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Altera_Forum's avatar
Altera_Forum
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8 years ago

3rd party boot flash memory in ASx4

Hi,

Need guidance on using a 3rd party configuration NOR flash for Cyclone V. the configuration scheme is ASx4.

Altera and all other major vendors were stoped the production of low density NOR flash devices which forced us to use a 3rd party vendor e.g ISSI, Macronix and etc.

These vendor's Flash devices are not compatible with the Altera devices. there are differences in dummy cycles, device ID or some bits in the status register.

The solution needs to involve a reconfiguration using NIOS soft processors to reconfigure the flash device before loading the firmware.

I don't know how to do this.

Can anyone get me a step by step guidance?

Thanks

4 Replies

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
    Icon for Honored Contributor rankHonored Contributor
    8 years ago

    --- Quote Start ---

    Hi,

    You can find the Intel configuration device migration below.

    https://www.altera.com/content/dam/altera-www/global/en_us/pdfs/literature/an/an822.pdf

    For tried party device migration

    file:///C:/Users/anandr1x/Downloads/Altera_compatibility_chart_flash_dram.pdf

    Best Regards,

    Anand Raj Shankar

    (This message was posted on behalf of Intel Corporation)

    --- Quote End ---

    Thank you Anand,

    I would like to use the 3rd party device instead of Altera EPCQA devices since they are come in a relatively big package, SOIC8.

    The attached link "Altera_compatibility_chart_flash_dram" does not work.

    Do you know on a tutorial on how to configure the Cyclone V in ASx4 scheme using 3rd party device?

    BR

    Yoav Katz
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
    Icon for Honored Contributor rankHonored Contributor
    8 years ago

    Hi,

    --- Quote Start ---

    Thank you Anand,

    I would like to use the 3rd party device instead of Altera EPCQA devices since they are come in a relatively big package, SOIC8.

    The attached link "Altera_compatibility_chart_flash_dram" does not work.

    Do you know on a tutorial on how to configure the Cyclone V in ASx4 scheme using 3rd party device?

    BR

    Yoav Katz

    --- Quote End ---

    we cannot guarantee if using non-Altera (Intel PSG) flash devices such as Micron or Spansion or Cypress or Windbond will work successfully with our software tools and FPGA devices or not. For Active Serial configuration mode, we only support EPCS, EPCQ, EPCQA and EPCQL device flash memory. Thus you need to use EPCS, EPCQ, EPCQA or EPCQL flash memory devices for Active Serial configuration scheme on Altera (Intel PSG) FPGA devices. We have never mentioned promoting Micron or Spansion or Cypress or Windbond device officially support for Active Serial configuration scheme on Altera (Intel PSG) FPGA. We do not perform any testing or validation on these devices for Active Serial configuration mode. Thank you.

    Best Regards,

    Anand Raj Shankar

    (This message was posted on behalf of Intel Corporation)