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USB Blaster driver for Max+plus II

Altera_Forum
Honored Contributor II
4,635 Views

I am using MAX+PLUS II trying to program EPM7128STC100-15. I have a USB Blaster download cable. I can not install the driver. The instruction on Altera website does not apply because it's for Quartus software. Can I use USB blaster with Max+plus software? If yes, how do I install the driver? Thanks.

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23 Replies
Altera_Forum
Honored Contributor II
3,436 Views

I don't know if you can use the USB Blaster with MAX+PLUS II software, but the Quartus II Programmer also supports the EPM7128STC100. You could install the Quartus II Programmer instead if you cannot get the MAX+PLUS II software to work.

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Altera_Forum
Honored Contributor II
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There is only EMP7128ST100. Is it identical to EPM7128STC100? I will look for the part number specification to see what "C" stands for. Thanks Kevin.

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Eagle_Savy
Beginner
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Hi there,

 

I am trying to programme my Altera FLEX81500AQC240-2 using a USB Blaster, but with no success so far.  I am also looking to programme the EEPROM (EPC1PC8, EPC1213PC8, EPC1441PC8 or EPC1064PC8) to go with with the EPF81500AQC240-2 when I am done with verifying my VHDL Code.  Could anyone, please, help me with the Drivers using MAX+PLUS II and where I can source the right Programmer Hardware? I have bought 1 USB Programmer and 2 USB Blasters so far and none of them has worked so far.  Please, help !

Kind regards

Savvy_Eagle  

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_AK6DN_
Valued Contributor II
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To my knowledge the MaxPlusII software never supported the USBBlaster/II programmer hardware.

 

All the MaxPlusII software doc I have (latest is v8) only refers to the ByteBlaster, ByteBlasterII, and ByteBlasterMV programmers.

They are are parallel LPT port interfaced devices.

 

Also referred to is the MasterBlaster cable, which is a serial port interfaced POD for programming.

The doc for it mentions that it can also connect via USB, but it basically just using a standard USB to serial cable to do that.

 

Latest OS described in any of the install guides is WindowsXP.

 

So you are using really really old software (MaxPlusII) and it needs really really old programming hardware to go with it.

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Eagle_Savy
Beginner
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Hi AK6DN,
 
Thank you for your very helpful response.
Yes, I am using MA+PLUS II 10.2.
And you are right; I am looking for a ByteBlaster; and ramaging through my old stuff, I found a ByteBlaster I built about 25 years ago, I've I've ordered s "USB to Parallel Port Converter", and I hope it works.  But I would still be looking for a Programmer in order to burn the EEPROM with; and I'd appreciate any help I can get.
 
Many thanks 
 
V.
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FvM
Honored Contributor I
1,622 Views

Hi,
most USB to Parallel Port Converter on the market or USB docking stations do not work for this purpose because they don't emulate low level access to LPT adapter registers.

An exception is this old DIY project (only German, unfortunately) USB-zu-Parallel-Umsetzer

Some USB-to_LPT bridges support low level register access beyond IEEE-1284 standard, but even if the chip hardware can, the function isn't necessarily implemented in Windows driver.

I would primarily try with a hardware LPT driver, e.g. PCIe card installed in your desktop or ExpressCard for a notebook computer.

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_AK6DN_
Valued Contributor II
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I agree with FvM on their response and almost 100% assuredly your USB Parallel Port converter will not work.

The software driver in MaxPlusII wants a real parallel port at 0x378 to bit bang. USB converters don't do that.

You need a PCI card (not PCIE) or preferably an old PC with a real physical parallel port running WinXP.

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Eagle_Savy
Beginner
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Hi FvM,

Thank you for the information you provided about the USB-zu-Parallel-Umsetzer.

I wrote to the email address link in the page of the materials associated, to Henrik, enquiring about how to get hold of this Cable, using my private email address, but I have not received any response.  Would you be able to assist with this at all?

Many thanks for your help

Eagle_Savy  

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FvM
Honored Contributor I
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I'm not sure about PCIe LPT interfaces. The may offer port register virtualization, but I didn't yet check. The other point is that Max+plus II ByteBlaster driver is supporting 32 Bit OS only, it won't run on 64-Bit Windows. WinXP or even Win2K would be my first choice.

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Mikexx
New Contributor I
1,553 Views

 

For a simple solution with running Max-plus under Windows XP you might like to look at VirtualBox.

 

This is a discussion on accessing a LPT device from within a virtual machine, it might assist in understanding the issues at hand.

  https://forums.virtualbox.org/viewtopic.php?t=54187

 

Otherwise, perhaps get an old PC with a real LPT / Centronix interface!

 

_AK6DN_
Valued Contributor II
1,516 Views

Running WinXP in VirtualBox will get you a running version of MaxPlusII but it does not help the LPT port access issue.

Even if you have a VirtualBox LPT port it still needs to be connected to a real physical LPT port for the ByteBlaster programmer dongle.

I think WinXP on a legacy motherboard with an LPT port is the best option.

Maybe a PCI card LPT adapter will work, IDK first hand; it depends if the MaxPlusII driver can handle other port addresses besides the standard ones on a motherboard.

I don't think a PCIe parallel port will work, nor a USB parallel port adapter either.

 

A MasterBlaster serial interface cable would seem to be the most amenable to using on more recent hardware, but I have never used one of these and don't know if it is supported by MaxPlusII. The MasterBlaster user guide (attached) only references early versions of QuartusII (prior to 8.1) as being supported and does not mention MaxPlusII at all. So it might be a dead end.

From the documentation:

 

Capture.PNG

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Eagle_Savy
Beginner
1,506 Views

Hi Gents/All,

Thank you for helping me along in this project of mine, and it is sincerely appreciated.

I can see the merit in every thought expressed in each of the responses received so far.

I also have to add that I am running MAX+PLUS II version 10.2 on Windows 11, and it has compiled and simulated very well so far; the only issue left now is for me to configure the EPF81500AQC240-2 by using a ByteBlaster, and ultimately burn the Configuration data in the EEPROM (EPC1PC8, or EPC1441PC8, EPC1213PC8 or EPC1064PC8); and this is where the Parallel Port (LPT) issue has surfaced. As I understand all the response received thus far, the Programmer and the ByteBlaster will not work unless I return to an old machine running Windows 2K or XP the latest or earlier.   Also, the MasterBlaster documentation kindly provided seems to refer to Quartus; would this apply to MAX+PLUS II version 10.2 as well?

Please, kindly confirm if my understanding here is in line with your response.

Gratefully appreciative.

 

Savvy Eagle

P.S. The USB to LPT adaptor arrived yesterday, and as some of you advised, it has not worked sadly!!!

Thank you.

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_AK6DN_
Valued Contributor II
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I mounted the MaxPlusII v10.23 ISO file I have (I don't have the s/w installed) and found this in the READ.ME text file.

So it would appear the MasterBlaster serial port programmer is supported in that release (last known MaxPlusII release
I believe).

But of course you then have to track down a MasterBlaster pod, or the schematics to it to replicate it. The user guide
I posted earlier does not go into that much detail (no internal device schematic).

Good luck on your project. I don't know that there is much more I can say.

 

MasterBlaster Support

You can use the MasterBlaster Serial/USB Communications Cable to
download configuration data to ACEX 1K, FLEX 6000, FLEX 8000,
FLEX 10K, and FLASHlogic devices, or to perform in-system programming
for MAX 3000A, MAX 7000A, MAX 7000S, MAX 9000, FLASHlogic, EPC2, and
EPC16 devices. You can connect the MasterBlaster to a RS-232 serial port,
which is also called a "COM" port on the PC , or, for Windows 98,
Windows 2000, or Windows XP only, to a USB port. The MasterBlaster
receives power from 5.0-V or 3.3-V circuit boards, from the 5.0-V
USB cable, or from a DC power supply, which is supplied with the
MasterBlaster hardware.

To install and set up the MasterBlaster for device configuration or
programming, follow these steps:

1. With either a standard RS-232 cable or a standard USB cable,
connect one end of the cable to the MasterBlaster, and the other end
of the cable to the appropriate port on the computer.

Note: If you are using the MasterBlaster communications cable with the
USB port, the Windows 98, Windows 2000, or Windows XP operating
system prompts you to locate the USB driver for the MasterBlaster
communications cable. The MasterBlaster driver file is mblaster.inf
and is located in your \maxplus2\drivers\i386 directory.

2. Connect the 16-pin female header end of the communications cable
to the 16-pin male MasterBlaster port, and the 10-pin female header
to the 10-pin male header on the target printed circuit board.

3. Open the MAX+PLUS II Programmer or Simulator. Choose the Hardware
Setup command (Options menu), and then select either MasterBlaster
(COM) or MasterBlaster (USB) in the Hardware Type drop-down list box.
If you selected MasterBlaster (COM), ensure that the correct COM port
name is selected in the RS-232 Port drop-down list box, and that the
appropriate baud rate is specified in the Baud Rate list box. Choose
OK.

.

 

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_AK6DN_
Valued Contributor II
1,438 Views

For what its worth, there is a new in box sealed Altera MasterBlaster pod and accessories for sale on Ebay right now.

Kind of pricey, though.   Ref  https://www.ebay.com/itm/185927379972

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Eagle_Savy
Beginner
1,420 Views
Hi AK6DN;
Thanks ever so much for this; I am making a move to buy this immediately and see how it goes.
 
Savvy_Eagle
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Eagle_Savy
Beginner
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Hi AK5DN,

Just to let you know that I've tried to purchase this MasterBlaster; but the Seller would not ship to United Kingdom where I am.

Any suggestion of how I could get around this, please anyone?  

Thank you.

Savy_Eagle

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_AK6DN_
Valued Contributor II
1,353 Views

Ok, no problem. I just bought it via BuyItNow on Ebay.

We can communicate direct from now on, email me at ak6dn@arrl.net

and we can arrange the further details via email.

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FvM
Honored Contributor I
1,406 Views

Hi,
there's hope that MasterBlaster over COM port is even working in recent Windows versions because it doesn't rely on outdated drivers.

I wonder which protocol is used by MasterBlaster, if it's as simple as USB Blaster we could write an emulation driver or setup a small uC as MasterBlaster clone.

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Eagle_Savy
Beginner
1,380 Views

Hi FvM,

 

Thank you for a very encouraging response; now I can't wait for the MasterBlaster in order to move to the next step.  As soon as I receive it I'll let you know.

Kind regards

 

Savy_Eagle

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_AK6DN_
Valued Contributor II
1,132 Views

I received the MasterBlaster from the eBay seller. It is a complete kit, new in box, still sealed.

So I opened it up and it has both serial COM port and USB port interfaces, so I tried out the USB side.

I could not get it to be recognized on my Win10 QuartusII 13.0sp1 setup (that is the oldest I have).

Per the Altera documents Quartus 8.1 was the last version to support this device, so not unsurprising.

 

I did also open it up a take a picture of the PCB. It is an incredibly complex design inside, much more so than the follow

on USBBlaster/II series which was just an FTDI232 USB chip, an EPM7K cpld, and some buffers and drivers.

This MasterBlaster has a large FLEX10K FPGA, one appears to be a Motorola CPU, a large EEPROM, what appears to be a Cypress

USB interface, and a number of smaller buffers and logic devices. Backside is just a few small discretes. At the bottom is what

appears to be a 6-12V to 5V switching power supply (or it can work from the 5V USB power also).

 

So I can see why Altera EOLed this device in favor of the much simpler/cheaper UsbBlaster/II series PODs.

 

masterblaster_1lores.jpg

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