How do I design a programmer to burn an Altera Ciclone 2 chip?

Have a good look through Chapter 13 of the Cyclone II Handbook - configuring cyclone ii devices (https://www.altera.com/content/dam/altera-www/global/en_us/pdfs/literature/hb/cyc2/cyc2_cii51013.pdf). Cyclone II devices are volatile parts that need programming each time they are powered up. You can't 'burn an Altera Cyclone 2 chip'...

Arguably, the most cost effective solution is to use a serial configuration device connected to the FPGA for 'Active Serial Configuration' (AS Configuration). Look at the appropriate section of the above document, page 13-6, for details. The serial configuration device can be programmed using some sort of ISP solution, typically a usb-blaster (https://www.altera.com/content/dam/altera-www/global/en_us/pdfs/literature/ug/ug_usb_blstr.pdf) (but there are plenty of options here), or prior to being assembled onto the board.

Cheers,

Alex