Forum Discussion

Altera_Forum's avatar
Altera_Forum
Icon for Honored Contributor rankHonored Contributor
12 years ago

HDMI with Cyclone 5 + Embedded USB Blaster

Hello.

I'm trying to make a board with a HDMI port connected on a Cyclone V 5CSXFC6D6F31C8NES.

After some research, it appears that I could use an ADV7513 (Analog device) chip to transform a parallel 24bits RGB signal (apparently something like a VGA signal) to a HDMI compatible signal.

However, I was wondering if it was possible to connect the HDMI directly to the device, using it's 3Gbps transceivers?

Secondly, is there a way to implement a USB Blaster II? Is the schematics and code available somewhere?

Thanks in advance!

Matthieu

5 Replies

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
    Icon for Honored Contributor rankHonored Contributor
    12 years ago

    The simple answer is, yes. You can interface HDMI directly to transceivers in Cyclone V parts. However, if you're concerned about doing so, unless this is a high volume product you're involved with, then the relatively low cost of using an off the shelf solution (such as the Analogue Devices part you suggested) shouldn't be dismissed.

    There is a long discussion of interfacing HDMI to Cyclone III. Have a read of the following thread:

    http://www.alteraforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36928 (http://www.alteraforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36928)

    You may also consider the Stratix IV GX development board as a reference design. This uses an AD9889B Analogue Devices part (very similar to the part you suggested) to implement the HDMI physical layer. I'd suggest it's worth paying attention to the way Altera chose to implement such an interface on their reference boards.

    http://www.altera.co.uk/literature/manual/rm_sivgx_fpga_dev_board.pdf (http://www.altera.co.uk/literature/manual/rm_sivgx_fpga_dev_board.pdf)

    As for the on board USB Blaster solution, unless you're an close ally of Altera (such as Terasic) you'll not get the code required for the CPLD in their USB Blasters.
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
    Icon for Honored Contributor rankHonored Contributor
    12 years ago

    Thank you very much for you answer!

    I think I'll indeed go with the AD device, it's seems much simpler...

    Matthieu
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
    Icon for Honored Contributor rankHonored Contributor
    12 years ago

    --- Quote Start ---

    As for the on board USB Blaster solution, unless you're an close ally of Altera (such as Terasic) you'll not get the code required for the CPLD in their USB Blasters.

    --- Quote End ---

    Although Thomas Entner has reverse engineered it.......

    http://www.entner-electronics.com/tl/index.php/eeblaster.html

    This also has a smaller footprint 6 pin header for the JTAG header, much better that the 0.1" pitch monstrosity we're all used to!

    Nial
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
    Icon for Honored Contributor rankHonored Contributor
    12 years ago

    Indeed - and Thomas Entner isn't the only person to have a Blaster solution. There are several available implementing a varying number of functions supported by Altera's own Blaster.

    Fine for home use. However, you'd be a brave boy to deploy such a solution on a retailing product...
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
    Icon for Honored Contributor rankHonored Contributor
    12 years ago

    --- Quote Start ---

    Secondly, is there a way to implement a USB Blaster II? Is the schematics and code available somewhere?

    --- Quote End ---

    You can licence the USB-Blaster II MAX design and firmware from Altera. Contact your local sales office for more details.