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Altera_Forum's avatar
Altera_Forum
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12 years ago

Configuration from SD card? (Cyclone IV)

Hi all, I'm designing a board centered around a Cyclone IV E. I want to be able to load multiple configuration files into an SD card or a similar flash device and have a microcontroller reset the FPGA and select a new configuration file to load. I'm having trouble sifting through the datasheet to figure out how to do this or even if it is possible. The datasheet mentions remote system upgrades which I think might be useful but I'm still struggling to understand its precise function.

Does anyone know offhand how to do this?

Thanks for the help!

2 Replies

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

    *Edit

    I found a good way on page 197 of the handbook. (just google "Cyclone IV handbook")

    Now my problem is I'd like to be able to read and write to the SD card as well as boot from it. Any suggestions?
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
    Icon for Honored Contributor rankHonored Contributor
    12 years ago

    The FPGA won't be able to load directly from a SD card. If you have already a microcontroller connected to the SD card, you can have it read it and configure the FPGA with a passive protocol (Passive Serial, for example).