Altera® Ethernet Cable Definition

The Altera® Ethernet CableII is now the Altera® Ethernet Cable.

An Ethernet-based download cable that allows you to program and configure devices in-system. The Altera® Ethernet Cable provides configuration support for FPGA devices and programming support for CPLD devices, such as MAX 3000 and MAX 7000 devices, configuration devices, such as the EPC2 and EPC16, and serial configuration devices, such as the EPCS1 and EPCS4. You can also use the Altera® Ethernet Cable to run the Signal Tap Logic Analyzer. The Altera® Ethernet Cable provides support for Passive Serial, JTAG, and Active Serial Programming modes. The Altera® Ethernet Cable requires a 12V power supply and between 1.5V and 5.0V from the target circuit board.

The Altera® Ethernet Cable connects to an Ethernet LAN via an Ethernet cable, and to a 10-pin male header on the circuit board containing the target device(s) via a 10-pin female plug. You can download programming or configuration data with the Quartus® Prime Programmer.

The Altera® Ethernet Cable cable has the same functionality as the ByteBlasterMV cable, with additional functionality that provides programming support for serial configuration devices. The Altera® Ethernet Cable cable has the same functionality as the Altera® Parallel Port Cable and the Altera® FPGA Download Cable, except the Altera® Ethernet Cable cable uses an Ethernet connection while the Altera® Parallel Port Cable uses a parallel port and the Altera® FPGA Download Cable users a USB port.

The Altera® Ethernet Cable cable supports the following:

  • Programming of security keys and encrypted configuration files
  • Adjustable JTAG tck down to 1KHz
  • 10/100 Ethernet connectivity
  • Programming I/O voltages from 1.2V to 3.3V
  • Field upgradeable firmware
  • Browser-based setup and status
  • RoHS compliance
Note: More information is available on the Altera® Ethernet Cablecommunications cable on the Altera website.