EP4SE360F35I4 Datasheet, PDF (386/432 Pages) Altera Corporation – This section provides a complete overview of all features relating to the Stratix IV device family, which is the most architecturlly advanced

10–50
Chapter 10: Configuration, Design Security, and Remote System Upgrades in Stratix IV Devices
Remote System Upgrades
When multiple Stratix IV devices are cascaded, you can selectively enable the
compression feature for each device in the chain if you are using a serial configuration
scheme. Figure 10–20 shows a chain of two Stratix IV devices. The first Stratix IV
device has compression enabled; therefore, receives a compressed bitstream from the
configuration device. The second Stratix IV device has the compression feature
disabled and receives uncompressed data.
In a multi-device FPP configuration chain (with a MAX II device or microprocessor +
flash), all Stratix IV devices in the chain must either enable or disable the
decompression feature. You cannot selectively enable the compression feature for
each device in the chain because of the DATA and DCLK relationship.
Figure 10–20. Compressed and Uncompressed Configuration Data in the Same Configuration File
Serial Configuration Data
Compressed
Configuration
Data
Uncompressed
Configuration
Data
Serial Configuration
Device
Decompression
Controller
Stratix IV
Device
nCE
nCEO
Stratix IV
Device
nCE
nCEO
N.C.
GND
You can generate programming files for this setup by clicking Convert Programming
Files on the File menu in the Quartus II software.
Remote System Upgrades
This section describes the functionality and implementation of the dedicated remote
system upgrade circuitry. It also defines several concepts related to remote system
upgrade, including factory configuration, application configuration, remote update
mode, and user watchdog timer. Additionally, this section provides design guidelines
for implementing remote system upgrades with the supported configuration
schemes.
System designers sometimes face challenges such as shortened design cycles,
evolving standards, and system deployments in remote locations. Stratix IV devices
help overcome these challenges with their inherent reprogrammability and dedicated
circuitry to perform remote system upgrades. Remote system upgrades help deliver
feature enhancements and bug fixes without costly recalls, reduce time-to-market,
extend product life, and avoid system downtime.
Stratix IV devices feature dedicated remote system upgrade circuitry. Soft logic (either
the Nios^® II embedded processor or user logic) implemented in a Stratix IV 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 initiate 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.
Stratix IV Device Handbook
Volume 1
September 2012 Altera Corporation