Chapter 9: Configuration, Design Security, and Remote System Upgrades in the Cyclone III Device Family
9–21
Configuration Features
Programming Serial Configuration Devices
Serial configuration devices are non-volatile, flash memory-based devices. You can
program these devices in-system using the USB-Blaster™ or ByteBlaster™ II
download cable. Alternatively, you can program them using the Altera Programming
Unit (APU), supported third-party programmers, or a microprocessor with the
SRunner software driver.
You can perform in-system programming of serial configuration devices using the AS
programming interface. During in-system programming, the download cable disables
device access to the AS interface by driving the nCEpin high. Cyclone III device family
is also held in reset by a low level on nCONFIG. After programming is complete, the
download cable releases nCEand nCONFIG, allowing the pull-down and pull-up
resistors to drive GND and VCC, respectively.
To perform in-system programming of a serial configuration device using the AS
programming interface, the diodes and capacitors must be placed as close as possible
to the Cyclone III device family. Ensure that the diodes and capacitors maintain a
maximum AC voltage of 4.1 V (Figure 9–7).
1
If you wish to use the same setup shown in Figure 9–7 to perform in-system
programming of a serial configuration device and single- or multi-device AS
configuration, you do not need a series resistor on the DATAline at the near end of the
serial configuration device. The existing diodes and capacitors are sufficient.
Altera has developed the Serial FlashLoader (SFL), a JTAG-based in-system
programming solution for Altera serial configuration devices. The SFL is a bridge
design for the Cyclone III device family that uses its JTAG interface to access the
EPCS JIC (JTAG Indirect Configuration Device Programming) file and then uses the
AS interface to program the EPCS device. Both the JTAG interface and AS interface
are bridged together inside the SFL design.
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For more information about implementing the SFL with Cyclone III device family,
refer to AN 370: Using the Serial FlashLoader with the Quartus II Software.
For more information about the USB-Blaster download cable, refer to the USB-Blaster
Download Cable User Guide. For more information about the ByteBlaster II download
cable, refer to the ByteBlaster II Download Cable User Guide.
August 2012 Altera Corporation
Cyclone III Device Handbook
Volume 1
ALTERA [ ALTERA CORPORATION ]
