Configuration & Testing
Configuring Stratix II FPGAs with the MicroBlaster Driver
TM
The MicroBlaster software driver supports an RBF programming input
file and is ideal for embedded FPP or PS configuration. The source code
is developed for the Windows NT operating system, although it can be
customized to run on other operating systems. For more information on
the MicroBlaster software driver, see the Configuring the MicroBlaster Fast
Passive Parallel Software Driver White Paper or the Configuring the
MicroBlaster Passive Serial Software Driver White Paper on the Altera web
site (www.altera.com).
PLL Reconfiguration
The phase-locked loops (PLLs) in the Stratix II device family support
reconfiguration of their multiply, divide, VCO-phase selection, and
bandwidth selection settings without reconfiguring the entire device. You
can use either serial data from the logic array or regular I/O pins to
program the PLL’s counter settings in a serial chain. This option provides
considerable flexibility for frequency synthesis, allowing real-time
variation of the PLL frequency and delay. The rest of the device is
functional while reconfiguring the PLL.
f
See the PLLs in Stratix II & Stratix II GX Devices chapter in volume 2 of
the Stratix II Device Handbook or the Stratix II GX Device Handbook for
more information on Stratix II PLLs.
Stratix II devices include a diode-connected transistor for use as a
temperature sensor in power management. This diode is used with an
external digital thermometer device. These devices steer bias current
through the Stratix II diode, measuring forward voltage and converting
this reading to temperature in the form of an 8-bit signed number (7 bits
plus sign). The external device's output represents the junction
temperature of the Stratix II device and can be used for intelligent power
management.
Temperature
Sensing Diode
(TSD)
The diode requires two pins (tempdiodepand tempdioden) on the
Stratix II device to connect to the external temperature-sensing device, as
shown in Figure 3–1. The temperature sensing diode is a passive element
and therefore can be used before the Stratix II device is powered.
Altera Corporation
May 2007
3–11
Stratix II Device Handbook, Volume 1
ALTERA [ ALTERA CORPORATION ]
