MAX7000 Technical Brief - Altera Corporation

In-Circuit Test Support with MAX 7000 Devices

Technical Brief 58 December 1999, ver. 1

M-TB-058-01

Altera Corporation 1

Introduction

Altera

MAX

7000S, MAX 7000A, and MAX 7000B devices support in-system

programming with in-circuit test (ICT) equipment, offering significant time and cost

benefits by integrating programmable logic devices (PLDs) into board-level testing. Altera

provides software and device support that easily integrates in-system programmability

(ISP) into test flows. This technical brief outlines ICT support and ISP methods for

MAX 7000 devices.

ISP via In-Circuit Testers

ISP via in-circuit testers is accomplished with either an adaptive or constant algorithm. An

adaptive algorithm reads information from a device and adapts subsequent programming

steps to achieve the fastest possible programming time for that specific device. A constant

algorithm uses a pre-defined (non-adaptive) programming sequence. Some tester platforms

are well-suited to support adaptive algorithms while others are not. MAX 7000 devices can

use adaptive or constant algorithms and work with either tester platform.

SVF vs. Jam STAPL

Serial Vector Format (

.svf

) files do not support adaptive programming algorithms.

Consequently, testers using SVF files must program at the device’s worst-case

programming pulse width. For example, SVF-based testers program MAX 7000AE and

MAX 7000B devices at their worst-case programming pulse width of 20 ms, yielding fast

programming times. However, SVF-based testers program MAX 7000S devices at their

worst-case programming pulse width of 200 ms, yielding less than optimal programming

times.

To minimize SVF-based tester programming times for MAX 7000S devices, Altera offers

MAX 7000S devices with a fixed programming pulse width of only 30 ms. These fixed

programming devices have an “F” at the end of their ordering codes and are called “F”

devices. To obtain production-worthy in-system programming times when using SVF-

based testers such as HP 3070 and GenRad 228X, designers must use fixed programming

MAX 7000S devices. Since MAX 7000AE and MAX 7000B devices have a worst-case

programming pulse width of 20 ms, they do not require a fixed programming algorithm to

achieve production-worthy programming times.

Unlike SVF, the Jam

Standard Test and Programming Language (STAPL), JEDEC

standard JESD-71, uses an adaptive algorithm, offering the ability to program devices faster

than their worst-case programming pulse width. Jam STAPL allows each device to be

programmed at its optimal programming pulse width. Moreover, testers that support the

Jam STAPL format use smaller file sizes and have faster programming times than those that

do not.

Altera Corporation

101 Innovation Drive

San Jose, CA 95134

(408) 544-7000

http://www.altera.com

https://websupport.altera.com

TB 58: In-Circuit Test Support with MAX 7000 Devices

2 Altera Corporation

MAX 7000S In-Circuit Tester Support

MAX 7000S devices support SVF-based testers with “F” devices and most

Jam STAPL-based testers with non-”F” devices. Table 1 lists in-circuit testers and their

preferred programming methods when used with MAX 7000S devices.

Note:

(1) Contact the vendor for future Jam STAPL support information.

MAX 7000A & MAX 7000B In-Circuit Tester Support

MAX 7000A and MAX 7000B devices support programming pulse widths of 20 ms or less

and therefore can be used in constant algorithm platforms without the need for “F” devices.

MAX 7000A devices requiring ICT support should use the MAX 7000AE device equivalents

which have an enhanced ISP algorithm for faster programming. For example, you should

use the EPM7128AE and EPM7256AE devices instead of the EPM7128A and EPM7256A

devices for optimal programming times. Table 2 lists in-circuit testers and their preferred

programming methods when used with MAX 7000A and MAX 7000B devices.

Note:

(1) Contact the vendor for future Jam STAPL support information.

Conclusion

Altera provides complete ISP solutions for MAX 7000 devices using in-circuit testers.

Altera’s MAX 7000 devices and Jam STAPL offer fast, consistent programming times,

thereby cutting costs and increasing manufacturing productivity for any ICT user.

Table 1. MAX 7000S ICT Programming Methods

In-Circuit Tester Preferred Programming Method

HP 3070 Series SVF and “F” devices

(1)

GenRad 228X Series SVF and “F” devices

(1)

Teradyne 1800 and Spectrum Series Jam STAPL

Asset Intertech Jam STAPL

Corelis ScanPlus Jam STAPL

Goepel Electronic Jam STAPL

Intellitech SVF and “F” devices

(1)

JTAG Technologies Jam STAPL

Table 2. MAX 7000A & MAX 7000B ICT Programming Methods

In-Circuit Tester Preferred Programming Method

HP 3070 Series SVF

(1)

GenRad 228X Series SVF

(1)

Teradyne 1800 and Spectrum Series Jam STAPL

Asset Intertech Jam STAPL

Corelis ScanPlus Jam STAPL

Goepel Electronic Jam STAPL

Intellitech SVF

(1)

JTAG Technologies Jam STAPL

TB 58: In-Circuit Test Support with MAX 7000 Devices

Altera Corporation 3



1999 Altera Corporation. Altera, EPM7128A, EPM7256A, EPM7128AE, EPM7256AE, Jam, MAX, MAX 7000, MAX 7000A,

MAX 7000AE, MAX 7000B, and MAX 7000S are trademarks and/or service marks of Altera Corporation in the United States and other

countries. Other brands or products are trademarks of their respective holders. The specifications contained herein are subject to change

without notice. Altera assumes no responsibility or liability arising out of the application or use of any information, product, or service

described herein except as expressly agreed to in writing by Altera Corporation. Altera customers are advised to obtain the latest version of

101 Innovation Drive

San Jose, CA 95134

(408) 544-7000

http://www.altera.com

References

The following documents provide more detailed information. The part numbers are in

parentheses.

■

Application Note 100: In-System Programmability Guidelines

(A-AN-100-03)

■

Application Note 109: Using the HP 3070 Tester for In-System Programming

(A-AN-109-01)

■

Technical Brief 28: Advantages of ISP-Based CPLDs

(M-TB-028-01)

■

Technical Brief 32: ISP Programming Methods & Ordering Codes

(M-TB-032-01)

You can request these documents from:

■

Altera Literature Services at (888) 3-ALTERA

■

World-wide web site at

http://www.altera.com

■

Your local Altera sales representative