Using 10CL006 programming file on the 10CL010

[Eng]

Hi

There is a post suggesting that it might be ok to program the 10CL025 with the 10CL016 rbf programming file here:

Cyclone 10 program 016 or 025 device with same file - Intel Communities

It is however not very clear if it is indeed good practice to do it and if you do it what potential problems could occur. 

I understand that it is better to use the smaller device's file for the bigger one because of the size.

Can you please specifically say whether it is ok to program the 10CL0010 with the 10CL006 rbf file and what potential issues can we expect? Assume we use the same speed grade.

Also, we did a comparison between the rbf files of the 10CL006 and 10CL010 and we did find differences for the same design. Why are there differences other than the device ID?

What will happen with unused logic elements in the bigger device? Will it still be disabled and not cause noise or erratic switching?

Thanks

[ak6dn]

"There is a post suggesting that it might be ok to program the 10CL025 with the 10CL016 rbf programming file here:"

--- That post does NOT say it is ok to use the same binary programming file for the two different devices. Read it again.

"Also, we did a comparison between the rbf files of the 10CL006 and 10CL010 and we did find differences for the same design"

--- Different cell count and physical layout, different cell assignment in the device.

Each device, even with the exact same top level design, requires a device specific compilation.

If you build a board with either of the two devices, read the JTAG device ID first and then program with the appropriate binary file.

[Eng]

Hi

Thanks for your answer. 

The post Cyclone 10 program 016 or 025 device with same file - Intel Communities says the following:

"The differences between 10CL016 and a 10CL025 is the number of logic element. Higher the no. of logic element, the more the logic in the design that it can be loaded in the FPGA. It should be better to compile the design in 016."

The last sentence suggests that a 016 compile file will work on a 025. 

We have tested a rbf file compiled for 006 on a 010 and it works. 

I agree it should be better to compile for a specific device but it doesn't seem necessarily. It will make our configuration a lot easier if we can use the same file and therefore the question.

My questions still remain, what problems can occur?

[Eng]

The device IDs of the 006 and 010 are the same according to Table 59 in die Device Handbook.

[ak6dn]

Interesting observation. My suspicion would then be that the '006 is just a '010 where the 'excess' logic cells (at least one, possibly more) failed final device test. So the device works as an '006 but would not as an '010 because some of the logic is faulty.

So it would appear the '006 image would work in either a '006 or '010. But not the other way around.