SYSTEM FOR PROGRAMMING FIELD PROGRAMMABLE DEVICES

A system for programming field programmable devices (FPDs) of different types across different boards. An in-system programmable master (ISPM) communicates over a bus to in-system programmable slaves (ISPSs) on one or more boards. FPDs on each board are connected into chains of like type, and each chain is connected to an ISPS located on the board. The ISPM uses a packet protocol to communicate with all ISPSs in a system. Each packet comprises an ISPS address field, a chain select field, and a command field. Each ISPS reads packets addressed to it, and decodes and transmits the commands to the selected FPD chain in a protocol appropriate to the chain.