Serial Configuration Devices (EPCS1, EPCS4, EPCS16 & EPCS64) Data Sheet
Accessing Memory in Serial Configuration Devices
You can access the unused memory locations of the serial configuration
device to store or retrieve data through the Nios processor and SOPC
Builder. SOPC Builder is an Altera tool for creating bus-based (especially
microprocessor-based) systems in Altera devices. SOPC Builder
assembles library components like processors and memories into custom
microprocessor systems.
SOPC Builder includes the active serial memory interface (ASMI)
peripheral, an interface core specifically designed to work with the serial
configuration device. Using this core, you can create a system with a Nios
embedded processor that allows software access to any memory location
within the serial configuration device.
f
For more information on accessing memory within the serial
configuration device, see the
Active Serial Memory Interface Data Sheet.
Stratix II FPGAs and the Cyclone series FPGAs can be configured with a
serial configuration device through the AS configuration mode.
1
This section is only relevant for FPGAs that support the Active
Serial (AS) configuration scheme. Only Stratix II FPGAs and the
Cyclone series FPGAs support the AS configuration scheme.
Active Serial
FPGA
Configuration
There are four signals on the serial configuration device that interface
directly with the FPGA’s control signals. The serial configuration device
signals
DATA, DCLK, ASDI,
and
nCS
interface with
DATA0, DCLK, ASDO,
and
nCSO
control signals on the FPGA, respectively.
shows a
serial configuration device programmed via a download cable which
configures an FPGA in AS mode.
shows a serial configuration
device programmed using the APU or a third-party programmer
configuring an FPGA in AS configuration mode.
Altera Corporation
July 2004
Core Version a.b.c variable
4–5
Configuration Handbook, Volume 2
ALTERA [ ALTERA CORPORATION ]
