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Altera_Forum's avatar
Altera_Forum
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16 years ago

cant open EPCS device when Reset vector is EPCS controller

Hi,

We would like to use the EPCS64 device to hold our Firmware, Software, and to hold user configuration information.

Currently:

- the Firmware is held in EPCS, and

- the Software + configuration information is in CFI-Flash.

Everything works correctly

However we want the software in EPCS so that we can perform remote update.

The Exception Vector points to DDR memory where the software should run from

With Nios Reset Vector set to CFI_Flash

fd = alt_flash_open_dev("/dev/epcs_controller");

Always Works

With Nios Reset Vector set to EPCS_Controller

fd = alt_flash_open_dev("/dev/epcs_controller");

Always Fails

Note this is using the Altera Memtest sample projects.

Using V8.0 SP1

Can anyone give some guidance please

Many Thanks

Chris

4 Replies

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    16 years ago

    Is the .text section set to the DDR memory in both cases?

    There is a bug in the tools delivered with Quartus 9.0 and 9.0 SP1 that prevents the system from booting properly from the EPCS, but AFAIK it doesn't affect 8.0 SP1.
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    15 years ago

    Hi,

    I have exactly the same problems like Chris. When the Nios Reset Vector is set to the EPCS-Controller, the function alt_flash_open_dev("/dev/epcs_controller"); always returns a zero-pointer. I'm using QUartus V9.1 SP1. Can anybody help me?

    Thanks

    Daniel
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
    Icon for Honored Contributor rankHonored Contributor
    15 years ago

    woodssdog,

    just so you know, I never found a solution, and gave up. fortunately I was able to implement a solution where the FW booted from EPCS, and SW was held on a seperate CFI_Flash.

    We have the reset vector pointing to the CFI flash (which always worked), and then I can do remote update to the 2 seperate devices.

    sorry .. good luck
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
    Icon for Honored Contributor rankHonored Contributor
    15 years ago

    if the nios reset vector is set to the cfi controller, can I open the CFI flash successfully? the function alt_flash_open_dev("/dev/CFI_controller"); always returns a zero-pointer.