Forum Discussion
Honored ContributorActive Serial Programming ISSUE EPCS16 EP4CE15
Dear friends,
i have designed and assembled my first fpga board and have some issues with the active serial programming. After programming the config device via usb blaster (which states 100% successful) my fpga remains in unprogrammed state even after reseting. The programming via jtag works without any issues. Because of my lack of experiance with altera cyclone 4 i am not sure if this is a hardware or software issue and appreciate any kind of help. I will provide some detailed informations below. I am using the Quartus II 14.1 web edition. 1. Settings: Assignments -> Device - > Device and Pin Options -> Configuration: Config scheme: active serial (can use config device) Config mode: standard use config device: EPSC16 config dev io voltage: auto force vccio to be compatible: true generate compressed bitstreams: true enable input tri-state on active config: false Programmer: Mode: active serial programming Tools -> options: http://www.alteraforum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=10829&stc=1 2. pcb schematic for config device http://www.alteraforum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=10826&stc=1 3. simple fpga schematics http://www.alteraforum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=10827&stc=1 4. POF File10 Replies
Altera_ForumAfter a few hour of programming and debugging i think i have found my bug, i believe my msel config is faulty, because it should have been
MSEL0 - L MSEL1 - H MSEL2 - L for active serial mode with 3V3, right? Is there a possibility to fix this without hardware debugging?- Altera_Forum
You are on to your problem. (Athough I get a different MSEL config for 3.3)
MSEL 0 = H MSEL 1 = L MSEL 2 = L (for standard AS mode 3.3V) MSEL 0 = H MSEL 1 = L MSEL 2 = H (for fast AS mode 3.3 V) The mode you have set is Passive Serial mode, so that would require you to provide the clock and control signals. (Usually used when a CPU is used to program the FPGA) Your only option here is to correct the error unfortunately. Unless your routing is such you can cut a trace and re-wire it for a re-work, it probably means a board spin. Pete - Altera_Forum--- Quote Start --- You are on to your problem. (Athough I get a different MSEL config for 3.3) MSEL 0 = H MSEL 1 = L MSEL 2 = L (for standard AS mode 3.3V) MSEL 0 = H MSEL 1 = L MSEL 2 = H (for fast AS mode 3.3 V) --- Quote End --- Hello Pete, i will try to cut/desoder the pin and connect it via a wire to the next vcc via, but i am curious if your or my suggested levels are correct (i do not want to change an error or another). In the cyclone iv device handbook, page 173, table 8.5 is stated http://www.alteraforum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=10833&stc=1 Could you please confirm this, or am i making a mistake? Thank you very much for your help, i appreciate it. Best regards Nenad
- Altera_Forum
Hello Pete, i will try to cut/desoder the pin and connect it via a wire to the next vcc via, but if am curious if your or my suggested levels are correct (i do not want to change an error or another). In the cyclone iv device handbook, page 173, table 8.5 is stated
http://www.alteraforum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=10834&stc=1 Could you please confirm this, or am i making a mistake? Thank you very much for your help, i appreciate it. Best regards Nenad PS: my answeres are getting lost, i hope i have not answered you three times - Altera_Forum
Hi Need. You are correct.
I was looking at the table 8-3 (For the GX device). Sorry for the confusion. Pete - Altera_Forum
nnead, yes set your MSEL pins to L,H,L. You will have to do a hardware change, by physically connecting wires to those nodes (or just cutting the existing MSEL1 track and adding a wire to 3.3V). I recently had to do the same exercise on a BGA b/c i messed up the MSEL pins... not a fun exercise... Hopefully your pcb layout isn't too complicated to debug.
- Altera_Forum
Hello Pete,
thanks again, so now its time for some funny one pin qfp desoldering. Best regards Nenad - Altera_Forum--- Quote Start --- nnead, yes set your MSEL pins to L,H,L. You will have to do a hardware change, by physically connecting wires to those nodes (or just cutting the existing MSEL1 track and adding a wire to 3.3V). I recently had to do the same exercise on a BGA b/c i messed up the MSEL pins... not a fun exercise... Hopefully your pcb layout isn't too complicated to debug. --- Quote End --- Hello krasner, thank you for your response. The only solution for me is to desolder one pin, isolate it from its pad (maybe bend over) and solder it via to small wire to some vcc via. Unfortunally i cant cut the track because it is under the fpga. What a pitty, this is my first pcb and i really hoped it would be flawless
- Altera_Forum
I know this board is done and over, but what I tend to do, is have these pins either going through 0 ohm resisters to their target voltages, or through surface traces that are exposed outside the perimeter of the FPGA, so that I'm always positive I can fix it with easy rework if I do happen to get it wrong.
Pete - Altera_Forum
Thanks again, everythig works now as expected, ill will plan more 0 ohms for the next pcb https://www.alteraforum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=10848
