Forum Discussion
Altera PL-APU USB Master Programming Unit (Power supply ratings Help!)
Hi Folks,
I just recently acquired an Altera PL-APU Master programming unit. (The USB version) I am wondering if anyone knows the Voltage and current rating needed for the DC Power supply to power the Programming unit. There is a standard DC power port on the back along with the USB port and a DB9 female connector. My classmate whom I bought it from, didn't have the original power supply with it. So I just want to make sure I use the right voltage rating. Any help would be appreciated. I'd love to get it up and running. I have lots of pictures of the unit if necessary for your review. Kind Regards, -Gerry18 Replies
- Altera_Forum
Honored Contributor
Any thoughts anyone? I would have thought the Altera Techs would know this no?
-Gerry - Altera_Forum
Honored Contributor
I took the Circuit board out of the enclosure but there were no voltage markings at all around the DC input port. I'm guessing it might be around 9V DC or possibly 12 but of course I want to confirm this.
-Gerry - Altera_Forum
Honored Contributor
Any thoughts at all ?
- Altera_Forum
Honored Contributor
The PL-APU is essentially the same unit as the PL-ASAP2. The only difference is that it has the USB interface and therefore has no need for the LP6 Logic Programming card. This is the real old school Altera gear from the late 90's and early 2001.
-Gerry - Altera_Forum
Honored Contributor
Here are some image Links for you to review. So I'm optimistic that someone out there could let me know what the DC voltage and Amperage requirements are for this Altera PL-APU Master programmer.
You can clearly see in the the 2nd image link below that there is no visible DC rating marked on the enclosure, so I'm in the dark here and I have not been able to find any documentation that provides the DC power supply, voltage or current ratings. Again this is the model PL-APU master programmer. (USB VERSION) http://www.digital-circuitry.com/IMAGES/webpage/MyLAB/PL-APU.jpg http://www.digital-circuitry.com/images/webpage/mylab/altera_apu_006.jpg (http://www.digital-circuitry.com/images/webpage/mylab/altera_apu_006.jpg) http://www.digital-circuitry.com/images/webpage/mylab/altera_apu_003.jpg (http://www.digital-circuitry.com/images/webpage/mylab/altera_apu_003.jpg) http://www.digital-circuitry.com/images/webpage/mylab/altera_apu_010.jpg (http://www.digital-circuitry.com/images/webpage/mylab/altera_apu_010.jpg) http://www.digital-circuitry.com/images/webpage/mylab/altera_apu_018.jpg (http://www.digital-circuitry.com/images/webpage/mylab/altera_apu_018.jpg) http://www.digital-circuitry.com/images/webpage/mylab/altera_apu_022.jpg (http://www.digital-circuitry.com/images/webpage/mylab/altera_apu_022.jpg) Any help would be greatly appreciated. Kind Regards, Gerry O'Brien - Altera_Forum
Honored Contributor
I also posted some info and Images here on my website.
http://www.digital-circuitry.com/mylab_cpld_prog.htm (http://www.digital-circuitry.com/mylab_cpld_prog.htm) -Gerry - Altera_Forum
Honored Contributor
I attached a 5Volt DC power supply with a 1amp current rating. I figured chances are it would not be a lower voltage rating than 5 Volts so I took a chance. Well the Adapters programming light was vary Dim so I moved it up to a 6 Volt DC and still it was quite Dim, so I then used a 7.5 Volt DC supply and it seems to be at the regular brightness as the PL-ASAP2 programmer. However the Software is failing to detect the installed adapters.
-Gerry - Altera_Forum
Honored Contributor
So I'm wondering if it is a 9V DC or possibly even a 12Volt But I'm not at the point to want to try that yet so I think I'll try and find someone that has the APU programmer and ask them what their Power supply ratings indicate.
-Gerry - Altera_Forum
Honored Contributor
I guess I could just continue and use the PL-ASAP2 model but then what would be the point in having this USB model. It would allow me to use it with a Laptop as a portable programmer.
-Gerry - Altera_Forum
Honored Contributor
Can you open the programmer and look for a power regulator chip near the power connector?