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Altera_Forum's avatar
Altera_Forum
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9 years ago

Can MAX V CPLD Development kit be used as USB blaster?

Hi,

After many years in electronics, micros, etc. I'm starting into CPLD as a replacement for digital glue logic. I'm purchasing a MAX V development kit (DK-DEV-5M570ZN) and wondering if after I do development I can use the integrated blaster to program my boards?

Figure 2-3 in the handbook describing the JTAG chain seems to me to suggest that in addition to being able to use an external JTAG programmer, the internal programmer could be connected to an external device. Would this work?

Thanks

2 Replies

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    9 years ago

    For configuring your CPLD or FPGA using JTAG, an external programmer is mandatory. This external programmer can be a stand-alone USB Blaster or you can integrate it into your PCB, again external to the FPGA. You can also use a Micro to configure your FPGA using a software program, provided by Altera.

    There are also methods other than JTAG for configuring FPGAs, like Active Serial, Parallel, etc for use with a Flash for example.

    If you target a CPLD, once you configured it, it can be reprogrammed automatically on power up. For FPGAs, you should reconfigure it every time it powers up.
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    9 years ago

    Probable using:

    "J13, J14 JTAG header Footprint (at the bottom of the board) to mount a JTAG header. The header allows direct-access to devices in the JTAG connection"

    That comes from he reference manual.