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Altera_Forum's avatar
Altera_Forum
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9 years ago

Power on detection

Hello, please help me solving the issue.

I have FPGA (cyclone-3 based) module connected to another system. That system generates reset signal on power on, and FPGA translates this signal to its devices. But it did not work some times, and I found out why: when power is applied, system activates reset signal, at the same time FPGA starts configuration from EPCS device. However, it seems configuration takes longer than system has reset signal active, and when FPGA is "ready" reset time has already finished, and devices attached to FPGA were not reset properly ("reset" output pin of FPGA was tri-stated during config).

Of course there's option to solve it in hardware - put pull-down resistor onto FPGA "reset" output pin, and during configuration all devices will be in reset state.

Is there any way to solve this issue in FPGA configuration - e.g. detect the end of configuration so that FPGA can perform reset to its attached devices?

Please advise. Thank you!

12 Replies

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
    Icon for Honored Contributor rankHonored Contributor

    Are you questioning why the pin is high during configuration? Read about configuration in the Cyclone III device handbook. It clearly states that all I/O pins are tristated with weak internal pull-ups until until configuration is complete. The pull-ups cannot be disabled, so if you need an FPGA pin to be held low prior to and during configuration you have to add an external pull-down resistor.

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
    Icon for Honored Contributor rankHonored Contributor

    Thank you. With 2.7kOhm it should achieve 0.32V, with 1.2mA drain when line is brought high. Should be OK for 3V3 LVTTL.

    Edit: tested, after power up and during configuration pin now has low level.