Can I use the BEMICRO MAX 10 to program the MAX 10 FPGA Evaluation Kit?

Question

Hello everybody

Taking a look to the schematic of the Arrow BeMicro MAX 10 tool I could see a connector labeled "USB_Blaster_JTAG" (J7). Then looking for images of the tool I can see that this is not exactly a connector but is 5 exposed pads at the edge of the PCB and I assume they are distributed as the labels in the image taking as a reference the little "triangle" which I think indicates PIN1.

http://www.alteraforum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=11279&stc=1

I haven't found images for the bottom of the tool but I assume that I could find the other 5 pads at the bottom side.

As I have a MAX 10 FPGA Evaluation kit from Altera and I didn't buy the usb blaster as a bundle (huge mistake), I would like to know if I can use this BeMicro tool as a USB blaster to program my "MAX 10 FPGA Evaluation kit" since I don't want to spend $300 usd in a USB blaster specially if I can have one for $30 (being part of a tool that I also need).

Could anyone confirm this please? I'll appreciate it.

Regards.

altera_forum · Answer

Check the schematics ...

http://www.alterawiki.com/uploads/e/ec/bemicro_max_10-schematic_a4-20141008.pdf

Page 6 shows the header details.

There appears to be two JTAG interfaces; the 6-pin header for programming the MAXV CPLD and the edge connector for ... what? You cannot tell what this port is for. Its most likely for attaching an external USB-Blaster that is then passed through the MAXV to the JTAG side of the MAX10 device.

Before connecting to the edge pads, try to figure out what direction the pins are configured for. I doubt the source is provided for the MAXV device.

I'd recommend buying at Terasic USB-Blaster for $50. They are identical to the $300 Altera USB-Blasters.

Cheers,

Dave

altera_forum · Answer

Hey,

The port J7 is actually a cool feature. It allows to you steer the JTAG to program the external device instead of the on board MAX10.

There's a voltage detect pin signal that goes to the CPLD and the CPLD steers the Blaster to the J7 header.

Then you'd have a cheaper USB-Blaster for 30bucks :D

Jeff

altera_forum · Answer

jefflieu thanks for helping!

So, can I use this tool as a USB blaster to program another tool connecting it as in the attached image? Or, do you have a diagram with J7 pin out that shows how can I use it as a USB blaster?

Thanks!!

altera_forum · Answer

Your pinout on the top side shown in the image above is correct.

You just need a 2x5 header to solder to the edge. Then use a 2x5 ribbon cable to connect to the target board.

The target board has to supply a voltage 2.5 or 3.3. CPLD bank2 would switch to that voltage ... The voltage is called USB_Blaster_power

This is how i use

altera_forum · Answer

Aloha all,

Forgive me for resurrecting an old thread, but I'm working with a start up in LA, and we are in desperate need of BeMicro Max 10 FPGA kits. Do any of you have ones you are not using? We are willing to purchase them.

Mahalo!

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Can I use the BEMICRO MAX 10 to program the MAX 10 FPGA Evaluation Kit?

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