Altera Corporation
11–11
July 2005
Stratix Device Handbook, Volume 2
Configuring Stratix & Stratix GX Devices
Figure 11–3. Multi-Device Configuration Circuit Note (1) (1)
When performing multi-device active serial configuration, you must generate the configuration device programmer
object file (.pof) from each project’s SOF. You can combine multiple SOFs using the Quartus II software through the
Device & Pin Option
dialog box. For more information on how to create configuration and programming files, see
the Software Settings section in the Configuration Handbook, Volume 2.
(2)
The pull-up resistor should be connected to the same supply voltage as the configuration device.
(3)
The enhanced configuration devices and EPC2 devices have internal programmable pull-ups on OE and nCS. You
should only use the internal pull-ups of the configuration device if the nSTATUS and CONF_DONE signals are pulled
up to 3.3 V or 2.5 V (not 1.8 V or 1.5 V). If external pull-ups are used, they should be 10 k
Ω
(4)
The nINIT_CONF pin is available on EPC16, EPC8, EPC4, and EPC2 devices. If nINIT_CONF is not used, nCONFIG
must be pulled to VCC through a resistor. The nINIT_CONF pin has an internal pull-up resistor that is always active
in EPC16, EPC8, EPC4, and EPC2 devices. These devices do not need an external pull-up resistor on the
nINIT_CONF
pin.
After the first Stratix or Stratix GX device completes configuration during
multi-device configuration, its nCEO pin activates the second device’s
nCE
pin, prompting the second device to begin configuration. Because all
device CONF_DONE pins are tied together, all devices initialize and enter
user mode at the same time.
In addition, all nSTATUS pins are tied together; thus, if any device
(including the configuration devices) detects an error, configuration stops
for the entire chain. Also, if the first configuration device does not detect
CONF_DONE
going high at the end of configuration, it resets the chain by
pulsing its OE pin low for a few microseconds. This low pulse drives the
OE
pin low on the second configuration device and drives nSTATUS low
on all Stratix and Stratix GX devices, causing them to enter an error state.
If the Auto-Restart Configuration on Frame Error option is turned on in
the software, the Stratix or Stratix GX device releases its nSTATUS pins
after a reset time-out period. When the nSTATUS pins are released and
pulled high, the configuration devices reconfigure the chain. If the Auto-
EPC1/EPC2
DCLK
DATA
OE
nCS
nINIT_CONF (4)
DCLK
DATA0
nSTATUS
CONF_DONE
nCONFIG
VCC
GND
nCE
VCC
DCLK
DATA
nCS
OE
EPC1/EPC2
DCLK
DATA0
nSTATUS
CONF_DONE
nCONFIG
GND
nCE
MSEL2
MSEL1
nCEO
nCASC
(2)
nCEO
N.C.
Stratix or Stratix GX Device 2
Stratix or Stratix GX Device 1
MSEL0
VCC
GND
MSEL2
MSEL1
MSEL0
VCC
10 k
Ω
10 k
Ω
(3)
(4)
(3)
10 k
Ω
nINIT_CONF (4)