NIOSV Processor boot from QSPI Flash on MAX 10 Dev Kit

[himanshuvaria]

Hello,

I want to boot a NIOSV software image from External QSPI Flash on the Max 10 development KIT.

Max 10 Dev Kit Part No: 10M50DAF484C6GES

Below is the QSPI Flash Part No. that used in MAX 10 Dev Kit.

QSPI Flash Part No: N25Q512A83GSF40F

I am following the steps mentioned in 4.5.1. Nios V Processor Design, Configuration and Boot Flow (Control... (intel.com)

The above user guide is for Arria 10 Soc Development Kit. But I want to boot from MAX10 Dev Kit, and "Active Serial x4" configuration is not supported for MAX10 Dev Kit. How to convert the hex file and sof file into pof for MAX10 Development Kit so that the output pof will boot my image from QSPI Flash ?

Also at the same time, please verify if the QSPI Flash Part No:  N25Q512A83GSF40F is supported to boot the NIOSV software ?

Please provide a proper a flow for booting NIOSV  through QSPI Flash for MAX10 Dev Kit.

[KellyJialin_Goh]

Hi,

Greetings and welcome to Intel's forum.

Unfortunately, we do not have a user guide for booting NIOS V using QSPI flash for MAX10, but we do have user guide on booting NIOS II using QSPI flash for MAX10 which teaches you on generating the .pof and should be similar to NIOS V booting : https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/docs/programmable/683689/current/processor-application-executes-in-place-20904.html

Let me know if you have further questions.

Thank you.

Regards,

Kelly Jialin, GOH

[himanshuvaria]

Hello,

Thank you for your quick response.

The MAX10 Dev Kit have the QSPI Flash Part No: N25Q512A83GSF40F. I want to make sure if this flash is capable to boot NIOSV processor. I just want to boot the NIOSV application from the QSPI Flash. The hardware image will be loaded from internal configuration.

The IP I am using in my qsys system is Generic Serial Flash Interface IP. So through this  IP, can I boot NIOSV from QSPI Flash Part No: N25Q512A83GSF40F.

Thank you for the co-operation. Looking forward for your response.

Regards,

Himanshu

[KellyJialin_Goh]

Hi Himanshu,

It should be able to work as long as you add it in as a new configuration device and this is the list of supported flash types: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/docs/programmable/683130/23-1/configuration-device-types-43525.html

Thank you.

Regards,

Kelly

[himanshuvaria]

Hello,

The list supported flash types is for Generic Quad SPI Controller IP, but I am using Generic Serial Flash Controller IP. Does is make any difference.

Also please refer the below image from Generic Quad SPI Controller IP

It tells that if we use Generic Quad SPI Controller IP, then NIOSV will not boot. So does it apply for Generic Serial Flash Controller IP too ?

Please share your response.

Regards,

Himanshu

[KellyJialin_Goh]

Hi,

Unfortunately, the Flash Controller core does not support booting NIOS V from QSPI flash and here are the information for your reference: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/docs/programmable/683130/23-1/fpga-serial-flash-controller-core.html

Thank you.

Regards,

Kelly

[himanshuvaria]

Hi,

I exactly got it that using serial flash controller IP, NIOSV would not boot. But what about Generic Serial Flash Interface IP ? 

Below link refers to the NIOSV Booting Methods in which we can boot from QSPI Flash using Generic Serial Flash Interface IP:

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/docs/programmable/726952/23-1/nios-v-processor-design-configuration-49895.html

The reference in the above link is for A10 SoC Development Kit. But I want to boot the NIOSV for MAX10 Dev Kit. As MAX10 Dev Kit have only internal configuration, I am downloading the (Hardware Image).sof/.pof in the FPGA. And I have generated another .pof file that consists my software image(.hex) which I am downloading in the QSPI Flash. I am facing no issues till this point. But after, my NIOSV is not getting booted from QSPI Flash.

So my question is does Generic Serial Flash Interface Intel FPGA IP supports QSPI Flash : N25Q512A83GSF40F to boot NIOSV specifically for MAX10 Dev Kit ? 

Your response will be appreciated.

Regards,

Himanshu

[KellyJialin_Goh · Accepted solution]

Hi,

I have checked the Generic Serial Flash Interface Intel® FPGA IP User Guide.

The supported flash devices for configuration memory are, EPCQ, EPCQ-A, EPCQ-L, and

Micron* MT25Q (256Mb to 2Gb) devices. Unfortunately N25Q512A83 is not supported for booting NIOSV with MAX10 device.

Hope this clear your doubts.

Thank you.

Regards,

Kelly

[KellyJialin_Goh]

Hi,

Any updates from your end whether the information and documents provided was useful to solve your issue?

Thank you.

Regards,

Kelly

[KellyJialin_Goh]

Hi,

Any updates from you end? Is there any further support needed from my end?

Hope to hear on your feedback.

Thank you.

Regards,

Kelly

[himanshuvaria]

Hello,

Thankyou for clearing the doubts for the NIOSV boot on MAX10 Dev Kit. 

I need not require any further support. 

Thankyou for your co-operation.

Regards,

Himasnhu