Honored Contributor
Honored ContributorHi rbugalho
The links were indeed VERY helpful! Please look at the image below, this looks to be the perfect option and in AS mode as you mentioned. http://www.sola-larm.com/cycloneconfig.jpg So with this configuration i just download from the PC via JTAG connector where the configuation program is stored in say an EPCS4SI8N device. After that if power is ever connected to the circuit the configuration program is automatically loaded into the Cyclone from the EPCS4SI8N IC. Please correct me if i'm wrong but its no different than programming a MAX device directly but the program storage is external. The MAX would require the JTAG method and the Cyclone the AS method of programming. 1. Is the above configuration a standard and most used method? 2. For developement, the Cyclone III (EP3C5) looks a good IC to learn with. After looking all over the Altera website, i can only find the pinout text for this device, not an actual diagram of the TQFP144 ic itself showing the pins like the MAX II PDF's which are superb! Can you advise a link to a diagram for the EP3C5 please? Things are coming together now, gradually clicking into place :). Many thanks RonUK P.S Your comments on the Cyclone voltage was also very helpful, when looking at the EP3C5 device it look pretty simple and as follows : Internal Logic (VCCINT) = 1.8v Digital Voltage for PLL (VCCD-PLL) = 1.8v Output Buffers (VCCIO) = 3.3v Analogue Voltage for PLL (VCCA) = 3.3v .
