Altera Programming Software

The Quartus® II software and MAX+PLUS® II software are Altera® tools that provide compiler, simulation, and programming capabilities. Stand-alone versions of the programmer application and features are available from both the Quartus II software, called the Quartus II Stand-Alone Programmer, and the MAX+PLUS II software, called “Altera Stand-Alone Programmer (ASAP2).” A designer without the full version of the Quartus II or MAX+PLUS II software can use the stand-alone versions of the programmer to program, verify, and examine Altera devices. The Quartus II software supports all current Altera programming hardware.

While the Quartus II software supports most of the Altera device families supported by the MAX+PLUS II software, it does not support obsolete devices or packages. Table 1 lists the devices supported by these two software tools.

Table 1. Device Support Comparison

Device Quartus II MAX+PLUS II
Stratix® FamilyYes
Cyclone® FamilyYes
MercuryTMYes
ACEX® 1KYesYes
APEXTM IIYes
APEX 20KYes
APEX 20KEYes
APEX 20KCYes
FLEX 10K®Yes (1)Yes
FLEX 10KAYesYes
FLEX 10KEYes (2)Yes
FLEX® 8000 Yes
FLEX 6000YesYes
MAX® IIYes
MAX 9000 Yes
MAX 7000AYesYes
MAX 7000BYesYes
MAX 7000SYesYes
MAX 3000AYesYes
ExcaliburTMYesYes
Serial Configuration DevicesYes
Enhanced Configuration DevicesYes (3)Yes (3)

Notes:

  1. PGA packages (represented as package type G in the ordering code) are not supported in the Quartus II software
  2. Some packages are not supported
  3. Some devices are not supported

Both the Quartus II software and the MAX+PLUS II software include software interfaces to the Altera Programming Unit (APU). The APU provides the hardware and software needed for programming Altera devices, when used with the appropriate programming adapters. Altera programming software can also be used with download cables such as USB-BlasterTM, ByteBlasterTM II, ByteBlasterMVTM or MasterBlasterTM cables.

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