Forum Discussion
Can MAX10-DC compact device supports RSU feature?
Great question — let me address both parts directly.
Does the MAX 10 Compact device support RSU (Remote System Upgrade)?
No, it does not. The Dual Configuration IP can work correctly only if it is implemented with Flash or Analog feature options that are capable of holding two configuration images. Compact feature devices support a single configuration image only and are not supported by the Dual Configuration IP. Why do Intel® MAX® 10 compact devices do not support Dual Configuration Intel® FPGA IP? Since RSU relies on the Dual Configuration IP, this rules out RSU on Compact devices.
To confirm the device-level restriction: the Compact variant's core architecture features a single configuration image with self-configuration capability only. MAX 10 FPGA Device Overview And from the configuration mode table, Compact devices support only Single Compressed Image and Single Uncompressed Image internal configuration modes. MAX® 10 FPGA Configuration User Guide
If you need RSU, you need to use Flash or Analog feature devices. Specifically, the device must support one of these feature options: SA (Single supply – analog and flash features with RSU option), DF (Dual supply – flash features with RSU option), or DA (Dual supply – analog and flash features with RSU option). Why do Intel® MAX® 10 compact devices do not support Dual Configuration Intel® FPGA IP?
Can I still do a remote update of a single image on CFM0 with a Compact device?
The standard RSU flow (using the Dual Configuration IP to trigger reconfiguration from a remotely-updated flash image) is not available on Compact devices. However, you can directly program the flash of the MAX 10 device — including the Configuration Flash Memory (CFM) and User Flash Memory (UFM) — using a download cable with the Quartus Prime software programmer. MAX 10 FPGA Development Kit User Guide That said, this is a direct programming approach via JTAG, not an autonomous in-field RSU flow.
For a true autonomous remote update capability (writing a new image to flash during user mode and then triggering reconfiguration), you need a Flash or Analog feature device. Those variants allow flash image update through the On-Chip Flash IP during user mode, MAX 10 FPGA Device Overview and enhancements and bug fixes can be deployed remotely by updating the internal flash through the On-Chip Flash IP core and performing reconfiguration from a remote site through the Dual Configuration IP core. AN 904: MAX 10 Hitless Update Implementation Guidelines
Bottom line: if remote autonomous update is a requirement for your design, you'll need to move to a Flash or Analog MAX 10 variant.