GERMS in NIOS2?

[Altera_Forum]

Hi people. 

 How do I use the germs monitor in NIOS 2???? In NIOS 1 I could just check in SOPC builder that I wanted to embed a germsmonitor. How is this done now??? I want to call the germs and let it translate some SREC's for me. Is there an other way to do this???  Regards GreateWhite.DK

[Altera_Forum]

If you want the germs just to be able to download code, then you have an easier solution. 

 The IDE they give you is capable of downloading code to the NIOS II (you have to include at least the minimal debug module).  Basically I just created a really big RAM and downloaded my compiled code into it. I'm assuming you have to also have the JTAG UART core included as well (don't quote me on that thought, i just put it in anyway because I figured the debug module needs it there too).  In the software tutorial on the Altera site they give an example of doing this.

[Altera_Forum]

The IDE is definitely the way to go for downloading code. 

However, if you still want to use germs, it is still there. Add a legacy on-chip memory component (in SOPC Builder under legacy components). This is the old memory component you are familiar with that has a contents tab that lets you select germs. In the "More CPU" settings page of SOPC Builder, make sure you point your reset address to the start of the germs memory and set the debug device to one of your uarts. Also, you might need to enable legacy SDK on the same page. I'm not sure about this so try it without first.

[Altera_Forum]

Check out Altera app note# 350 - Upgrading Nios to Nios II; look at the HW update instructions for the "Legacy migration path", and then the Legacy SDK section of the document. It describes how!

[Altera_Forum]

I think I have found a better way to do what I wanted. I have just taken the code from the GERMS monitor that decodes S-Records and put that into my little bootloader. Hope that this will do the job. 

But thank you very much for your answers.  Regards GreatWhite.DK