Issue with quartus_pgm Command-Line .jic File Programming on DE0-Nano (Ubuntu 24.04 + Quartus Prime

[Xiaoxiu]

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am currently working with your DE0-Nano Development Board (featuring the Cyclone IV E EP4CE22F17C6N FPGA) and attempting to program FPGA configuration files using Intel Quartus Prime Lite Edition 18.0 software on an Ubuntu 24.04 (latest version) operating system.

I am encountering an issue when attempting to program a .jic (JTAG Indirect Configuration File) to the on-board EPCS64 Flash via the command-line interface (quartus_pgm), whereas the same programming operation succeeds without issue when performed through the Quartus Prime GUI.

Problem Description:

1. Objective: To program the .jic file permanently onto the DE0-Nano development board's EPCS64 Flash memory using the quartus_pgm command-line tool.

2. JIC File Generation: The .jic file was correctly generated using Quartus Prime's Convert Programming Files utility. I have confirmed that it includes the Flash Loader IP for the EP4CE22 device (as shown in the attached GUI screenshot). This .jic file successfully programs the device when used with the Quartus GUI Programmer.

3. Command-Line Operations & Errors:

   • I have ensured that the USB-Blaster programmer (ID 09fb:6001) is physically connected to the Ubuntu host.

   • The jtagd service has been successfully launched in the background using sudo /home/xiaoxiu/intelFPGA_lite/18.0/quartus/bin/jtagd &.

   • jtagconfig correctly detects both the USB-Blaster and the FPGA (EP4CE22) on the JTAG chain.

   • udev rules (/etc/udev/rules.d/51-usbblaster.rules, with content: SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTR{idVendor}=="09fb", ATTR{idProduct}=="6001", MODE="0666", SYMLINK+="usbblaster") have been manually created, reloaded, and verified. The corresponding device node (e.g., /dev/bus/usb/003/121, or dynamically assigned) consistently shows crw-rw-rw- permissions, indicating full read/write access for all users.

   • However, when attempting the command-line programming using quartus_pgm -c USB-Blaster -m JTAG -o "P;/path/to/your_file.jic@1", the program immediately returns the error: Error (209062): Flash Loader IP not loaded on device 1.

   • (Crucial Observation If I first successfully perform a .jic programming operation using the Quartus Prime GUI Programmer, then immediately after, the same quartus_pgm command-line operation succeeds within the same terminal session. This strongly suggests that the issue is not with the .jic file itself or hardware malfunction, but rather with the command-line environment failing to properly initialize the JTAG environment to load the Flash Loader IP on its initial attempt.

4. Environment Variable Issue:

   • When attempting to set Quartus environment variables using source /home/xiaoxiu/intelFPGA_lite/18.0/quartus/bin/quartus_sh --quartus-path /home/xiaoxiu/intelFPGA_lite/18.0/quartus, the script causes the terminal session to close. I've tried to work around this by exporting variables via a sub-shell (e.g., ( ... ) > quartus_env.sh followed by source quartus_env.sh) to import the environment variables without closing the terminal, but the core issue persists.

Points for Discussion / Request for Assistance:

Based on the observed behavior, I hypothesize that the problem might stem from:

1. A discrepancy in how the jtagd service or quartus_pgm tool initializes the JTAG hardware/USB device in a command-line context, compared to the more robust initialization process triggered by the GUI. It appears the GUI somehow "prepares" or "corrects" the JTAG environment, allowing subsequent command-line operations to succeed.

2. Despite seemingly correct udev permissions and jtagd operation, there might be some underlying resource locking, driver synchronization, or hidden environment dependencies that only the GUI's startup process correctly handles.

I kindly request Terasic's assistance in identifying the root cause of this issue and providing a solution or recommended troubleshooting steps to enable reliable .jic file programming via the command line on Ubuntu, without needing to pre-initialize the environment through the GUI.

Environment Information:

• Development Board: Terasic DE0-Nano (EP4CE22F17C6N FPGA)

• Programmer: USB-Blaster (ID 09fb:6001)

• Operating System: Ubuntu 24.04 (Latest Version)

• Quartus Prime Version: Lite Edition 18.0.0 Build 614

• .jic File Path Example: /home/xiaoxiu/Desktop/Simulate_test/jic/output_file_20250624.jic

Attachments:

• Quartus GUI Convert Programming Files utility screenshot during .jic generation (image_849853.png)

• Quartus GUI Programmer successful .jic programming log screenshot (image_9b12f5.png)

• (Please include all relevant command-line outputs you've collected)

Thank you for your time and assistance!

Sincerely,

[FvM]

Hi,

error message suggests that default flash loader image isn't loaded. I'm not using command line version of quartus programmer, but shouldn't the programming command include option I "Initialize Bridge Device", e.g. -o PI;myfile.jic ?

[Xiaoxiu]

Hey FvM,

So sorry for the late reply!

That tip about adding -o I to the quartus_pgm command? That's brilliant! I've been stuck on that "Flash Loader IP not loaded" error, and your idea about explicitly initializing the bridge device totally makes sense as a way to fix it.

I'm gonna go try programming with the -o PI; option right now. I'll let you know how it goes ASAP!

Thanks again for your help!

[Xiaoxiu]

Thanks a lot for the tip! The -o I option was exactly what I needed. It fixed the "Flash Loader IP not loaded" error.

It's working now! Really appreciate your help.

[JohnT_Intel]

Hi,

The reason that it is not working is due to the Serial Flash Loader is not being programmed into the FPGA before programming the flash.

Please run "quartus_pgm -c USB-Blaster -m JTAG -o "PI;/path/to/your_file.jic@1"

Thanks

[Xiaoxiu]

Hey JohnT_Intel,

My bad, sorry for the delay in getting back to you!

Thanks for making it super clear – so the whole problem was indeed that the Serial Flash Loader wasn't getting programmed into the FPGA before the actual flash programming. Got it!

I'm heading straight to my terminal to try that command you gave me: quartus_pgm -c USB-Blaster -m JTAG -o "PI;/path/to/your_file.jic@1". I'll tell you the results real soon!

Really appreciate your help!

[Xiaoxiu]

Got it working! Your explanation about the Serial Flash Loader was spot on, and using -o PI; solved the problem completely.

No more errors now. Big thanks for the help!

[JohnT_Intel]

We do not receive any response from you to the previous question/reply/answer that I have provided. This thread will be transitioned to community support. If you have a new question, feel free to open a new thread to get the support from Intel experts. Otherwise, the community users will continue to help you on this thread. Thank you.