Renaming Hardware Core

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Author: Andy Schmidt
Last Modified: 12/26/2008
Notes: This tutorial will show how to rename an existing hardware core to a new name. I have also created a custom python script which will do everything for you. I often rename my HW Cores after I have changed its functionality enough that it requires a better name.

Change directories to the pcores directory
Copy the hardware core to your new hardware core's name
- I recommend Copying so you have a backup in case you delete something...
- cp -r old_hardware_core_v1_00_a new_hardare_core_v1_00_a
Change directories to new_hardware_core_v1_00_a:
Change directories to data:
- Rename the MPD and PAO files (and BBD if one exists)
- IMPORTANT You must keep the _v2_1_0 for each file otherwise XPS will not be able to detect your Hardware Core. This is different than the _v1_00_a of your hardware core, it specifically relates to Xilinx XPS tools.
- Inside the MPD file Find and Replace all instances of your old_hardware_core name with your new_hardware_core name
- Inside the PAO file Find and Replace all instances of your old_hardware_core name with your new_hardware_core name
Change Directories to hdl/vhdl:
- Rename the old_hardware_core.vhd file to the new_hardware_core.vhd file
- Inside the new_hardware_core.vhd file Find and Replace all instances of your old_hardware_core name with your new_hardware_core name
- You shouldn't need to modify anything in your user_logic.vhd file
Open your XPS Project and try to add your new_hardware_core to your project and Synthesize

The current version of the python script can be found in the lab at /opt/xilinx/rcs_lab_tools/rename_pcore.py
To use the rename_pcores.py script simple supply the old_hardware_core and the new_hardware_core paths.
- IE: ./rename_pcore.py old_hardware_core_v1_00_a new_hardware_core_v1_00_a
WARNING: The current script requires both the Old and New Hardware Cores to be v1_00_a so you cannot use the script to change versions, yet.