Forum Discussion

mario's avatar
mario
Icon for New Contributor rankNew Contributor
13 days ago

Regarding Parallel Flash Loader II

I’m planning to configure an Agilex 5 using the Avalon‑ST configuration scheme with an external host. I would like to use a Cyclone 10 LP as the host and implement PFL II, but Cyclone 10 LP does not allow selecting “FPGA Configuration” in the PFL II IP settings.

The documentation says that only MAX II / MAX V / MAX 10 devices are supported as external hosts for Avalon‑ST.
https://docs.altera.com/viewer/book-attachment/0ZDiMtPwlgEoThCi3ZWIaQ/CDJY00XzF6LJj1iBS5riOA-0ZDiMtPwlgEoThCi3ZWIaQ

Can Cyclone 10 LP be used as an external host for Agilex 5? If not, what device is recommended?

Configuration

3 Replies

  • FvM's avatar
    FvM
    Icon for Super Contributor rankSuper Contributor
    13 days ago

    Hi,

    MAX 10 is basically a good choice for PFL II implementation.  There are however no MAX 10 specific submodules in the IP core. It's not clear at first sight why PFL configuration function shouldn't be available e.g. with Cyclone 10 LP. I notice that also standard PFL IP doesn't provide configuration function for other devices than MAX II, MAX V or MAX 10. This isn't congruent to PFL User Guide that tells
     
    "You can use the PFL IP core in Intel MAX® devices (Intel MAX 10, MAX II, and MAX V devices) or all other FPGAs to program flash memory devices efficiently through the JTAG interface and to control configuration from the
    flash memory device to the Intel FPGA." https://docs.altera.com/r/docs/683698/21-1/parallel-flash-loader-intel-fpga-ip-user-guide

    I was able to import MAX 10 PFL II IP files to a Cyclone 10 LP design and compile without errors. Unfortunately I have no test hardware to check the function.

    Regards
    Frank


    • mario's avatar
      mario
      Icon for New Contributor rankNew Contributor
      12 days ago

      Thank you. Is the reason why “FPGA Configuration” cannot be selected in the PFL II IP when using Cyclone 10 LP still unclear? 
      In general, is PFL‑based configuration not recommended when using Cyclone 10 LP?

      • FakhrulA_altera's avatar
        FakhrulA_altera
        Icon for Regular Contributor rankRegular Contributor
        6 days ago

        Hi Mario,

        Cyclone 10 LP is not an official supported external host for Agilex 5 Avalon‑ST when using PFL II. Supported hosts are MAX II, MAX V, MAX 10, or a microprocessor that streams the bitstream. Avalon-ST Configuration
        Recommended approach: use a MAX 10 running PFL II to read flash and drive Avalon‑ST.
        Can you still try Cyclone 10 LP as a host? Only as a custom, official implementation where you need to build the host logic yourself.

         

        Regards,
        Fakhrul