Digilent JTAG HS3 – Programming Cable

• Small, complete, all-in-one JTAG programming/debugging solution for Xilinx FPGAs and SoCs
• Plugs directly into standard Xilinx JTAG header
• Separate Vref drives JTAG signal voltages; Vref can be any voltage between 1.8V and 5V

The JTAG-HS3 programming cable is a high-speed programming/debugging solution for Xilinx FPGAs and SoCs. It is fully compatible will all Xilinx Tools, and can be seamlessly driven from iMPACT, ChipScope, EDK, and Vivado. The HS3 attaches to target boards using Xilinx’s 2×7, 2mm programming header.

The PC powers the JTAG-HS3 through the USB port and will recognize it as a Digilent programming cable when connected, even if the cable is not attached to the target board. The HS3 has a separate Vref pin to supply the JTAG signal buffers. The high-speed 24mA three-state buffers allow the HS3 to drive target boards with signal voltages from 1.8V to 5V and bus speeds up to 30MBit/sec (see Fig. 1). To function correctly, the HS3’s Vref pin must be tied to the same voltage supply (VCCO_0) that drives the JTAG port on the FPGA.