Forum Discussion
Altera_Forum
Honored Contributor
17 years agoRemote System Update dilemma
Hello,
I have a problem how to apply the Remote System Update feature in my system. Generally, my requirements are following: - an FPGA (Cyclone III) should be configured depending on which slot a card(PCB) with the FPGA is inserted; - there are two possible FPGA configurations - either MY_BUS master or slave; - the configurations scheme is Active Serial, a EPCS will be used; - it is good to have a possibility to divide EPCS flash contents into 2 parts to contain 2 configuration files. Contents of the flash would be static - there is no need to update EPCS data each time under request. - an external micro (for example MSPx) reads the card address and depending on it decides which configuration file from the flash to choose to configure the FPGA. And the questions are following: 1. Should I use the Remote System Update feature to meet the specified requirements? Generally, I don't need to take a new configuration data from a remote source - I need only uP to select which configuration data form the EPCS to take. But I'm not sure whether it is possible to divide EPCS into 2 parts and have possibility to select one of them without using the ALTREMOTE_UPDATE megafunction. 2. Maybe it is simpler to use 2 different EPCS devices – each have 1 configuration data and then disable/enable an appropriate EPCS device? 3. If I have to use the Remote System Update (RSU) is it possible just to take sources of the Remote System Update Ref Design. Do I need to perform a significant reconfiguration of these sources for my case? And my configuration scheme is Active serial in comparison to the AP scheme described in the Ref Design. Does it have a big impact on the RSU logic or just PFL should be substituted by the PSL? I believe that it is not a rare requirement that an FPGA have to reconfigure itself depending on some external circumstances and you have your own experience and can suggest what to do in my case. Anyway, any advice is appreciated. Thank you very much, U.14 Replies
- Altera_Forum
Honored Contributor
So it sounds like you've settled on active serial configuration. You know you could do passive serial and let the uController do the FPGA programming. Anyway, since you've chosen active serial.
- Get an EPCS or serial flash device large enough to hold at least two firmware images. - By default, the first image will always be loaded. You'll then have to check with the uController to see if you've got the right one. If not, use the remote update core to boot the other image. Jake - Altera_Forum
Honored Contributor
Uilka b
Yes, Nios software. You can use ALTREMOTE_UPDATE in your design for your configuration. In your case you have to use active serial mode instead of active parallel mode. My suggestion, - Use two configuration for FPGA. One is default ( Master/Slave interface as you said ) and check after configuration. Switch to another configuration if required other wise keep FPGA configuration as it is. Regards, Hardik Sheth - Altera_Forum
Honored Contributor
Hardik,
do u mean software for Nios II? I do not plan to use Nios II processor. - Altera_Forum
Honored Contributor
Hi,
You can use single EPCS device with 2 configuration data in to it. EPCS will able to store 2 FPGA configuration data but what about software image storage? Regards, Hardik Sheth