Maximum Size of Flash Memory Supported by CycloneIII

[Altera_Forum]

Dear Host, 

Please tell me, how much maximum density of Flash Memory is supported by Cyclone III EP3C120F780I?

[Altera_Forum]

The maximum size doesn't depend on the FPGA model itself, but on the flash controller you implement inside.

[Altera_Forum]

Dear Sir, 

I am bit confused with this page on Designing Guide line for Cyclone III attached herewidth.

[Altera_Forum]

Sorry. I though you meant to connect to a flash memory for general purpose use in your design. 

If you indeed want to configure fpga from a parallel flash, what you find in the datasheet is true: you are bound to the listed devices families. You could also exceed those flash sizes, but you must drive the extra address pins

[Altera_Forum]

Ah Sir, through our conversation, i got your point. I am using it for General Purpose in my design.I am not bound for size. There are limitations in Flash Controller. Am i right?

[Altera_Forum]

Please tell me one more point that i have used Cyclone III DSP Development Kit. On this kit, (32Mx16) Flash Memory is used. Part Number is S29GL512N. In this flash, nbyte signal is used for the 8-bit and 16-bit selection. The flash is successfully programmed. 

Now, i have design FPGA card and use 1Gb Flash Memory having part number S29GL01GS. Its size is 128MB. In this memory, nbyte signal is not present. I have write my software that was used with previous memory. How can i accommodate the nbyte pin in Flash controller. If i run the Test program on it, the program is failed. Please provide the remedy for this issue. I am very worried about this fault.  Regards, Mohsin Hayat

[Altera_Forum]

I also use the S29GL01GS flash on one of my boards and it definitely has the nByte pin. If you use the memory in 32Mx16 configuration it must be hardwired to a high level.

[Altera_Forum]

Could you plz mention it?

[Altera_Forum]

Thank you sir. This point is clear to me.  

I want to discuss one more point with you. I want to configure this device with FPGA for general purpose use. When i run the Memory Test, its give the error, "Flash is not open". Please guide me how can i debug this issue.

[Altera_Forum]

One more request, Would u please mention nbyte pin in this flash package. Because i didn't find in that package.

[Altera_Forum]

--- Quote Start ---  One more request, Would u please mention nbyte pin in this flash package. Because i didn't find in that package.  --- Quote End ---   P Sorry, you are right. S29GL01GS actually has not nbyte pin and it has a 16bit fixed width.  I didn't notice that I have S29GL01Gp and this part does have the nbtye option.

[Altera_Forum]

--- Quote Start ---  Thank you sir. This point is clear to me.  I want to discuss one more point with you. I want to configure this device with FPGA for general purpose use. When i run the Memory Test, its give the error, "Flash is not open". Please guide me how can i debug this issue.  --- Quote End ---   Try debug into library code and find out what exactly generates the error. I guess the Altera HAL driver doesn't support that specific device size; if you are lucky it's simply a matter of adding the device code to the list of supported ones.

[Altera_Forum]

Please tell me specific function where can i add the device add?

[Altera_Forum]

That was only my guess and I don't know if it could be a solution.  

As I said in my previous answer, first of all you must find out the reason why the driver can't open the flash device. Start the program with the debugger and step inside the alt_flash_open_dev function

[Altera_Forum]

What are the possible reasons, so i can sort out them one by one.

[Altera_Forum]

Please help me in finding this fault.