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cant open EPCS device when Reset vector is EPCS controller

Altera_Forum
Honored Contributor II
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Hi, 

 

We would like to use the EPCS64 device to hold our Firmware, Software, and to hold user configuration information. 

 

Currently: 

- the Firmware is held in EPCS, and 

- the Software + configuration information is in CFI-Flash. 

Everything works correctly 

 

However we want the software in EPCS so that we can perform remote update.  

 

The Exception Vector points to DDR memory where the software should run from 

 

 

With Nios Reset Vector set to CFI_Flash 

fd = alt_flash_open_dev("/dev/epcs_controller"); 

Always Works 

 

With Nios Reset Vector set to EPCS_Controller 

fd = alt_flash_open_dev("/dev/epcs_controller"); 

Always Fails 

 

Note this is using the Altera Memtest sample projects. 

 

Using V8.0 SP1 

 

Can anyone give some guidance please 

 

Many Thanks 

Chris
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4 Replies
Altera_Forum
Honored Contributor II
370 Views

Is the .text section set to the DDR memory in both cases? 

 

There is a bug in the tools delivered with Quartus 9.0 and 9.0 SP1 that prevents the system from booting properly from the EPCS, but AFAIK it doesn't affect 8.0 SP1.
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Altera_Forum
Honored Contributor II
370 Views

Hi,  

I have exactly the same problems like Chris. When the Nios Reset Vector is set to the EPCS-Controller, the function alt_flash_open_dev("/dev/epcs_controller"); always returns a zero-pointer. I'm using QUartus V9.1 SP1. Can anybody help me? 

 

Thanks 

Daniel
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Altera_Forum
Honored Contributor II
370 Views

woodssdog, 

just so you know, I never found a solution, and gave up. fortunately I was able to implement a solution where the FW booted from EPCS, and SW was held on a seperate CFI_Flash.  

 

We have the reset vector pointing to the CFI flash (which always worked), and then I can do remote update to the 2 seperate devices. 

 

sorry .. good luck
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Altera_Forum
Honored Contributor II
370 Views

if the nios reset vector is set to the cfi controller, can I open the CFI flash successfully? the function alt_flash_open_dev("/dev/CFI_controller"); always returns a zero-pointer.

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