Getting Started with Cyclone IV FPGAs

Learn More

To learn more about designing with Cyclone^® IV FPGAs, here are some additional resources to keep you on the path towards becoming a Cyclone IV FPGA expert:

• Watch Cyclone series webcasts 
• Take online training courses (FREE):
  • Basics of Programmable Logic
  • How to Begin a Simple FPGA Design
  • Using the Quartus II Software: An Introduction
  • Power Analysis with the Quartus II Software
• Explore a wide variety of end-market solutions using other Altera^® products

Download Literature and Utilities

Download Cyclone IV FPGA literature and utilities, including:

• Cyclone IV Device Handbook—your comprehensive technical information guide to this FPGA family
• Pin-outs (preliminary versions in PDF, TXT, and XLS formats)
• Cyclone IV PowerPlay Early Power Estimator
• White papers 

FPGA Design Software and Development Tools

Quartus^® II development software is customer acclaimed as easy to learn and even easier to use. Use Quartus II software to take full advantage of Cyclone IV FPGA benefits, and exceed your performance goals, complete your design faster, and meet power budgets for your next-generation system designs.

Start designing immediately for Cyclone IV FPGAs by downloading the following:

• Quartus II Web Edition design software (FREE)
• ModelSim^®-Altera Starter Edition software (FREE)
• Nios^® II 32-bit embedded processors (evaluation edition with complete software Integrated Development Environment support)

Jump Start Your Designs with IP—Try Before You Buy

Altera and members of the Altera Megafunction Partner Program (AMPP^SM) provide intellectual property (IP) cores and reference designs you can use to accelerate your Cyclone IV FPGA design. You can download and use the cores in software and hardware, prior to purchase, to evaluate features and performance.

• Learn more about IP cores via the IP MegaStore^TM web pages

Re-use existing designs when you start designing for Altera^® Cyclone IV FPGAs:

• Altera or partner development kits
• Reference designs and design examples

Download PCB-Related Information

• Gerber files for selected FineLine BGA (1.0-mm ball pitch) packages
• IBIS models for simulation
• SPICE models for simulation
• BSDL files for testing
• PCB symbols and footprint libraries for
  • Cadence and Allegro
  • Mentor Graphics

Devices and Development Kits

Cyclone IV FPGAs and development kits are available for order now through your local Altera sales representative or distributor. You can also buy online through the Altera eStore. For the latest rollout schedule of the remaining Cyclone IV FPGAs and development kits, contact your local Altera sales representative or distributor. You can submit technical questions online or, where available, to your Altera or Altera distributor's technical application personnel.