Watchpoint with NIOS IDE

Hello Kwok,

Actually, there is a problem with the Nios II IDE watchpoint feature, which is fixed in the next, as yet unreleased, version 1.1 of Nios II IDE. There is a powerful alternative though via FS2 console. You can use the FS2 command line tools to set a data breakpoint, and even trigger actions when the particular piece of data you are watching for appears on the Avalon bus. Actions include halting the Nios II processor, or beginning execution trace.

To enable FS2 functionality in the NIOS II IDE, check the box for FS2 on your application project's Run configuration page, Debugger tab.

First Silicon Solutions is an Altera partner, providing at no cost, included with your Nios II Development Kit, 2 data breakpoints, 2 hardware breakpoints, and 32 frames of trace data. Upgrades for additional breakpoints and deep trace buffer are available from FS2.

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originally posted by stephen_niosii@Nov 3 2004, 05:39 PM

hello kwok,

actually, there is a problem with the nios ii ide watchpoint feature, which is fixed in the next, as yet unreleased, version 1.1 of nios ii ide. there is a powerful alternative though via fs2 console. you can use the fs2 command line tools to set a data breakpoint, and even trigger actions when the particular piece of data you are watching for appears on the avalon bus. actions include halting the nios ii processor, or beginning execution trace.

to enable fs2 functionality in the nios ii ide, check the box for fs2 on your application project's run configuration page, debugger tab.

first silicon solutions is an altera partner, providing at no cost, included with your nios ii development kit, 2 data breakpoints, 2 hardware breakpoints, and 32 frames of trace data. upgrades for additional breakpoints and deep trace buffer are available from fs2.

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I tried to use FS2.

But I got the error:

"No license for HW trigger"

Hello Kwok,

Nios II comes with a license for only 2 data breakpoints and 2 instruction breakpoints. Did you try to set more than that? Also, to enable this feature, you need to select a Nios II cpu which supports these breakpoints in SOPC Builder by selecting at least a debug level 2 or greater under the JTAG Debug Module tab of the Nios II cpu module (double-click cpu module in SOPC Builder to access). Then you must regenerate in SOPC Builder, recompile in Quartus, and program the resulting .sof file into flash. You can contact FS2 for license issues or to purchase licenses for additional breakpoints or a deeper trace buffer.

Best regards,

Stephen

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originally posted by stephen_niosii@Nov 9 2004, 07:59 PM

hello kwok,

nios ii comes with a license for only 2 data breakpoints and 2 instruction breakpoints. did you try to set more than that? also, to enable this feature, you need to select a nios ii cpu which supports these breakpoints in sopc builder by selecting at least a debug level 2 or greater under the jtag debug module tab of the nios ii cpu module (double-click cpu module in sopc builder to access). then you must regenerate in sopc builder, recompile in quartus, and program the resulting .sof file into flash. you can contact fs2 for license issues or to purchase licenses for additional breakpoints or a deeper trace buffer.

best regards,

stephen

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I didn't try to set more than 2 breakpoints.

Acutally it was the first time I used FS2.

Wat I did in the FS2 console:

"Select Windows>HW triggers>"

Then I got the license error!