Forum Discussion
Configuration Flash Memory For Cyclone IV E - Military Grade?
I'm designing a military application using a Cyclone IV E device (EP4CE55F23A7N - automotive grade), but can't seem to locate an automotive grade configuration flash memory chip. I need one that goes up to at least 125 degrees C, and I want to us Active Serial AS Mode. Do you have, or can you please recommend, a part for the task? This is a requirement by the Military so any help, part number, etc, that you can provide will be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
19 Replies
- JArti2
New Contributor
Also, initially you said that I can only use ASx1 mode, but seems that now you are saying that I should use QSPI. Are you saying that QSPI can be setup in ASx1 mode?
- JohnT_Altera
Regular Contributor
Hi,
I am sorry to tell you we do not have flash device that is able to support automotive grade. I would recommend you to use MT25QL device from Micron or other vendor that has automotive grade Serial NOR Flash device.
- JArti2
New Contributor
Hi JohnT_intel,
Thank you, yes, I would have loved to stay with Intel on this part, but I'm happy that there are possibly other options so that I can still proceed with the Cyclone IV E.
Regards...
- JArti2
New Contributor
Can you please tell me if MT25QL is compatible with the Cyclone IV E, and if Quartus Prime Standard will recognize it.
The reason I ask is because in the past, I tried to use a Flash memory from another company and I tried programming the configuration into the device in Quartus using a USB Blaster II, and had some issues recognizing the ID of the memory.
Also, can you indicate whether I can use AS mode with any of their chips?
Thanks for you responses!
- JohnT_Altera
Regular Contributor
Hi,
It should be able to work but it can only support ASx1. Please refer to https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/programmable/support/support-resources/knowledge-base/component/2018/how-do-i-enable-micron-s-mt25q-support-for-eol-of-epcq---256mb--.html on how to enable it. Please follow the step which is the same as Cyclone 10 LP device.
- JArti2
New Contributor
Hi,
Can you please share a schematic, and/or some documentation explaining how to connect up the MT25Q device to the Cyclone IV E?
There are some differences in the pin names, so I'm not sure which pins to connect up to get a similar functionality as the Intel/Alter Configuration Flash Memory devices, which I have used in previous designs.
Thanks!
John
- JArti2
New Contributor
- JohnT_Altera
Regular Contributor
Hi,
We do not have schematic or documentation for Cyclone IV but you may still follow the configuration connection based on Cyclone 10 LP (https://www.intel.com/content/dam/altera-www/global/en_US/support/boards-kits/cyclone10/c10lp-eval-a1-sch.PDF - page 4). The testing is not being tested on Cyclone IV as it is a old device but it should be possible.
- JArti2
New Contributor
Hi,
Thanks for your response!
The schematic doesn't use MT25QL memory, but EPCQ128A.
I'm already familiar with the EPCQ128A because I already used it in other projects.
What I'm looking for is a schematic which uses MT25QL, to see how it is connected up to the FPGA.
Can you please provide an example for MT25QL & Cyclone 10, which may give me some guidance on drawing up my schematic?
Thank you,
- JohnT_Altera
Regular Contributor
Hi,
Unfortunately, I do not have the schematic for this. You can still connect it based on how QSPI interface connection.
- JArti2
New Contributor
Hi JohnT,
Thanks for that.
So are the parts I chose compatible and I can do QSPI interface?:
Cyclone IV E &
MT25QL256ABA8E12-0AUT
Is Quad-SPI parallel and not serial?
What I've done for the last two projects is to use one 10-pin connector to program the flash as well as interface to the FPGA using the a module instantiated inside the FPGA for AS mode.
That way, I can program through the FPGA via AS mode.
Can you please point me in the right direction for documenation, and provide some information on how to connect up QSPI to the FPGA?
Also, how do I set things up in the FPGA HDL to utilize QSPI?
Please elaborate, so that I can gain a better understanding and move forward.
Thanks again for your help...
- JArti2
New Contributor