EP2AGX95EF29C6N Datasheet, PDF (335/380 Pages) Altera Corporation – Device Interfaces and Integration

Chapter 9: Configuration, Design Security, and Remote System Upgrades in Arria II Devices
Remote System Upgrades
9–49
Arria II devices feature dedicated remote system upgrade circuitry. Soft logic (either
the Nios^® II embedded processor or user logic) implemented in an Arria II device can
download a new configuration image from a remote location, store it in configuration
memory, and direct the dedicated remote system upgrade circuitry to start a
reconfiguration cycle. The dedicated circuitry performs error detection during and
after the configuration process, recovers from any error condition by reverting back to
a safe configuration image, and provides error status information.
Remote system upgrades are supported in AS configuration schemes for Arria II GX
devices and in fast AS configuration schemes for Arria II GZ devices. You can also
implement remote system upgrades in conjunction with advanced Arria II features
such as real-time decompression of configuration data and design security using the
advanced encryption standard (AES) for secure and efficient field upgrades. The
largest serial configuration device currently supports 128 megabits (Mb) of
configuration bitstream.
1 Arria II devices only support remote system upgrade in the single device fast AS
configuration scheme. Because the largest serial configuration device currently
supports 128 Mb of configuration bitstream, the remote system upgrade feature is not
supported in EP2AGZ300, EP2AGZ350, and larger devices.
1 The remote system upgrade feature is not supported in a multi-device chain.
Functional Description
The dedicated remote system upgrade circuitry in Arria II devices manages remote
configuration and provides error detection, recovery, and status information. User
logic or a Nios II processor implemented in the Arria II device logic array provides
access to the remote configuration data source and an interface to the system’s
configuration memory.
Arria II devices have remote system upgrade processes that involve the following
steps:
1. A Nios II processor (or user logic) implemented in the Arria II device logic array
receives new configuration data from a remote location. The connection to the
remote source uses a communication protocol such as TCP/IP, PCI, user datagram
protocol (UDP), UART, or a proprietary interface.
2. The Nios II processor (or user logic) stores this new configuration data in
non-volatile configuration memory.
3. The Nios II processor (or user logic) starts a reconfiguration cycle with the new or
updated configuration data.
4. The dedicated remote system upgrade circuitry detects and recovers from any
error(s) that might occur during or after the reconfiguration cycle and provides
error status information to the user design.
July 2012 Altera Corporation
Arria II Device Handbook Volume 1: Device Interfaces and Integration