Overview of Controller FPGA Images

All SynqNet controllers are shipped with a simple, default flash image, that allows the controller to be recognized by the MPI library. The default flash memory does not contain processor or FPGA code. You must download firmware and FPGA code to the controller's flash memory. You can use Motion Console or the flash.exe utility to download firmware (.bin) and FPGA (.fpg) images. Motion Console will automatically prompt you to download the firmware to a new controller. The firmware file (.bin) contains the binary code and configuration data for the controller's processor. The FPGA file (.fpg) contains the binary code for the local FPGA (Rincon). During firmware download, the software will identify the local FPGA type (Rincon) and download the appropriate binary (.fpg file) image.

The controller's processor code, FPGA code, and configuration data are stored in the controller's Flash memory. The code and configuration is loaded during power-on or when the controller is reset. The Flash memory can be updated with the Flash.exe utility, Motion Console, or application code.

A node FPGA binary image (boot or runtime) is required for a SynqNet controller to communicate with a SynqNet node over a SynqNet network. For more information about how the boot and runtime images are used to communicate with the SynqNet controller, please see the Node Binary Images section.