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Altera_Forum's avatar
Altera_Forum
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11 years ago

Migrate to new Spansion SPI NOR Flash for AS configuration

Hi,

I've found Spansion app note which give S25FL064P replacement part for EPCS64. Unfortunatly, this device doesn't exist in SO8 (208mil) and i wan't to "size upgrade" a EPCS16 device in SO8 package. Has anyone experienced S25FL164K that seems to be compatible ? (or other SO8 serial flash suppliers like micron).

Thanks.

Best Regards.

7 Replies

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    Sorry, I misread your package requirements. I don't think Micron offer that package in that density.

    As for compatibility, the Quartus programmer isn't particularly fussy. I've used a number of 3rd party parts, all with success, with the Quartus programmer. Providing it's basic capacity is one the programmer supports (64Mb/EPCS64 is) you should be OK.

    However, if you're intending to use the NiosII flash programmer you are very likely to have to add the particular part details to a file the programmer considers when programming device. This thread: nios2-flash-override.txt (http://www.alteraforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44094&highlight=%22nios2-flash-override.txt%22) discusses how to do this. The Nios flash programmer supports a number of devices by default and it needs to be told how to support others.

    Cheers,

    Alex
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    No problem with Nios Programmer because in my case i use a .jic file to program the Flash Device via JTAG but i wonder about the "grayed" disable EPCS ID check in the new release of Quartus. We can't check/uncheck this option but the checkbox is in an "intermediate" state ??? Could someone confirm that jic programming will reject non Altera devices ?

    Thanks.

    Stephane.
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    You've made me curious enough - so, I've ordered some parts. I have a suitable Cyclone IV platform on which to try it. I shall report back here on Monday.

    However, on paper I'm expecting it to work. The S25FL164K supports all the commands the EPCS does and is the successor to the S25FL064K - which happens to be used on the DE0-Nano development board. You can program that via .jic, specifying it as an 'EPCS64', without any problems.

    As for the greyed out 'disable EPCS ID check' - I'm still on Q13.1 which gives me control of that radio button.

    Cheers,

    Alex
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    My Cyclone IV board works with the S25FL164K as the serial configuration device. :)

    A few other observations: Setting or clearing any combination of the 'Disable EPCS ID check' & 'Disable AS mode CONF_DONE_error check' radio buttons (available in Q13.1) doesn't affect it - it works regardless of these settings. So, it's likely to work with Q14.0 too.

    Furthermore, generating a .jic file for use with an EPCS16 continues to work too.

    Cheers,

    Alex
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    Very Good news !

    Thanks a lot to Alex for this try, with this S25FL164K we will have big Flash in tiny package !

    Best Regards.

    Stephane.