MIG "init_calib_complete" signal does not go high

For a project, which utilizes 7-Series, I should use PL memory and MIG is the best IP choice for this purpose. In many websites, including Xilinx documents, you can find how to configure MIG IP. Even if there are many configuration parameters in MIG IP, if you know where to look, it is so easy to build it.

After configuring your 7-Series MIG, you will notice that there is an important signal called init_calib_complete. Calibration is the first stage of MIG if you run the code. MIG arranges phasors, clocks, etc and small write-read test with the help of 200 MHz reference clock in calibration stages, which detailed information can be found via this link.

However, if you debug your code,regardless of whether you choose "Debug Signals for Memory Controller" Mode On or not, and if init_calib_complete signal is not high, you cannot reach your PL memory (Even your PS memory), so AXI transaction error can show up. Therefore, there are some checkpoints that you should be sure about. I have listed step by step what you should check to correct calibration stage and use your PL memory:

1) Check MIG Parameters → As stated before, in MIG, there are tons of parameters especially PL memory port configuration, which can confuse a person so much. Therefore, if you have a problem with init_calib_complete signal, you should check your MIG configuration. I have listed the most important parameters and stages that you should be careful about below:

2) Check All Resets → There are 3 resets in MIG, which are sys_rst, aresetn and ui_clk_sync_rst. If you do not connect sys_rst pin to a port from your FPGA and you want to give it a signal, do not choose ui_clk_sync_rst because if you choose it, sys_rst will never be high (if it is chosen as active-low) and so ui_clk_sync_rst will never be low (because it is active-high). As a result, this can cause that "init_calib_complete" signal will stay low.

3) Check All Clocks → If you do not connect your reference clock to a port (If you choose no buffer option for clk_ref), please be sure that you give 200 MHz to it. Otherwise, calibration stage will start but never finish because of the clock.

4) Check Data Mask → In the Options for Controller page of MIG interface, there is an option called Data Mask. If you do not utilize AXI4 user interface feature, you have a chance to change this option and please choose the option. If you use AXI4 user interface with 72 data width, it is automatically unselected. In this situation, please decrease data width bits and select Data Mask option. People utilize 72 bits data width feature generally for using ECC (Error Correction Code). If you really have to use this option, then you cannot select Data Mask option and you should write a logic, which I do not know how much it can be hard, because AXI has byte enables which requires DM pins. This situation is mentioned in this Xilinx forum thread.

Finally, after checking this corner case situations, if your MIG does not still work, you should check the situations over and over to finally make it work.