® February 2002, ver. 4.3 Features Data Sheet ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Altera Corporation DS-BITBL-4.3 Allows PC and UNIX workstation users to perform the following functions: – Program MAX® 9000, MAX 7000S, MAX 7000A, and MAX 3000A devices in-system via a standard RS-232 serial port – Configure FLEX® 10K, FLEX 8000, and FLEX 6000 devices in-circuit via a standard RS-232 serial port Downloads data from: – MAX+PLUS® II development software on PCs and UNIX workstations – A system prompt on PCs and UNIX workstations Provides two data download modes: passive serial (PS) and JTAG Programs/configures a single device or multiple devices in a chain Supports data transfer rates from 9,600 to 230,400 baud The BitBlaster™ serial download cable (ordering code: PL-BITBLASTER) is a hardware interface to a standard RS-232 port (called a “COM port” on PCs and either a “ttya port” or “ttyb port” on UNIX workstations). This cable channels configuration data to FLEX 10K, FLEX 8000, and FLEX 6000 devices, as well as programming data to MAX 9000 (including MAX 9000A), MAX 7000S, MAX 7000A, and MAX 3000A devices. Because design changes are downloaded directly to the device, prototyping is easy, and multiple design iterations can be accomplished in quick succession. See Figure 1. 1 13 Development Tools Functional Description BitBlaster Serial Download Cable BitBlaster Serial Download Cable Data Sheet Figure 1. BitBlaster Serial Download Cable POW ER DON E BUS Y ® ERR OR BITBL 10-Pin Female Plug ASTE R 25-Pin Female RS-232 Port Data Download Modes The BitBlaster cable provides two data download modes: ■ ■ Passive serial (PS) mode—Used for configuring FLEX 10K, FLEX 8000, and FLEX 6000 devices JTAG mode—Industry-standard JTAG boundary-scan test (BST) circuitry (compliant with IEEE Std. 1149.1-1990) implemented for programming or configuring FLEX 10K, MAX 9000, MAX 7000S, MAX 7000A, and MAX 3000A devices. BitBlaster Connections Data is downloaded from the computer’s RS-232 port through the BitBlaster cable to the circuit board via the connections described in this section. 1 2 To configure/program 3.3-V devices (e.g., FLEX 10KA, FLEX 10KB, FLEX 10KE, MAX 7000A, and MAX 3000A devices) using the BitBlaster cable, connect the cable’s VCC pin to a 5.0-V power supply and the device to a 3.3-V power supply. 3.3-V Altera devices have 5.0-V tolerant inputs, so the BitBlaster cable’s 5.0-V output will not harm these 3.0-V devices. The pull-up resistors should be connected to the 5.0-V power supply. Altera Corporation BitBlaster Serial Download Cable Data Sheet BitBlaster Female Port & Plug Connections The 25-pin female port connects to an RS-232 port with a standard serial cable. See Table 1. Table 1. BitBlaster 25-Pin Serial Port Pin-Outs Pin Signal Name Description 2 tx Transmit data 3 rx Receive data 4 rts Request to send 5 cts Clear to send 6 dsr Data set ready 7 GND Signal ground 20 dtr Data terminal ready The 10-pin female plug connects to a 10-pin male header on the circuit board containing the target device(s). Figure 2 shows the dimensions for the 10-pin female plug. 13 Development Tools Altera Corporation 3 BitBlaster Serial Download Cable Data Sheet Figure 2. BitBlaster 10-Pin Female Plug Dimensions Dimensions are shown in inches. The spacing between pin centers is 0.1 inch. 0.425 Typ. Color Strip 1 3 5 7 9 2 4 6 8 10 0.250 Typ. 0.100 Sq. 0.025 Sq. 0.700 Typ. Table 2 identifies the 10-pin female plug’s pin names for the corresponding download mode. Table 2. BitBlaster Female Plug’s Pin Names & Download Modes Pin JTAG Mode Signal Name 4 Description PS Mode Signal Name Description 1 TCK Clock signal DCLK Clock signal 2 GND Ground GND Ground 3 TDO Data from device CONF_DONE Configuration done 4 VCC Power supply VCC Power supply 5 TMS JTAG state machine control nCONFIG Configuration control 6 NC No connect NC No connect 7 NC No connect nSTATUS Configuration status 8 NC No connect NC No connect 9 TDI Data to device DATA0 Data to device 10 GND Ground GND Ground Altera Corporation BitBlaster Serial Download Cable Data Sheet Circuit Board Header Connection The BitBlaster 10-pin female plug connects to a 10-pin male header on the circuit board. The 10-pin male header has two rows of five pins connecting the circuit board to the device’s programming or configuration pins. The BitBlaster cable receives power and downloads data via the male header. Figure 3 shows the dimensions of a typical 10-pin male header. Figure 3. 10-Pin Male Header Dimensions Dimensions are shown in inches. Top View Side View 0.100 0.100 0.025 Sq. 0.235 13 Development Tools 1 The circuit board must supply VCC and ground to the BitBlaster cable. BitBlaster Status Lights The BitBlaster status lights indicate the state of the device configuration or programming. See Table 3. Table 3. BitBlaster Status Lights Status Light Altera Corporation Description POWER Indicates a connection to the target system’s power supply. DONE Indicates that device configuration or programming is complete. BUSY Indicates that device configuration or programming is in progress. ERROR Indicates error detection during configuration or programming. 5 BitBlaster Serial Download Cable Data Sheet Data Transfer Rate Control & Operating Conditions Three dipswitches on the side panel of the BitBlaster cable control the baud rate of the serial data. Table 4 shows the on/off dipswitch settings, which can be used to specify transfer rates ranging from 9,600 to 230,400 baud. The configuration time for an EPF81188A device, which uses 193,000 bits of configuration data, is also provided for reference. Table 4. Dipswitch Settings Note (1) Baud Rate (BPS) Dipswitch Positions 230,400 EPF81188A Configuration Time (Seconds) 1.5 1 2 3 115,200 3.0 1 2 3 76,800 4.5 1 2 3 57,600 5.5 1 2 3 38,400 8.5 1 2 3 19,200 17.0 1 2 3 14,400 22.0 1 2 3 9,600 33.0 1 2 3 Note: (1) f 6 The supported baud rates vary depending on the computer system. Refer to the computer system’s serial port hardware documentation to verify the available baud rates. Search for “Hardware Setup command” in MAX+PLUS II Help for more information. Altera Corporation BitBlaster Serial Download Cable Data Sheet Operating Conditions The Tables 5 through 7 summarize the absolute maximum ratings, recommended operating conditions, and DC operating conditions for the BitBlaster cable. Table 5. BitBlaster Cable Absolute Maximum Ratings Symbol Parameter Conditions Min Max Unit VCC Supply voltage With respect to ground –2.0 7.0 V VI DC input voltage With respect to ground –2.0 7.0 V Min Max Unit 4.75 5.25 V Table 6. BitBlaster Cable Recommended Operating Conditions Symbol VCC Parameter Conditions Supply voltage 5.0-V operation 13 Table 7. BitBlaster Cable DC Operating Conditions Parameter Conditions Min Max Unit V VIH High-level input voltage 2.0 VCC + 0.3 VIL Low-level input voltage –0.3 0.8 VOH 5.0-V high-level TTL output voltage IOH = –4 mA, VCC = 4.75 V VOL Low-level output voltage IO L = 4 mA DC ICC Operating current Altera Corporation 2.4 Development Tools Symbol V V 0.45 V 100 mA 7 BitBlaster Serial Download Cable Data Sheet Figure 4 shows the typical 5.0-V output drive characteristics of the BitBlaster cable. Figure 4. BitBlaster Output Drive Characteristics IO Output Current (mA) Typ. 150 IOL 120 VCC = 5.0 V Room Temperature 90 60 IOH 45 30 0.45 1 2 3 4 5 VO Output Voltage (V) Software Instructions The MAX+PLUS II Programmer downloads configuration or programming data. For FLEX 10K, FLEX 8000, and FLEX 6000 devices, configuration data can also be downloaded by copying the SBF to the RS-232 port from the system prompt. Downloading Configuration or Programming Data from the MAX+PLUS II Programmer To configure or program one or more devices with the BitBlaster cable and the MAX+PLUS II Programmer, follow these steps: 8 1. Compile a project. The MAX+PLUS II Compiler automatically generates an SOF for FLEX 10K, FLEX 8000, and FLEX 6000 device configuration, or a POF for MAX 9000, MAX 7000S, MAX 7000A, or MAX 3000A device programming. 2. Attach the BitBlaster cable to an RS-232 port on a PC or UNIX workstation and plug the 10-pin female header into the system containing the target device. Ensure that the POWER status light is on. The board must supply power to the BitBlaster cable. Altera Corporation BitBlaster Serial Download Cable Data Sheet 3. If necessary, change the BitBlaster cable’s baud rate using the dipswitches on its side panel. Dipswitch settings are listed in Table 4 on page 6. 4. Open the MAX+PLUS II Programmer. Choose the Hardware Setup command (Options menu) to specify the BitBlaster cable and the appropriate RS-232 port. See “Changing the Hardware Setup” in MAX+PLUS II Help for more information. 1 5. When you first open the Programmer, the MAX+PLUS II software automatically loads the programming file for the current project (either a POF or SOF), or the first programming file for a multi-device project. To specify another programming file, choose Select Programming File (File menu) and specify the correct file type. For a FLEX 10K, FLEX 8000, or FLEX 6000 device, select an SOF; for a MAX 9000, MAX 7000S, MAX 7000A, or MAX 3000A device, select a POF. For JTAG or FLEX-chain programming or configuration, perform the following: 13 1 If the JTAG chain includes either FLEX or MAX devices exclusively, set up and create just one JTAG Chain File (.jcf). If the JTAG chain includes a mixture of FLEX and MAX devices, set up and create two separate JCFs. v To configure multiple devices in a FLEX chain, turn on Multi-Device FLEX Chain (FLEX menu) and choose Multi-Device FLEX Chain Setup to setup the multi-device FLEX chain. See “Setting Up Multi-Device FLEX Chains” in MAX+PLUS II Help for more information. 6. Altera Corporation Choose the Program or Configure button to program or configure the device(s). The BUSY status light on the BitBlaster cable turns on. 9 Development Tools v To program or configure devices in a JTAG chain (multi- or single-device chain), turn on Multi-Device JTAG-Chain (JTAG menu) and choose Multi-Device JTAG Chain Setup to set up the multi-device JTAG chain. See “Setting up Multi-Device JTAG Chains” in MAX+PLUS II Help for more information. BitBlaster Serial Download Cable Data Sheet The BitBlaster cable downloads the data from the SOFs or POFs into the device(s). When configuration or programming is complete, the BUSY status light turns off, and the DONE status light turns on. After the DONE status light turns on, the BitBlaster can be disconnected. Downloading Configuration Data from a System Prompt (FLEX Devices Only) To configure one or more FLEX 10K, FLEX 8000, or FLEX 6000 devices with the BitBlaster cable from a system prompt, follow these steps: 1. Compile the project(s) with the MAX+PLUS II Compiler. The Compiler automatically generates an SOF for device configuration. 2. Open the MAX+PLUS II Programmer or Compiler and choose the Convert SRAM Object Files command (File menu). 3. Specify the SOF name by selecting it in the Files box or by typing its name in the File Name box. Choose Add to add the file to the Selected Files box. 4. Specify the serial bitstream file format by selecting .sbf (Sequential) in the File Format drop-down list box. Choose OK. 5. Attach the BitBlaster cable to an RS-232 port on your PC or UNIX workstation, and plug the 10-pin female header into the prototype system that contains the target FLEX 10K, FLEX 8000, or FLEX 6000 device(s). Ensure that the POWER status light is on. The board must supply power to the BitBlaster cable. 6. If necessary, change the baud rate of the BitBlaster cable using the dipswitches on its side panel. Dipswitch settings are listed in Table 4 on page 6. 7. Specify the baud rate of the target RS-232 (serial) port. v On a PC, type the following command at the system prompt: mode com <serial port number>:<baud rate>,N,8,1 10 Altera Corporation BitBlaster Serial Download Cable Data Sheet 1 Older versions of DOS may not support rates greater than 9,600 baud. Altera provides a slikmode.exe utility that sets higher rates for these older operating systems. The slikmode.exe utility is available from the /pub/misc directory of the Altera FTP site (ftp.altera.com) as a self-extracting executable, bitmode.exe. To use the slikmode.exe utility, type the following command at the system prompt: slikmode/b<baud rate>/c<serial port number> For instructions on using the slikmode.exe utility, type slikmode at the system prompt. stty <baud rate> /dev/<serial port id> Check the workstation specifications to determine the maximum baud rate allowed by the hardware. 8. Configure the FLEX 10K, FLEX 8000, or FLEX 6000 device by copying the SBF to the serial port to which the BitBlaster cable is attached. v On a PC, type the following command from the system prompt: copy <filename>.sbf com<serial port number>: v Because commands on UNIX workstations differ depending on the operating system, the following command is provided only as an example. On a UNIX workstation, type the following command from the system prompt: cp <filename>.sbf /dev/<serial port id> Altera Corporation 11 13 Development Tools v Because commands on UNIX workstations differ depending on the operating system, the following command is provided only as an example. On a UNIX workstation, type the following command from the system prompt: BitBlaster Serial Download Cable Data Sheet Conclusion Downloading configuration and programming data directly to the device via the BitBlaster cable allows designers to verify multiple design iterations in quick succession, thereby speeding the design cycle. References For more information on configuration and in-system programmablility (ISP), see the following sources: ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Revision History Application Note 116 (Configuring APEX 20K, FLEX 10K & FLEX 6000 Devices) Application Note 33 (Configuring FLEX 8000 Devices) Application Note 38 (Configuring Multiple FLEX 8000 Devices) Application Note 39 (IEEE 1149.1 (JTAG) Boundary-Scan Testing in Altera Devices) Application Note 95 (In-System Programmability in MAX Devices) Search for “Configuring a Single Device with the BitBlaster, ByteBlaster, or FLEX Download Cable,” “Setting Up MultiDevice JTAG Chains,” ”Configuring Multiple Devices in a JTAG Chain with the BitBlaster or ByteBlaster,” and “Programming a Single Device with BitBlaster or ByteBlaster” in MAX+PLUS II Help. The information contained in the BitBlaster Serial Download Cable Data Sheet version 4.3 supersedes information published in previous versions. Version 4.3 Changes The BitBlaster Serial Download Cable Data Sheet version 4.3 contains the following changes: updated procedures in “Downloading Configuration Data from a System Prompt (FLEX Devices Only)” on page 10. 12 Altera Corporation BitBlaster Serial Download Cable Data Sheet Version 4.02 Changes The BitBlaster Serial Download Cable Data Sheet version 4.02 contains the following changes: ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Information on MAX 3000A devices was added throughout the document. The “Passive Serial Mode” section was removed. This information is found in Application Note 116 (Configuring APEX 20K, FLEX 10K & FLEX 6000 Devices). The “JTAG Mode” section was removed. This information is found in Application Note 39 (IEEE 1149.1 (JTAG) Boundary-Scan Testing in Altera Devices) and Application Note 95 (In-System Programmability in MAX Devices). The “References” section was added, which provides sources for additional information on the BitBlaster download cable. Minor textual, illustration, and style changes were made to the data sheet. 13 Version 4.01 Changes ■ ■ ■ Altera Corporation References to MAX 9000A devices were added as needed. References to FLEX 10KB and FLEX 10KE devices were added to the configuring/programming 3.3-V devices paragraph in the “BitBlaster Connections” section. Minor textual, illustration, and style changes were made to the data sheet. 13 Development Tools The BitBlaster Serial Download Cable Data Sheet version 4.01 contains the following changes: BitBlaster Serial Download Cable Data Sheet 101 Innovation Drive San Jose, CA 95134 (408) 544-7000 http://www.altera.com Applications Hotline: (800) 800-EPLD Literature Services: [email protected] 14 Copyright © 2002 Altera Corporation. All rights reserved. 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