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Altera_Forum's avatar
Altera_Forum
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16 years ago

sof2flash

hello,

in the following picture (link) , there is an error message, which i get when i want to program the flash

can anybody help me please to solve the problem?

ht tp//img80.imageshack.us/img80/8158/unbenanntyg.jpg

THANKS

developmentenvironment:

Quartus 9.1

NIOS II 9.1

3 Replies

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

    It seems that you use the Web Edition and that you don't have a valid license.

    Thats the reason why you have a time limited sof file.

    Without a valid license you can't generate files that can be used to program your design into EPCS or flash devices. so you won't be able to generate files that can be used for production purposes.

    time limited means that you need a connection between your target fpga and quartus e.g. via jtag. some time limited ip's will run without such a connection up to 1 hour.

    one thing you could try with quartus 9.1 is, if your nios is not an -e type change it to -e if that is the only one component you have no license for. nios -e is free with quartus 9.1 and does not require a license. then you should be able to generate your flash files.
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
    Icon for Honored Contributor rankHonored Contributor
    16 years ago

    thank you for your fast reply,

    it is right, that i use the quartus web edition without a valid nios license.

    i try to program another sof file into the flash without time limit (generate with quatus 9.0 web edition)

    --> the error message does exist no more

    BUT: after building the checksum -> the nios time limted license stoped and the program does not be send to the flash

    additional : the "<>.flash" - file was generated

    do you there is another possibility to program the flash ?

    sorry, but what dou you mean with "nios -e type"

    thanks
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
    Icon for Honored Contributor rankHonored Contributor
    16 years ago

    nios -e is the economy version of the nios cpu, the smalest type.

    you will need to open your sopc builder and change your nios cpu type from fast or standard to economy. this is also the slowest cpu type but it is free with quartus 9.1 and does not lead to a time limited design.

    with quartus 9.1 the -e type is free and the first one you can programm into epcs or flash devices without a license, prior to quartus 9.1 you wount be able to generate files that can be used

    in other words, if you want to store your design into non volotile memory to let it run directly after power up, you must use quartus 9.1 and the smalest nios or use a license.

    sorry, i didn#t understand what you mean with another sof generated with quartus 9.0.

    is it the same design or a different one like an example ?