Hi
Using the flash programmer in NIOS IDE, I understand that we can program 3 types of content into a CFI or EPCS flash memory. They are FPGA configuration file (.sof), NiosII SW executable (.elf) and binary data file (.bin). Together with EPCS controller, the SW codes will be copied from the EPCS and loaded into the SDRAM according to the bootloader stored in EPCS controller's Boot ROM. Thereafter, a reset is triggered and the program is executed from SW stored in the SDRAM.
As for the binary data file, how do I copy it from EPCS to SDRAM? Is it done automatically by the EPCS controller (just like the SW codes)? If so, how do I know where it is loaded in the SDRAM? If not, do we need to write a SW code to read from the EPCS and write to the location that we want in the SDRAM? For such operations, what kind of altera functions I can use and do I change it in the Bootloader? Please advise. Thanks.
