Re: Flash programmer and non CFI flash

Altera_Forum · ‎08-29-2005

Hi to all,

does anyone knows if it's possible to use the flash programmer to program a non CFI flash memory?

Altera_Forum · ‎08-29-2005

The flash programmer only supports EPCS serial configuration EEPROMs and CFI flash memory. The flash programmer code, best I can tell, is not open-source, preventing support of other types of flash.

I've been down this road with the EPC16; we could only use the Quartus II programmer to program it.

It would be nice if they released the source for the slave programmer (the one that gets loaded on the Altera by the flash programmer), but I'm not holding my breath.

Altera_Forum · ‎08-31-2005

Hi Mike

I am a little confused now - I thought EPCS16 & 64 are supported with NIOS II Version 5 ?

Is this only true for the EPCS component or does this apply to the flash programmer as well?

Altera_Forum · ‎08-31-2005

Hi Mike,

> It would be nice if they released the source for the slave programmer

Are you referring to the source for the magic firmware_ROM.hex? Releasing just the protocol

used by the flash programmer would go a long way, no?

Regards,

--Scott

Altera_Forum · ‎08-31-2005

--- Quote Start ---

originally posted by stonie+aug 31 2005, 02:34 am--><div class='quotetop'>quote (stonie @ aug 31 2005, 02:34 am)</div>

--- quote start ---

i am a little confused now - i thought epcs16 & 64 are supported with nios ii version 5 ?[/b]

--- quote end ---

haven't heard of an epcs64; just the epcs1, epcs4, and epcs16. the epc4, epc8, and epc16 (note that there is no 's' in their part numbers) are altera passive serial configuration devices which expose the internal flash chip's interface bus so you can hook it up to a cpu; these are not active serial epcs parts nor cfi parts, thus they are not supported. cost us three days before we figured out why our epc16 and the cfi peripheral weren't talking to each other.

<!--quotebegin-smcnutt@Aug 31 2005, 08:13 AM

> it would be nice if they released the source for the slave programmer

are you referring to the source for the magic firmware_rom.hex? releasing just the protocol

used by the flash programmer would go a long way, no?

--- Quote End ---

That along with any tricky mojo required to make it work (things like "after the clear flash command, the programmer should reset" or whatnot) would be all that's needed.

Altera_Forum · ‎08-31-2005

--- Quote Start ---

originally posted by mike desimone@Aug 29 2005, 09:43 AM

the flash programmer only supports epcs serial configuration eeproms and cfi flash memory. the flash programmer code, best i can tell, is not open-source, preventing support of other types of flash.

i've been down this road with the epc16; we could only use the quartus ii programmer to program it.

it would be nice if they released the source for the slave programmer (the one that gets loaded on the altera by the flash programmer), but i'm not holding my breath.

--- Quote End ---

I have read on Altera documentation that are only supported AMD and INTEL CFI compliant flash memories.

I have tryed, infact, to drive an ST 29LV800 CFI compliant memory but the ALTERA module seems to not work,

the flash programmer doesn't synchronize with the memory.

As soon as possible I will try with an AMD 29LV016 and I will let you know...

there is anyone experienced?

shadowice