problem to program an arria10GX with active serial

Hi,

Thank you for contacting Intel community.

Please clarify the following:

-how did you program the flash memory: using quartus or your own script?

-what is the format of the bit stream that you have generated? Are u using rbf, rpd,jic or sof file?

-since using AS config mode, have you followed the design as shown in Arria 10 GX user guide?

Regards,

Aim

Hi,

thank you for your reply

I use my own script to program the flash memory, I use the "generic serial flash interface" hardware IP and a .rpd file

I follow the design as shown in Arria 10 GX user guide.

but my problem now is to access the serial flash to delete it. is there a way to access the memory in a mode other than active serial?

regards

Hi,

Arria 10 GX flash memory can only use Active Serial configuration mode. Per my understanding, your issue here is:

Arria 10 GX MT25QU01G flash memory only support 4-bytes address. The flash memory come with 3-bytes address and you might need to set the address to 4-bytes manually if you are using your own programming. By referring to https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/programmable/support/support-resources/support-centers/configuration-support.html, it mention that "User need to set the register manually if using a third party programmer."

Please inform me if you need further information.

Regards,

Aiman

Hi,

thank you for your reply

I set the address to 4 bytes in my script. I set it in the volatile register of the flash memory.

but my problem that now I can't access to the memory flash and I can't replace it

regards

Hi,

During the conversion from .sof file to .rpd file, did you choose the Endian order correctly? Please bear in mind that you will need to select Big Endian order in order for the configuration to work successfully.

If you have select the correct order and still facing problem, there might be some error in your script.

Thank you.

Regards,

Aiman

Hi,

hank you for your reply

I am not sure that I generate correctly the .rpd file. In the Convert Programming File program I select little endian order and in my script I am reorder the byte for each 32bit word.

but my problem that now I can't access to the memory flash and I can't replace it

regards

Hi,

From your reply, i understandthe steps you take was already correct. Hence,kindly explain on what do you mean by cannot access to memory flash?

Thank you.

Regards,

Aiman

Hi,

with the MSEL signals configured for Active Serial at power-up, the FPGA restarts automatically and the JTAG connection is in error. When I cause an error (I put the data from the serial memory to 1) the JTAG link is operational and I can initialize the FPGA with my FirmWare ,.

after a hot reboot I try to access the flash memory with a script I only have 1 and if I look at the oscilloscope the signals generated: the clock is not generated and the CS either .

if I put the MSEL signals to 0 and I power up, the JTAG connection works but in the same way as previously I cannot read the FLASH memory no generated signals.

the connection between the FPGA and the flash memory is direct and I use the pins of the active serial function (AS_DATA, NCS00, DCLK)

thank you

regards

Hi,

I think it is not appropriate to check the signal in that way. It would be better if you could boot the FPGA and the probe the configuration pin using osilloscope. Can you do that? if so, can you let me know the signal?

At the same time, can you please check if your hardware connection is connected as shown in user guide below:

https://www.intel.com/content/dam/www/programmable/us/en/pdfs/literature/hb/arria-10/a10_handbook.pdf (Page 228)

Also, can you please check if you configuration pin is connected as per our pin connection guidelines:

https://www.intel.com/content/dam/www/programmable/us/en/pdfs/literature/dp/arria-10/PCG-01017.pdf (Page 7)

Regards,

Aiman

HI,

Actually if I try to boot the FPGA in AS x 1 mode this one automatically reboots and I cannot take control over the JTAG link.

if I look at the data and NCS signals from the flash memory the ncs signal drops to 0 then goes up after a certain time and then remakes the same sequence continuously. the DATA signal is at 1 when NCS is at 1 (pull up resistance) and at 0 when nCS is at 0.

the only way to take control of the JTAG chain on a long-term basis is to cause an error by keeping the data signal from memory high. but when I try to access the Flash memory the signals are not generated

my hardware connection is that of page 228 of a10_handbook.pdf except for the nCE pin which is connected to gnd through a resistance of 1K

similarly the pin NIO_pullup is connected to gndthrough a resistance of 1K and all other programming pins are connected in accordance with document PCG-01017.pdf

thank you for all

regards