User guide

January 2013 Altera Corporation Video and Image Processing Suite
User Guide
25. Trace System MegaCore Function
Core Overview
The Trace System MegaCore function is a debugging and monitoring component. The
trace system collects data from various monitors, such as the Avalon-ST monitor, and
passes it to the System Console software on the attached debugging host. The System
Console software allows you to capture and visualize the behavior of the attached
system. You can transfer data to the host over a JTAG connection or over a direct USB
connection with a higher bandwidth, such as the one provided by On-Board USB-
Blaster
TM
II.
Functional Description
The Trace System transports messages describing the captured events from the trace
monitor components, such as the Avalon-ST Video Monitor, to a host computer
running the System Console software.
Figure 25–1 shows the instantiation and connection of the Trace System.
When you instantiate the Trace System, turn on the option to select the number of
monitors required. The trace system exposes a set of interfaces,
capturen and
controln . You must connect each pair of the interfaces to the appropriate trace
monitor component.
If you select the USB connection to the host, the trace system exposes the
usb_if
interface. Export this interface from the Qsys system and connect to the pins on the
device that connects to the On-Board USB-Blaster II. If you select the JTAG connection
to the host, then the Quartus II software automatically makes this connection during
synthesis.
The trace system provides access to the
control interfaces on the monitors. You can
use these control ports to change the capture settings on the monitors; for example, to
control the type of information captured by the monitors or to control the maximum
data rate sent by the monitor.
1 Each type of monitor is different. Refer to the relevant documentation of the monitors
for more information.
Figure 25–1. Trace System Functional Block Diagram
Conduit for connection
to pins (USB only)
Avalon-ST Source
(capture)
Avalon-MM Slave
(control)
Monitor #1
Monitor #2
Altera Trace System
BufferingLink to Host