Migrate to new Spansion SPI NOR Flash for AS configuration

[Altera_Forum]

Hi,  

 I've found Spansion app note which give S25FL064P replacement part for EPCS64. Unfortunatly, this device doesn't exist in SO8 (208mil) and i wan't to "size upgrade" a EPCS16 device in SO8 package. Has anyone experienced S25FL164K that seems to be compatible ? (or other SO8 serial flash suppliers like micron).  Thanks.  Best Regards.

[Altera_Forum]

Micron N25Q064A113ES. 

http://www.micron.com/products/nor-flash/serial-nor-flash#fullpart&175=3&192=2&218=2&220=2&236=7&260=2 (http://www.micron.com/products/nor-flash/serial-nor-flash#fullpart&175=3&192=2&218=2&220=2&236=7&260=2)  Cheers, Alex

[Altera_Forum]

--- Quote Start ---  Micron N25Q064A113ES. http://www.micron.com/products/nor-flash/serial-nor-flash#fullpart&175=3&192=2&218=2&220=2&236=7&260=2  Cheers, Alex  --- Quote End ---    Thanks for this part ref but it seems to be a SO8 "wide" package. S25FL164K is a "narrow" SO8 but i've not found any information of "compatibility" with Altera AS mode (and/or support by Quartus SW). Best Regards.

[Altera_Forum]

Sorry, I misread your package requirements. I don't think Micron offer that package in that density. 

 As for compatibility, the Quartus programmer isn't particularly fussy. I've used a number of 3rd party parts, all with success, with the Quartus programmer. Providing it's basic capacity is one the programmer supports (64Mb/EPCS64 is) you should be OK.  However, if you're intending to use the NiosII flash programmer you are very likely to have to add the particular part details to a file the programmer considers when programming device. This thread: nios2-flash-override.txt (http://www.alteraforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44094&highlight=%22nios2-flash-override.txt%22) discusses how to do this. The Nios flash programmer supports a number of devices by default and it needs to be told how to support others.  Cheers, Alex

[Altera_Forum]

No problem with Nios Programmer because in my case i use a .jic file to program the Flash Device via JTAG but i wonder about the "grayed" disable EPCS ID check in the new release of Quartus. We can't check/uncheck this option but the checkbox is in an "intermediate" state ??? Could someone confirm that jic programming will reject non Altera devices ? 

 Thanks. Stephane.

[Altera_Forum]

You've made me curious enough - so, I've ordered some parts. I have a suitable Cyclone IV platform on which to try it. I shall report back here on Monday. 

 However, on paper I'm expecting it to work. The S25FL164K supports all the commands the EPCS does and is the successor to the S25FL064K - which happens to be used on the DE0-Nano development board. You can program that via .jic, specifying it as an 'EPCS64', without any problems.  As for the greyed out 'disable EPCS ID check' - I'm still on Q13.1 which gives me control of that radio button.  Cheers, Alex

[Altera_Forum]

My Cyclone IV board works with the S25FL164K as the serial configuration device. :) 

 A few other observations: Setting or clearing any combination of the 'Disable EPCS ID check' & 'Disable AS mode CONF_DONE_error check' radio buttons (available in Q13.1) doesn't affect it - it works regardless of these settings. So, it's likely to work with Q14.0 too.  Furthermore, generating a .jic file for use with an EPCS16 continues to work too.  Cheers, Alex

[Altera_Forum]

Very Good news ! 

Thanks a lot to Alex for this try, with this S25FL164K we will have big Flash in tiny package !  Best Regards.  Stephane.