Procedures

Commands

See Also

A Chain Description File (.cdf) stores device name, device order, and optional programming file name information for a design. You can use CDFs to program or configure a device with one or more SRAM Object Files (.sof), Programmer Object Files (.pof), Jam^™ Files (.jam), or Jam Byte-Code Files (.jbc). The order of the devices in the programming list reflects the order in which they are programmed.

Each open Programmer window represents one CDF; you can have multiple CDFs open, but you can program using only one CDF at a time. You can open a CDF either by creating a CDF or by opening an existing CDF.

Before adding files or devices to the CDF, you should select an appropriate programming mode. The Programmer has four programming modes: Passive Serial mode, JTAG mode, Active Serial Programming mode, and In-Socket Programming mode. In Passive Serial mode, you can select which POFs and SOFs to include in the device chain. In JTAG mode, you can add specific devices to the device chain, and select between several programming options for each device in the chain. In Active Serial Programming mode, you can program a single EPCS1 or EPCS4 serial configuration device with a POF. When using In-Socket Programming mode, you can program a single configuration device, MAX^® 3000 device, or MAX 7000 device with a POF, Jam File, or JBC File.

You can edit and view a CDF in a Programmer window using the following options:

• You can add or replace programming files in Passive Serial or JTAG mode in the File list of the Programmer window. More Details

• You can add or replace devices in JTAG mode in the Device list of the Programmer window. More Details

• You can define or edit user-defined devices.

• You can remove devices or programming files in Passive Serial or JTAG mode.

• You can change the order of devices and files in a multidevice chain by moving a programming file or device up or down the list of a multidevice chain.

• You can view the properties of a selected programming file.

	More information is available on programming on the Altera® web site.

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