AN 886: Intel Agilex® 7 Device Design Guidelines

ID 683634
Date 10/09/2023
Public
Document Table of Contents

6.1.8.5.3. JTAG Pins

Table 71.  JTAG Pins Checklist
Number Done? Checklist Item
1   Connect JTAG pins to a stable voltage level if not in use.

Because JTAG configuration takes precedence over all other configuration methods, do not leave the JTAG pins floating or toggling during configuration if you do not use the JTAG interface. If you are using the JTAG interface, adhere to the following guidelines.

JTAG Pin Connections

Table 72.  JTAG Pin Connections Checklist
Number Done? Checklist Item
1   Connect JTAG pins correctly to the download cable header. Ensure the pin order is not reversed.
2   To disable the JTAG state machine during power-up, pull the TCK pin low through a resistor to ensure that an unexpected rising edge does not occur on the TCK pin.
3   Pull the TMS and TDI pins high through a resistor.

A device operating in JTAG mode uses four required pins—TDI, TDO, TMS, and TCK. The TCK pin has an internal weak pull-down resistor, while the TDI and TMS pins have weak internal pull-up resistors.

If you have more than one device in the chain, connect the TDO pin of a device to the TDI pin of the next device in the chain.

Noise on the JTAG pins during configuration, user mode, or power-up can cause the device to go into an undefined state or mode.

Download Cable Operating Voltage

Table 73.  Download Cable Operating Voltage Checklist
Number Done? Checklist Item
1   Ensure the download cable and JTAG pin voltages are compatible because the download cable interfaces with the JTAG pins of your device.

The operating voltage supplied to the Intel download cable by the target board through the 10-pin header determines the operating voltage level of the download cable.

JTAG pins in the Intel Agilex® 7 device are powered up by VCCIO_SDM. In a JTAG chain containing devices with different VCCIO levels, ensure that the VIL max, VIH min, and the maximum VI specifications of the device JTAG input pins are not violated. Level shifter might be required between devices to meet the voltage specifications of the devices input pin.

JTAG Signal Buffering

Table 74.  JTAG Signal Buffering Checklist
Number Done? Checklist Item
1   Buffer JTAG signals per the recommendations, especially for connectors or if the cable drives more than three devices.
2   If your device is in a configuration chain, ensure all devices in the chain are connected properly.

You might have to add buffers to a JTAG chain, depending on the JTAG signal integrity, especially the TCK signal, because it is the JTAG clock and the fastest switching JTAG signal. Intel recommends buffering the signals at the connector because cables and board connectors tend to make bad transmission lines and introduce noise to the signals. After this initial buffer at the connector, add buffers as the chain gets longer or whenever the signals cross a board connector.

If a cable drives three or more devices, buffer the JTAG signal at the cable connector to prevent signal deterioration. This also depends on the board layout, loads, connectors, jumpers, and switches on the board. Anything added to the board that affects the inductance or capacitance of the JTAG signals increases the chances for a buffer to be added to the chain.

Each buffer drives no more than eight loads for the TCK and TMS signals, which drive in parallel. If jumpers or switches are added to the path, decrease the number of loads.