EP3C16F256I7N Altera, EP3C16F256I7N Datasheet - Page 345

• Manufacturer Part Number: EP3C16F256I7N
• Description: Cyclone III
• Manufacturer: Altera

Remote System
Upgrade Mode
Altera Corporation-Preliminary
March 2007
Configuration Image Types
When using remote system upgrade, Cyclone III device configuration
bitstreams are classified as factory configuration images or application
configuration images. An image, also referred to as a configuration, is a
design loaded into the device that performs certain user-defined
functions. Each device in your system requires one factory image and one
or more application images. The factory image is a user-defined fall-back,
or safe, configuration and is responsible for administering remote
updates in conjunction with the dedicated circuitry. Application images
implement user-defined functionality in the target Cyclone III device.
A remote system update involves storing a new application configuration
image or updating an existing one via the remote communication
interface. After an application configuration image is stored or updated
remotely, the user design in the Cyclone III device initiates a
reconfiguration cycle with the new image. Any errors during or after this
cycle are detected by the dedicated remote system upgrade circuitry, and
cause the device to automatically revert to the factory image. The factory
image then performs error processing and recovery. While error
processing functionality is limited to the factory configuration, both
factory and application configurations can download and store remote
updates and initiate system reconfiguration.
The remote update mode allows you to determine the functionality of
your system upon power up and offer various features.
Overview
In remote update mode, the Cyclone III device loads the factory
configuration image upon power up. The user-defined factory
configuration determines which application configuration is to be loaded
and triggers a reconfiguration cycle.
When used with serial configuration devices or with supported parallel
flash memories, the remote update mode allows an application
configuration to start at any flash sector boundary. Additionally, the
remote update mode features a user watchdog timer that can detect
functional errors in an application configuration.
Remote Update Mode
When a Cyclone III device is first powered up in remote update in the AS
configuration scheme, it loads the factory configuration located at
address boot_address[23:0] = 24b'0. You should always store the
factory configuration image for your system at boot address 24b'0 when
Remote System Upgrade With Cyclone III Devices
Cyclone III Device Handbook, Volume 1
12–5