AS Configuration Problem with EP3C25E144

[Altera_Forum]

Hello ! 

i have designed circuit in EP3C25E144 TQFP FPGA. I am using both configuration scheme i.e JTAG and AS for EPCS64.  Using the same connection schemes as mentioned in Altera Cyclon III configuration schemes. MSEL[0..2]= 010 for AS 3.3 Standards Connect MSEL1 with 3.3V.  Programmmed is done sucessfully with JTAG but same program is not downloaded in serial device.  Quartus II shows no programming error but device seems dead. I probe the memory signals on the Oscilloscope and found one observation that the device cannt go in user mode after the configuration.The data still communicate with FPGA after configuration.  Please provide the above remedy for this problem.  Regards, Mohsin Hayat

[Altera_Forum]

How are you programming your EPCS64? Does it have it's own programming header? What file are you using to program it? 

 Cheers, Alex

[Altera_Forum]

Is the EPCS64 programmed (you state "same program is not downloaded in Serial device)?  

As the programmer forces the change of programming file to the *.pof one when switching between JTAG and Active Serial, this change must be done automatically (you cannot download *.sof to EPCS). Maybe you've set the Option which EPCS to use in QII falsely as IIRC the EP3C25 can be used with the EPCS16 or even the EPCS4, which would be chosen by QII if the device is set to "Auto" in Assignments => Device => Device and Pin Options => Configuration..

[Altera_Forum]

Yes Sir, 

First i change the .sof to .pof and then download.Using the option from File Menu --> Change Programming File...But problem still

[Altera_Forum]

Yes i m using seperate Header for JTAG AND AS....

[Altera_Forum]

have you checked the EPCS type used on Hardware is same as assigned in QII to ensure the programming file matches the HW? have you chosen the option to generate a compressed programming file - maybe it's worth to start with a non - compressed one 

(there was a QII version generating fautly *.pof when compressed option is active, but I think this was round about QII ver.11.x to 12.x but not 13.1 sp1)

[Altera_Forum]

Yes i have checked the EPCS Device on HW and also set the option in Configuration.I am using QII version 11.0 32bit.I am using the compressed bitstream option.

[Altera_Forum]

Try programming the EPCS via JTAG using a .jic file. 

 Follow the instructions in app note 370 (http://www.altera.co.uk/literature/an/an370.pdf), see page 6 "generating .jic and .jam programming files in the quartus ii software".  Once generated, connect to your target via your JTAG connector. Load the .jic file into the QUartus programmer and see if it'll program the EPCS that way.  Cheers, Alex

[Altera_Forum]

oK I WILL TRY AND LET U INFORM.

[Altera_Forum]

iAM FACING PROBLEM IN GENERATING .JIC FILE. IN THE INPUT FILE DIALOG BOX, ITS ONLY SHOWS OPTIONS OF *.COF FILE. bUT I AM LOOKING FOR *.SOF FILE. PLEASE HELP

[Altera_Forum]

don't click on the 'Open Conversion Setup Data...' button. Follow the instructions I sent you. 

 1) Set the 'Programming file type:' to 'JTAG Indirect Configuration (.jic)' 2) Select your 'Configuration device:' - EPCS4/16/64 3) Chose an output file '*.jic' (or leave it as output_file.jic) 4) Under Input file to convert, click on Flash Loader and then the 'Add Device...' button. Chose your FPGA (Cyclone III, EP3C25). Click OK. 5) Click on 'SOF Data' and then the 'Add File...' button. Chose your .sof. Click OK. 6) Click 'Generate'.  Load the resulting .jic into the programmer and you're off.  Cheers, Alex

[Altera_Forum]

Thank you so much..Its work from JTAG. its means we can use only single header for both JTAG and AS. 

Tell me one thing sir that in this case MESL pins are bypassed? And i m still confused that why its not programming with AS Mode?

[Altera_Forum]

Good, I'm glad it's working. Yes, you can do away with the AS programming header. I haven't bothered putting an AS header on a board for a long time. 

 JTAG will always work, regardless of the setting on the MSEL pins - in a sense they are bypassed. However, for the FPGA to boot from the EPCS the MSEL pins must be correctly set for AS mode.  As to why your AS programming header doesn't work - I can only presume a design or build fault. The FPGA & EPCS are clearly connected up correctly.  Cheers, Alex

[Altera_Forum]

i will send he design files.please analyse them. 

i used MSEL selection of 010 in my design for AS fast Standard configuration.

[Altera_Forum]

It is recommended to pull the nCE pin of the FPGA to ground with 10k resister at AS mode, but connect to ground directly at some other mode. Please try this!

[Altera_Forum]

--- Quote Start ---  ... JTAG will always work, regardless of the setting on the MSEL pins - in a sense they are bypassed. However, for the FPGA to boot from the EPCS the MSEL pins must be correctly set for AS mode. ...   --- Quote End ---    Well - there was a thread some time ago dealing with a false MSEL-Pins configuration (one of the not assigned combinations) and the Cyclone did not work on JTAG as well. Modification of the board manually resolved this, thus the failure was not due to faulty PCB or device... I think the MSEL configuration (e.g. AS - mode) must be bypassed internally when accessing by JTAG, but I would not be sure that JTAG is working for any configuration of the MSEL Pins at all..