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MGhad3's avatar
MGhad3
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6 years ago

Can I program Cyclone V devices without having a license? We have the programming file .sof. we don't want to compile.

6 Replies

  • AnandRaj_S_Intel's avatar
    AnandRaj_S_Intel
    Icon for Regular Contributor rankRegular Contributor

    Hi @MGhad3​ ,

    Yes, you can program .sof file without any license.

    Open Quartus with 30- days trial mode or without compilation mode go to Tools-> programmer ->auto detect ->select device->right click and change the file ->click on start.

    Intel altera recommended to use programmer from same Quartus version & edition used to generate .sof file.

    Let me know if this has helped resolve the issue you are facing or if you need any further assistance.

    Regards

    Anand

  • MGhad3's avatar
    MGhad3
    Icon for New Contributor rankNew Contributor

    Hi @Anand

    Thanks for your response.

    Does it allow programming SOF files containing NIOS processor? after programming do I have to keep the USB blaster plugged in? or it can be removed ? I noticed in Web edition you have to have the usb blaster plugged in.

    • AnandRaj_S_Intel's avatar
      AnandRaj_S_Intel
      Icon for Regular Contributor rankRegular Contributor

      Hi @MGhad3​ ,

      Yes, you can program SOF files containing NIOS processor.

      1.If you have time-limited sof file,We have to keep the USB blaster plugged in.

      2.Or If sof file is generated using licensed quartus tool it's not necessary.

      Regards

      Anand

  • MGhad3's avatar
    MGhad3
    Icon for New Contributor rankNew Contributor

    thanks @Anand

    The last question is using the 30 day trial, is it possible to generate sof file? ( not a time limited)

    • AnandRaj_S_Intel's avatar
      AnandRaj_S_Intel
      Icon for Regular Contributor rankRegular Contributor

      Yes, but it will be time-limited sof file for Quartus pro & Quartus std.

      We can use Quartus Lite to generate sof(not a time limited) only if, we are not using any IP's which required license.

      For example: If we use Quartus Lite to design a system with Nios II/f(which requires license) in 30-days train mode of quartus. Tool will generate a time limited sof file.

      Regards

      Anand