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Adding custom boards
Is it possible to add custom board definitions so I can use my own FPGA boards with it?
Yes, lately I have added new boards. Example are Colorlight boards in the ECP5 section The FPGA of the new board has to be supported by Apio toolchain.
I've opened a new issue - but it appears there is no way to define the FPGA boards clock frequency, with iCEStudio / nextpnr defaulting to 12MHz...
Supported iCE40 boards such as Alchitry CU iCE40-HX8K and iCE40HX8K-EVB feature a 100MHz FPGA clock, however it appears that iCEStudio does not recognize the selected Boards actual clock frequency - and defaults to 12MHz.
When nextpnr is invoked by iCEStudio its target frequency is set to a "default" of 12MHz - resulting in timing issues when using higher speed FPGA clocks (such as the 100MHz fitted as standard on Alchitry CU iCE40-HX8K and iCE40HX8K-EVB boards etc).
After little digging, the it appears a default nextpnr Clock Constraint can be applied by --freq {freq} (in MHz), however I have no idea how to achieve this when iCEStudio invokes nextpnr (I cannot modify the nextpnr "command line").
I really would appreciate some urgent help please, as I currently cannot complete my project with the timing issues as a result of the default "too low" 12MHz clock - is there an easy method (under Windows8 / iCEStudio version 0.7.1w202110210410) to set a 100MHz FPGA clock?
Ultimately, it be great to have an option in iCEStudio under say the "Select" tab to choose Default or user selectable FPGA frequency - for those who have modify there iCE40 FPGA boards or whose Boards have higher clock frequency's then the default 12MHz.
Also, it be great if iCEStudio could support the iCE40 FPGA family without "Dev Boards" - so the iCE40 family & package type (BG121 / CB132 / CT256 etc) could be selected much the same way as the current "Boards" are selected, but with the option to select a programmer type and target FPGA clock frequency.
The Lattice iCEProg programmer (as used on the Lattice iCE40-HX8K Breakout Board etc.) seems to be one of the best options to program "Custom" FPGA boards / designs....