Cyclone III configuration query

[Altera_Forum]

Hi, 

I have a query for CycloneIII device configuration.  Can SPI based flash memories like 25LC512 be used with Cyclone III device for Active serial configuration mode?  If not, then what kind of serial memories (other than EPCS series) can be used as serial configuration device with CycloneIII?  Regards.

[Altera_Forum]

Altera only officially supports AS configuration from their own EPCS devices. However, if you can find an SPI flash device that is similar enough to the EPCS parts, they will work. 

 I just checked very quickly but I have a feeling the 24LC512 would not be a suitable replacement. The 24LC512 supports a max clock of 20MHz which is too slow for the Cyclone III.  One example of a part that I know works well is the Numonyx M25P64. If you search these forums you can find other examples that people have indicated success with.

[Altera_Forum]

Yes, search for the *25* parts, afaik ST devices also works fine.

[Altera_Forum]

Thanks for all responses. 

I have cheked the datasheet of SST25VF032B. I think it can be also used with Cyclone III chip. Pls verify my choice.  Thanks n Regards.

[Altera_Forum]

You can try yourself. 

 I grabbed one of our custom boards, popped off the EPCS and soldered a sample M25P16 into it. Worked like a charm, up to now I've seen no difference.

[Altera_Forum]

--- Quote Start ---  Altera only officially supports AS configuration from their own EPCS devices. However, if you can find an SPI flash device that is similar enough to the EPCS parts, they will work.  I just checked very quickly but I have a feeling the 24LC512 would not be a suitable replacement. The 24LC512 supports a max clock of 20MHz which is too slow for the Cyclone III.  One example of a part that I know works well is the Numonyx M25P64. If you search these forums you can find other examples that people have indicated success with.  --- Quote End ---     I've a third party POF file to download into my cyclone III fpga, I've a M25P64 that I can write with the quartus programmer, the memory, as you told, is recognised as EPCS64. But at the next power on, the DONE doesn't go to logic 1. The nSTATUS toggle between 0 and 1 with a period of 660ms (stay at 0 for about 60us), the nCONFIG signal stay at 1.  What's does it means? There is a configuration error, correct? What can I do?  I've a suspect, the pof file need to be generated by quartus and the M25p64 part number must be provided to quartus in order to generate a correct file?   Sorry for the noob questions but I' new on altera fpga.  Thanks

[Altera_Forum]

Hi MMartin71, 

 Where did you get the POF file? The scenario you described means that the configuration is unsuccessful. I do not think that M25p64 part number is available in Quartus. But since it is recognized as EPCS64, you can try to generate your own POF file through Quartus and configure into the M25p64 via Quartus Programmer and see if it works?