NIOS II with linux system booting from CFI Flash

[MBier]

Hi! I'm working on project where i have to build NIOS II system. The system must load linux kernel from CFI Flash on Cyclone V SoC Development kit but the problem is that there is no user manual for that board so I cannot assign pins from Tri-State Controller to CFI Flash. Does anyone have experience with similar system and Quartus? Please anyone can help me?

[EricMunYew_C_Intel]

Hi, Mateusz

In Quartus, you can go to Assignments->Pin Planner.

May I know which board you are using, any link ?

Eric

[MBier]

Hi Eric!

I have cyclone V dev-kit ( https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/programmable/products/boards_and_kits/dev-kits/altera/kit-cyclone-v-soc.html )

So basiclly if there were any pinout which shows that connecting CFI to FPGA is possible i would not ask any question.  But all in all is it possible to access CFI from NIOS II ( which is placed in FPGA not in ARM ). Thanks for articles you linked, but i have knowledge about NIOS and CFI.

[EricMunYew_C_Intel]

Hi, Mateusz

You may refer to below for implementing CFI.

https://www.intel.com/content/dam/www/programmable/us/en/pdfs/literature/hb/nios2/edh_ed_handbook.pdf (page314)

https://www.intel.com/content/dam/www/programmable/us/en/pdfs/literature/ug/ug_pfl.pdf

https://www.intel.com/content/dam/www/programmable/us/en/pdfs/literature/ug/ug_avalon_tc.pdf

Eric

[EricMunYew_C_Intel]

Hi, Mateusz

Can I close this if you have no more inquiry ?

Thanks.

Eric

[EricMunYew_C_Intel]

Hi, Mateusz

By the way, may I know which external flash you are using?

Eric

[EricMunYew_C_Intel]

Hi, Mateusz

By integrating the Tri-state controller and Tr-state conduit bridge IPs in your Nios design or FPGA, you can connect the CFI flash directly to your FPGA.

For example, you can refer to page 57 of below document for the I/O standard for the CFI flash, you will need this info when you do pin assignment in Quartus:

https://www.intel.com/content/dam/www/programmable/us/en/pdfs/literature/manual/rm_cv_soc_dev_board.pdf

Alternatively, you may consider the PFL IP for interfacing to CFI:

https://www.intel.com/content/dam/www/programmable/us/en/pdfs/literature/ug/ug_pfl.pdf

Eric

[EricMunYew_C_Intel]

Hi, Mateusz

Do you have any inquiry ?

Thanks.

Eric