Files seem to be missing from Qsys synthesis of UP entities

[Altera_Forum]

Gentlemen, 

I am working on a Qsys project involving the UP 16x2 LCD display and 3 UARTS on a DE2-70 board. The Qsys generation of the NIOS processor works fine with no errors or warnings. However, when I instantiate the NIOS processor in my project, it cannot find 4 modules: altera_up_character_lcd_communication altera_up_character_lcd_initialization altera_up_RS232_in_deserializer altera_up_RS232_out_serializer I have looked everywhere and cannot seem to find them. I am running Quartus II 11.0 sp1. Any assistance would be gratefully appreciated. Regards, Geoffrey Gill

[Altera_Forum]

Did you install the University Program IP cores? They're a separate download. 

 http://www.altera.com/education/univ/software/upds/unv-upds.html  Cheers, Dave

[Altera_Forum]

Dave, 

In short, yes.  I have a separate directory under C:\altera\11.0sp1\University_Program. There is the Monitor program, Examples, etc. I have been able to load and play with both the Basic Computer and the Media Computer for the DE2-70 board. I have been able to make some minor changes to the Basic Computer. I did that using the SOPC Builder, but was trying to use Qsys, as that seems to be the future. I have found Qsys somewhat more complex in terms of requiring many more "connections". SOPC Builder seemed to make more interconnects automatically. I am not a "hardware designer", but am trying to develop a simple computer to control a Serial Graphics Display, a DCC model railroad, and incoming XBee communications from the trains. The alternative choice is to use an ATMega 128, but I thought the inherently better built-in I/O on the DE2-70 board would make life easier.  Any other ideas on why this might be failing? I will try to reinstall the UP cores and recompile the project. Thanks for taking the time to respond. Regards, Geof

[Altera_Forum]

Dave, 

I uninstalled the UP, then completely reinstalled it. No joy. When I instantiate the NIOS processor and compile it fails again with the same error messages. Regards, Geof

[Altera_Forum]

Dave, 

I removed the UP IP's from the Qsys project and used the regular Altera ones. I left out the LCD display, but added the 3 serial ports. It generated the system with 6 warnings and then it compiled. So who knows. Also FYI the RS232 UP IP core has an error in it. It will not allow the selection of a 19200 baud rate! I was able to recalculate the BAUD_TICK_COUNT, etc to force it to 19200. Weird. Geof

[Altera_Forum]

Hi Geof, 

 Sorry to hear the UP cores didn't work. I haven't ever had a need to try them.   Creating a Qsys/SOPC IP core is pretty straight-forward once you get the hang of it. If you create the core yourself, then you're only fixing your own bugs :)  It sounds like you've figured out a work-around that will get you going. If you have trouble figuring out how to get things to work, ask and I'll take a look.  Cheers, Dave

[Altera_Forum]

Thanks, Dave, 

I have run into one more issue. I am using the web edition of he Quartus II software. Am I correct is assuming that I cannot use the NIOS processor except on a tethered or time limited basis without a separate license? That is a real deal breaker for using this approach. My fallback position for using either my DE0-NANO or DE2-70 board is to do everything in Verilog. I am a retired individual and could not justify a great expense for a license. I appreciate again the time you have spent of this issue. One of the great benefits of forums like this. Regards, Geof PS: with the Cheers signoff are you an Aussie?

[Altera_Forum]

--- Quote Start ---   I have run into one more issue. I am using the web edition of he Quartus II software. Am I correct is assuming that I cannot use the NIOS processor except on a tethered or time limited basis without a separate license?   --- Quote End ---   Use the NIOS II/e core:  http://www.altera.com/devices/processor/nios2/cores/economy/ni2-economy-core.html    --- Quote Start ---   That is a real deal breaker for using this approach. My fallback position for using either my DE0-NANO or DE2-70 board is to do everything in Verilog. I am a retired individual and could not justify a great expense for a license.   --- Quote End ---   If the NIOS II/e core doesn't work for you, you could try one of the OpenCores cores, eg., OpenRISC or one of the AVR variants, or the Leon SPARC processor. They're all free.    --- Quote Start ---   with the Cheers signoff are you an Aussie?  --- Quote End ---   Close - NZer (Kiwi) :)  Cheers, Dave