A download cable that allows PC and workstation users to program and configure devices in-system. The MasterBlaster^™ cable provides multidevice JTAG chain configuration and programming support for SRAM-based devices, such as APEX^™ 20K and Mercury^™ devices, EEPROM-based devices, such as MAX^® 3000 and MAX 7000 devices, and configuration devices, such as the EPC2 and EPC16. The MasterBlaster cable also provides multidevice Passive Serial chain configuration support for SRAM-based devices, such as APEX 20K and Mercury devices. The MasterBlaster cable can be used in 2.5-V, 3.3-V, and 5.0-V systems.

The MasterBlaster cable is connected using either a USB port (Windows 98 and Windows 2000 only), or an RS-232 serial port (called a COM port on a PC) on a PC, UNIX, or Linux workstation. The 10-pin female plug for the cable connects to a 10-pin male header on the circuit board that contains the target device(s). Programming or configuration data can be downloaded with the Quartus^® II Programmer.

If you are using the MasterBlaster with a USB port on Windows 98, Windows 2000, or Windows XP, the Windows operating system prompts you to locate the USB driver for MasterBlaster. Go to "Installing Programming Hardware" in the Quartus II Installation & Licensing for PCs manual for instructions about locating the MasterBlaster driver.

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