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Altera_Forum's avatar
Altera_Forum
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15 years ago

FT2232H as USB blaster and RS232

Hi

my company have a project that have a very small number of pins to the outer world

in order to save those pins we thought about using this chip.

my problem is that I don't know how the Quartus will communicate with this chip, can I just change the VID and PID of the chip to that of the USB blaster and trick the quartus that way, or is it necessary to rewrite the USB blaster driver (which I believe is confidential)

any data regarding the subject will be welcomed

9 Replies

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    15 years ago

    What are you exactly trying to achieve? Altera USB Blaster interfaces JTAG through a CPLD SERDES circuit. The USB Blaster driver only works with this circuit.

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    15 years ago

    I'm trying to use the FT2232 instead of the standard USB Blaster, AND as a USB to RS232 bridge.

    according to device data sheet it can work as bridge from USB to JTAG and RS232. what is not explained in the documentation is how to make it work with the Quartus.

    FTDI supply a DLL file to make the USB to JTAG bridge, but I probably need some "glue" between the Quartus and this DLL.

    I hope I made myself clear, I'm an FPGA guy, not a PC applications Eng. :)
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    15 years ago

    FTDI is using a specific protocol ("MPSSE") to operate the device as JTAG or SPI interface. It's not compatible with USB Blaster driver.

    There's however a way to operate a standard FT2232 (don't know, if it works with FT2232H, too) as a JTAG adapter, that's recognized by the Quartus software. See http://www.alteraforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20490

    Unfortunately, the solution is considerably slower in SignalTap II operation, while device configuration and indirect JTAG programming are acceptable.
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    15 years ago

    I've handle the rate issue (it's better then nothing) but I'm not sure I can commit to Arrow, and in any case the Bemicro board if I'm not mistaken uses the FT2232L which is not recommended for new designs.

    I've opened a service request to Altera regarding the matter, let's see if they have a solution for me (putting a MAX just to implement USB blaster is not a solution )

    does anyone has any idea how XLINIX allows 3thd party interaction on the JTAG chain? I've never worked with them before, but I might have to...

    Ron
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    15 years ago

    I've just closed my service request with altera

    their politely stated response was use a MAX II to implement a usb blaster or leave us the hell alone
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    15 years ago

    --- Quote Start ---

    their politely stated response was use a MAX II to implement a usb blaster

    --- Quote End ---

    Did they suggest to "abuse" an existing development kit MAX II factory image or presented another idea where to get the undisclosed USB Blaster design?

    --- Quote Start ---

    the Bemicro board if I'm not mistaken uses the FT2232L which is not recommended for new designs.

    --- Quote End ---

    It uses FT2232D on recent revisions. It may be the case, that the driver can work with High Speed FT2232H as well, but it surely won't support higher JTAG clock speeds than 6 MHz without being rewritten, so there's probably no benefit, just an increased current

    consumption.
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    15 years ago

    --- Quote Start ---

    Did they suggest to "abuse" an existing development kit MAX II factory image or presented another idea where to get the undisclosed USB Blaster design?

    --- Quote End ---

    they refered me to ftp://ftp.altera.com/outgoing/devkit/maxii_developmentkit-v1.1.0_cd.zip there is an example there of a USB bridge. I admit I didn't look into it too much because it wasn't what I needed.

    --- Quote Start ---

    It uses FT2232D on recent revisions. It may be the case, that the driver can work with High Speed FT2232H as well, but it surely won't support higher JTAG clock speeds than 6 MHz without being rewritten, so there's probably no benefit, just an increased current

    consumption.

    --- Quote End ---

    I can suffer a slower speed, and even current consumption, but if I'm not mistaken version H is the only one recommended for new designs. maybe I will try to get the Bemicro driver. right now I only have an evaluation board for the FT2232H which I can wire to a JTAG connector of one of my boards (the good old product which had room for a connector)
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    15 years ago

    The suggested FT2232L replacement is FT2232D, as used in BeMicro. High speed FT2232H is an interesting device, but it's not suitable for a lot of applications. So FTDI surely will continue the full speed devices as well.

    P.S.: I don't see, that the said USB_ReferenceDesign from the Altera MAX II development kit contains anything related to an USB to JTAG connection.
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    15 years ago

    --- Quote Start ---

    The suggested FT2232L replacement is FT2232D, as used in BeMicro. High speed FT2232H is an interesting device, but it's not suitable for a lot of applications. So FTDI surely will continue the full speed devices as well.

    P.S.: I don't see, that the said USB_ReferenceDesign from the Altera MAX II development kit contains anything related to an USB to JTAG connection.

    --- Quote End ---

    you are correct. I mistakenly thought that H is just the newest device.

    so it seems I can use the D version with the Bemicro drivers. these are good news.