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Altera_Forum's avatar
Altera_Forum
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20 years ago

ASMI & Flash programmer

Similar to the epcs_controller, the asmi component has extradelay set to "1" causing an increase

in programming time. As a simple example, my 5.0 design takes 6 minutes to program my design into an

EPCS4, where my 4.1 design takes only 2 minutes 8-P

There are two other threads that are related:

REF 1: http://www.niosforum.com/forum/index.php?a...t=st&f=2&t=2280 (http://www.niosforum.com/forum/index.php?act=st&f=2&t=2280)

REF 2: http://www.niosforum.com/forum/index.php?a...epcs_controller (http://www.niosforum.com/forum/index.php?act=st&f=2&t=1737&hl=epcs_controller)

Supposedly for the epcs controller:<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

--- Quote Start ---

This was a problem fixed in Nios II 5.0 s.ervice pack 1 (just released). The other thread discusses workarounds for 5.0 users.[/b]

--- Quote End ---

However, having installed all available service packs (that I could find) ... I still observe the problem with the

epcs controller (see REF 2). And, the problem manifests itself in a flash programmer design as well via the

asmi component (just take a look at your ptf after running mk_target_board).

Ok, if you edit the asmi class.ptf and perl module in a similar manner to the epcs controller (as described

in the REFs), you can in fact remove set extradelay="0" after removing and then adding the asmi

component in SOPCBuilder. but this creates a new problem:

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

--- Quote Start ---

ERROR:

Memory component "asmi" requires a reference designator.

Error: Generator program

for module &#39;Board_System&#39; did NOT run successfully.[/b]

--- Quote End ---

And ... even after making the mods to the asmi class.ptf & pm files, mk_target_board still generates

an asmi component with extradelay="1".

Soooo ... I&#39;m looking for for help ... a work-around ... a hack ... whatever.

Suggestions welcome!

BTW: I&#39;ve seen references to "Nios II 5.0 SP1" v. "Quartus 5.0 SP1" ... but I have not be able to locate

the Nios II SP1. If someone could post a link -- my thanks!

Regards,

--Scott

9 Replies

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    20 years ago

    Hi Scott,

    Well I can confirm that the problem is that there are two service packs... one for Quartus, and one for Nios. They are separate installs, and the Nios service pack is what has the extra delay fix... I went through *everything* to fix all instances of that, including ASMI.

    This is a bit of an anomaly as we have been working to sychronize with the Quartus release for several products, including Nios.. and indeed the "major" (twice-yearly non-service-pack) releasees should all ship concurrently now. However, this SP was an exception. Apologies for any confusion this has created.

    About the problem itself:

    There should really be, at most, three things to do to fix this manually (no service pack):

    1. All instances of &#39;extradelay&#39; in the .pm file in the asmi component

    2. the class.ptf file in the asmi component

    3. After the changes are made, open sopc builder, remove all ASMIs in your system, and add them back. This should refresh the system PTF file.
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    20 years ago

    Hi Jesse,

    I don&#39;t want this to fall through the cracks ... <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

    --- Quote Start ---

    the nios service pack is what has the extra delay fix.[/b]

    --- Quote End ---

    How can I obtain this service pack?

    Regards,

    --Scott
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    20 years ago

    The Nios 5.01 patch release notes do not mention anything about the extradelay fix, so I assume this is grouped under &#39;minor bug fixes&#39;. It would be nice to have some detail on the rest of these minor bug fixes to know what to expect, and to see if it worth the time to download and install. Just an idea.

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    20 years ago

    It&#39;s a minor change not a bug (without this change your device still programmed right?)

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    20 years ago

    Don&#39;t get me wrong, minor fixes are better than no fixes, but what is minor to one is essential to another. If I had not already fixed the extradelay manually, I&#39;d gladly recommend each team member spend the 30min needed to install the patch. Either way, I&#39;d sure like to know what else was considered minor - it may be at the top of my short list.

    1) Anything to do with improving the robustness/performance of the serial ports.

    2) Anything to do with improving the operation/robustness of the debugger - seems less robust than 4.1.

    3) Any improvements to the project management features - how about a &#39;save project as&#39; menu item, and a way I can specify just the project root folder and not have to manually add 20 pathnames?

    keep up the good work
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    20 years ago

    > It&#39;s a minor change not a bug (without this change your device still programmed right?)

    I suppose we should be grateful ... right? Please don&#39;t be smug about this. There is far more

    to this issue than just programming an epcs device.

    When an issue can affect business it is certainly appropriate for a customer to expect some

    documentation ... it&#39;s not unreasonable.

    When you upgrade from 4.2 and extradelay=1 remains in your ptf and suddenly your design

    doesn&#39;t meet the minimum startup time requirement ... it&#39;s a bug.

    When device access time is too slow to meet application deadlines after an upgrade ... it&#39;s a bug.

    When you remove, then add an asmi component to your flash programmer design and

    SOPCBuilder can&#39;t generate the system ... it&#39;s a bug.

    These types of problems are not new ... they happen, we fix them, and we move on. No one

    is complaining about bugs here. As customers we do our part: we contact tech support, we

    post solutions to benefit others, and we install/test patches. That being said, some simple

    documentation goes a long way to saving time, effort and money.

    But on to the more practical:

    tns1,

    I didn&#39;t install the update on my other machines yet ... I just did the manual stuff

    on the primary system. Did you notice if the following file was corrected as well:

    altera_user_board_setup/system/ABSTRACT_BOARD.ptf.template

    Regards,

    --Scott
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    20 years ago

    Scott,

    extradelay is set to &#39;0&#39; in the file you&#39;re asking about.

    - slacker