Article ID: 000076235 Content Type: Troubleshooting Last Reviewed: 08/13/2012

Are there any problems with channel 3 of a transceiver block after dynamic reconfiguration in Cyclone IV GX devices using Quartus II Software Version 10.1SP1 and earlier?

Environment

BUILT IN - ARTICLE INTRO SECOND COMPONENT
Description

Yes due to a bug in Quartus II Software Versions 10.1SP1 and earlier, channel 3 of a transceiver block may fail to function correctly after dynamic reconfiguration in Cyclone IV GX devices.

The failure symptoms are

  1. rx_freqlocked may be stuck in a deasserted (low) state when using the CDR in Automatic lock mode
  2. Receiver data errors and Rate Match FIFO overflow or underflow may be observed when using the CDR in manual lock mode
  3. Receiver data errors and an incorrect rx_clkout frequency may be observed when using the CDR in manual lock mode
  4. Transceiver-FPGA fabric interface output clocks may not toggle

Affected transceiver configurations in Quartus II Software Version 10.1SP1 and earlier are detailed below.

Configuration 1 detailed below may exhibit failure symptoms 1, 2, or 3

  • Channel Reconfiguration mode is used AND
  • Channel 3 and channel 0 in the same transceiver block are instantiated in a single ALTGX instance AND
  • The bottom PLL is clocking the single ALTGX instance and top PLL is clocking other circuitry

Configuration 2 detailed below may exhibit failure symptom 4

  • Channel Reconfiguration mode is used AND
  • Channel 3 and any other channel in the same transceiver block are instantiated in a single ALTGX instance AND
  • Top PLL is clocking the single ALTGX instance

To fix this issue install the appropriate patch, regenerate the altgx_reconfig MegaWizard, and fully recompile the design.

Patch 0.36 for Quartus II Software version 10.1

Patch 1.03 for Quartus II software version 10.1SP1

This issue will be fixed in a future version of the Quartus II software.