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

Repair of EP1C6 and 3064 based main board. Need help!

Hello everybody,

I need help.

I’m repairing industry printer main board which is based on WinCE system.

Main board also includes two Altera units: EPM3064ATC44-7N and Cyclone EP1C6F256C8N.

There was a problem with 3.3V line on the board and most of 3.3V powered chips just barn out.

At this moment I have replaced 99% of broken chips.. including two Alteras.

Also I received from board MFG .pof file for EPM3064 and .rbf file for EP1C6.

Main board has JTAG plug.

As there is no problem with programming EPM3064 (using Quartus software)… I have no idea how to upload .rbf file into new Cyclone.

Also, I have same good working board and I can compare all signals.

There is boot up clock circuit which starts main CirrusLogic CPU, but this clock is controlled by Cyclone. Clock starts with low logic signal that goes from Cyclone.

On broken board (with new Cyclone) I have high logic signal all the time.

So, whole system can not start up and send Cyclone configuration file from system flash chip.

Summary:

After replacing two broken Altera units, Quartus detects EPM3064 and EP1C6 chained.

I can program EPM3064 with .pof file received from MFG.

How can I upload .rbf file into EP1C6 ???

I use ByteBlaster MV.

PLEASE HELP

Some photos of mainbord.

http://www.pouchx.com/PRV/ALTERA/chain.png

http://www.pouchx.com/PRV/ALTERA/EPM3064.jpg

http://www.pouchx.com/PRV/ALTERA/Cyclone.jpg

2 Replies

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

    --- Quote Start ---

    If I understood you correctly, you want to set one of the Cyclone's pin low.

    --- Quote End ---

    Yes. This one of condition to start CPU boot clock I found comparing to good board.

    Maybe there are many other conditions that I dont know about.

    I will try this software from link you gave me.

    But even if I will do it.. I'm not sure that other board components are good.. and I'm not sure Cyclone will be configured from flash.

    So, still looking for the way of uploading .rbf file direct into Cyclone.

    I need to eliminate every broken part of this board step by step.

    It is realy hard.

    At this time I'm sure that 3064 is programmed well.

    Main CPU is replaced. ( try soldering 350 balls BGA chip at home :) )

    Cyclone is replaced... and I stoped at this point.

    "Blank" Cyclone is blocking other units to start.