Configuration Features

Decompression Support

Some Intel® FPGAs support configuration data decompression, which saves configuration memory space and time. This feature allows you to store compressed configuration data in configuration devices or other memory and transmit this compressed bitstream to the FPGA. During configuration, the FPGA decompresses the bitstream in real time and configures its CRAM cells.

For more information, refer to the configuration chapter of the respective Intel FPGA in the Configuration Handbook.

Design Security Support

Some Intel FPGAs can decrypt a configuration bitstream using the advanced encryption standard (AES) algorithm—the most advanced encryption algorithm available today. When using the design security feature, a security key is stored in the FPGA. To successfully configure an FPGA that has the design security feature enabled, you must configure the FPGA with a configuration file that was encrypted using the same security key. Some Intel FPGAs offer both volatile and non-volatile security key storage. The volatile security key storage requires battery back-up but enables the security key to be updated. The non-volatile security key can be stored in non-volatile memory inside the device and does not require battery back-up for storage. For more information, refer to the configuration chapter of the respective Intel FPGA in the Configuration Handbook.

• An 556: using the design security features in Intel FPGAs ›
• An 341: using the design security feature in Stratix II and Stratix II GX FPGAs ›
• An 512: using the design security feature in Stratix III FPGAs ›

Remote System Upgrade Support

Some Intel devices have dedicated remote system upgrade circuitry. Soft logic (either the Nios® II embedded processor or user logic) implemented in the device can download a new configuration image from a remote location, store it in configuration memory, and direct the dedicated remote system upgrade circuitry to initiate a reconfiguration cycle. The dedicated circuitry performs error detection during and after the configuration process, recovers from any error condition by reverting back to a safe configuration image, and provides error status information. This dedicated remote system upgrade circuitry helps to avoid system downtime. For more information, refer to the configuration chapter of the respective Intel device in the Configuration Handbook.

• Altremote_update megafunction user guide ›
• An 521: Cyclone III active parallel remote system upgrade reference design ›

Table 1 provides a summary of the configuration features supported by each Intel FPGA family.