Altera MasterBlaster Serial/USB - Manual (Page 15)

Chapter 2: MasterBlaster Serial/USB Communications Cable Data Sheet 2–3
Functional Description
© July 2008 Altera Corporation MasterBlaster Serial/USB Communications Cable User Guide
MasterBlaster Connections
The MasterBlaster cable connects to a computer through a serial or USB port and
connects to the circuit board through a standard 10-pin female connector. Data is
downloaded from the serial or USB port through the MasterBlaster cable to the circuit
board through the connections discussed in this section.
Header & Plug Connections
The 9-pin male D-type connector connects to an RS-232 port with a standard serial
cable. See
Table 2–1 .
1 The USB connector can be used with any standard USB cable.
f For more information on 9-pin versus 25-pin serial connectors, search for “9-pin or 25-
pin serial connectors” in the Altera solutions database at
www.altera.com .
The 10-pin female plug connects to a 10-pin male header on the circuit board
containing the target device(s).
Figure 2–2 shows the dimensions of the female plug.
Table 2–1. MasterBlaster 9-Pin Serial D-Type Connector Pin-Outs
Pin Signal Name Description
2 rx Receive data
3 tx Transmit data
4 dtr Data terminal ready
5 GND Signal ground
6 dsr Data set ready
7 rts Request to send
8 cts Clear to send