Using AS and .sof

[KenBee]

I wish to update an old Cyclone3 using usb-blaster and epcs16. Programmer selects .sof ok but tries to use JTAG. Changing mode to AS results in the .sof file being de-selected and I cannot select it manually despite it being in the output file. Is there a special setting somewhere?

I initially used Quartus 7.1 but, of course, this is not compatable with windows 10 so I am using 13.1.

I have successfully reprogrammed my old DE - from version 7.1(!) so I know everything else works.

(ps. I did ask once before but I was unable to respond to the person who tried to help. My apologies in advance if this happens again)

[sstrell · Accepted solution]

An .sof can only be used to program directly over JTAG.  To put a programming file in a flash/config device, you need a different file format, like .pof or .jic or others.

[NurAiman_M_Intel]

I’m glad that your question has been addressed, I now transition this thread 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.

[FvM]

Required file format depends on how EPCS connects to programmer. If it has additional AS programming connector (legacy method), you need to convert .sof to .pof file. If it connects through FPGA and JTAG, use .jic.