Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) are meant to be used when re-optimizing or reconfiguring specific devices. Today, the variety of FPGAs need to be programmed outside of the host environment.
It therefore raised the question on the integrity of the FPGA when it cannot be expressly used in-system or inside the target applications to remodify how those applications work.
In response to those concerns, Altera and Intel, two of the leading configurable device manufacturers, teamed up to release the Altera USB Blaster. If you have always wanted to do in-system programming of FPGAs, this is the device you need to get the job done – and neatly too.
What is the Altera USB Blaster?
It is a dedicated Universal Serial Bus (USB) used to configure or optimize an electronic device. Unlike some of the FPGA design processes out there, the Altera USB Blaster allows for in-system programming, meaning that the reconfiguration of the electronic device takes place inside it.
How Does Altera USB Blaster Work?
Up to three (3) simple processes are used to make the in-system programming of these electronic devices.
Below is a breakdown of how they all combine to work:
USB Interfacing to the FPGA
The first point to note is that the Altera USB Blaster is a download cable, which can be used to download and circulate data to and from the host device.
Through this download cable, an interface or connection will be created between the host computer and the Altera Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), which is mounted on a Printed Circuit Board (PCB).
To ensure the best performance, it is better to piece or decouple the target electronic device to get to the internal components, one of which is the FPGA.
Data Transfer
Now that the interface or connection has been established, the next step is to transfer the data or information.
To do this, the Altera USB Blaster download cable has to send configuration data from the host computer or Personal Computer (PC), straight to the standard 10-pin header that has been connected to the FPGA mounted on the PCB.
Data Download
The major processes have been completed. It is now time to make use of the configuration data. There are two ways to do this, but before that, you want to understand that the downloading options vary.
To use the configuration data, the Altera USB Blaster has to either download it (the configuration data for the FPGA) to a system. This happens when the system is undergoing prototyping or the earliest stage of manufacturing.
The second option is to use the Altera USB Blaster to make a direct programming of the configuration data into the system. This takes place when the system is undergoing the final production.
The Altera USB Blaster Programming Modules
There are different modules used for programming the Altera USB Blaster. The choice depends on the target applications.
Examples of these programming modules are:
Joint Test Action Group
Also called the JTAG, it is the most outstanding programming module of the Altera USB Blaster. According to the manufacturer, the JTAG module can be used to program and configure all the Altera devices, especially the ones supported by the Quartus II software.
However, the JTAG module excluded the programming of the EPCS and the FLEX 6000 configuration devices.
Active Serial Programming
As the name suggests, this programming mode is best used when making reconfigurations of the “active devices.”
Altera shortlisted the EPCS128, the single EPCS1, EPCS4, EPCS16, and the EPCS64 serial configuration device as some of the supported devices.
Passive Serial Programming
Just as it supports the configuration of active devices, the programming modes also lend the same support for the passive components.
Examples of the configurations here include the configuration of all the Altera devices, especially those supported by the Quartus II software.
However, exclusions are made for the EPCS serial configuration devices, as well as the following enhanced configuration devices:
- MAX 3000
- MAX 7000
- EPC and
- MAX III
Important Altera USB Blaster Connection Options
Haven noted how the Altera USB Blaster establishes connection between the host computer and the FPGA, let us quickly highlight some of the connection peripherals.
Below are some of those:
- Universal Plug: Altera USB Blaster has a USB Universal Plug. This plug is used to connect the Altera USB Blaster to the PC USB port.
- 10-pin Header: also called the 10-pin female plug, it is connected to the Printed Circuit Board (PCB).
When it is the time to transfer or download configuration data, it would be done via the passage of the data to the USB port on the Personal Computer (PC). Once sent here, the configuration data would be passed through the Altera USB Blaster cable to the Printed Circuit Board (PCB).
General Requirements
We wouldn’t end this review of the Altera USB Blaster without mentioning some of the important requirements that come with it. Here are some of the requirements:
Power Requirements
For the Altera USB Blaster to work optimally, it has to be connected to a power source with up to 5 volts from the USB cable.
The power source also needs to maintain a minimum of 1.5 volts and a maximum of 5 volts from the target Printed Circuit Board (PCB).
Supported Devices
The devices supported by the Altera USB Blaster differ, based on the overall specifications. For example, it supports the use of the download cable to download configuration to all the Altera devices. Examples of these devices are:
- Excalibur FPGAs
- Stratix Series of FPGAs
- Mercury FPGAs
- MAX Series of CPLDs
- FLEX 10K Series of FPGAs
- Cyclone FPGAs and;
- ACEX 1K FPGAs
Altera USB Blaster also supports the devices for in-system programming, using the configuration data passed through the Altera USB Blaster download cable:
- Serial Configuration Devices, such as EPCS128, EPCS1, EPCS4, EPCS16 and EPCS64.
- Altera Configuration Devices, including the EPC2 devices.
- Enhanced Configuration Devices, such as the EPC4, EPC8 and the EPC16 devices.
Final Thoughts on Altera USB Blaster
You can count on the Altera USB Blaster when you want to make an in-system programming of any of the aforementioned Altera devices. We believe this is a major step in the right direction towards the improved performance of consumer electronics.
