max10 dual image + dual hex for nios

Hello,

Here are my comments.

(1) I have seen people storing hardware and software both images into single flash memory by using EPCS Controller connected to Nios processor. I do not know exactly how do they do it. But if this works for you, you would be able to eliminate need for User Flash memory. Also in this case, as both Hardware and software images are going to be combined into single image, by using Altera Remote Status Update block, you might be able to perform Remote status update.

(2) In case, you choose 2 flash memory, can't you have one to one mapping?

For example, Let have 2 images (factory image and Update (sometimes referred as application) image ) in Configuration Flash memory. One at offset 0x0 and another at offset 0x10_0000.

Now let have 2 images in User Flash memory also. One which corresponds to factory image (located at 0x0 in CFM -configuration flash memory ) and another for update image (located in 0x10_0000 in CFM.). In your hardware image, design logic to take data from correspondence software image in UFM. That is if Factory image is booted, it should consider only its correspondence image in UFM. Similarly for update image.

If you have to make any update, you should change only application image in CFM and its correspondence image in UFM. In this way, factory image will remain intact.

I hope this makes some sense.

Anyway, Are you confused? Let us know. We will see if we can help.

Cheers,

Bhaumik

Yes, you are right about 2 images, but in this case I believe they means hardware configuration images, not software :( As on update you are updating only CFM.

• Configuration Flash Memory (CFM)—to store hardware configuration data for MAX 10 FPGA.

• User Flash Memory (UFM)—to store user data or software applications.

Maybe I'm wrong and there is any chance to have different nios image for every configuration image.

Hi,

Dual Configuration means you will have 2 images ( one factory and one remote ). Both of them will be separate. So you can use NEW hex in remote image. Can't you?

Feel free to let me know if I have misunderstood.

Cheers,

Bhaumik