Solution ID: rd08062009_90
Last Modified: Nov 09, 2009
Product Category: Devices
Product Area: Configuration (FPGA)
Product Sub-area: Active Serial (AS)
Device Family: CYCLONE III LS,STRATIX III
Title
Why does Active Serial Configuration of a Stratix III or Cyclone III LS device fail when I use an uncompressed configuration file?
Description
You may experience configuration failure with an uncompressed file due to CONF_DONE rising too early in Stratix® III or Cyclone® III LS devices during Active Serial (AS) configuration. This is also referred to as early CONF_DONE failure and this type of failure can be verified by successful configuration with a compressed file. The failure is related to a known issue with the Program Length Count (PLC) settings in the uncompressed programming file.
There are two workarounds to solve this issue:
- Use a compressed file to configure the device or
- Change the PLC option in Quartus® II software (File>Convert Programming Files>Advanced Option) before converting the programming file. The PLC value has to be adjusted to a negative value with a step size of -8.
This issue has been fixed in Quartus II software version 9.1.
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Altera does not warrant that this solution will work for the customer's intended purpose and disclaims all liability for use of or reliance on the solution.
