The Altera enhanced configuration device is a single-device, high-speed, advanced configuration solution for very high-density FPGAs. The core of an enhanced configuration device is divided into two major blocks: a configuration controller and a flash memory. The flash memory is used to store configuration data for systems made up of one or more Altera FPGAs. Unused portions of the flash memory can be used to store processor code or data that can be accessed via the external flash interface after FPGA configuration is complete.
Feature
This chapter describes the EPC4, EPC8, and EPC16 enhanced configuration devices (EPC).
■ Single-chip configuration solution for Altera® ACEX® 1K, APEX™ 20K (including APEX 20K, APEX 20KC, and APEX 20KE), APEX II, Arria® GX, Cyclone®, Cyclone II, FLEX® 10K (including FLEX 10KE and FLEX 10KA), Mercury™, Stratix® II, and
Stratix II GX devices
■ Contains 4-, 8-, and 16-Mbit flash memories for configuration data storage
■ On-chip decompression feature almost doubles the effective configuration density
■ Standard flash die and a controller die combined into single stacked chip package
■ External flash interface supports parallel programming of flash and external processor access to unused portions of memory
■ Flash memory block/sector protection capability via external flash interface
■ Supported in EPC16 and EPC4 devices
