product description
Unable to access FTDI device with either libftdi or FTD2XX

@kacperchmiel97 was successful at this point.
We suspect problem is related to hardware... either board or my PC

[kgugala]

@kmezynski the problem you have means that xc3sprog couldn't access the USB <-> serial converter on the board. This can be caused by many things:

1. insufficient privileges (try sudo)
2. the board was not connected (e.g. cable is bad). Try lsusb and check if you can see the board
3. if you're using a virtual machine the USB device has to be forwarded to VM

as for the next steps there are a few things:

1. run a system with video output (@rw1nkler please provide info about it)
2. add simple GPIO controller to the system (to figure out how to do it)
3. proceed with DMA integration

[rw1nkler]

Hey, here you can find the repositories which will help you to prepare bitstream and Linux binaries with framebuffer support. This will allow you to observe the framebuffer memory on your screen - You should observe small penguin icon on your monitor if you connect it to the HDMI port of your expansion board

https://github.com/antmicro/linux-on-litex-vexriscv-build

1. First, you should follow the instructions from: (install direnv, invoke make init)
   https://github.com/antmicro/linux-on-litex-vexriscv-build/blob/master/README.md

2. Next, you can apply the patches for LiteX repositories, with the expansion board support:
   https://github.com/antmicro/linux-on-litex-vexriscv-build/tree/master/patches/arty_hdmi_expansion_board

[kmezynski]

@kgugala Thank you for help, sudo worked perfectly!

[rw1nkler]

Hey, what is the progress in this task? Have you managed to run the LiteX with Linux and framebuffer?

[kmezynski]

@rw1nkler He've realised we hadn't picked up HDMI extension boards, could we arrange meeting?
On the other hand we managed to control GPIO, however we still have doubts about it and DMA. Some video conference would be kindly appreciated.

[rw1nkler]

I've sent you e-mails about the next meeting

[rw1nkler]

Have you run this HDMI example on the board?

[kacperchmiel97]

We have a few questions regarding the DMA integration and GPIO - would it be possible to arrange a short meeting?

[kgugala]

Sure we can. In #13 (comment) proposed a date. Can we all meet then?