Beginner question: FPGA and RS232

[Altera_Forum]

Hi, this is the second time i ask question in this forum. and i am a very beginner of learning electronic devices 

 I have bought FPGA with cyclone EP1C3T100C8N and downloaded quartus 2, however i only have rs232 cable. I wonder can i still program it with this setup? if so how? Thank you   Sorry for asking suuch a simple question . THank you

[Altera_Forum]

No, you cannot program it with RS232. You will need to find a USB blaster cable.

[Altera_Forum]

okay thx tricky, would you tell me the reason and explain a little bit? thank you.

[Altera_Forum]

RS232 is a communications protocol. The FPGA has no 232 connection unless you build one into it - and you would need a JTAG connection to do that.

[Altera_Forum]

Yes. Some of the newer development boards have the USB blaster built in. Some of the old ones used a "Byte Blaster" that was a parallel port cable to jtag interface. But most computers don't have parallel interfaces anymore. 

 You can buy a usb blaster clone from TerAsic http://www.terasic.com.tw/cgi-bin/page/archive.pl?language=english&categoryno=74 for $50.00 (plus shipping)  Or for a little more you can buy a DE0 Nano development board that has a usb blaster built into it. http://www.terasic.com.tw/cgi-bin/page/archive.pl?language=english&categoryno=139&no=593  Pete

[Altera_Forum]

I am getting a USB blaster, i hope it will help . thank you all