Migrating from EPCS to EPCQ-A nios fails to boot after flash

[CDai0]

I have a legacy project using a Cyclone 2 that we would like to migrate from the obsolete EPCS to same size EPCQ-A. following the migration app note, it appears we don't need a FPGA rebuild since we are using Serial Flash Controller IP is compatible when disabled sector protect and the size is <128M

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/docs/programmable/683340/current/ip-core-and-programming-file-migration.html

However, we were using the nios2-flash-programmer command line with a .flash file and this tool throws the following error with the new flash part: (verified works with old EPCS device)

Using cable "USB-Blaster [USB-0]", device 1, instance 0x00
Resetting and pausing target processor:
OK
No EPCS layout data - looking for section [EPCS-EF4015]
Unable to use EPCS device
Leaving target processor paused

Next, I try to generate a .jic file format following steps in this forum: https://community.intel.com/t5/Nios-V-II-Embedded-Design-Suite/No-EPCS-Layout-data-looking-for-section-EPCS-C84017/td-p/169751?profile.language=ko

However, although the Quartus programmer successfully program and verifies the .jic file, the Nios is not starting. The FPGA is configured since it can be detected in nios2-terminal and I can download the .elf code through JTAG.  The issue is for some reason on startup its not running the flashed nios code. Please advise.

[wwanalim_intel]

Hi,

Greetings and welcome to Intel's forum.

Please give me some time to check on this issue and will get back to you with the update.

Thank you.

Regards,

Fathulnaim

[CDai0 · Accepted solution]

I got it working by recompile everything with a newer version of Quartus (13.0sp1). Earlier I was just trying to regenerate programming files without rebuilding, using the sof and elf someone previously compiled.  The comments in the build say it was previously compiled with Quartus 11 and but I suspect the Qsys was generated in an even older version since when I opened it did the sopcbuilder to Qsys upgrade.

[wwanalim_intel]

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