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Altera_Forum's avatar
Altera_Forum
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16 years ago

Find correct device

Hello I have not a big aknowledge of Altera chips, until now I have worked only whith chip Acex and Max2, can somebody, suggest which chip I can use for insert a core of 8032, and to have a good space for insert also program around core? I have see Cyclone or Stratix whth is better, and after, how and I can test or emulate my 8032 programs, which tools I need???

thanks in advance

regards

Maurizio

5 Replies

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    16 years ago

    And I am looking for order to Altera the kit for Cyclone2/3

    new regards
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    16 years ago

    I know, I have read the documentation, for me is to big, and 32 bits is to complex for a job I have to do, I have found the Cyclone 2/or 3, whith core

    proposed from Altera Site, thanks anyway for your help

    regards

    Maurizio
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    16 years ago

    Hi,

    NIOS II/e is not a chip. It's a processor core (32 bit RISC) from Altera, optimized for their FPGAs.

    It has nothing to do with the 8051 family, so it's would be a complete break from what you've been using.

    However, unless you're stuck with code/tools for the 8051, it's a much better option.

    PS: As far chips go, a medium size Cyclone III or IV should be the best option.

    But be sure to synthesize the design before commiting to a PCB design.
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    16 years ago

    Thanks for reply

    I have 6 emulator for 8051, 3 Micetek, one Brendes and 2 Deneb but old, max 16Mhz, all others are 40Mhz.

    There are only a small problem, I work whith old compiler PLM51, and for all

    others resource on the chip, I made program in Assembler, and after I compil all PLM51 and assembler, but I sink is arrived the time for to use only C language, I have buy a Keil C but when is 25 years i work in PLM, is very difficolt to change, anyway I am looking for the chip you have suggest, but you said, that is free, other is free, but anything if free?????

    I do not sing sò, OK thenks for all, now I look for new chip

    regards

    Maurizio
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    16 years ago

    Hi,

    that will depend on your 8032 core is and how much ROM and RAM you'll need.

    I have used the 8052 core from OpenCore's T51 project. The original core took a huge amount of resources, due to the way IRAM and ROM were implemented.

    With a couple of modifications, I managed to reduce it to some 8K LEs.

    The design also has some 16KB ROM and 4KB XRAM, all implemented in the FPGAs M9K blocks.

    This, plus a bunch of peripherals, all fit in a EP2C20.

    As for tools, you'll need

    a) a 8051 compiler, libraries, etc. sdcc is pretty decent.

    b) a 8051 emulator to debug your sofware.

    c) ModelSim to simulate your complete design.

    In any case, unless you have a really good reason not to, I suggest you use the NIOS II processor.

    Compared to the free 8051 cores I've seen:

    - NIOS II/e is also free.

    - NIOS II/e takes much less resources.

    - NIOS II is faster, even /e.

    - There are much better tools for development and debugging.