Quartus Prime Design Software - JTAG usage

[Alkesh_shah]

I am using Quartus-Prime along with the USB-Blaster to control my Device (using JTAG).

I want to control my device without using Quartus. Please help me with the public (BSP) APIs of USB-Blaster so that I can access it without the need of Quartus.
Also if we do not have any public APIs, what can be the alternate solution on controlling the end-device without Quartus-prime application.

BR,

Alkesh

[FvM]

Hi,

"control my device" doesn't say which interface to FPGA core you are using. Presume you are talking about virtual JTAG functions like Source&Probe, In-System-Memory Content Editor, JTAG UART, Virtual JTAG IP.

USB Blaster and other programming cables are accessed through jtagserver. The client interface is documented here https://github.com/intel/libaji_client You need to install at least Quartus standalone programmer to have jtagserver available on a Windows or Linux computer.

Quartus tools are accessing jtagserver through a common client stack with sld_hapi.dll on top, unfortunately completely undocumented. You can list the exports to get an idea what it's doing.

Regards
Frank

[Alkesh_shah]

Thanks for the update.

When I say "control my device",

I actually want to do all the operations (high-level and low-level) that are supported by the Quartus-Prime over JTAG-Chain Debugging.

High-level may include operations such as device-programming or device-configuration.
Low-level may include operations such as IR/DR boundary scanning or state transition of TAP-Controller, etc.

[FvM]

Hi,
so basically generic JTAG stuff. OpenOCD interface seems appropriate, either through Quartus jtagserver or third party drivers accessing USB Blaster directly. 

Regards
Frank

[Alkesh_shah]

Hello,

I am trying to execute the tcl commands few basic commands works as expected.
eg: Finding the available devices, opening a device, locking it, closing it, etc.

But was not successful in doing the scans (IR and DR scans), would like to know if you can help me with the exact commands supported.

Thanks,
Alkesh

[Farabi]

Hello,

You may explore open source : JAM STAPL PLAYER as well.

link : https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/docs/programmable/683089/current/jam-stapl-players.html

regards,

Farabi

[Alkesh_shah]

Well, I tried an approach of having a .svf and executing it using quartus_stp.exe.

And unfortunately, it did not work.

I created a .svf file using python. Would be great if you can provide some insights on how to execute it.

Thanks

[Fakhrul]

Hi Alkesh,

Could you share what the issue you're facing? Btw, there are no official public APIs for direct USB-Blaster access outside of Quartus-Prime. However, you have a few alternative options:

1. JAM STAPL Player: JAM STAPL Player which you're currently using.
2. Quartus Standalone Programmer + jtagserver: You can use the libaji_client open-source library to interact with jtagserver for advanced JTAG tasks.

Regards,

Fakhrul

[Alkesh_shah]

Hello,

I am using Quartus prime Standard version, with this is it possible to:
1. Execute the .svf file?

2. I do not have svf2jam.exe with this version, is it possible to get it ?

3. Quartus Standalone Programmer + jtagserver: how do I use this with python application. Do you have any example source?

Still I did not get the proper solution to work on my JTAG device. A quick response would be really helpful.

Thanks,

Alkesh Shah

[Fakhrul]

Hello Alkesh,

1. You may refer the following KDB: How can I test an Intel FPGA SVF file using the Quartus Prime software?
2. Integration of Quartus Standalone Programmer and jtagserver with Python is not supported; we do not provide example source code for this use case.
3. For JAM STAPL Player, you can download it here:

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/software-kit/813264/jam-stapl-player.html

Regards,

Fakhrul

[Alkesh_shah]

Thanks for the response.

Regrading the point number 3.
The url opens for Quartas prime Pro version. When tried to open for Standard it fails saying "404, page not found".
So does it mean that STAPL is not supported by Quartus standard version?

BR,
Alkesh