Igloo Project Builder

A project builder for the iCE40 FPGA series. Uses the IceStorm toolset.

Install

Follow the IceStorm installation instructions, including the installation of arachne-pnr.

git clone https://github.com/finnball/igloo.git
cd igloo
source source.sh
igloo.py --help

Quick Project Build

Creating projects involves abiding by the file structure and creating settings files.

Create and Burn

igloo.py create projects/blink/cfg/config.ini
make
make burn

You should notice a pretty LED pattern.

Timing Information

make time

Displays the timing information using icetime.

Simulating

Each project should come with a test bench. A simple way to simulate the project is to use iverilog and gtkwave.

make gtkwave
gtkwave ./build/iverilog/blink.vcd

This will produce a .vvp file followed by a .vcd file for gtkwave.

Echo Project

igloo.py create projects/uart_echo/cfg/config.ini
make
make burn

Run igloo.py echo (Requires pySerial to be installed):

igloo.py echo "Hello There!"

Error: SerialException: No such file or directory

Find the serial device the FPGA is connected to with a command such as:

dmesg | grep tty

Then change add the optional argument:

igloo.py echo "Hello There!" --tty=$(TTY)

Error: SerialException: Permission Denied

Test if you have permission:

cat /dev/ttyUSB1

If you don't have permission to view:

sudo usermod -a -G dialout $(USER)

You may have to log out / in after running this command.