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AdamStone's avatar
AdamStone
Icon for New Contributor rankNew Contributor
5 years ago

MAX 7000 Read/Write Program

I'm trying to get set up for programming Max 7000 CPLDs as well as reading the program from them. The specific IC is the EPM7128A. As far as I can tell I need a cable, adapter, and software. The adap...
Claudiani's avatar
Claudiani
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5 years ago

Hello.
I recently bought a bunch of Altera MAX 7000A CPLDs on RS components in the plcc44 package.
I already have at home one of those cheap clones altera usb blaster with JTAG output.
I tried a simple breadboard setup to program the cpld with altera quartus without success.

  • ak6dn's avatar
    ak6dn
    Icon for Regular Contributor rankRegular Contributor
    5 years ago

    Well, I have a similar setup, I think.

    I placed PLCC44 and PLCC84 sockets on test PCBs with 10p/2x5/100mil Altera pinout JTAG connectors. I use the TerAsic USB Blaster clone, available at the TerAsic website. Operates just like the Altera device.

    I have programmed EPM7064SLC44-10 parts, and EPM7128SLC84-7N parts using QuartusIIWeb 13.0sp1 tools on both a Win7/64b/SP1 (now retired) and Win10/64b/v1909 (my current environment).

    I don't have EPM7xxxA series parts but I believe they should program just like the EPM7xxxS series parts.

    I attached PDFs of the schematic for my PLCC44 test card, and the PCB layout, for reference.

    So what version of Quartus are you using?

    • KRK's avatar
      KRK
      Icon for New Contributor rankNew Contributor
      1 year ago

      Hi.

      I was looking for a solution and i found this page (after long searching).

      I noticed the "EPM7064SLC44-10" in your reply. This PLC is exactly the device for which i am searching information.

      My audio card (EMU APS), which is a PCI card installed in a PC Windows Machine, stopped working. I found that the ALTERA PLC are getting very-very hot right after the Windows (XP) boot. So i want to replace it. As i have been told, i can not just replace it with a new empty one but i must first program it with its firmware. I have very basic knowledge about programming. As i understood, i must extract the firmware from the broken one and install it to a new empty one and then soldering to the PCB (audio card).

      What tools will i need to do this ? Where can i buy them ?

      Thanks, in advance.

      • _AK6DN_'s avatar
        _AK6DN_
        Icon for Frequent Contributor rankFrequent Contributor
        1 year ago

        For all intents and purposes probably to a high degree not possible to do.

        Most likely on a commercial product such as this the 'security' bit is set in the Altera device, so you cannot read the programming.

        Even if it were not set, the fact that it does not work and is overheating likely means it is nonfunctional, so reading it is moot.

        Even if you wanted to go further, existing available programming tools for the device (Quartus 13.0sp1 on this site) to
        not support reading the firmware out via the JTAG interface. The feature was deprecated in the software.

        You would need to remove the device from the board and use a 3rd party programmer (ie, from Xeltek or EETools) that
        supports programming the device family. They provide both read and write capabilities in their software/hardware.

        Such a tool will likely set you back in terms of cost much more than your card is worth.

        Recycle the card. It has had a good life. It has crossed over the rainbow bridge. Say goodbye.

        Find a new card.