Hi guys
I'm currently writing a small application on a Cyclone, using a NIOS2 MPU with M4K blocks for internal ROM. An EPCS1 device is used for configuration. There is also an external SRAM.
To make sure that the program gets updated I have to:
1) Update and build the program in NIOS-II IDE. This creates the ONCHIP_MEMORY_ROM.HEX file.
2) Hit "Generate" in SOPC builder. Presumably this is to "suck in" the HEX file.
3) Accept the changed symbol in the BDF file, then hit "Compile" in Quartus-II.
4) Reprogram the EPCS1, in Active Serial mode.
I can then debug the code over JTAG, where the rebuild is usually right in terms of source code location matching.
In summary, the iterations feature long thumb-twiddling moments (steps 2,3). Also, step (1) involves complete rebuild since the PTFs are regenerated. Is there any way I can speed up this process?
In other words, ideally it would be possible to download the HEX file directly into the configuration device, although I suspect this is not feasible. Another possibility would be to download the HEX file into the Cyclone through JTAG - although, again, I suspect this is not feasible.
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Hmmm...I guess I can use JTAG to download code to the external SRAM, this wasn't working earlier due to having a duff board.....
http://forum.niosforum.com/work2/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/mad.gif
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