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HuaHongGan's avatar
HuaHongGan
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2 years ago

USB Blaster II AS Mode does not go into user mode after programming

I run into problem where my board is not resetting to user mode after programming the POF file using USB Blaster II AS mode. I checked the board schematic and it is matched to Figure 8-6 under: http...
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Programmable Logic Device
HuaHongGan's avatar
HuaHongGan
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2 years ago

Hi Alman,

  • What is the FPGA that was used?
    • We are using 3 type of FPGA family which is cyclone3, 4 and 10LP. All of them encounter the same problem.
  • Do you get any error message? Please show us the screenshot.
    • No error message. When we load the POF through quartus_pgm it is succesfully. However, after it is done flashing the system doesn't go into user mode. We have to either recycle the power or remove the 10 pin USB-BlasterII connector from the system.
  • Does the USB Blaster II ever work before?
    • As I mention on the above, the USB BlasterII work for flashing the POF in the EPCS but the main problem that bug me is after it is done programming is doesn't release the FPGA back to user mode instead the USB Blaster I does.
  • Have you try using another USB blaster II with the board?
    • Yes, we bought 25 USB Blaster II and I did swap a couple USB Blaster II on the same board. They are repeatable.

About the troubleshoot link that you sent, here are my response.

  • I am pretty sure I got the MSEL set to AS Standard Mode according to the each Cyclone Family datasheet. If I do not have the MSEL right in the 1st place why does the USB Blaster I will work for me but not the Blaster II.
  • I have also tried different version of quartus_pgm and it doesn't solve the issue. The main version we use is Ver19.1.
  • All the pull up/down resistors on all those config pins are setup according to Figure 8-6 under which I have already mention on the original post.

    https://www.intel.com/content/dam/www/programmable/us/en/pdfs/literature/hb/cyclone-iv/cyiv-51008.pdf

  • I have not probe out nCONFIG, nSTATUS, DCLK and DATA signals. I can do that and post it. However, with the same system, config hardware instead of using Blaster II but Blaster I. Why it works in the 1st place? So doubt it is a signal integrity causing this issue.

Thanks
Gan