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Altera_Forum's avatar
Altera_Forum
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20 years ago

Viewing SDRAM on Development Kit from NIOS II IDE

Hi,

Has anyone used the Nios II IDE Memory view feature to view and/or modify contents of the external SDRAM on the Development kits when running in Debug mode?

If so, what is the minimum set of SOPC components required to view and/or modify the contents of the external SDRAM? It was my impression that the only components that would be needed are a Nios II core, SDRAM controller, JTAG interface, and some "dummy" software (e.g. Hello World). Is that right? If not, what other components are required?

The "dummy" sofware could run in an infinite loop and just be used to load up a project to Debug on the Nios II IDE. Once running, a breakpoint could be set, or it could run in an infinite loop, so that the user could view/edit the SDRAM memory contents that aren't being used by the "dummy" application.

Any input would be appreciated.

Sincerely,

Brad.

3 Replies

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    20 years ago

    How about a PLL for the SDRAM?

    So, I presume that, you have a program running that change/modify/update the SDRAM, then the program stopped, and you download the dummy program (or Hello World as quoted) to monitor the memory in the NIOS II IDE?

    Or is it a multiprocessor, so you have the intended program running on CPU_1, and have the dummy program (Hello World) running on CPU_2?
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    20 years ago

    Hi nobodii,

    --- Quote Start ---

    originally posted by nobodii@Oct 15 2005, 05:53 AM

    how about a pll for the sdram?

    so, i presume that, you have a program running that change/modify/update the sdram, then the program stopped, and you download the dummy program (or hello world as quoted) to monitor the memory in the nios ii ide?

    or is it a multiprocessor, so you have the intended program running on cpu_1, and have the dummy program (hello world) running on cpu_2?

    <div align='right'><{post_snapback}> (index.php?act=findpost&pid=10387)

    --- quote end ---

    --- Quote End ---

    You were correct with the first guess. There is a system running that modifies some of the SDRAM contents and I wanted an independant way of verifying the data that was stored in those locations. However, upon thinking about it further, I would think I should be able to set a logical breakpoint in my current application code, and use the Nios II IDE Memory view capability to view the SDRAM contents. Have you used this capability of Nios II IDE when running under Debug mode?

    Also, I believe SOPC Builder automatically generates a clock for the SDRAM controller component from the same PLL that is used to generate the Nios II system clock.

    Thanks for your input.

    Brad.
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
    Icon for Honored Contributor rankHonored Contributor
    20 years ago

    --- Quote Start ---

    originally posted by bjskill+oct 15 2005, 09:58 pm--><div class='quotetop'>quote (bjskill @ oct 15 2005, 09:58 pm)</div>

    --- quote start ---

    hi nobodii,

    <!--quotebegin-nobodii@Oct 15 2005, 05:53 AM

    how about a pll for the sdram?

    so, i presume that, you have a program running that change/modify/update the sdram, then the program stopped, and you download the dummy program (or hello world as quoted) to monitor the memory in the nios ii ide?

    or is it a multiprocessor, so you have the intended program running on cpu_1, and have the dummy program (hello world) running on cpu_2?

    <div align='right'><{post_snapback}> (index.php?act=findpost&pid=10387)

    --- quote end ---

    --- Quote End ---

    You were correct with the first guess. There is a system running that modifies some of the SDRAM contents and I wanted an independant way of verifying the data that was stored in those locations. However, upon thinking about it further, I would think I should be able to set a logical breakpoint in my current application code, and use the Nios II IDE Memory view capability to view the SDRAM contents. Have you used this capability of Nios II IDE when running under Debug mode?

    Also, I believe SOPC Builder automatically generates a clock for the SDRAM controller component from the same PLL that is used to generate the Nios II system clock.

    Thanks for your input.

    Brad.

    <div align='right'><{post_snapback}> (index.php?act=findpost&pid=10391)</div>

    [/b]

    --- Quote End ---

    Yes, I used it before. It is powerful. Alternatively, sometimes I have some pointers in my program, and I use them to monitor my memory values, such as in the variable window, **ptr or such. http://forum.niosforum.com/work2/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif