Brand new USB-BLASTER 3 issues - Brand new USB-BLASTER 3 issues A day ago I received a brand new and very expensive USB Blaster III from DigiKey with the following Serial Number: UB3000432 I have an issue using this device. The device is visible both in Win11 Device Manager and Quartus Prime Pro 26.1. After the device is properly connected to the PCB (I’ve tested 3 different boards) and powered on, the JTAG link is not established. All connections are correct, pinouts are aligned, and I even checked the conductivity of wires from board to Blaster module. I've managed to get this log from Quartus: !Error: JTAG chain problem detected !Error: No device detected. Detected 1's at TDI pin. The thing is that this same boards (chips) are visible to older USB Blaster in the same configuration. This was a sanity check. Am I missing something that is not documented in the user manual? Best regards Replies: Re: Brand new USB-BLASTER 3 issues Engineering sample means that the part is pre production and not suitable for industrial use. So one of the early production batches for engineers to play with and get used to the new board. Considering your troubleshoot, I will request a replacement shipment from Customer Resolution team. DigiKey Replies: Re: Brand new USB-BLASTER 3 issues Hi Sruk, Thank you for confirming that you are using the adapter and the legacy 2.54 mm pinout. The known USB-Blaster III Product ID issue affects Active Serial programming only. It should not prevent normal JTAG device detection. Related KDB: Why Can't I Program Using Active Serial Programming with my USB Blaster III? For this JTAG error, please check the target voltage reference at the connector. USB-Blaster III uses the target board VREF to set its JTAG signal levels. Measure VREF at the adapter/header while the board is powered. It must be within the supported range and match the FPGA JTAG I/O voltage. Try Lowering the JTAG Clock Speed. You can try reducing the JTAG clock speed using: jtagconfig --setparam <cable_number> JtagClock 6M Also, please confirm: The target board is fully powered before scanning. TDO is not held high by another device or circuit. No other JTAG source is connected to the chain. The cable LED state and the output from jtagconfig. Since the same boards work with an older cable, if VREF and TDO are correct, this may indicate a cable issue. The "Engineering Sample" marking on the box is unusual for a production unit purchased through DigiKey. It would be worth confirming with DigiKey whether this is expected for your order. Thanks, Fakhrul Replies: Re: Brand new USB-BLASTER 3 issues Thanks Zvi, my order was from DigiKey P/N: 544-PL-UB3-CABLE-ND I would like to know if anyone from Altera team reads this?! :/ Replies: Re: Brand new USB-BLASTER 3 issues About the "Engineering Sample" issue, I don't have a good answer. Maybe your box is part of a first batch which was an "Engineering Sample"? Maybe during manufacturing someone non intentionally signed the box as "Engineering Sample"? Anyway, I asked for the purchase team where I work to order such a cable. When it arrives, I will update you about the way my box is signed. Replies: Re: Brand new USB-BLASTER 3 issues Hi, you are correct about the different pinout and that's why I only use adapter to interface my board. Otherwise, there would be incorrect signal relation - possible HW issues due to power/signal lines misalignment. Anyhow, the pinout was checked in advance and Blaster3 to board connection is valid in HW sense. The JTAG simply does not detect devices. Also, I'm curious, why is the Blaster3 box signed as "Engineering Sample"? Thx! Replies: Re: Brand new USB-BLASTER 3 issues Hi Sruk, In case you use the adapter for 2.54" pitch header through the provided adapter, the pinout is the same as it was before. But what happens in case the developed board contains 1.27" pitch connector? and you connect it directly without the adapter? According to the User Guide, in this case the pinout is different. Replies: Re: Brand new USB-BLASTER 3 issues Hi Zvi, yes I've read the user guide prior to using the Blaster3. Then I've checked the pinout and connected the adapter since I have original ALTERA JTAG pinout on my board. So the answer is: the pinout is correct. Replies: Re: Brand new USB-BLASTER 3 issues Are you using a 1.27" pitch connector or a 2.54" pitch connector? Are you using the JTAG adapter? According to USB Blaster III user guide, the JTAG pins order of the 1.27" connector is different than the 2.54" connector(which was used by previous JTAG cables).