EP4SE360F35I4 Datasheet, PDF (387/432 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

Chapter 10: Configuration, Design Security, and Remote System Upgrades in Stratix IV Devices
Remote System Upgrades
10–51
Remote system upgrade is supported in fast AS Stratix IV configuration schemes. You
can also implement remote system upgrade in conjunction with advanced Stratix IV
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 Mbits of configuration
bitstream.
1 Stratix IV devices only support remote system upgrade in the single device fast AS
configuration scheme. Because the largest serial configuration device currently
supports 128 Mbits of configuration bitstream, the remote system upgrade feature is
not supported in EP4SGX290, EP4SE360, 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 Stratix IV devices manages remote
configuration and provides error detection, recovery, and status information. User
logic or a Nios II processor implemented in the Stratix IV device logic array provides
access to the remote configuration data source and an interface to the system’s
configuration memory.
Stratix IV devices have remote system upgrade processes that involve the following
steps:
1. A Nios II processor (or user logic) implemented in the Stratix IV device logic array
receives new configuration data from a remote location. The connection to the
remote source uses a communication protocol such as the transmission control
protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP), peripheral component interconnect (PCI),
user datagram protocol (UDP), universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter
(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) initiates 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.
September 2012 Altera Corporation
Stratix IV Device Handbook
Volume 1