Altera USB Programmer - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: R_G_B_
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2013, 11:53:51 am
content: I managed to get this usb blaster for altera:http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Altera-FPGA-CPLD-USB-Programmer-USB-Blaster-Compatible-/161057457538?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Components_Supplies_ET&hash=item257fc5c582They say it works 100% with the Altera-USB blaster drivers. I have found that this is not the case ,the divers are not compatible. I have tried all versions of the software to get it to work with out any look. And followed all instuctions.Anyone know of an alternative Altera Blaster that does what it says on the tin?

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2013, 03:45:23 pm
content: You paid 106 pounds for a fake when the real thing costs 250 pounds? I can,t understand that, if the fake one was 25 pounds yeah sure you could try it but now you could better have bought the real deal perhaps second hand.

author: JTR
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2013, 04:07:44 pm
content: Geez, people are making clones from plans on the web for a couple of bucks...

author: garak
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2013, 06:03:40 pm
content: Crikey! You paid 106 quid for that? I'm dreadfully sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you've been had. Well and truly. 10 rubles says that it's a clone based around a Cypress device, just like the one that I got for 6 bucks about a year ago. As far as drivers go, I can't really comment, but I do know that mine worked with urjtag with the byte blaster driver to talk to a PocketPC.That aside, I agree with the rest of the people in here. If you're just getting into this, get decent kit. It'll make things a hell of a lot easier and cheaper later.You could try getting your money back from the seller, and Paypal might reimburse you if not. If you do, get proper kit next time

author: bingo600
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2013, 07:27:50 pm
content: Afaik the real blaster & clones need to have an Altera CPLD insideCorrect looking clonehttp://www.ebay.com/itm/FT245RL-CPLD-High-speed-Solutions-USB-Blaster-Programmer-Altera-FPGA-Debugger-/331052143708Looks original (i think)http://www.ebay.com/itm/ALTERA-USB-BLASTER-REV-B-L348-/390683519496http://www.ebay.com/itm/ALTERA-Original-USB-Blaster-with-USB-cable-/221278059643Other "maybe correct clones w. cpld inside"http://www.ebay.com/itm/Altera-FPGA-CPLD-USB-Blaster-programmer-JTAG-cable/280506472755Something looks fishy with the two below , both are zr-tech rev-c , but not the same pcbThis one doesn't have the cpld visible , but it could be on the other sideOr it's a Cypress MCu with a driver chip (Bad model)http://www.ebay.com/itm/Altera-FPGA-CPLD-USB-Blaster-Programmer-REV-C-/111157605161This one has the cpld visiblehttp://www.ebay.com/itm/Altera-USB-Blaster-programmer-FPGA-CPLD-REV-C-FT245-CPLD-ALTERA-solution-FPGA-/310789606036Might be ok alsohttp://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-Blaster-V2-Download-Cable-ALTERA-FPGA-CPLD-EPCS16-EPC1-4-Programmer-Debugger-/251150460146I'd buy this one if a clone is wished (if the picts are to be trusted)http://www.ebay.com/itm/FT245RL-CPLD-High-speed-Solutions-USB-Blaster-Programmer-Altera-FPGA-Debugger-/331052143708Else go for the real stuff./BingoOhh btw ... What have those UK sellers been smoking?http://www.ebay.com/itm/ALTERA-PL-USB-BLASTER-RCN-CABLE-PROG-DOWNLOAD-USB-/350819432657Hmm same seller 2 prices ....Seems there are the "real clone"http://www.ebay.com/itm/Altera-USB-Blaster-programmer-FPGA-CPLD-REV-C-FT245-CPLD-ALTERA-solution-/141032986271And even the (i think) "fake real clone"http://www.ebay.com/itm/Altera-USB-Blaster-programmer-FPGA-CPLD-REV-C-High-speed-quality-professional-/130964461860

author: Dago
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2013, 07:44:32 pm
content: Jesus did you really pay 106 pounds!Terasic (Terasic is "sub-contractor" of Altera, ie. they make a load of their devkits) blaster costs 50$http://www.digikey.com/product-search/en/programmers-development-systems/in-circuit-programmers-emulators-and-debuggers/2621880?k=terasicAnd the ~7$ Altera blaster "fakes" or "copies" from ebay work a-ok with the Quartus drivers, even in Linux. Like this:http://www.ebay.com/itm/180891115065

author: marshallh
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 09, 2013, 07:57:21 pm
content: Quartus drivers are inC:\altera\13.0sp1\quartus\drivers\usb-blaster

author: R_G_B_
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2013, 10:52:32 pm
content: I only paid less than a 8th of that price for mine, but it was the same type and supplyer as this.Yes I tried the drivers in the driver directory it did not work.

author: R_G_B_
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2013, 11:08:19 pm
content: The device uses a silicon labs F321 DCN 8051 micro controller and a octal buffer 74HC125D.

author: marshallh
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 09, 2013, 11:14:39 pm
content: If the legit driver doesn't work, you got owned... I have linked the 100% hw clone, check my posts

author: Alexei.Polkhanov
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2013, 11:54:27 pm
content: Quote from: R_G_B_ on November 09, 2013, 11:53:51 amPlease open it an post photos. It should have Altera MAX device in it. Schematics of USB blaster are openly available here on page 11:http://www.edaboard.com/attachments/8358d1112601047-nios2_evaluation_1c12_board_schematic_131.pdfbut I could not find the firmware for CPLD. After some research I found out that remote programming service on windows may install latest firmware to the device but I did not try it myself.This, more expensive version that got probably much faster that those $10 ones - that is why I am curious to see what is inside. I have one of those works fine for me. Try to check Altera website for patches for your version of Quartus - I had problem with mine on Win64, fixed it by installing latest patch.

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 11, 2013, 04:15:20 am
content: It's a relabeled Saleae Logic Analyzer clone. Which is also sold as a USBEE AX clone. Thus far I've only seen them with Cypress chips.

author: JTR
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 11, 2013, 04:51:45 am
content: Quote from: Alexei.Polkhanov on November 09, 2013, 11:54:27 pmThere are benchmarks that seem to suggest that at least one clone is faster in most tests.http://www.sa89a.net/mp.cgi/ele/ub.htm

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 11, 2013, 05:19:32 am
content: http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-Shipping-Best-Price-USB-Blaster-ALTERA-CPLD-FPGA-download-cable-in-stock/806527241.htmlHere's one for $6.00

author: Didier9
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 13, 2013, 12:42:59 am
content: I bought 4 of this one:http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Mini-Usb-Blaster-Cable-For-CPLD-FPGA-NIOS-JTAG-Altera-Programmer-/180891115065?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a1df35e39I actually paid $6 each with shipping at the time (a year ago). The price is now $9 or so.. I bought one to use with the EPC3 series and had no problem, so I bought a spare, another one for work and one for a friend.I used the Altera driver (did not have to install anything). The Altera tool recognized it right away.

author: BBQ
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2013, 05:13:01 pm
content: I got a cheap copy that is functional. But why on earth is the original ones so expensive? I mean there can't be any major profits from programmer sales? And it doubt it's the break even price either.

author: Alexei.Polkhanov
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2013, 05:43:40 am
content: Yes, high price is a mystery for me as well.I opened one that I use and I found that it is very different from schematics that I linked in my post earlier. I paid something like $12 for this one.I wanted to add USB Blaster directly to the board I was working on, but I could not find out which firmware I have to use for that MAX7000 device that you can see on schematics.Looks like here I found open source version of USB blaster. Similar if not same schematics with FTDI FT245 plus MAX CPLD, they also have VHDL code for MAX CPLD - see usbblaster.rarVHDL code looks very simple:https://code.google.com/p/epm240-dev/downloads/list

author: marshallh
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 15, 2013, 06:06:38 am
content: You're talking about the cpld based original type, but posted pictures of the FX2 type clones (which are about 1/10 the speed)

author: shebu18
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2013, 06:12:34 am
content: Is it possible to program a arm amlogic chip with the blaster via jtag?Sent from my GT-I5800 using Tapatalk 2

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2013, 06:17:26 am
content: More info on the clones.http://blog.iteadstudio.com/seleae-logic-usbee-ax-usb-blaster/

author: Alexei.Polkhanov
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2013, 06:00:15 pm
content: Quote from: marshallh on November 15, 2013, 06:06:38 amYes, that is why I mentioned in my post that it is different from the CPLD-based design attached in schematics. Sorry for confusion, I should have made more clear that schematics is NOT for the board I have on photos.

author: Crazy Ape
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2013, 03:55:24 am
content: Quote from: Alexei.Polkhanov on November 15, 2013, 05:43:40 amI had a look at the VHDL code, the CPLD handles all the control of the JTAG state machine, leaving the MCU to simply stream the data in and out.

author: Alexei.Polkhanov
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2013, 05:17:52 am
content: Quote from: Crazy Ape on November 16, 2013, 03:55:24 amI assume that code is for schematics that are included in same rar file - I don't see any MCU - only FT245 USB FIFO IC from FTDI and Altera MAX II CPLD (EPM240T100C5).

author: Crazy Ape
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2013, 08:14:49 am
content: Quote from: Alexei.Polkhanov on November 16, 2013, 05:17:52 amYes, sorry, there is no MCU, I should have said something like "controlling host", I guess that term covers anything from MCU to CPU to PC port.

author: R_G_B_
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2013, 10:37:10 am
content: Here is the Altera USB blaster I got from ebay:And it does not work at all.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 21, 2013, 11:04:36 am
content: I bought and used a cheap byte blaster; as I recall it was a real pain to get the drivers recognized by Quartus; but in the end I got it working though.

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2013, 11:32:30 am
content: Quote from: R_G_B_ on November 21, 2013, 10:37:10 amWhat did the seller say? usually they are very nervous about getting bad reviews on ebay.

author: R_G_B_
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2013, 11:54:22 am
content: Chucked it in the bin. Need to get another one.

author: Alexei.Polkhanov
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2013, 04:23:13 pm
content: Quote from: R_G_B_ on November 21, 2013, 10:37:10 amThat USB Flash MCU I see on board F320 is pretty old, datasheet I found dates back to 2003:http://www.keil.com/dd/docs/datashts/silabs/c8051f32x.pdf. I wonder if you got it with empty flash because there isn't much else that can fail on this board. Perhaps it is so old that Altera drivers don't support it anymore.

author: martinayotte
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 21, 2014, 11:53:39 pm
content: Hi everyone !I have a cheap USB Blaster $9 clone (with a sandpapered cpu with 74hc244) since almost a year, for which I didn't had any problem programming my boards in AS mode, or JTAG direct mode until now.Recently, I've purchased a Cyclone IV board which has only a JTAG, so the EPCS flash on it can only be programmed using JTAG indirect using SFL.But, I'm not able to program the EPCS with my cheap Blaster, the SFL macro seems to be loaded properly on the FPGA according to jtagconfig -n, but then, the quartus_pgm is unable to communicate with the SFL and see the EPCS :Info: ************************************************** *****************Info: Running Quartus II 64-Bit ProgrammerInfo: Version 13.0.1 Build 232 06/12/2013 Service Pack 1 SJ Web EditionInfo: Copyright (C) 1991-2013 Altera Corporation. All rights reserved.Info: Your use of Altera Corporation's design tools, logic functionsInfo: and other software and tools, and its AMPP partner logicInfo: functions, and any output files from any of the foregoingInfo: (including device programming or simulation files), and anyInfo: associated documentation or information are expressly subjectInfo: to the terms and conditions of the Altera Program LicenseInfo: Subscription Agreement, Altera MegaCore Function LicenseInfo: Agreement, or other applicable license agreement, including,Info: without limitation, that your use is for the sole purpose ofInfo: programming logic devices manufactured by Altera and sold byInfo: Altera or its authorized distributors. Please refer to theInfo: applicable agreement for further details.Info: Processing started: Wed Feb 19 12:11:02 2014Info: Command: quartus_pgm -m JTAG -o pi;output_files/blinker.jicInfo (213045): Using programming cable "USB-Blaster(Altera) [1-1.3]"Info (213011): Using programming file output_files/blinker.jic with checksum0x1A5AF94D for device EP4CE10@1Info (209060): Started Programmer operation at Wed Feb 19 12:11:03 2014Info (209016): Configuring device index 1Info (209017): Device 1 contains JTAG ID code 0x020F10DDInfo (209007): Configuration succeeded -- 1 device(s) configuredError (209037): JTAG Server can't access selected programming hardwareError (209012): Operation failedInfo (209061): Ended Programmer operation at Wed Feb 19 12:11:26 2014Error: Quartus II 64-Bit Programmer was unsuccessful. 2 errors, 0 warningsError: Peak virtual memory: 286 megabytesError: Processing ended: Wed Feb 19 12:11:26 2014Error: Elapsed time: 00:00:24Error: Total CPU time (on all processors): 00:00:00I'm now suspecting the Blaster clone itself ... So, I've ordered a new one based on FT245+CPLD, hoping I did the right choice across all the offerings ... But shipment will take 4 weeks before I can try it ...(I've choose the following one :http://www.ebay.com/itm/FT245-CPLD-USB-Blaster-Programmer-Download-For-Altera-FPGA-CPLD-Stable-Version-/180978173969?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a2323c811)Is anybody got such behaviour with their clones ?Thanks in advance.

author: martinayotte
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2014, 04:22:42 pm
content: I've received my new USBlaster which use FT245+CPLD yesterday.I've got the JTAG-Indirect-SFL working to program the EPCS flash correctly, but unfortunately, this new clone is unable to do "examine", it shows the following :Info (209060): Started Programmer operation at Fri Mar 7 11:05:22 2014Info (209016): Configuring device index 1Info (209017): Device 1 contains JTAG ID code 0x020F10DDError (209040): Can't access JTAG chainError (209040): Can't access JTAG chainError (209015): Can't configure device. Expected JTAG ID code 0x020F10DD for device 1, but found JTAG ID code 0xFFFFFFFF.Error (209053): Unexpected error in JTAG server -- error code 35Error (209012): Operation failedInfo (209061): Ended Programmer operation at Fri Mar 7 11:05:23 2014But even programming, for which it succeed one time, it seems to be intermittent, another trial failed :Info (209060): Started Programmer operation at Fri Mar 7 11:08:44 2014Info (209016): Configuring device index 1Info (209017): Device 1 contains JTAG ID code 0x020F10DDError (209040): Can't access JTAG chainError (209015): Can't configure device. Expected JTAG ID code 0x020F10DD for device 1, but found JTAG ID code 0x00820F10.Error (209012): Operation failedInfo (209061): Ended Programmer operation at Fri Mar 7 11:08:45 2014Some other trials failed to communicate with SFL :Info (209060): Started Programmer operation at Fri Mar 7 11:11:15 2014Info (209016): Configuring device index 1Info (209017): Device 1 contains JTAG ID code 0x020F10DDInfo (209007): Configuration succeeded -- 1 device(s) configuredError (209062): Flash Loader IP not loaded on device 1Error (209012): Operation failedInfo (209061): Ended Programmer operation at Fri Mar 7 11:11:16 2014And finally, without doing anything special, I got it worked once :Info (209060): Started Programmer operation at Fri Mar 7 11:17:26 2014Info (209016): Configuring device index 1Info (209017): Device 1 contains JTAG ID code 0x020F10DDInfo (209007): Configuration succeeded -- 1 device(s) configuredInfo (209018): Device 1 silicon ID is 0x14Info (209044): Erasing ASP configuration device(s)Info (209023): Programming device(s)Info (209011): Successfully performed operation(s)Info (209061): Ended Programmer operation at Fri Mar 7 11:17:35 2014Also, on some other FPGA boards, Quartus programmer is unable to connect to JTAG chain at all.So, I guess I will have to purchase a more expensive USBlaster if I don't want to suffer of all those troubles anymore...

author: martinayotte
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2014, 12:14:31 am
content: Anyway, fortunately, when I've ordered the FT245+CPLD few weeks ago, I've also ordered another cheap one, $8, which look very simiar like the one I used since months, the one with "sandpapered" MCU.This one just came in this afternoon. I've tried with without much hope, but a big smile appear on my face : Hey ! this one is working ! and not intermittent at all ! Hourra !I've open the small plastic enclosure, and discovered that it is completly different from the other, although the enclosures and stickers are similiar. This one is using a SiLab MCU with 74HC125.Conclusion, yes, sometime it is maybe waste of time and money to try to save few pennies, but sometime it can be rewarded ...Ciao

author: fake-name
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2014, 05:04:33 am
content: Here is the internals of a "real" altera byte-blaster. For $250, I'd probably feel ripped off if I had personally paid for it (it's from work).Note the fancy multi-layer flat-flex programming cable.

author: johnwill
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2014, 09:16:27 pm
content: You can find all information about configuring Altera FPGAs and CPLDs in the “Configuration Handbook” (http://www.altera.com/literature/lit-config.jsp).

author: Gandalf_Sr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2014, 11:56:01 am
content: I just got 2 from eBay that were $7 each from China. They contain an STM32 micro, I'll post pictures tomorrow. I'm trying to get it to work with urJTAG or GDB but it seems to be stuck at 12 MHz. In gdb (running in Ubuntu), after it's connected and I type 'frequency 5000000' at the (gdb) prompt, it responds something to the effect that the Alter USB Blaster is fixed at 12000000 frequency.Did I buy a dud or is there a workaround?

author: vvmm
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2015, 09:12:26 am
content: I am planning to buy a cheap Altera programmer and fpga, just for testing and playing around. I worked with Xilinx Spartan-6 before and want to try Altera's way.I found on ebay the Altera USB Blaster clone:http://www.ebay.com/itm/200943750380?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AITAnd the Cyclone IV FPGA:http://www.ebay.com/itm/111621868286?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AITCan the programmer be used with the Cyclone IV FPGA and Quartus II Suite? In the description (and even in the official Blaster documentation) says only Cyclone I, II, III. Can it also program the EPCS4 serial device that is on that PCB? And finally, is it worth trying it? I got excited about NIOS II capability.Thanks!

author: JimHorn
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 30, 2016, 05:52:16 pm
content: Quote from: Gandalf_Sr on August 19, 2014, 11:56:01 amI just received one as well - the STM32F101CBT6 should be at least as powerful as the Silicon Labs, Cypress, Microchip or FTDI microprocessors in similar clones. Unfortunately, the firmware in it isn't quite FTDI compatible so plugging it into the PC crashes it into a blue screen and reboot.Has anyone found the driver for the STM32F1xx based USB Blasters in Windows 10?Many thanks!

author: JimHorn
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 30, 2016, 08:28:49 pm
content: A further note: On my Windows 10 Pro 64 bit Surface Pro 3, the STM32F101 based USB Blaster is recognized by the Quartus Programmer and Device Manager shows it as such. However, any attempt to use it (find devices or program them via JTAG) results in an endless wait. At least it doesn't crash.Further, when it receives USB power, *both* LEDs light up. I've yet to see the ACTive LED not lit when there's power. The CPU's 8MHz crystal is oscillating well, and as mentioned it is recognized by the Altera driver. So it must have been programmed with *something*.

author: jesuscf
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2016, 05:26:14 pm
content: Quote from: marshallh on November 15, 2013, 06:06:38 amThe original USB blaster JTAG serial clock is 6MHz. The FX2 clone has a serial clock of 3MHz. That is 1/2 the speed, not 1/10.

author: jesuscf
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2016, 05:35:22 pm
content: If you just wan to try Altera FPGA's, a very convenient way is by getting a DEx board from Terasic. The USB blaster is built-in the board. I quite like the DE0-CV Board (150 US$).