AMD FLASH PROBLEM S29GL064M11TAIR0

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

--- Quote Start ---

I&#39;m not a flash expert, but

having a look at the datasheet of S29GL064M11TAIR0 does not show the

single word program command which is used by the following function

(write to buffer and program buffer)

/*

* alt_program_amd

*

* Program a block (or part of one)

*

* Use the old fashioned word at a time program method

* that way it will work on all devices

*

* There is another mechanism which puts the device into a mode and

* then writes Addr, Data Addr, Data etc.

*/

int alt_program_amd(alt_flash_dev* flash_info, int block_offset,

int offset, const void* src_addr,

int length)

{

...

- will this flash type (S29GL064M11TAIR0) be supported by altera ?

- which newer FLASH devices can be used with NIOSII and the flash programmer ?

- how can the flash programmer be modified to support other flash devices ?

thanks[/b]

--- Quote End ---

First things first it&#39;s a common mistake to look at the HAL code and assume that this is the flash programmer code. This is incorrect.

Looking at the HAL code in the 1.1 kit and the datasheet for this part http://www.amd.com/us-en/assets/content_ty...xxa_00_a1_e.pdf (http://www.amd.com/us-en/assets/content_type/white_papers_and_tech_docs/s29glxxxa_00_a1_e.pdf) I found that the code matched the Program sequence in table 18. Obviously it&#39;s not 100% possible to say that it will work without trying it. One thing to note is that a number of flash companies claim their parts are CFI compliant which are not, though AMD is not one I have seen do this in the past.

Thanks for your reply,

I know that the HAL code is not the FLASH Programmer code, but both must work

for our system.

I updated to Quartus 4.2 and NIOS 1.1

I converted a project and got the following result

- SOPC Builder generated,Quartus compiled without problem

- software compiled

(small change: did not recognized "#include<sys\ioctl.h"

changed to "#include<sys/ioctl.h"

- NIOS Flash Programmer from IDE makes a lot of trouble

- NIOS Flash Programmer from shell script works with AMD FLASH AM29LV065DU-120REI

- NIOS Flash Programmer from shell script does not work with AMD FLASH S29GL064M11TAIR0

additional to the flash problem, I have the following problem

- SOME USER INTERFACE LOGIC DOES NOT WORK AS EXPECTED

when I iopen the flash programmer from the ide ,I always get the message:

"There is a problem with the target board. Check the target board selection in SOPC Builder

for this system"

after closing IDE, opening Quartus, opening SOPC Builder, closing SOPC-Builder,

opening IDE again (! no changes, just open and close)), sometimes everything

is ok and I can start the flash programmer.

(I had this problem several times with NIOS 1.0, but now it got worsened)

when I can start FLASH Programmer, I get the folowing message:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

# ! /bin/sh# # This file was automatically generated by the Nios II IDE Flash Programmer.# # It will be overwritten when the flash programmer options change.#

cd I:/12DXI02_SOFTWARE/te1_01/Debug

# Creating .flash file for the FPGA configuration

$SOPC_KIT_NIOS2/bin/sof2flash --flash=D5 --offset=0x00700000 --input=I:/12DXI02_

FPGA/standard.sof --output=standard.flash

Info: *******************************************************************

Info: Running Quartus II Convert_programming_file

Info: Command: quartus_cpf --no_banner --convert I:/12DXI02_FPGA/standard.sof st

andard.rbf

Info: Quartus II Convert_programming_file was successful. 0 errors, 0 warnings

Info: Processing ended: Fri Jan 14 20:47:20 2005

Info: Elapsed time: 00:00:00

# Programming flash with the FPGA configuration

$SOPC_KIT_NIOS2/bin/nios2-flash-programmer --input=standard.flash --sof=/system/

BOARD_12DIXI02.sof --cable=&#39;USB-Blaster [USB-0]&#39; --base=0x00800000

14.01.2005 20:47:22 - (INFO) nios2-flash-programmer: Launching Quartus Programme

r to download:

/system/BOARD_12DIXI02.sof

Error: Can&#39;t locate programming file BOARD_12DIXI02.sof (/system/;) in Chain Des

cription File

14.01.2005 20:47:24 - (SCHWERWIEGEND) nios2-flash-programmer: Unable to download

SOF: /system/BOARD_12DIXI02.sof, exiting

# Creating .flash file for the project

$SOPC_KIT_NIOS2/bin/elf2flash --flash=D5 --base=0x00000000 --end=0x800000 --rese

t=0x0 --input=te1_01.elf --output=ext_flash.flash --boot=$SOPC_KIT_NIOS2/compone

nts/altera_nios2/boot_loader_cfi.srec

# Programming flash with the project

$SOPC_KIT_NIOS2/bin/nios2-flash-programmer --input=ext_flash.flash --sof=__NO_SO

F_PLEASE__ --cable=&#39;USB-Blaster [USB-0]&#39; --base=0x00800000

14.01.2005 20:47:26 - (INFO) nios2-flash-programmer: SOF-download skipped.

14.01.2005 20:47:27 - (SCHWERWIEGEND) nios2-flash-programmer: Error opening targ

et hardware

jtag_atlantic connection failed to open:

There are no JTAG UARTs available which match the --device and

--instance options you provided.

14.01.2005 20:47:27 - (SCHWERWIEGEND) nios2-flash-programmer:

In order to program flash, you must first create a purpose-built

flash-programming design (i.e. FPGA configuration) and associate it with

your particular board. The Nios development kit is delivered with purpose-bui

lt

flash-programming designs pre-built for several development boards. If you wi

sh

to program flash on your own board, you must first create a flash-programming

design.

The process of creating a flash-programming design for your board is mostly

automated. From a bash-shell, execute this script:

mk_target_board --help

The help-message includes references to other documentation on programming

flash and targeting Nios systems to custom board designs.

- exiting.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

the following is the output from the flash programmer for AMD FLASH S29GL064M11TAIR0

(shell script)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

COPY FILE : standard.SOF

`../12DXI02_FPGA/standard.SOF&#39; -> `standard.SOF&#39;

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONVERT FILE : standard.SOF

to : standard.FLASH

FLASH ID : U1

OFFSET : 0x00700000

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

14.01.2005 21:03:19 - (FEIN) sof2flash: Starting

Info: *******************************************************************

Info: Running Quartus II Convert_programming_file

Info: Command: quartus_cpf --no_banner --convert standard.SOF standard.rbf

Info: Quartus II Convert_programming_file was successful. 0 errors, 0 warnings

Info: Processing ended: Fri Jan 14 21:03:20 2005

Info: Elapsed time: 00:00:01

14.01.2005 21:03:20 - (FEIN) sof2flash: Done

PRG:standard.flash

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

PROGRAM FILE : standard.flash

BOARD FILE : BOARD_12DIXI02.sof

CABLE : USB-Blaster [USB-0]

JTAG-DEVICE : 2

FLASHPRG BASE ADD : 0x00800000

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

14.01.2005 21:03:21 - (INFO) nios2-flash-programmer: Launching Quartus Programmer to download:

BOARD_12DIXI02.sof

Pre-Reading 283KBytes of data from U1:

|----.----+----.----|

********************* (2.36 sec).

Erasing 5 Sectors:

|----.----+----.----|

********************* (4.406 sec).

Writing 320KBytes :

|----.----+----.----|

**14.01.2005 21:03:42 - (SCHWERWIEGEND) nios2-flash-programmer: Unable to write to flash

14.01.2005 21:03:42 - (SCHWERWIEGEND) nios2-flash-programmer: Error: Write-operation failed on device. - exiting.

--- !!! ERROR !!! !!! ERROR !!! !!! ERROR !!! !!! ERROR !!! ---

FEHLER PROGRAMMIERUNG

First I need help with the flash programmer,

I will post some info with the problem with user logic when i have more test results

thanks

FLASH TYPES PROBLEM (S29GL064M):

you are right, the document from your link for S29GLxxxa really has the word

programming command, but when I look at the TSOP package, it seems not to be

pin compatible with type Am29LV065D.

the type which AMD recommended to use is not this type (S29GL064A) , it is

S29GL064M, see

http://www.amd.com/us-en/assets/content_ty...xxm_00_b3_e.pdf (http://www.amd.com/us-en/assets/content_type/white_papers_and_tech_docs/s29glxxxm_00_b3_e.pdf)

and look there at the command table, there is no word programming mode.

I am a little bit confused, I thought that "CFI compliant" means

"software compatible".

Hi Fischer,

I think we are working on the same project http://forum.niosforum.com/work2/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif . My Flash was an Atmel AT49BV162A which &#39;has a CFI&#39;. Same error messages:

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

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Bad ack from Target.

Yikes!, Bad Acknowledge Command-Field,

Command-Packet Was: ......[/b]

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from Altera I&#39;ve got an eMail through my FAE that this will be solved in the next version. Meanwhile I removed Flash totally from my design, so this issue doesn&#39;t concern me further.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

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additional to the flash problem, I have the following problem

- SOME USER INTERFACE LOGIC DOES NOT WORK AS EXPECTED[/b]

--- Quote End ---

with quartus 4.2 register slaves now have other sub addresses, they are accessed always in steps by 4 independent of their width (as documented in avalon specs).

see other thread ... (http://www.niosforum.com/forum/index.php?act=st&f=2&t=903&hl=)

The other issue:

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

--- Quote Start ---

"There is a problem with the target board. Check the target board selection in SOPC Builder

for this system"[/b]

--- Quote End ---

costs you really time. You can recompile your design and then use &#39;flash programmer&#39; but only once. Then you have again "... a problem with the target board...". Sometimes it helps if you leave the room, or turn yourself twice. Then it works again. sometimes. http://forum.niosforum.com/work2/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/dry.gif

Sorry, no help.

Mike

again ide flash programmer problem

hi mike, yes I can leave the room twice,turn mysel 10 times and then if the ide

is happy with the target board and i can start programming, it stops with the

error message above, because the script generated by the ide is wrong.

!!! I do not understand, why there is no input box in the flashprogrammer tool

!!! where I can enter the path to the board sof-file !!!

from where does the ide flashprogrammer get&#39;s the information for the board.sof

file ???

in my case

the ide flashprogrammer writes the script flash_programmer.sh

-- the path "--sof=/system/BOARD_12DIXI02.sof" is wrong

--sof=__NO_SOF_PLEASE__ is wrong

--- Quote Start ---

originally posted by fischer@Jan 14 2005, 08:06 PM

flash types problem (s29gl064m):

you are right, the document from your link for s29glxxxa really has the word

programming command, but when i look at the tsop package, it seems not to be

pin compatible with type am29lv065d.

the type which amd recommended to use is not this type (s29gl064a) , it is

s29gl064m, see

http://www.amd.com/us-en/assets/content_ty...xxm_00_b3_e.pdf (http://www.amd.com/us-en/assets/content_type/white_papers_and_tech_docs/s29glxxxm_00_b3_e.pdf)

and look there at the command table, there is no word programming mode.

i am a little bit confused, i thought that "cfi compliant" means

"software compatible".

--- Quote End ---

Fischer,

Looking at the link you posted Table 35 on page 113 contains the Program command.

As for CFI Compliant meaning software compatible, it should, however there is no body which certifies whether a flash is CFI compliant.

In the last few weeks alone I have seen a flash which claimed to be CFI compliant and indeed you could get a CFI table, however the mechanism used to get the CFI table was not that documented in the CFI spec, so it wasn&#39;t software compatible. I have also seen a flash chip which had an invalid CFI table, again not software compatible.

Fischer,

I dont&#39;t believe that the message ....

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

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"There is a problem with the target board. Check the target board selection in SOPC Builder for this system" [/b]

--- Quote End ---

really describes the problem. I guess there is a problem with the java runtime. When I get this message, I close flash programmer, start quartus, start sopc builder and start flash programmer again and there is no error message. As long as the SOPC builder remains open, I can use flash programmer!

In the past, there was a problem with javaw.exe which is used by NIOS IDE as well as SOPC builder and leaded sometimes to a hanging system. This is obviously solved. I removed an additional java runtime installation I had, but without any success.

--- Quote Start ---

originally posted by fischer@Jan 15 2005, 06:43 PM

.... because the script generated by the ide is wrong.

--- Quote End ---

My design is named: &#39;ComMan&#39;, my Custom board is &#39;CM_Board&#39; and my only flash is a EPCS4. My generated Flash programmer script consists of four commands:

# Creating .flash file for the FPGA configuration
$QUARTUS_ROOTDIR/NIOS_11/bin/sof2flash --flash=U4 --offset=0x00000000 --epcs --input=D:/Projects/CMNios/FPGA/ACT/ComMan.sof --output=ComMan.flash
#  Programming flash with the FPGA configuration
$QUARTUS_ROOTDIR/NIOS_11/bin/nios2-flash-programmer --input=ComMan.flash -- sof=D:/Projects/CMNios/FPGA/ACT/CM_Board/system/CM_Board.sof --cable='ByteBlasterII ' --epcs
#  Creating .flash file for the project
$QUARTUS_ROOTDIR/NIOS_11/bin/elf2flash --flash=U4 --epcs --base=0x0 --end=0x7fffffff --input=CM_Boot.elf --output=epcs_controller.flash --boot=$QUARTUS_ROOTDIR/NIOS_11/components/altera_nios2/boot_loader_epcs.srec
#  Programming flash with the project
$QUARTUS_ROOTDIR/NIOS_11/bin/nios2-flash-programmer --input=epcs_controller.flash --sof=__NO_SOF_PLEASE__ --cable='ByteBlasterII ' --epcs

But these commands are processed after flash programmer has established a connection to the target board and this script works (even with __NO_SOF_PLEASE as my target design is already programmed with the socond command (it is included in ComMan.flash) ). Perhaps it helps if you compare these with your script. If your design name doesn&#39;t match delete all *.launch files from "NIOSDIR\bin\eclipse\workspace\.metadata\.plugins\org.eclipse.debug.core\" and create a new Flash Programmer Configuration.

The custom board design will be automatically found, if placed in your final design directory. (b.t.w. All (!) custom boards placed there, will be found and processed perhaps)

If I&#39;ll figure out anything concerning this issue I&#39;ll post it here.

Mike

because the AMD FlASH chip Am29LV065D is difficult to buy and expensive,

can some users please post the type of their flash chip they are using and

if they work with nios2-flash-programmer.

thanks

We are developing a board that will be using the Spansion S29GL128M flash part.

I am very concerned about the level of software support for this part.

I&#39;m worried that the flash programmer will work properly, as well as the MTD drivers under Linux.

I have this listed as one of the primary risks of the project.

I was also told by our local AMD rep. that the Spansion part is the best choice for new designs and that it is CFI compliant.

Are there enough people using this flash part to pressure Altera into officially supporting it in their SOPC builder?

As for the Linux MTD support, I&#39;ll have to see what the MTD project has available and possibly make the changes myself.

Hi trk_golf,

do you have any more information on designing a board with Spansion S29GL128M flash and a Nios ?

I am interested in your results since we plan to develop such a board too.

Thanks

cetic