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mahi_72931's avatar
mahi_72931
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3 years ago

Altera USB Blaster (usb-0)

Hi all,

i have a device which used fpga cyclone v 5CEBA4U15C7, iam using quartus prime lite 19.1, my goal is to access this fpga device through a jtag connection (connections are done) and flash sof files and view how the fpga works,

The altera usb blaster iam having is altera usb blaster (not usb blaster ii, in programmer the hardware will show this device as USB-0).

This usb blaster is not recognizing my fpga, instead, it is showing 5ceba4, the exact part number is not showing, and iam not able to flash my sof files, even if i selec 5ceba4 and flash via jtag, programmer will show that it's failed,
should i get a usb blaster ii ?
in the data sheet of usb blaster (USB-0) it is shown that it supports cyclone V EPCQ-L devices,
in the data sheet of usb- blaster (USB-II) it is shown that it supports Cyclone v FPga devices,
i just wanted to confirm whether this is due to usb-0 not supporting my exact fpga board, or should i get usb-ii for accessing my exact fpga device.

Thanks in advance,

mahesh.this is how usb blaster is shown in device manager.

16 Replies

  • FvM's avatar
    FvM
    Icon for Super Contributor rankSuper Contributor

    Hi,
    will never show the exact FPGA type, it recognizes the FPGA only by JTAG ID which is shared between different devices.

    If the programmer recognizes a FPGA, e.g. by performing autodetect, you can expect that the the driver is installed correctly and the programmer working. Generally, you can use USB Blaster and USB Blaster II for all FPGA.

    Programming failure can have different reasons.

  • FvM's avatar
    FvM
    Icon for Super Contributor rankSuper Contributor

    Hi,
    I was suggesting autodetect to check FPGA connection. If you are starting the programmer in a Quartus project, the connected FPGA should match the project settings, otherwise sof download can't succeed.

    If you device is correct but sof download fails though, there's probably a hardware problem. Is it a verified board design, e.g. development kit, or your own hardware?

    • mahi_72931's avatar
      mahi_72931
      Icon for New Contributor rankNew Contributor

      Again thanks for responding.

      i started the project by selecting cyclone V 5CEBA4U15C7, but usb blaster is detecting '5CEBA4' , how to flash the generated sof file for 5CEBA4U15C7, with usb blaster only detecting 5CEBA4. Does it means a hardware problem ?.

      The device iam working on is a verified board, it's our own hardware, fpga used is '5CEBA4U15C7', where jtag connections are availabe and can be accessed.

      Regards.

      • FvM's avatar
        FvM
        Icon for Super Contributor rankSuper Contributor
        Hi,
        with which error does configuration fail? Presumed you are not trying to configure the FPGA with a .sof for a different device, it's most likely a problem of JTAG harware on your board and signal quality. You say that "JTAG connections are available and can be accessed". That's obvious in so far as Quartus programmer identifies the Cyclone V device. But how do you prove that the connection is reliable?
  • mahi_72931's avatar
    mahi_72931
    Icon for New Contributor rankNew Contributor

    Thank you for the fast reply,
    so basically we can select the fpga detected from autodetect, and start the programmer ?

  • Hi,


    • Can you attach a screenshot of the Programmer GUI which shows the progress bar and reported error?
    • Are there other devices in the same JTAG chain or just the Cyclone V?
      • If multiple devices, can you physically isolate the other devices from the chain so it is just the Cyclone V?
    • Have you try other USB Blaster?


    Regards,

    Aiman




    • mahi_72931's avatar
      mahi_72931
      Icon for New Contributor rankNew Contributor

      Hi,

      There is only one device in the jtag chain and i haven't checked with other usb blaster.

      (note : in my case all nCE pins are grounded.)

  • Hi,


    • Is this the first time you are programming the board by using the USB Blaster?
    • If not, has it ever work before?
    • Please try to uninstall and reinstall the USB Blaster driver. Please ensure to install the driver correctly.
    • Can you also try to use other USB blaster? Or if you have USB Blaster II, you can also use that.
    • Please try to program by using another working board with current FPGA and USB blaster.


    Regards,

    Aiman


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