Connecting the Debug Module - UG1538

Alveo Debug Kit User Guide (UG1538)
Document ID
UG1538
Release Date
2023-09-29
Revision
1.3 English

This section provides steps for connecting the debug module to the host and the ADK2 enabled card. The following items are required:

  • Debug module
  • USB cable (USB A to micro AB) long enough for your installation
  • Flex cable
  • Host computer capable of communicating to the debug module.
    Note: The debug module is powered from the host computer USB connection. For the debug module to operate the host computer has to be powered on.
  • ADK2 enabled card to be installed in a compatible server.

The following flow is recommended for installing and connecting the debug module. These steps might differ depending on your server configuration.

Warning: During installation, the server should be powered off and unplugged.
  1. Connect the USB cable to the micro USB port (call-out 10 in Figure 1) of the debug module (shown in Figure 1).
    Figure 1. USB Connected to Debug Module Micro USB Port
  2. Connect the flex cable to the ADK2 debug connector (call-out 12 in Figure 1) on the debug module (shown in Figure 2).
    Figure 2. Flex Cable Connected to Debug Module
    Note: To disconnect the cable gently pull out in a straight line.
  3. Power off and unplug the server.
  4. Install the ADK2 enabled card in the server leaving the server cover removed.
    Note: Follow the card installation procedures described in the card specific installation guide.
  5. Connect the opposite end of the flex cable to the ADK2 debug connector on the ADK2 enabled card (see Figure 3). Ensure the cable is fully connected. Route the cable on the back side of the card to avoid blocking airflow across the heat sink.
    Note: Alternatively, the flex cable can be hooked to the card before connecting the debug module (see step 2) or installing in the server (see step 4).
    Note: Both the connector and the cable are keyed to help guide a correct connection. Check key orientation when making the connection. To complete the host to debug module connection, it might be necessary to guide the USB cable or the flex cable through an adjacent PCIe® slot.
    Figure 3. Flex Cable Connected to the Card
    Note: Do not connect or disconnect the flex cable to a card that is powered on. This will cause damage to both the debug module and the card.
  6. Replace the server cover.
  7. Power on the server.
  8. Ensure the host machine is powered on.
  9. Connect the opposite end of the USB cable to the host.

The connection between the ADK2 enabled card and the host machine is complete and can be used to program the card via the AMD Vivado™ Hardware Manager. The connection can be tested with AMD Vivado Hardware Manager, the ADK2 control application, or standard OS utilities (i.e., device manager or dmsg). By default, the following features are enabled when the debug module powers up:

  • UARTs to connect to the FPGA, SoC, and SuC.
  • JTAG enabled through the micro USB.