Altera's enhanced configuration devices (EPC16, EPC8, and EPC4) and serial configuration devices (EPCS4, EPCS1, EPCS16, and EPCS64) offer a cost-effective configuration solution for all Altera® FPGAs. The enhanced and serial configuration devices have different programming methods as described below.
Enhanced Configuration Device Programming Methods
Enhanced configuration (EPC) devices can be programmed in-system via the industry standard 4-pin IEEE Standard 1149.1 (JTAG) interface. The EPC devices can be programmed using the following methods:
- Altera Programming Tools
EPC devices can be programmed using Quartus® II software and Altera download cables such as USB-BlasterTM, ByteBlasterTM II, ByteBlasterMVTM or the MasterBlasterTM.
- In-Circuit Tester
EPC devices can be programmed using in-circuit testers.
- Boundary-Scan Tools
EPC devices can be programmed using boundary-scan tools.
- Third-Party Programmers
Third-party vendors offer conventional off-board programming support for EPC devices.
- IEEE 1532 Programming
EPC devices support in-system programmability (ISP) using the IEEE 1532 standard.
- Jam STAPL
EPC device programming can be done with the Jam Standard Test and Programming Language (STAPL) programmer.
Serial Configuration Device Programming Methods
The serial configuration (EPCS) devices do not support the JTAG interface, the conventional method to program these devices is via the active serial (AS) programming interface. The EPCS devices can be programmed using the following methods:
- Altera Programming Tools
EPCS devices can be programmed using Quartus II software through Altera download cables such as USB-Blaster and ByteBlaster II. The older versions of Altera download cables (ByteblasterMV and MasterBlaster) cannot be used to program these devices.
- In-System Programming Using External Microprocessor
EPCS devices can be programmed in-system by an external microprocessor using SRunner. SRunner is a software driver developed for embedded serial configuration device programming that designers can customize to fit in different embedded systems.- SRunner (ZIP)
- In-System Programming Using Serial Flash Loader
EPCS devices can be programmed via the JTAG interface by using an FPGA as a bridge between the JTAG interface and the EPCS device.
- Third-Party Programmers
Third-party vendors offer conventional off board programming support for EPCS devices.
Related Documents
- Enhanced Configuration Devices (EPC4, EPC8 & EPC16) Data Sheet (PDF)
- Serial Configuration Devices (EPCS1, EPCS4, EPCS16 & EPCS64) Data Sheet (PDF)
- Configuration Devices Pin-Outs
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I program Altera ISP devices concurrently (MAX and EPC families)?
- Are there internal oscillators in Altera's EPC devices?
- What input file should be used to program an EPCS device?
- How many times can I program and erase the serial configuration devices (EPCS1 and EPCS4)?
