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Altera_Forum's avatar
Altera_Forum
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16 years ago

Generating .JIC file with compressed data

Hi,

I am trying to use the JTAG serial flash loader as described in AN370. The target is an EP1C6T144 with EPCS1 configuration EEPROM. The design only fits in the EEPROM if compressed.

Following the instructions in AN370 on generating the .JIC programming file, I get to the point where I add the .sof data and Quartus responds "Size of file exceeds memory capacity".

Is it possible to use the serial flash loader with compressed configuration data? If so, what am I missing?

In production, we will be using a microcontroller rather than the Quartus programmer, does this give a bit more flexibility? AFAICS the programming algorithm shouldn't care whether the EEPROM data is compressed or not.

JTAG is all new to me, so I don't know any of the low-level protocol stuff - are the Altera-specific bits documented anywhere?

Thanks

R.

5 Replies

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    16 years ago

    It should work. Are you sure you are generating the compressed .sof file? In Quartus go to Assignments->Settings... click on the "Device and Pin Options..." button. If you go to the Configuration tab and check the box next to "Generate compressed bitstreams" (also make sure the other settings are correct).

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    16 years ago

    As far as I can see if I select 'Active serial configuration' it generates a POF (which can be compresed if I select this option) and a SOF (which doesn't get compressed irrespective of the check-box).

    If I select 'passive serial configuration' the compilation fails with an error "serial flash loader must be used with active serial configuration".

    POF file size (uncompressed) is 524,473 bytes

    POF file size (compressed) is 131,257 bytes

    SOF file size is 140,509 bytes in both cases.

    Is there a way to compress the SOF file, or a way to get the programming file converter dialog to accept a POF instead of a SOF?
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    16 years ago

    I think I found it.

    In the convert programming files program, highlight the name of the .SOF file in the input files to convert section of the convert programming files dialog box, click the properties button, and check the compression option.
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    16 years ago

    Yes, I once have been searching a lot for this option. Basically, the compression is performed by Conversion tool, indepent of the input file properties.