max10 dual image + dual hex for nios

Andi,

Your solution seems to work well. Thank you very much.

I'm not sure why Altera doesn't support doing this with their own tools.

Hi there,

I have the same problem. Dual configuration (two *.sof) and two files for a NIOS in each configuration.

Is there a built-in function that creates a *.pof file out of that?

@Andi: Do you have a little bit more detailed instructions on how you did that. How did you set the reset vectors? Anything needs to be changed in Eclipse?

Best Regards

Hi there,

I have the same problem. Dual configuration (two *.sof) and two files for a NIOS in each configuration.

Is there a built-in function that creates a *.pof file out of that?

@Andi: Do you have a little bit more detailed instructions on how you did that. How did you set the reset vectors? Anything needs to be changed in Eclipse?

Best Regards

Hello,

i have the same problem.

How can i "merge" 2 applications to 1 *.hex file, so i can convert this *.hex file with the "convert programming tools" into a *.pof file ?

With the Altera EDK (Eclipse) i can generate only 1 application to a *.hex file with the "mem_init_generate" tool.

Regards,

Andi

UPDATE:

I found this tool http://srecord.sourceforge.net/. I merged both applications (2 .flash files generated with nios edk "mem_init_generate" for each application) into one intel hex file like this:

srec_cat -Output_Block_Size 16 .\..\Software\FactoryApp\onchip_flash_0.flash .\..\Software\TestApp\onchip_flash_0.flash -o .\..\Software\Build_Srec_tool\combined_apps.hex -intel

Then i used the "convert programming tool" to generate a single pof to download and it works!

Hello,

i have the same problem.

How can i "merge" 2 applications to 1 *.hex file, so i can convert this *.hex file with the "convert programming tools" into a *.pof file :confused: ?

With the Altera EDK (Eclipse) i can generate only 1 application to a *.hex file with the "mem_init_generate" tool.

Regards,

Andi

update:

I found this tool http://srecord.sourceforge.net/. I merged both applications (2 .flash files generated with nios edk "mem_init_generate" for each application) into one intel hex file like this:

srec_cat -output_block_size 16 .\..\software\factoryapp\onchip_flash_0.flash .\..\software\testapp\onchip_flash_0.flash -o .\..\software\build_srec_tool\combined_apps.hex -intel

Then i used the "convert programming tool" to generate a single pof to download and it works!

I'd 'simply' choose one that's big enough. I have a standard 16Mbit EPCS (equivalent) connected up to the MAX 10 on my eval board. However, Altera are pushing QSPI devices which offer increased capacity and speed for little cost (2 extra wires) & cost (it'll continue to get cheaper).

Look at this max 10 fpga development kit (https://www.altera.com/products/boards_and_kits/dev-kits/altera/max-10-fpga-development-kit.html). It has a Micron N25Q512A83GSF40F QSPI FLASH connected up. I suggest you consider that a suitable reference design.

Cheers,

Alex

Agree with thing about UFM size, too small :(

I have max10 evaluation kit, do you have any advice about external memory to store nios software ?

Hi Andy,

I don't think there's any Altera docs specifically detailing what you're after. However, I think it should be possible to generate 'factory' & 'application' FPGA images, each containing a Nios with a different reset vector corresponding to a different address in UFM.

This application note: remote system upgrade for max 10 fpga devices over uart with the nios ii processor (https://www.altera.com/en_us/pdfs/literature/an/an741.pdf) discusses something similar. It also details what manipulation is needed of the various binaries for programming and remote upgrades.

Note: it does discuss the use of an external FLASH device for holding the Nios image. The UFM is not big enough to hold a single user Nios image for larger applications. You're looking to put two Nios images in this space. So, you may need to consider an external flash device to hold these.

Cheers,

Alex