Altera Support for In-System Programmability
 In-system programmability (ISP) permits electrically erasable read-only memory (EEPROM) and flash-based devices to be programmed after they have been mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB). ISP-capable programmable logic devices (PLDs) allow designers and manufacturers to accelerate development time, simplify the manufacturing flow, lower inventory costs, and improve PCB testing capabilities.
Altera® ISP-capable PLDs provide designers with two benefits: easy prototyping and streamlined manufacturing flow.
Easy Prototyping
Altera ISP-capable PLDs attach directly to the PCB, eliminating the need for development sockets. ISP-capable devices simplify prototyping by allowing designers to make changes to the devices on the board quickly, shortening the design cycle and reducing the likelihood of damage due to extensive handling. Designers can save more time by using a programming interface that can program multiple devices simultaneously.
Streamlined Manufacturing Flow
Device programming with ISP-capable devices simplifies the standard manufacturing flow. Eliminating a dedicated programming step in the manufacturing process, and combining programming with board-testing improves manufacturing efficiency and increases throughput. Because design revisions do not waste devices or involve reprogramming or re-labeling, using ISP-capable devices can help increase the manufacturing yield, save time, and reduce programming errors. Figure 1 shows how ISP-capable devices streamline the manufacturing flow compared with traditional PLDs.
Figure 1. ISP-Capable PLDs vs. Traditional PLDs
In-Field Upgrades
Designers can easily maintain and upgrade ISP-capable devices in the field to fix mistakes, add new functions and features, or make changes to conform to a new standard, reducing overall costs and time-to-market for new products.
Altera ISP-Capable Devices
 Altera's MAX® II, MAX 7000, MAX 3000A device families, and selected configuration devices are all ISP-capable. Designers can implement the ISP feature through industry-standard Joint Test Action Group (JTAG) test ports, and use the JTAG interface to program devices and functionally test the PCB in a single manufacturing step, saving both testing time and assembly costs. For details, go to the MAX II, MAX 7000, MAX 3000A, and configuration devices web pages.
ISP & the Quartus II Software
 Altera ISP-capable PLDs allow designers to solder blank devices directly to the PCB, and then program and reprogram the devices during the design cycle. The Altera Quartus® II design software maintains the pin-outs when changes are made to the logic. By maintaining pin-outs, the Quartus II software helps eliminate the need for PCB re-spins and allows the board to be manufactured early in the design cycle, reducing time-to-market and lowering design costs.
The Quartus II software offers automatic software support for generating Jam™ Standard Test and Programming Language (STAPL) (.jam), Jam Byte Code (.jbc), and Serial Vector Format (.svf) files. Users can access these features at no cost by downloading the Quartus II Programmer.
ISP via Embedded Processors
Using the vendor- and platform-independent Jam STAPL, programming Altera devices via embedded processors is now easier and quicker. For more information, go to the ISP via an Embedded Processor and ISP & Jam STAPL pages.
ISP & In-Circuit Testers
Designers using in-circuit testers to program Altera ISP-capable devices can find information on vendor support for Altera ISP on the Using In-Circuit Testers to Program ISP-Capable Devices page. For more information on Jam STAPL, go to the ISP & the Jam STAPL page.
Altera ISP Literature
For additional information on Altera ISP devices and ISP-capable devices, refer to the ISP literature page.
The Altera Digital Library includes an ISP section that contains versions of all current literature on Altera ISP. The CD-ROM contains information on Altera ISP-capable devices, ByteBlaster™ II, MasterBlaster™, USB Blaster™, and BitBlaster™ cables; in-circuit test (ICT) vendor support, and much more. The CD-ROM also contains several technical briefs and a cost-benefit analysis illustrating the advantages of Altera ISP-capable devices.
To request a copy of the Altera Digital Library CD-ROM, go to the Altera Digital Library request page.
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