altera question

Cycle is refered to a (one) program-erase cycle. (that is: you first program the chip with something, i.e. current design, then if you don't like it or you found a bug then you reuse the chip by erasing the chip and then you reprogram the chip again with the new content, and that is called a cycle). "100" is # of times you can erase/program chip before it fails to be reprogramed again, after that is being considered "burned" (broken, kaput, dead ...).

With programmers (devices) generally refered to as "download cables"

In there is a programmable field (actually quite similar to 22V10's interconnect field) containing "fuses" being "blown" during programming. That 'field' interconnects logical gates and flip-flops. They are not being blown, it's just a figurative speach/expression. These 'fuses' are made of MOSFET transitors with insulated pocket of metal intrenched above "Gate" of the MOSFET, forming a tiny capacitor. After programming that 'pocket' holds the charge causing tranisitor to be closed. Discharging the pocket ("erasing") causes transistor to be open.

Of what, the CPLD part or the UFM, etc?

cables"

Hm, thanks, I meant more the mechanism inside that would deteriorate after 100 cycles.

Thanks, what would the symptoms be when we start to exceed 100 cycles?

On Mar 25, 4:18=A0pm, snipped-for-privacy@netzero.com wrote: microsys.com

Some bits might retain data through erasure. Basically, some charge storage in the FLASH cells could occur that doesn't get erased fully, leading to bad bits or low gain (slow response on READ).