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USB-Blaster Download Cable

USB-Blaster Download Cable

MPN: PL-USB2-BLASTER
Intel (Altera)
An industry-standard USB programmer for FPGA/CPLD families; useful as an alternative programming interface.
Active964 in stock

Overview

The PL-USB2-BLASTER is an FPGA and CPLD download cable that provides a high-speed interface between a computer USB port and Altera programmable logic devices on a printed circuit board. It supports JTAG, Passive Serial (PS), and Active Serial (AS) programming modes, allowing for seamless configuration and debugging within the Intel Quartus Prime design environment.

Why Choose This Part

This cable supports a wide target VCC range from 1.2V to 5.5V, making it compatible with legacy 5V systems and modern low-voltage FPGA cores. It provides a standard 10-pin female connector and offers significantly faster data throughput compared to older parallel-port download cables.

Applications

FPGA Configuration
Loading SRAM object files (.sof) directly into Intel Cyclone, Stratix, or Arria FPGAs for rapid prototyping.
CPLD Programming
Writing Programmer Object Files (.pof) to non-volatile MAX series CPLDs.
In-System Debugging
Utilizing Signal Tap II logic analyzer and other system-level debugging tools within the Quartus software suite.
Flash Memory Programming
Indirect programming of EPCS, EPCQ, and EPCQ-L serial configuration devices via the JTAG interface.

Key Specifications

Type Programmer (In-Circuit/In-System)
Contents Board(s)
Utilized IC / Part Altera

Getting Started

To begin, connect the cable to a USB 2.0 port and install the drivers included with the Intel Quartus Prime Lite, Pro, or Standard editions. Connect the 10-pin header to the JTAG or AS port on your target board, ensuring the target is powered since the cable senses the VCC from the board's header.

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