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Altera_Forum's avatar
Altera_Forum
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20 years ago

EPCS FLASH

Hi Guys ahd Gurus,

On my custom board, I have a EPCS4 device for FPGA configuration.

I tried to use this as a serial FLASH. Gues what NIOS crashed and after that I have not been able to set this right.

I know I should have checked more before just blindly configuring the FPGA, but I think the EPCS is burnt out and it s probably putting the FPGA in error or is causing part of the devide to go in fault.

Any suggestions? My neck is on the line..

http://forum.niosforum.com/work2/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif

3 Replies

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    20 years ago

    Can you erase the EPCS chip??

    If not can you de-solder it?

    I would also suggest reading the configuration app note on the device family you are using; these manuals are quite comprehensive at describing the various configuration modes and how each is used with external memory like the EPCS. At a minimum I think with some study and --if ultimately necessary-- disconnecting the correct wire, that you&#39;ll be able to configure your device via JTAG again.
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    20 years ago

    You should be able to look at the CONF_DONE pin on the Altera FPGA to tell you if it&#39;s in configuration mode or not. Also, I hope you put pull-up resistors on CONF_DONE, nCONFIG, etc. and didn&#39;t tie them to VCC, since those pins are actually open-drain outputs as well as inputs.

    What programming method are you using to program the EPCS? Active serial via the Quartus II programmer, or JTAG via the Nios II Flash Programmer? If the latter, did you do all the mk_target_board stuff?
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    20 years ago

    I don&#39;t think you burn it. Check to see if you tri-state all unused pin. I learned that on my Eval kit EP1C12.