Forum Discussion

RyanT's avatar
RyanT
Icon for Occasional Contributor rankOccasional Contributor
4 years ago

Sof2Flash conversion for Ethernet downloading on Arria 10

Hi,

I encountered Sof2Flash conversion error as shown below.
Subsequently, I read that Arria 10 is not supported.
If so, how do I convert a SOF file to FLASH file for ethernet downloading on Arria 10 GX FPGA development kit?

====================
C:/intelFPGA_pro/20.1/nios2eds/bin/sof2flash.exe --input=input.sof --output=output.flash --offset=0x02D00000 --pfl --optionbit=0x00180000 --programmingmode=PS
null
Feb 21, 2022 12:12:48 PM com.altera.commandApplication.CmdApp severe
SEVERE: sof2flash: Error creating intermediate files, exiting
====================

Best Regards
Ryan

15 Replies

  • KennyT_altera's avatar
    KennyT_altera
    Icon for Super Contributor rankSuper Contributor
    4 years ago

    Hi Ryan,


    We will need some time to look into this issue, will get back to you as soon as we can.


    Thanks


  • aikeu's avatar
    aikeu
    Icon for Regular Contributor rankRegular Contributor
    3 years ago

    Hi RyanT,


    I will close this thread if no further question.


    Thanks.

    Regards,

    Aik Eu


  • RyanT's avatar
    RyanT
    Icon for Occasional Contributor rankOccasional Contributor
    3 years ago

    Hi Aik Eu,

    I found the "nios2-elf-objcopy.1" file in "C:\intelFPGA_pro\20.1\nios2eds\bin\gnu\share\man\man1" folder.

    Can you guide me how to run the command?

    Best Regards

    Ryan

  • RyanT's avatar
    RyanT
    Icon for Occasional Contributor rankOccasional Contributor
    3 years ago

    Also found the file in c/intelFPGA_pro/20.1/nios2eds/bin/gnu/H-x86_64-mingw32/bin folder but could not run the command.

    Can you advise how to run it?

  • RyanT's avatar
    RyanT
    Icon for Occasional Contributor rankOccasional Contributor
    3 years ago

    I managed to run the command on Windows terminal and converted SOF file to FLASH file.

    Will try to download the FLASH file via ethernet and see if the conversion is correct.

  • aikeu's avatar
    aikeu
    Icon for Regular Contributor rankRegular Contributor
    3 years ago

    Hi RyanT,


    Good to know that you are able to run the Sof2Flash conversion cmd.

    Does the converted file working?


    Thanks.

    Regards,

    Aik Eu


  • RyanT's avatar
    RyanT
    Icon for Occasional Contributor rankOccasional Contributor
    3 years ago

    Hi Aik Eu,

    Currently, I'm having problem to verify this because the FPGA is unable to enter ethernet download mode to display the IP address.

    Previously, I've been running other tests such as POF/JIC downloading tests which erased the flash memory.

    I tried to restore the factory image via BTS tool and the restoration is not successful. Attached BTS log shows error code 44.

    The factory recovery process can erase the flash memory but encounter error when starting to program.

    I see the same failure when trying to program POF.

    Is there an alternative way to enter the ethernet download mode? Or other method to program the FLASH file to flash memory to run Arria 10?

    Best Regards

    Ryan

  • aikeu's avatar
    aikeu
    Icon for Regular Contributor rankRegular Contributor
    3 years ago

    Hi RyanT,


    Sorry for late reply, may I know what is your connection setup on your board to perform ethernet download?

    Are you using a Ethernet blaster for that?

    Do you have other connection option like a USB blaster on your board?

    Normally we program the board using USB blaster, the board may already have a built in USB blaster without required an external one and only required a mini USB cable connection. Quartus programmer will be used to perform the flash programming.


    Thanks.

    Regards,

    Aik Eu