multiple NIOS II cores

It shouldn't be too much different then NIOS I (somewhere there is a document for NIOS I that gives a tutorial of how to do multiple cores in one SOPC). When/if you download the code over JTAG you need to tell it what you plan on targetting.

If you have 2 CPUs. Try memory for each core. Then once you get the hang of it you might be able to use the same code memory (if they run the same software that is).

What are you trying to do by the way?

I have a design and some info I have sent to others.

Nios II is much easier to do multi cpu than Nios I.

email me off line

khallbec@altera.com

OK, here's some instructions (nios II).

I'm looking for the info on the differences btw NI and NII.

Kerri

**

I started with a standard_1s40 design (I used the verilog version, but it doesn't matter).

In SOPC Builder

Open SOPC Builder.

Add (another) Nios II Processor

I chose small, software breakpoints only. choose any variant; doesn't matter.

Rename cpu_0 to "second_cpu".

note that "second_cpu" comes up showing the masters connection columns, and that the masters are not connected to any devices.

Change second_cpu jtag_debug_module base address to "0x00930000".

(by default, it will come up with base address 0x0. this will conflict with ext_flash when we connect the data master to ext_flash).

Add a jtag_uart instance.

Rename "jtag_uart_0" to "second_jtag_uart"

Change jtag_uart_0 base address to 0x00940000.

(not necessary, but sopc builder assigned it a weird base address when i added it).

Connected the second_cpu instruction master to ext_ram_bus,

onchip_ram_64_kbytes, sdram (* connect to some memory device)

Connected the second_cpu data master to ext_ram_bus. onchip_ram_64_kbytes, led_pio, lcd_display, seven_seg_pio, button_pio, second_jtag_uart, and sdram. (i connected to so much stuff because i wanted to run "count_binary" on it.)

Changed the IRQ for button_pio from "NC" to "2" for second_cpu. (needed for count_binary)

Changed the IRQ for second_jtag_uart from "NC" to "5" for second_cpu. (needed for any jtag_uart stuff using HAL)

Kept the IRQ for lan91c111 as "NC" (default). (* connect to some memory device)

I disconnected second_jtag_uart from cpu's data master (remains connected to second_cpu's data master)

Go to More "second_cpu" Settings tab.

Change Reset Address to onchip_ram_64_kbytes.

TRICKY: Change Exception Address Offset to 0x00800020.

You SHOULD change the exception address, because N2IDE will use the exception address as the basis for where to build software for the CPU. if you do not change the exception address, you may inadvertently cause both CPUs to be running the same software, or even worse, writing over the same area with one CPU while another is running in it!

You're finished. Hit the Generate button.

Notes on SOPC Generation

For generation of the cpu that exists in the design, you'll get this warning in the file cpu_gen_log_0.txt:

Warning: currently assigned JTAG instance ID 0 for cpu/jtag_debug_module is shared by second_cpu/jtag_debug_module. Reassigned to 1.

This is perfectly fine, and no cause to worry. It just means that you'll have to recompile any software associated with this cpu. You'd be wise to do so after SOPC generation anyway.

This design took about 7.5 minutes to generate on my system.

In Quartus

1 Compile! This can be done simultaneously with Nios II IDE Compilation, below.

Nios II IDE, Compilation

Open Nios II IDE. I did so by clicking on the "Run Nios II IDE" button in SOPC Builder after system generation was complete.

File -> New -> Project..., Altera Nios II , C/C++ Application, click "Next >"

Select Project Template to Hello World.

Reassign Name: to "cpu_hello_world".

Defaults to correctly selected SOPC Builder System and CPU "cpu", so I didn't have to change it.

Press "Finish" (accept default of making a new system library for this).

File -> New -> Project..., Altera Nios II , C/C++ Application, click "Next >"

Select Project Template to Count Binary.

Reassign Name: to "second_cpu_count_binary".

defaults to correctly selected SOPC Builder System, so I didn't have to change it.

Change "Select Target Hardware CPUa" to second_cpu.

Press "Finish" (accept default of making a new system library for this).

Back in Nios II IDE's main window, press the "Build all" icon. (Because I don't have any other software projects around, this is cool for me, but you might have some other projects sitting around that you don't want to rebuild)

Nios II IDE, Running

TRICKY: go to Window -> Preferences -> Nios II Run and Build Settings. Check the checkbox that says "Allow multiple active run/debug sessions", press "Apply", then "OK".

Highlight "second_cpu_count_binary" in the left-hand pane labelled C/C++ projects. (having this highlighted allows defaults of next steps to come up correctly)

Choose the menu item Run -> Debug... . We want to make a new run/debug configuration, so highlight "Nios II Hardware" and press "New".

The name will default to "second_cpu_count_binary Nios II HW configuration", the project will be correctly set to "second_cpu_count_binary", the Nios II ELF Executable will correctly be set to "Debug/second_cpu_count_binary.elf". there is nothing you need to do on this page.

Press the "Target Connection" tab, which (on my system) has a red X indicating that the values assigned to this tab are not correct.

Choose the JTAG Cable that you are using (i used USB-Blaster). It is allowable to leave the JTAG Device as "automatic". The Nios II Terminal communications device should already be set to "second_jtag_uart".

TRICKY: press the "Debugger" tab. choose a random 4-digit number for "TCP port for Debugger". This will be the port that the tool uses for second_cpu. This number has to be unique in that it does not conflict with whatever TCP port number you give the other cpu "cpu".

This is expected to be an automatic step in Nios II IDE 1.1

Hit the "Debug" button. the program should download. N2IDE shifts to the Debugging perspective, and becomes halted when it hits the breakpoint at "main".

press the "play icon to get the program running. it's not neccessary to have one cpu in any particular state while downloading/debugging the other(s).

Go back to the C/C++ development perspective using the icon or =Window -> Open Perspective -> C/C++ Development=.

Highlight the cpu_hello_world project. (again, having this highlighted merely allows defaults of next steps to come up correctly)

Choose the menu item Run -> Debug... We want to make a new run/debug configuration, so highlight "Nios II Hardware" and press "New".

The name will default to "cpu_hello_World Nios II HW configuration, the project will be correctly set to "cpu_hello_World", the Nios II ELF Executable will correctly be set to "Debug/cpu_hello_World.elf". there is nothing you need to do on this page.

Press the "Target Connection" tab, which (on my system) has a red X indicating that the values assigned to this tab are not correct.

Choose the JTAG Cable that you are using (i used USB-Blaster). It is allowable to leave the JTAG Device as "automatic". The Nios II Terminal communications device should already be set to "jtag_uart".

Press the "Debugger" tab. you may either choose a random 4-digit number for "TCP port for Debugger", or leave the default value of 2342 if you had chosen a different number for second_cpu_count_binary. This will be the port that the tool uses for cpu cpu. This number has to be unique in that it does not conflict with whatever TCP port number you give the other cpus.

Hit the "Debug" button. The program should download. N2IDE shifts to the Debugging perspective, and becomes halted when it hits the breakpoint at "main".

You will note that both programs are running simultaneously on each of their cpus. You may halt/step/view each of the theads individually from here. I don't think there are any other steps to particular to debugging multiple cpus from here...

OK, more info. All cut and pasted (with bits moved and removed) from an email.

For Nios I, there was no direct tool support for multiprocessor systems. The user could make multiple processors, but the tools had no inherent knowledge of how to keep them from interfering with each other. The customer is right that there is a lot of hand-massaging to do for Nios I.

The best way to prevent conflict is to give the CPUs different reset and interrupt vectors (with enough room for code/vector table), and by targeting the SDKs to compile in different memory components, and to check the objdumps for overlap. Unless the customer is a master of GCC linking, this is probably the only thing they can do.

For Nios II, the IDE (not the Legacy SDK) has a minimal knowledge of multiprocessor systems-- enough to prevent some basic conflicts. The CPUs still need to be set to different reset and interrupt vectors (very important that they are!). The exception address has a secondary function in that it is used by the Nios II IDE as a guideline on where to target elfs. I think if you set your exception address half-way through a memory, you'll find that the Nios II IDE will compile the elf for the area after the exception vector. When linking, the IDE does a better job of sharing memories between CPUs, but I'm not certain exactly how.

I really appreciate the feedback. We are working on a small handheld device much like a camera. So it has mechanism control, image processing, ADC feedbacks, communications, and maybe DACs. It has to be ... all things to all people but we are trying to be realistic. I am in Orlando, FL so I won't have a chance to try the dual core approach this week with Frances bearing down on us. Thanks Kerri for putting in so much effort. We have an IRAD task to look at this approach so your directions/example are valuable and will be tried soon.

Any other information is welcome. I am looking for more capability than we have had on other projects; more along the lines of the a current project where we are hosting QNX (operating system) on a custom board based on the MPC 8260. The Stratix/NII solution has many advantages over that one, but I now know what I can do with a board resembling a unix box. For example, booting multiple configurations of the firmware and software that can be easily uploaded to a closed box (so, through the serial or ethernet ports or other) or debugging like Kerri described or dumping to multiple serial ports or coordinating the output of processors through a port manager. Even saving data to a file in flash and ftp'ing to a PC for analysis. Most of these features add up to ease of development and reduced time/cost to deliver a product. Long winded, I know, but that's what we're up to.

Thanks again.

I&#39;m a newbie in NIOS architecture... http://forum.niosforum.com/work2/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif

1) Can anybody explain to me how I can use the parameters in "More cpu settings"?

2) What&#39;s the difference from "Offset" and "Address"?

3) How does it work in case of multiple NIOS II cores?

Thanks, Matteo

First, please read (some) of the massive amount of documentaion we provide. I&#39;m positive it is explained somewhere in there.

Second, take a tutorial or 2.

Third, email me and I&#39;ll send you a fun but unsupported multi cpu Nios II design.

Address means base address, Offset mean the distance form the base address (if base = 0x800 and offset = 0x100 then you end up with an address of 0x900).

Multiple processors are done in a round-robin (like sports) fashion

And I don&#39;t have the more cpu settings up so I&#39;m guessing it&#39;s the Jtag debug stuff or you&#39;re talking NIOS I (ready to leave work sorry).

If you have more questions I&#39;ll try to do a much better job answering next time.

Cheers

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Address means base address, Offset mean the distance form the base address (if base = 0x800 and offset = 0x100 then you end up with an address of 0x900).[/b]

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Thanks for the answer. http://forum.niosforum.com/work2/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif

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And I don&#39;t have the more cpu settings up so I&#39;m guessing it&#39;s the Jtag debug stuff or you&#39;re talking NIOS I (ready to leave work sorry).[/b]

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1) Open Altera SOPC builder

2) Add some peripherals and a Nios CPU

3) See the panel between "System Contents and "System Generation"

Matteo