Can't access CFI Flash when MSEL(0)=1

Altera_Forum · ‎03-18-2006

I am having problems accessing CFI Flash when the configuration

pin MSEL(0)=1. Works fine when MSEL(0)=0.

Our design has an Altera StratixII (EP2S60) and a EPCS64.

At boot-up we configure the FPGA from the EPCS64 and

boot the application code which is also stored in the EPCS64.

This is all working as expected.

Using Quartus II 5.1 SP 0.15 and NiosII 5.1 Bld 73b

We also have a CFI Flash on the card. We can write/read the Flash

using the HAL alt_write_flash, alt_read_flash Functions and the Flash

also passes the "Altera Memory Test" Flash Test.

So I think the CFI Flash is working correctly.

... Getting back to my problem:

We had planned on using the Remote System Upgrade Mode in our system. (in the future)

Currently the MSEL(3:0)signals=1000. (MSEL(0)=0 which is the standard mode)

We have a jumper where we can change this to MSEL(3:0)signals=1001.

(MSEL(0)=1 which is the Remote Update mode)

>> when we do this (set msel0=1) we can no longer access the cfi flash. <<

1. HAL calls to alt_flash_open_dev("/dev/ext_flash") return a Fail (0).

2. The "Altera Memory Test" reports: Can't open device /dev/ext_flash.

3. If I run the nios2-flash-programmer in the Debug mode it reports:

No CFI table found at address 0x02000000

ALL three of these Pass when I set MSEL(0)=0.

We are using the SOPC Builder Common Flash Interface Controller.

The documentation on the CFI Controller doesn't mention the MSEL pins.

is there any logical connection between the msel(0) pin and the cfi controller?

I tried this on multiple cards with the same results.

Also verified that the MSEL0 jumper pin only goes to the FPGA MSEL0 input.

Any ideas whats going on?

Thanks,

Jim