Flash issues

Altera_Forum · ‎06-02-2015

Hi.

Is there a proper guide that explains how to flash the configuration memory with both hardware and software?

Nios II Flash Programmer User Guide 2.2 seems to be outdated.

I hope someone here has the knowledge to help me.

(I'm using Quartus 14.0 and a DE0-NANO board.)

It is not easy to find any answer on this forum. All I see is others having trouble and no clear solutions :(

Altera_Forum · ‎06-04-2015

Your question is not very clear...

The de0-nano user guide (https://www.altera.com/content/dam/altera-www/global/en_us/pdfs/literature/ug/de0_nano_user_manual_v1.9.pdf) explains how to configure the configuration EPCS (FLASH) by use of a '.jic' file. See page 11.

However, I suspect you wish to access the FLASH from software running on a Nios. In which case I suggest you look at the 'DE0_Nano_QSYS_DEMO' that comes with the board. This example shows how to instantiate the EPCS (FLASH) interface in QSYS. It also includes sample C code to run on the hardware and includes some, albeit basic, functions to report the size of the FLASH.

The EPCS is mapped into the Nios' address space. So, you can access it using the standard IOWR & IORD built in Nios commands.

Cheers,

Alex

Altera_Forum · ‎06-10-2015

After compiling your program...

1. Connect PC USB to DE0-nano mini-USB

2. File / Open project...

3. File / Convert Programming Files

4. Click 'Open Conversion Setup Data...'

5. Select 'xxxx.cof' file

6. Click 'Generate' and close when done

7. Tools / Programmer

8. Click 'Hardware Setup...'

9. Select 'USB-Blaster', click 'Close'

10. Set 'Mode:' to 'JTAG'

11. Click 'Delete' to clear any files or devices

12. Select 'xxxx.jic' file from the 'output_files' directory

13. Check'Program/Configure' box

14. Click 'Start' to begin programming (takes a few minutes)

15. Unplug and replug the USB cable to cycle power (loads new configuration)

Note: No external power supply should be used when performing the above as it will conflict with USB supplied power.

Altera_Forum · ‎06-16-2015

Hi,

You can try convert the .sof (hardware image) and .elf (software image) files into .jic file format then use QII programmer the .jic file into EPCS. You can refer to these solution link on the steps to generate the .jic file from .sof and .elf files.

https://www.altera.com/support/suppo...12006_450.html

https://www.altera.com/support/suppo...32010_126.html