Download Cables

Altera^® download cables are available for use in the in-circuit reconfiguration of Altera FPGAs. Download cables are also available for use in the in-system programming of MAX^® II, MAX 3000A, and MAX 7000 devices.

With Altera download cables, design changes can be downloaded directly to the device, prototyping is easy and multiple design iterations can be accomplished in quick succession. See Table 1 for available download cables.

Table 1. ByteBlaster II, USB-Blaster, and EthernetBlaster Download Cables

ByteBlaster II Download Cable

The ByteBlaster™ II enables a PC to configure or program Altera devices. The download cable drives configuration or programming data using a standard parallel printer port from the PC. Supports 1.8-, 2.5-, 3.3-, and 5.0-V operating voltages. Supports SignalTap® II logic analysis capability. Supports active serial configuration mode for EPCS serial configuration devices. ByteBlaster II Download Cable User Guide (PDF)

USB-Blaster Download Cable

The USB-Blaster™ drives configuration or programming data from the PC to configure or program Altera devices. The download cable interfaces to a standard USB PC port. Supports 1.8-, 2.5-, 3.3-, and 5.0-V operating voltages. Supports SignalTap II logic analysis capability. Supports active serial configuration mode for EPCS serial configuration devices. Supports communication and debugging of the Nios® II embedded processor family. USB Blaster Download Cable User Guide (PDF)

EthernetBlaster Download Cable

The EthernetBlaster can receive configuration or programming data from the Ethernet network to remotely configure or program Altera devices. The communications cable connects to a standard Ethernet network port with an RJ-45 connector. EthernetBlaster Download Cable User Guide (PDF)

The BitBlaster^TM, ByteBlaster^TM, ByteBlasterMV^TM, and MasterBlaster^TM download cables have been superseded and are no longer sold by Altera.

Cable-Device Compatibility

Table 2 lists the device support for each download cable.

Table 2. Device Support Comparison
Device	ByteBlaster II	USB Blaster	Ethernet Blaster
Stratix® FPGA Series
Cyclone® FPGA Series
MercuryTM Devices
ACEX 1K® Devices
APEXTM II Devices
APEX 20K Devices
APEX 20KE Devices
APEX 20KC Devices
FLEX 10K® Devices
FLEX 10KA Devices
FLEX 10KE Devices
FLEX® 8000 Devices
FLEX 6000 Devices
MAX II Devices
MAX 7000A Devices
MAX 7000B Devices
MAX 7000S Devices
MAX 3000A Devices
ExcaliburTM Devices
Serial Configuration Devices			—
Enhanced Configuration Devices

Downloads

• Quartus^® II Stand-Alone Programmer 
• ASAP2 Programmer Software 
• Quartus II Web Edition Software 

Related Links

• JTAG Configuration & ISP Troubleshooter
• Software Licensing Troubleshooter
• Programming Cable and Hardware Drivers Setup Instructions
• Programming Center
• Altera Programming Software
• Literature: Cables & Development Kits

Purchasing Information

• Contact an Altera distributor or sales representative near you, or visit www.buyaltera.com for information on purchasing Altera products.
• Buy ByteBlaster II Download Cable
• Buy USB-Blaster Download Cable
• Buy EthernetBlaster Download Cable