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Altera_Forum's avatar
Altera_Forum
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10 years ago

Cyclone V E: QSPI Flash supported

Hi,

I'm conceiving a new Cyclone V E based board implementing a 5CEFA7F23, a DDR, a SRAM and a Flash memory. I wish to configure my FPGA with Asx4 configuration, so I need a QSPI NOR Flash for my board.

Is the EPCQ the only device supported for this type of cofiguration ? Or a QSPI Flash memory from Spansion, like S25FL family, or Micron, like MT25Q/N25Q families, works too ? In fact Altera's EPCQ is quite expensive to be simply a QSPI Flash.

I found these application notes from Spansion and Micron talking about, but only up to Cyclone IV:

https://www.spansion.com/support/application%20notes/configuring_altera_fpgas_via_spi_flash_an.pdf

https://www.google.fr/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahukewjcrbhc-k3jahwg1rokhclkcxuqfggcmaa&url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.micron.com%2f~%2fmedia%2fdocuments%2fproducts%2fother-documents%2faltera_compatibility_chart_flash_dram.pdf%3fla%3den&usg=afqjcnhldurw_nv7axnfh8unr1hje9e2oq

Thanks.

Ezeri

9 Replies

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    10 years ago

    did you have a try to compile with those part with all parameters, if it is successful?

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    10 years ago

    Take a look at some development boards that use the same series chip you have. For example my SoCKit board uses a Micron N25Q256A for configuration.

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    10 years ago

    Cyclone V will support (boot from) any of these devices - providing they meet timing. All the options you list will. You can program them with the Quartus programmer, either directly (see figure 7-15 in the cyclone v handbook (https://www.altera.com/en_us/pdfs/literature/hb/cyclone-v/cv_5v2.pdf)) or indirectly via JTAG (see figure 7-13 in the Cyclone V Handbook) using a .jic file. Altera's EPCQ parts are expensive by comparison. However, they are 'simply a QSPI Flash'.

    The 'only' issue you may come across is programming them from the Nios2 flash programmer. However, there is a work around for this too. If you're not looking to boot a Nios from your SPI FLASH then this is not an issue.

    Cheers,

    Alex
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    10 years ago

    --- Quote Start ---

    did you have a try to compile with those part with all parameters, if it is successful?

    --- Quote End ---

    No, I haven't tried yet to compile with Quartus. I'm still conceiving the PCB.
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    10 years ago

    --- Quote Start ---

    Take a look at some development boards that use the same series chip you have. For example my SoCKit board uses a Micron N25Q256A for configuration.

    --- Quote End ---

    I did, but I found nothing useful. In you're development board, there is a Cyclone V SoC, where the HPS manages the configuration with the QSPI Flash. In my board I've a Cyclone V E and I don't know if the FPGA can configure itself actively with a QSPI from Micron or Spansion.
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    10 years ago

    --- Quote Start ---

    Cyclone V will support (boot from) any of these devices - providing they meet timing. All the options you list will. You can program them with the Quartus programmer, either directly (see figure 7-15 in the cyclone v handbook (https://www.altera.com/en_us/pdfs/literature/hb/cyclone-v/cv_5v2.pdf)) or indirectly via JTAG (see figure 7-13 in the Cyclone V Handbook) using a .jic file. Altera's EPCQ parts are expensive by comparison. However, they are 'simply a QSPI Flash'.

    The 'only' issue you may come across is programming them from the Nios2 flash programmer. However, there is a work around for this too. If you're not looking to boot a Nios from your SPI FLASH then this is not an issue.

    Cheers,

    Alex

    --- Quote End ---

    Actually I'm looking to boot NIOS II from my SPI Flash. How can you make it work ?
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    10 years ago

    Have a look at this thread (http://www.alteraforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=50234). I hope it points you in the right direction.

    As already stated, the issue is only with the Nios2 Flash Programmer. This work around only applies to that. If you're not looking to use this method of programming your EPCQ (or equivalent) then you don't need to refer to it.

    Cheers,

    Alex
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    9 years ago

    MT25QL512abb can be used as replacement for EPCQ512 on CYCLONE V GX, if read only is required and only for configuration. You can program it by .jic file.

    BEWARE! YOU CAN'T WRITE IT IN NIOS. The Program Operation Code 0x12 is not same as EPCQ512, so you can't program it by Altera quad serial flash controller IP core.
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    9 years ago

    I've used many third party EPCS/Q equivalents - although never that specific Micron part. It supports all the commands that the EPSQ512 does - and more. This includes 4-byte address page programming - command 0x12. So, I'm a little confused as to why you think this part could not be written to by the Altera IP.

    Cheers,

    Alex