User guide

Chapter 3: Software Installation 3–3
Installing the USB-Blaster Driver
September 2010 Altera Corporation Cyclone III FPGA Development Kit User Guide
■ MegaCore IP Library—A library that contains Altera IP MegaCore functions. You
can evaluate MegaCore functions with the OpenCore Plus feature to perform the
following tasks:
■ Simulate behavior of a MegaCore function in your system
■ Verify functionality of your design, and quickly and easily evaluate its size and
speed
■ Generate time-limited device programming files for designs that include
MegaCore functions
■ Program a device and verify your design in hardware
■ The OpenCore Plus hardware evaluation feature is an evaluation tool for
prototyping only. You must purchase a license to use a MegaCore function in
production.
f For more information about OpenCore Plus, refer to AN 320: OpenCore Plus
Evaluation of Megafunctions.
■ Nios
®
II Embedded Design Suite (EDS)—A full-featured tool set that allow you to
develop embedded software for the Nios II processor which you can include in
your Altera FPGA designs.
Licensing Considerations
The Quartus II Web Edition software is license-free and supports Cyclone III devices
without any additional licensing requirement. This kit also works with the Quartus II
Subscription Edition software, after you obtain the proper license file. To purchase a
subscription, contact your Altera sales representative.
Installing the USB-Blaster Driver
The Cyclone III development board includes integrated USB-Blaster™ circuitry for
FPGA programming. However, for the host computer and development board to
communicate, you must install the USB-Blaster driver on the host computer.
f To download the USB-Blaster driver, go to the Altera support site at
www.altera.com/support/software/drivers/dri-index.html.
To install it, go to www.altera.com/support/software/drivers/usb-blaster/dri-usb-
blaster-xp.html.