Is there a specific driver for the USB Blaster III?

[zener]

Is there a specific Linux driver or firmware which is required for the USB Blaster III (ArrowAXE5000)?

It does not get detected when I run  jtagconfig?

# dmesg |grep 'USB Blaster III' -A1
[9415753.839630] usb 1-4.4: Product: USB Blaster III
[9415753.839635] usb 1-4.4: Manufacturer: Altera

# jtagconfig --version
jtagconfig
Version 25.1.0 Build 129 03/26/2025 SC Pro Edition
Copyright (C) 2025 Altera Corporation. All rights reserved.

# jtagconfig --enum
No JTAG hardware available

Does it require some specific firmware and software to load it?

[zener]

It appears that after I started quartus_pgmw I was able to detect it, even in jtagconfig.

[Fakhrul]

Hi Zener,

I have attached the instructions. They are currently only available on request and not available on-line.

Regards,

Fakhrul

[PrivateIsland]

Please let me know the plans to support Onboard USB III in Quartus Standard and Lite.   

[FvM]

Hi,
presently, existing development boards with onboard UB3 require Quartus Pro, e.g. said Agilex 5 board AXE5000. They are supported by Quartus 25.1 Pro. Expect that upcomming Quartus 25.1 Std will contain same UB3 driver. For the time being, you can install Quartus 25.1 Pro standalone programmer and use its jtagserver with your Quartus lite or std Version to enable UB3 support, e.g. to support homemade FT4232 programmer solutions.

Regards
Frank

[PrivateIsland]

Thank you.  Yes, I agree.   We purchased a couple different FTDI Mini Modules and are able to use them as USB Blaster III JTAG dongles on Altera Quartus Standard.  Below is a link to an article we posted on our website documenting our results:

Use an FTDI Mini Module as Altera USB Blaster III Programming Adapter 

[Fakhrul]

As we haven't received a response to our previous notification, this thread will be transitioned to community support. We hope all your concerns have been addressed. If you have any new questions, please feel free to open a new thread to receive support from Intel experts. Otherwise, community users will continue to assist you here. Thank you.

[sstrell]

I just installed the standalone Programmer version 25.1.1 and you can install the USB Blaster III drivers from there (it's one of the checkboxes at the end of the Programmer installation).  I needed it for the Terasic Atum A3 Nano board and it appears to be working.