Programming Altera Max EPM3256AQC208-10N PQFP-208

[akifh]

Hello, I have an Altera Max EPM3256AQC208-10N PQFP-208, the chip is not connected to the card but is single. How can I read the data in this chip and programming data into it? Which devices should I use? I know that USB Blaster is used for programming this type of chips. But how can I connect its JTAG header to the chip? Maybe you know a good method.

[akifh]

Thank you. Last question, what can I do if I don't have a development card? If I connect the chip to the appropriate pins of the USB Blaster and supply 3.3v from the outside, will it work?

[_AK6DN_]

Yes, that is all my development card does. It has hardwired GND and +3.3V connections, and wires the JTAG pins TDI/TDO/TMS/TCK to the Altera standard 2x5pin 100mil header connector for the USB Blaster cable. There is a pushbutton connected to RESET~ with a pullup and a capacitor to ground. All other pins go to header pins for easy access.

[akifh]

Which USB blaster should I buy?

https://5.imimg.com/data5/SELLER/Default/2022/3/FW/SA/SR/32823511/usb-blaster-altera-cpld-or-fpga-programmer-1.jpg

[_AK6DN_]

I have both a TerASIC Blaster (available thru Mouser, DigiKey, etc) for about US$69,

and a Waveshare USB Blaster v2 (available thru Amazon) for about US$34.

Both have never given me any problems.

I did try one of the el cheapo USB Blaster clones from Amazon for about US$10 and had reliability issues with it.

It got recycled in the electronics trash bin.

[NurAiman_M_Intel]

Hi,

You can refer to Intel website for more USB blaster information:

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/details/fpga/development-kits/cables-adapters.html

You can make the purchase through Intel authorized distributor:

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/partner/showcase/partner-directory/distributor.html#sort=relevancy

Regards,

Aiman

[NurAiman_M_Intel]

We do not receive any response from you to the previous answer that I have provided. This thread will be transitioned to community support. If you have a new question, feel free to open a new thread to get the support from Intel experts. Otherwise, the community users will continue to help you on this thread. Thank you

[RobertFord]

There are two ways to do this, the first is to read it in a MPU with a PLMQ7256-208 adapter in MAXPLUS II or you can go the hard route and solder the VCC, VCCIO, GND and  JTAG pins to a breakout board and read it that way with an ALTERA Byte Blaster or similar device in MAXPLUS II.