Configuration device for cycloneⅲ

[TOYORN]

Hello,

We are currently using the following FPGAs and SPI-flash device.

FPGA：EP3C5F256C8N

Configuration device：EPCQ4ASI8N

we want to use Winbond W25X40CLSNIG as a replacement for EPCQ4ASI8N.

Both have almost the same specs.

Input voltage：2.7 - 3.6V

Memory size：4Mb

clock freq.：100MHz (W25X40CLSNIG is 104MHz)

Interface：SPI

Package：SOIC-8

In our tests, programming from Quartus and configuration at boot were fine.

Please let me know if you have any knowledge about whether W25X40CLSNIG can really be used as a configuration device for cyclone iii.

Thanks

[WZ2]

Hi there,

We have never tried W25X40 on Cyclone III before, but theoretically, the commands between these two flashes should be compatible. However, I need to confirm with you again, whether the successful configuration and boot described in your test were done using the new Flash template to generate the .jic file?

Best regards,

WZ

[TOYORN]

Thank you for answering.

We are programming a .pof file, not a .jic file.

This is not a newly created file, it is the same file that has been programmed in EPCQ so far.

It still shows "EPCS4" on Quartus II 13.1 programmer.

[FvM]

Hi,

"EPCS4" is in the file because it's generated for EPCS4.

Seriously I don't fully understand your question. You have sucessfully verified programming and configuration operation with W25X40 and are asking if it can be really used?

According to my experience Winbond serial flash are fully compatible to Intel devices for AS configuration. In some cases, it might be necessary to disable ID check in .jic file generation. With direct AS programming, the only relevant criterion is that the programmer programs and verifies the configuration file.

Regards,

Frank 

[WZ2]

Is it successful to program? If you system run in the user mode, you don't need to warry about it. I just curious the reason why it can program the flash successful because of the difference between the flash ID.

[TOYORN]

Programming is successful with AS programming.

Thank you for all your advice.
I found that it seems to be usable without problems with Winbond.