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Altera_Forum's avatar
Altera_Forum
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8 years ago

USB Blaster and EPM3064

Dear reader,

I have installed both Quartus 13.0 and 17.1 and both work fine. I'm now investigating which programmer to buy and what chip to program. For small project I like the EPM3064 and as a programmer a Chinese USB blaster would like a nice choice but....... As we all know you need to be careful with these Chinese presents. So I was wondering if there is any one that have experience with Chinese USB blaster JTAC programmers and the Altera EPM3064 both coming from aliexpress.

If you have can you tell me what your experience is with these programmer and or chips.

If you have additional tips and advice's feel free to let me know.

Regards Oscar Goos

Example of EPM3064: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/100-new-original-epm3064atc44-10n-epm3064atc44-10-epm3064atc44-epm3064-altera-tqfp44/1660714099.html (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/100-new-original-epm3064atc44-10n-epm3064atc44-10-epm3064atc44-epm3064-altera-tqfp44/1660714099.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.73.295c6dae6rfgsg&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_5_10152_10151_10065_10344_10068_10342_10343_10340_10341_10084_10083_10618_10307_5711211_10313_10059_10534_100031_10103_10627_10626_10624_10623_10622_10621_10620_5722415_5711312,searchweb201603_25,ppcswitch_5&algo_expid=dd38266b-a5a1-443f-bc38-3ada9771eb61-11&algo_pvid=dd38266b-a5a1-443f-bc38-3ada9771eb61&pricebeautifyab=0)

Example of programmer: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/altera-max-ii-epm240-cpld-core-board-usb-blaster-fpga-programmer-for-epm240t100c5n-jtag-pld-development/32239076830.html (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/altera-mini-usb-blaster-cable-for-cpld-fpga-nios-jtag-altera-programmer/2038559613.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.92.263b10c6v1zycm&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_5_10152_10151_10065_10344_10068_10342_10343_10340_10341_10084_10083_10618_10307_5711211_10313_10059_10534_100031_10103_10627_10626_10624_10623_10622_10621_10620_5722415_5711313,searchweb201603_25,ppcswitch_5&algo_expid=e4b6f65c-5f11-482c-a1d9-10903d629cf1-13&algo_pvid=e4b6f65c-5f11-482c-a1d9-10903d629cf1&pricebeautifyab=0)

6 Replies

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

    Hi Oscar,

    I have got good experience with the USB Blaster Download Cable from Terasic.

    Regards,

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

    here a really cool hint, when you are searching for the best USB Blaster on the market, to program your Intel FPGA.

    Check this link:

    https://shop.trenz-electronic.de/de/tei0004-02-arrow-usb-programmer2-fuer-die-entwicklung-mit-intel-fpgas-2-54mm-header

    USB Blaster: 300$ , 6MBit speed

    USB Blaster2: 225$, 24MBit speed

    USB Programmer2 (Trenz/Arrow): 30€ (~35-40$), 21MBit speed

    Additional the USB Programmer2 has the following features:

    - USB: Micro-USB Connector, USB 2.0 HS support

    - Voltage levels supported: 0.8 to 3.6V

    - JTAG Connector: Standard 2x5 Pin Header

    - Very small size with connector: 14.2 x 20.8 mm²

    - Available as SMD module for direct PCB soldering --> for end products

    - SMD Module size: 17 x 17 mm² --> for end products

    - JTAG Activity LED

    - Power On LED

    - Additional support for UART and HPS reset --> very cool, espescially the UART on the same USB lane. So you can send UART messages easily to a PC terminal window (when connected the UART lines to the FPGA)

    - Drivers for Windows 7/10 and Linux

    The next update for the drivers will also support key programming and advanced features.

    The USB Programmer2 is already implemented in the MAX1000 and CYC1000 board, so proven by design.

    https://www.arrow.de/products/max1000/arrow-development-tools

    https://www.arrow.de/products/cyc1000/arrow-development-tools
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
    Icon for Honored Contributor rankHonored Contributor
    8 years ago

    Hi martin,

    Thanks for your response, any idea if the clone ebay versions work. Maybe you know people who use it.

    Regards Oscar
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
    Icon for Honored Contributor rankHonored Contributor
    8 years ago

    Hi Oscar,

    no idea about any ebay clone's users unfortunately. I have got some experience with the 3rd party device programmers from Advantech, EE Tools, Elnec and Hi-lo Systems.

    Regards,

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

    Thanks Martin,

    That a pity but that how life works :-) thanks any for answering, If you hear anything let me know.
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
    Icon for Honored Contributor rankHonored Contributor
    8 years ago

    Like other people here I've used the Terasic blaster without problems. Be aware that the EPM3064 is a MAX3000A series device which is no longer supported (obsolete). That's why I'm getting rid of all the ones I have.

    The price of the Chinese version programmer is $3. I would try it. No big loss if it does not work.

    I'm selling some of the EPM3128, EPM3064 and EPM3032 in ebay, if interested search for item number 332566501082.