DE1-SOC 5CSEMA5F31 isn't detected in Quartus Program Device

[Fred_Barkins]

Hello, I'm having trouble programming my DE1-SoC from the Quartus Programmer. The board is powered and connected correctly and  I've managed to find and program it before, multiple times, but even then it was very inconsistent in finding it. I tried to understand under what circumstances it finds the board but I really didn't do anything special in those times.

Under Hardware Setup --> Hardware Settings --> Currently selected hardware there only appears "No Hardware", and the DE1-SoC isn't listed:

I don’t manage to take a screenshot when the list is open, but the only option is “No Hardware” and the board isn’t listed.

$ ~/intelFPGA_standard/24.1std/quartus/bin/quartus_sh --version
Quartus Prime Shell
Version 24.1std.0 Build 1077 03/04/2025 SC Lite Edition
Copyright (C) 2025 Altera Corporation. All rights reserved.

$ uname -a
5.15.0-124-generic #134-Ubuntu SMP Fri Sep 27 20:20:17 UTC 2024 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

$ cat /etc/udev/rules.d/51-usbblaster.rules
BUS=="usb", SYSFS{idVendor}=="09fb", SYSFS{idProduct}=="6810", MODE="0666"


I run quartus using sudo. I tried Terasic support but they suggested to reinstall, I find it weird because the hardware will occasionally (very very rarely, and I don't know what determines it) be found.


Any help would be much appreciated

[FvM]

Hi,
your .rules file is different from specification in USB Blaster II user guide. There should be an additional pid 6010 entry which is required for initial firmware download after USB Blaster II plug-in.

Linux driver setup is a bit tricky, suggest to follow instructions exactly.

Regards
Frank

[Fred_Barkins]

@FvM Thank you. Any chance you could link me to the specific guide showing what you mentioned please? couldn't find it
Also, how does it fit with the fact that the software was able to detect the device on previous, random scarce occasions?

[Fred_Barkins]

I should also mention:

$ cat /etc/modprobe.d/DE1-SoC.conf

alias usb:v09FBp6810* ftdi_sio install ftdi_sio /sbin/modprobe -i ftdi_sio && /bin/echo 09fb 6810 > /sys/bus/usb-serial/drivers/ftdi_sio/new_id

$ lsusb

Bus 001 Device 006: ID 10c4:ea70 Silicon Labs CP2105 Dual UART Bridge

[Fred_Barkins]

I Try with
$ cat /etc/udev/rules.d/51-usbblaster.rules
SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTR{idVendor}=="09fb", ATTR{idProduct}=="6010", MODE="0666"
SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTR{idVendor}=="09fb", ATTR{idProduct}=="6810", MODE="0666"

Still nothing.

[Fakhrul]

Hi Fred_Barkins,

Just following up, any updates on your side?

Have you had the chance to check the DIP switch settings for the MSEL configuration? Misconfigured MSEL settings can often lead to detection or programming issues.

You might also find some helpful suggestions from similar cases in the Intel forums:

1. DE1-SoC Cyclone V not getting detected
2. Unable to program DE1-SoC device

Let me know if you’ve tried any of these steps or need further assistance.

Best regards,

Fakhrul