Hello,I am trying to boot Nios II Processor from QSPI Flash on MAX10 dev kit. For that I have prepared one design that blink one LED via software(.hex).I performed all the steps mentioned in AN 730: Nios II Processor Booting Methods in MAX 10 FPGA Devices for Option 5. But not able to blink the LED[0] on Power Cycle after programming the HEX File into QSPI Flash. Attached document for steps that I have performed for reference. Also attached .zip file of the QSYS design & NIOS Project. Please share your feedback.

Hi,I would suggest you compile the .sof file into the Max10 Dev kit first to see whether the LED[0] is blinking or not before generating and converting to the HEX and .pof file. If there are no errors with compiling the .sof file, we can further know the issue lies on generating the HEX AND .pof file or QSPI flashing.I will further perform the tasks and check the source of errors. Regards,Kelly

Hi Himanshu,Any updates regarding the feedback provided? Do you still encounter the same problem when programming the .sof file into the Max10 Dev Kit?Regards,Kelly Jialin, GOH

Hi, Is the feedback and suggestion provided useful for you? One more point to take note is that pin assignments for the LED[0], which is T20 needs to be assigned on Quartus's pin planner so that it can blink. Hope this could solve your issue.Thank you.Regards,Kelly

Hi,As we do not receive any response from you on the previous question/reply/answer that we have provided. Please login to ‘https://supporttickets.intel.com’, view details of the desire request, and post a feed/response within the next 15 days to allow me to continue to support you. After 15 days, this thread will be transitioned to community support. The community users will be able to help you on your follow-up questions.Thank you.Regards,Kelly Jialin, GOHp/s: If any answer from the community or Intel Support are helpful, please feel free to give best answer or rate 9/10 survey.

I have already compiled the .sof file into Max10 Dev Kit and verified the LED[0] is blinking or not. The LED[0] was blinking when I run the software project using NIOS Tool. After that only I generated the hex file. After this the .pof file for the HEX File generated was also created successfully. And this .pof was programmed into the QSPI Flash long with .pof generated while compilation being programmed into MAX10 Device. But still after Power Cycle the LED[0] does not blink. I don't know where the issue lies. I have also attached the files for your reference. I would like to hear if any resolution for this issue exists. Regards Himanshu

NIOS Processor does not boot using QSPI Flash.

31 Replies

KellyJialin_Goh
Frequent Contributor
3 years ago
Hi,
Any updates on the booting of the QSPI flash after changing the hardware design? Here is the link for your reference from the previous post to change the IP just in case you missed out: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/docs/programmable/683689/current/processor-application-copied-from-general.html
Thank you.

Regards,
Kelly
- himanshuvaria
  Occasional Contributor
  3 years ago
  Hello,
  
  I have not yet tried to boot QSPI flash using general_serial_flash_interface_0 in the hardware design as I am busy with some other work right now. I will surely try to build the design using general_serial_flash_interface_0 as soon as I am done with my work.
  
  I will keep you updated after trying the suggestion you provided.
  
  Thank You for the feedback.
  
  Regards,
  
  Himanshu
KellyJialin_Goh
Frequent Contributor
3 years ago
Hi,
Any updates from your side?

Regards,
Kelly
- himanshuvaria
  Occasional Contributor
  3 years ago
  Hello,
  
  As suggested by you I have tried to boot MAX10 DEVICE by using general_serial_flash_interface_0 in my design. Still I am facing the same issue. The NIOS Processor does not boot. I have referred the following document for using general_serial_flash_interface_0:
  
  https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/docs/programmable/683689/current/processor-application-copied-from-general.html
  
  Kindly give your feedback for the root cause of this issue.
  
  Thank You,
  
  Himanshu
KellyJialin_Goh
Frequent Contributor
3 years ago
Hi，
You have to download a PFL(Parallel Flash Loader) project to program the QSPI flash. For more info please check: https://www.intel.com/content/dam/www/programmable/us/en/pdfs/literature/ug/ug_pfl.pdf

I will share with you an example of the MAX10 QSPI boot and the PFL(Parallel flash programmer), use this project .sof file to program the FPGA to work as a bridge to the flash. Then choose the design .pof file to program the flash then reset the board to boot from the flash successfully.

Thank you.
Regards,
Kelly
KellyJialin_Goh
Frequent Contributor
3 years ago
Attached here is a zip file for the pfl:
pfl (1).zip6.5 MB
KellyJialin_Goh
Frequent Contributor
3 years ago
Attached here is the MAX10 QSPI booting design file:
boot_max10 (1).zip52.8 MB
KellyJialin_Goh
Frequent Contributor
3 years ago
Hi,
Any updates from your side after downloading the Parallel Flash Loader(PFL)? Can it flash now?

Regards,
Kelly
- himanshuvaria
  Occasional Contributor
  3 years ago
  Hello,
  
  I am already being able to download the hex(.pof) file in the QSPI Flash by running the sof of Parallel Flash Loader Project into the MAX10 Dev Board. I have no issues in detecting the QSPI Flash and programming it in the programmer.
  
  The issue here is that after programming the QSPI Flash the NIOS Processor does not boot on Power Cycle as per requirements.
  
  You can further give your feedback on this issue.
  
  Regards,
  
  Himanshu
KellyJialin_Goh
Frequent Contributor
3 years ago
Greetings,
Hope we have clarify your doubts. May I set this case to close pending? You may reopen a new case on further issues that you encounter on our forum and we will be happy to help.

Thank you.
Regards,
Kelly
- himanshuvaria
  Occasional Contributor
  3 years ago
  Hello,
  
  No, I am still not being able to boot the NIOS Processor after downloading the hex(pof) in QSPI Flash. All the feedback provided by you has been looked after but the outcome is still the same.
  
  Regards,
  
  Himanshu
  - KellyJialin_Goh
    Frequent Contributor
    3 years ago
    Hi,
    
    I see that the flash device you use from the Dev kit is N25Q512A83. Unfortunately, the flash chip GD25Q16 is not supported. The supported flash devices for configuration memory are, EPCQ, EPCQ-A, EPCQ-L, and Micron* MT25Q (256Mb to 2Gb) devices, therefore QSPI flash will not boot.
    
    Thank you.
    
    Regards,
    
    Kelly Jialin, GOH
KellyJialin_Goh
Frequent Contributor
3 years ago
Hi,
Can I kindly get an update or confirmation from your side as soon as possible? Your help is very much appreciated.
Thank you.

Regards,
Kelly
KellyJialin_Goh
Frequent Contributor
3 years ago
Hi,
As we do not receive any response from you on the previous answer that we have provided. Please login to ‘https://supporttickets.intel.com’, view details of the desire request, and post a feed/response within the next 15 days to allow me to continue to support you. After 15 days, this thread will be transitioned to community support. The community users will be able to help you on your follow-up questions.

p/s: If any answer from the community or Intel Support are helpful, please feel free to give best answer or rate 9/10 survey.

Thank you.
Regards,
Kelly Jialin, GOH

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NIOS Processor does not boot using QSPI Flash.

31 Replies

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