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Application Note AC315
14 – Programming Flash Devices
Introduction
This document provides an overview of the various programming options available for the Actel
flash families. The electronic version of this document includes active links to all programming
Summary of Programming Support
FlashPro3 is a high-performance in-system programming (ISP) tool targeted at the latest
generation of low-power flash devices offered by Actel: IGLOO, Fusion, and ProASIC3, including
ARM-enabled devices. FlashPro3 offers extremely high performance through the use of USB 2.0
and is high-speed compliant for full use of the 480 Mbps bandwidth. This newest programmer can
program ProASIC3E devices in under 30 seconds; even the largest ProASIC3E devices take under
two minutes to program. Powered exclusively via USB, FlashPro3 provides a VPUMP voltage of 3.3 V
for programming these devices.
Silicon Sculptor 3 is an easy-to-use, single-site programming tool for Actel FPGAs that delivers high
data throughput and promotes ease of use while lowering the overall cost of ownership. Silicon
Sculptor 3 includes a high-speed USB 2.0 interface that allows a customer to connect as many as 12
programmers to a single PC. Furthermore, Silicon Sculptor 3 is compatible with adapter modules
from Silicon Sculptor II, thereby preserving a customer's investment and enabling a seamless
upgrade to this latest generation of the tool.
General Flash Programming Information
Programming Basics
When choosing a programming solution, there are a number of options available. This section
provides a brief overview of those options. The next sections provide more detail on those options
as they apply to Actel FPGAs.
Reprogrammable or One-Time-Programmable (OTP)
Depending on the technology chosen, devices may be reprogrammable or one-time-
programmable. As the name implies, a reprogrammable device can be programmed many times.
Generally, the contents of such a device will be completely overwritten when it is reprogrammed.
All Actel flash devices are reprogrammable.
An OTP device is programmable one time only. Once programmed, no more changes can be made
to the contents. Actel flash devices provide the option of disabling the reprogrammability for
security purposes. This combines the convenience of reprogrammability during design verification
with the security of an OTP technology for highly sensitive designs.
Device Programmer or In-System Programming
There are two fundamental ways to program an FPGA: using a device programmer or, if the
technology permits, using in-system programming. A device programmer is a piece of equipment in
a lab or on the production floor that is used for programming devices. The devices are placed into
a socket mounted in a programming adapter module, and the appropriate electrical interface is
applied. The device can then be placed on the board. A typical programmer, used during