Comments on: FPGA + USB 3.0: Cypress EZ-USB FX3 or XillyUSB? https://billauer.se/blog/2020/11/fpga-cypress-fx3-xillyusb/ Anything I found worthy to write down. Thu, 26 Mar 2026 13:15:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: eli https://billauer.se/blog/2020/11/fpga-cypress-fx3-xillyusb/comment-page-1/#comment-1584 eli Wed, 02 Mar 2022 11:30:29 +0000 https://billauer.se/blog/?p=6182#comment-1584 The Arty-7 board is based upon an Artix-7 FPGA with a CSG324 package, which exposes no Gigabit transceivers (GTPs) at all. So no, it's not a candidate for XillyUSB. Regardless, that breakout board looks like a disaster for the SuperSpeed wires. If it's supposed to work, the handling of the signal needs to be more gentle than that. The Arty-7 board is based upon an Artix-7 FPGA with a CSG324 package, which exposes no Gigabit transceivers (GTPs) at all.
So no, it’s not a candidate for XillyUSB.

Regardless, that breakout board looks like a disaster for the SuperSpeed wires. If it’s supposed to work, the handling of the signal needs to be more gentle than that.

]]> By: Dresch https://billauer.se/blog/2020/11/fpga-cypress-fx3-xillyusb/comment-page-1/#comment-1583 Dresch Wed, 02 Mar 2022 11:12:41 +0000 https://billauer.se/blog/?p=6182#comment-1583 Any chance the interface would work with: https://www.xilinx.com/products/boards-and-kits/arty.html At Mouser for $130 https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Digilent/410-319?qs=7f4GHlBDYyWx9PqDtlnXMw%3D%3D&mgh=1 A USB 3 connector could be easily wired up with a break out board... something like: https://www.amazon.com/Type-Male-Plug-Breakout-Board/dp/B01MRK0REP/ref=pd_lpo_2?pd_rd_i=B01MRK0REP&psc=1 (There are many different types. Cutting and hacking a USB3 cable is another option I have done many times.) This would certainly be an inexpensive way to popularize your IP. Probably not perfect differential routing but maybe close enough... Any chance the interface would work with:
https://www.xilinx.com/products/boards-and-kits/arty.html
At Mouser for $130
https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Digilent/410-319?qs=7f4GHlBDYyWx9PqDtlnXMw%3D%3D&mgh=1
A USB 3 connector could be easily wired up with a break out board… something like:
https://www.amazon.com/Type-Male-Plug-Breakout-Board/dp/B01MRK0REP/ref=pd_lpo_2?pd_rd_i=B01MRK0REP&psc=1
(There are many different types. Cutting and hacking a USB3 cable is another option I have done many times.)
This would certainly be an inexpensive way to popularize your IP. Probably not perfect differential routing but maybe close enough…

]]> By: eli https://billauer.se/blog/2020/11/fpga-cypress-fx3-xillyusb/comment-page-1/#comment-1556 eli Thu, 11 Nov 2021 18:18:26 +0000 https://billauer.se/blog/?p=6182#comment-1556 Truth to be said, I wasn't aware of those FTDI devices. Having taken a look, it appears like the arguments above apply to these devices as well. Minus the extra processor, which the FTDI devices don't have. But I would definitely suggest looking at the errata pages for the FTDI devices. Even though the bugs are resolved in revision B, it's quite amazing that revision A was released with so trivial bugs. As for the low-cost FPGA, it an Artix 35T, but the exact device doesn't matter as long as the design fits and the constraints are met. So there's a chance for even XC7A12T to suffice. Truth to be said, I wasn’t aware of those FTDI devices. Having taken a look, it appears like the arguments above apply to these devices as well. Minus the extra processor, which the FTDI devices don’t have. But I would definitely suggest looking at the errata pages for the FTDI devices. Even though the bugs are resolved in revision B, it’s quite amazing that revision A was released with so trivial bugs.

As for the low-cost FPGA, it an Artix 35T, but the exact device doesn’t matter as long as the design fits and the constraints are met. So there’s a chance for even XC7A12T to suffice.

]]> By: Myron https://billauer.se/blog/2020/11/fpga-cypress-fx3-xillyusb/comment-page-1/#comment-1555 Myron Thu, 11 Nov 2021 17:51:32 +0000 https://billauer.se/blog/?p=6182#comment-1555 And what is the smallest/lowest cost FPGA you have tried with the XillyUSB? And what is the smallest/lowest cost FPGA you have tried with the XillyUSB?

]]> By: Myron https://billauer.se/blog/2020/11/fpga-cypress-fx3-xillyusb/comment-page-1/#comment-1554 Myron Thu, 11 Nov 2021 17:49:04 +0000 https://billauer.se/blog/?p=6182#comment-1554 Have you done a similar comparison with the FTDI601? Have you done a similar comparison with the FTDI601?

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