The Waveshare USB Blaster V2 Download Cable is a robust programming tool fully compatible with the ALTERA USB Blaster FPGA/CPLD programmer. This cable seamlessly connects a host computer’s USB port to an Altera FPGA mounted on a printed circuit board, facilitating the transfer of configuration data from your PC to a standard 10-pin header connected to the FPGA. Ideal for both prototyping and production, it allows for iterative downloading of configuration data and in-system programming.

It supports a wide array of ALTERA FPGA/CPLD devices, Active Serial Configuration devices, and Enhanced Configuration devices. Furthermore, it offers versatile AS, PS, and JTAG download modes to meet diverse programming needs.

Key Features

• Hardware Solution
  • Features a high-speed FT245+CPLD+244 solution, delivering download speeds comparable to the original ALTERA USB Blaster, with identical operation.
  • Achieves download speeds 1-3 times faster than alternative schemes such as 68013 or C8051F.
• Performance
  • Supports a broad range of ALTERA FPGA/CPLD devices, Active Serial Configuration devices, and Enhanced Configuration Devices.
  • Offers support for AS, PS, and JTAG three download modes.
  • Designed for high-speed and stable operation with an internal FT245R+CPLD architecture.
  • Supports a wide programming voltage range of 1.2V to 5V.
  • Enables communication and debugging for Nios II embedded processors.
• Supported Software
  • Compatible with Quartus II integrated development environment.
  • Supports NIOS II IDE integrated development environment.
  • Works with NIOS II EDS integrated development environment.
• Supported Devices
  Tested devices include, but are not limited to:
  • CPLD: MAX3000, MAX7000A/B/S, MAX9000 and MAX II etc.
  • FPGA: Stratix, Stratix II, Cyclone, Cyclone II, CycloneIII, ACEX 1K, APEX 20K and FLEX 10K etc.
  • Active Serial Configuration Devices: EPCS1, EPCS4, EPCS16 etc.
  • Enhanced Configuration Devices: EPC1, EPC4 etc.
• Connectivity to PC
  • Connects to your computer via a USB 2.0 interface.
• Connectivity to Target Board
  • Connects to the target board via JTAG, AS, and PS interfaces. Figures 1, 2, and 3 below illustrate the header pinouts for these different interfaces.

  Figure 1. JTAG header pinout
  Figure 2. AS header pinout
  Figure 3. PS header pinout

LED Status Indicators

• Red LED: Power indicator.
• Green LED: Signal indicator, illuminates during download/programming operations.