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Altera_Forum's avatar
Altera_Forum
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13 years ago

Build software in NIOS II using sopcinfo file without using any board

I have an Altera DE1 board. Built a multi processor design in Qsys which needs atleast a cyclone III. I want to write code in NIOS II for the multiprocessor design. I do not mind if I cannot get it working on a board as of now as I want a few simulations to be done.

Question:

I understand that the sopcinfo file is the hardware binary. Is there an way that I can compile and run my C program from NIOS II SBT using the sopcinfo file without flashing the FPGA. I am quite new to FPGAs and not sure if this can be made possible.

3 Replies

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    13 years ago

    For compiling a Nios program you actually need a sopcinfo file, namely the definition of the system you are writing the program for.

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    13 years ago

    To compile a Nios program you only need to know the offsets of all the hardware items.

    These could be defined by your own specification document and the fpga image and code both built to match that specification.

    The integration between the fpga design and C code might help beginners - especially on courses! But in a corparate environment the software and hardware are likely to be designed and built by different people - often in different teams.

    Once a method of downloading the code that doesn't require JTAG is working (and most systems will have one - if only because you want to be able to field-upgrade the software and probably the fpga image), software development can be done on systems that don't have any of the Altera tools installed.
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    13 years ago

    Thanks guys for your reply. I guess this gives a good big picture of going about writing the C code. I guess I did not express myself well. The answer I found (which might not be exactly the best) is the NIOS II simulation on Modelsim (Run as Simulation). This helps me use the sopcinfo file without actually using the board to run the program. The limitation I was facing is that the design I made is too big for the DE1 board and required atleast a Cyclone III. So I want to be able to write code for my design without actually buying a new board.(Should have mentioned the scenario earlier).