Hi I am in the process of converting a MAX10 Nios2 design to a MAX10 NiosV. It boots from Flash loaded into DDRAll is good with the compiling apart from I need to convert the elf file to a hex file.Nios2 was done with Eclipse tools and it created the scriptalt-file-convert.exe -I elf32-littlenios2 -O hex --input=app.elf --output=mem_init/ext_flash.hex --base=0x44000000 --end=0x45ffffff --reset=0x44430000 --out-data-width=8 --boot="C:\intelfpga_lite\23.1std\nios2eds\components\altera_nios2\boot_loader_cfi.srec"Now i have to use NiosV command line to do the same, but the alt-file-convert.exe command doesnt exist.I think it may be something like this:elf2flash --input=sw/app/build/app.elf --output=sw/app/build/mem_init/ext_flash.hex --epcs –-offset 0x0 --end=0x45ffffff --boot="C:/intelFPGA_lite/23.1std/niosv/components/bootloader/niosv_g_bootloader"Note the --base and --reset that alt-file-convert.exe used can't be used with elf2flash - is thatcorrect?

I dont think I should have "--epcs" mode set for QSPI?if I remove that then I can add "--base" and "--reset".That only leaves "--out-data-width=8" - I take it I dont need that for QSPI eitherAlso "-I elf32-littlenios2" and "-O hex" are superfluous for elf2flash I take it.

Hi Could you try the command below:nios2-elf-objcopy -O ihex file.elf output_file.hexRegardsJingyang, Teh

nios2-elf-objcopy is not recognised by niosv command shell.Moreover I got elf2flash to create a hexfile but when I use 'convert programming file' in Quartus to create a pof file for qspi programming , I discover that the hexfile isnt Intel format which it meeds to be for it to work!So I reiterate:What is the NiosV equivalent of the Nios2 command?:alt-file-convert.exe -I elf32-littlenios2 -O hex --input=app.elf --output=mem_init/ext_flash.hex --base=0x44000000 --end=0x45ffffff --reset=0x44430000 --out-data-width=8 --boot="C:\intelfpga_lite\23.1std\nios2eds\components\altera_nios2\boot_loader_cfi.srec"

It seems elf2flash creates an s-record file which is no good .I need an equivalent for alt-file-convert.exe which created an Intel hex file!!!I think I can use a 3rd party hex editor to convert between s-records and Intel Hex though, I can try that.elf2hex creates an Intel hex file but doesnt allow a bootloader to be added, although the command line doesnt complain when I add it!I tried it and it created a file 78MB which is an order of magnitude bigger than it should be.It seems to me Nios V toolset isnt ready for me to replace Nios II . Moreover Platform designer in the Pro version of Quartus has a BSP editor. Thats all very well but Quartus Pro doesnt support MAX10!!

HiThe nios2-elf-obj is available under the nios2 command shell.To launch you can use the nios2-elf-objcopy.exe shown below:RegardsJingyang, Teh

NiosV | Altera Community

32 Replies

tehjingy_Altera
Regular Contributor
2 years ago
Hi

The niosv_g_bootloader.srec should work for bootloader for booting from QSPI.
That is weird why it is not working on your QSPI Flash.
Could you try executing in place from QSPI just to see the access to QSPI is working?

Regards
Jingyang, Teh
- NGord
  Occasional Contributor
  2 years ago
  You are right , it doesnt execute from QSPI flash. So the issue isnt so much the bootloader, but the NiosV isnt reading QSPI Flash at all.
  Same software/hardware/ QSYS works with Nios2. Only difference is Nios2 swapped with NiosV.
  My Flash is Micron MT25QL256 and I use the quartus.ini pgm_allow_mt25q=on.
  
  I tried Niosv-m and Niosv-g. Neither seem to run from Flash.
  I am using Generic QUAD SPI controller II Intel FPGA IP which worked with Nios2 . Should I be using Generic Serial Flash Interface Intel FPGA IP as stated in the Embedded Design Handbook? Shouldnt have to.
  - NGord
    Occasional Contributor
    2 years ago
    I inspected the QSPI signals on the board and all are moving. The clock is at the correct speed.
tehjingy_Altera
Regular Contributor
2 years ago
Hi
Just to check for executing in place for flash, did you disable the GSFI HAL Driver in the BSP?
4.5.1.1.2. Software Design Flow (intel.com)
Regards
Jingyang, Teh
- NGord
  Occasional Contributor
  2 years ago
  No- first time I have seen that requirement!
  Disabling GSFI is only when using alt_load to run code from Flash.
  It has to be enabled for using bootloader running from RAM.
  However - the point is the hexfile has to be Big endian for NiosV conversion to .pof file. Nios2 had to be Little endian, that fixes it.
  
  First time I ever saw that!!! Its a major difference. AN978 never mentions such a difference.
  You can close this now. Thanks.
tehjingy_Altera
Regular Contributor
2 years ago
Hi

Sorry about that.
Have created a feedback to add this in the migration guide for NiosV.

They are mentioned here for driver disablement for GSFI when executing in place.
https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/docs/programmable/726952/24-2/software-design-flow-11011.html

For the endian needed it is mentioned here:
https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/docs/programmable/726952/24-2/programming-files-generation-04026.html

I’m glad that your question has been addressed, I now transition this thread to community support. If you have a new question, Please login to ‘https://supporttickets.intel.com/s/?language=en_US’, view details of the desire request, and post a feed/response within the next 15 days to allow me to continue to support you. After 15 days, this thread will be transitioned to community support. The community users will be able to help you on your follow-up questions.

Regards
Jingyang, Teh

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NiosV

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