Is the USB-Blaster I compatible with the EPCQ16A Serrial Configuration device?

[DStum]

I have a EPCQ16A but I am Using a Cyclone III (EP3C25Q248C8N) FPGA, so I am bound to Quartus 13.1. I want to Use the Active Serial Configuration Interface (not indirect JTAG!!).

This means that Using a USB-Blaster II is not possible in combination with Active Serial Configuration.

The Documentation for teh COnfiguration Device and the USB-Blaster I are in conflict with each other, as the EPCQ-A datasheet states "USB Blaster" without sepcifying if it means I or II. THe USB Blaster I datasheet is older than the EPCQ-A Devices so it only states the EPCS devices as compatible.

IN theory it should be possible as the devices are pin-compatible and i cant think of a reason that it would work out with a usb blaster I after reading through the documentation.

But to be sure before bying the USB-Blaster i wanted to ask this questiion here! :)

[ShafiqY_Intel]

Hi DStum,

If you look at AN822 (Table 4 on page 9), the Intel Quartus software support EPCQ-A device starting from version 17.1 and later.

However, EPCQ-A device can be programmed with old JIC files created for EPCS/EPCQ device. Unfortunately, there are some conditions you need to follow in order to program with old JIC file. These are the conditions:

• If the target serial flash was an EPCS/EPCQ device of density <= 64Mb. 
• If the EPCS/EPCQ device was only used for FPGA configuration and the design did not have any instances of ASMI Parallel IP / Serial Flash Loader (SFL) IP or any other serial flash controller IPs. 
• If the designs target pre 28nm Intel® FPGAs, i.e. devices prior to Arria® V, Cyclone® V, or Stratix®V.

For your case, USB-Blaster I should able to support EPCQ-A device. However, since you are using Quartus 13.1 version and Cyclone III, EPCQ-A device would not support your FPGA and Quartus.

AN822 - https://www.intel.com/content/dam/www/programmable/us/en/pdfs/literature/an/an822.pdf

KDB - https://www.intel.com/content/altera-www/global/en_us/index/support/support-resources/knowledge-base/component/2017/do-i-need-to-regenerate-jic-files-for-old-epcs-devices-to-progra.html

Thanks.😉