-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

                   --- CAEN SpA - Front End R&D Division --- 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is V1495 FW1495SC FPGA Firmware readme file. It describes the firmware upgrade
file content and briefly outlines the board FPGA architecture.

***IMPORTANT!*****************************************************************

- FW1495SC not licensed has a DAQ time frame limitation: 
  every 30 min the user have to restart (Power off/power on) the board
- To get full functionality the user should purchase a License and register it

For V1495 with PCB revision < 2:
- FW1495SC works only with time frame limitation 
  (it is not possible the firmware licensing).

For V1495 with PCB revision >= 2:
- FW1495SC firmware licensing is possible Only for Mod. v1495 
  running FPGA VME Firmware Rel. 1.0 and newer

The PCB revision can be read with the following modes:
- from the Configuration ROM (hardware revision identifier - see V1495 User's Manual)
- from the silkscreen on the mainboard bottom side 
  (BV14950516AA Rev. 0 is an example of PCB revision number 0)

********************************************************************************

 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     Februrary 2011
 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

 
 Content 
 -------

V1495_FPGA_Readme.txt             : This file.

V1495_scaler_FPGA_ReleaseNotes.txt: Release Notes for the FW1495SC firmware

v1495scaler_rev_128.3.rbf         : FW1495SC Raw Binary File (to be used for USER FPGA).



V1495 FPGA ARCHITECTURE:

The board hosts two Altera Cyclone FPGA:

1) The VME FPGA is a EP1C6 device. It handles:
	* VME interface
	* USER FPGA interface 

2) The USER FPGA is a EP1C4 device. It handles (when programmed with FW1495SC firmware):
        * VME FPGA Interface
        * Multievent latching scaler section

FW1495SC is a FPGA firmware for CAEN V1495 model that allows to use the Mod. V1495 as a
Multievent latching scaler housing up to 128 independent counting channels.

Each FPGA can be upgraded via VME using the cvUpgrade utility ditributed by CAEN.