3–8 Core Version a.b.c variable Altera Corporation
MAX II Device Handbook, Volume 1 December 2007
In System Programmability
UFM Programming
The Quartus II software, with the use of POF, Jam, or JBC files, supports
programming of the user flash memory (UFM) block independent of the
logic array design pattern stored in the CFM block. This allows updating
or reading UFM contents through ISP without altering the current logic
array design, or vice versa. By default, these programming files and
methods will program the entire flash memory contents, which includes
the CFM block and UFM contents. The stand-alone embedded Jam
STAPL player and Jam Byte-Code Player provides action commands for
programming or reading the entire flash memory (UFM and CFM
together) or each independently.
fFor more information, refer to the Using Jam STAPL for ISP via an
Embedded Processor chapter in the MAX II Device Handbook.
In-System Programming Clamp
By default, the IEEE 1532 instruction used for entering ISP automatically
tri-states all I/O pins with weak pull-up resistors for the duration of the
ISP sequence. However, some systems may require certain pins on
MAX II devices to maintain a specific DC logic level during an in-field
update. For these systems, an optional in-system programming clamp
instruction exists in MAX II circuitry to control I/O behavior during the
ISP sequence. The in-system programming clamp instruction enables the
device to sample and sustain the value on an output pin (an input pin
would remain tri-stated if sampled) or to explicitly set a logic high, logic
low, or tri-state value on any pin. Setting these options is controlled on an
individual pin basis using the Quartus II software.
fFor more information, refer to the Real-Time ISP and ISP Clamp for MAX II
Devices chapter in the MAX II Device Handbook.
Real-Time ISP
For systems that require more than DC logic level control of I/O pins, the
real-time ISP feature allows you to update the CFM block with a new
design image while the current design continues to operate in the SRAM
logic array and I/O pins. A new programming file is updated into the
MAX II device without halting the original design’s operation, saving
down-time costs for remote or field upgrades. The updated CFM block
configures the new design into the SRAM upon the next power cycle. It is
also possible to execute an immediate configuration of the SRAM without
a power cycle by using a specific sequence of ISP commands. The
configuration of SRAM without a power cycle takes a specific amount of
time (tCONFIG). During this time, the I/O pins are tri-stated and weakly
pulled-up to VCCIO.