8.1.2.2. High-Speed Streaming Interface Remote Debug
The High-Speed Streaming (HS ST) Debug Interface IP is an evolution of the JTAG-Over-Protocol (JOP) IP that it allows for communication with FPGA debug logic over a streaming interface without using the JTAG protocol.
You can replace any existing JOP IP instances with the HS ST Interface IP, but you must account for the larger address width of the HS ST Interface IP in your communication infrastructure.
For more information about the High-Speed Streaming Debug Interface IP, refer to High-Speed Streaming (HS ST) Debug Interface IP.
High-Speed Streaming Debug Using External Host
The following diagram shows how the HS ST Debug Interface IP can be implemented in place of a JOP IP in a system where the debug application is running on an external host. Note the simplified path through the debug fabric, where the interface into the streaming debug endpoint is a Avalon® streaming (AV ST) interface.
High-Speed Streaming Debug Signal Tap Implementation
The following diagram show the implementation of Signal Tap IP with a streaming interface, which has a ST Agent interface to transport debug data through the HS ST Debug Fabric to the HS ST Debug Interface IP.
This data is sent to the host via a communication infrastructure that handles the conversion from an Avalon® memory-mapped (AV MM) interface out of the HS ST Debug Interface IP to TCP/IP into the streaming debug server.
When the streaming connection is selected in the Signal Tap GUI, the Streaming Signal Tap IP is instantiated and connected automatically. Alternatively, you can instantiate the Streaming Signal Tap IP in your RTL design file from the IP catalog.
High-Speed Streaming Debug Communication Infrastructure Implementation
The Debug Server and the Debug Interface IP cannot natively communicate with each other, so you must use some communication infrastructure between them. This custom communication infrastructure is sometimes referred to as a universal transport link.
You can take advantage of the open-source etherlink application that takes TCP/IP communication from the debug server and uses Linux open source userspace I/O (UIO) device drivers to forward the data to the FPGA devices. The etherlink application supports both the JOP IP and the HS ST Debug Interface IP. The etherlink application is available from the following GitHub repository: https://github.com/altera-fpga/remote-debug-for-intel-fpga.
For example of remote debugging over PCIe on Altera® FPGAs, refer to the High Speed Streaming Remote Debugging Over PCIe Example Design at the Altera® Developer Site.
High-Speed Streaming Debug Dynamic Debug Access Path
Another benefit of using the HS ST Debug Interface IP is that you simultaneously have an access path into the HS ST Debug Fabric from the JTAG pins on the board and your communication infrastructure.
You can use this simultaneous access to dynamically switch between remote debug and JTAG debug at run-time, without having to recompile the design or reconfigure the board.
JTAG-Over-IP Functionality in High-Speed Streaming Debug Interface IP
Enabling the JTAG-over-IP (JOP) functionality in the HS ST Debug Interface IP allows for communication with internal, JTAG-based debug logic via an Avalon® streaming interface. By default, JTAG-Over-Protocol (JOP) logic is disabled when you use the HS ST Debug Interface IP to allow JTAG logic access via JTAG pins.
If you want to use the HS ST Debug Interface IP with the JOP functionality enabled, select Add JTAG-Over-Protocol Functionality when you enable HS ST Debug Interface IP from the IP catalog.
For an example of performing remote debugging using JOP via PCIe on Altera® FPGAs, refer to AN 972: JTAG Remote Debugging Over a PCIe Interface Example Design .