Practical FPGA: How to flash (Altera)

2016-02-17 06:42 | Categories: In English, Užrašai

Altera EP2C5T144 FLGA has no internal configuration flash memory and can be programmed two ways. One is to configure temporary – good method for testing and debugging. Another – over the same interface flash soldered flash chip. This is tricky and hardly documented step. In this post I am providing working recipe how to program flash device over USB Blaster over FPGA.

Programmer

I mentioned in previous post that I will be using Bus Blaster programmer which was bundled together with FPGA development board. This has to be best option for the beginner.

Run on hardware

When project is compiled next logical step is to run it on real hardware. Of course simulating and testing performance is also useful step, but this time we will skip directly to hardware testing. I will be using the same project – button controls LED.

Click on button Programmer

Setup programmer hadrware

Select installed USB Blaster

Click Auto Detect and hopefully connected FPGA will be detected

Chose demo1.sof file to be programmed

Tick Program/Configure check box and Start button will become activated

In a few seconds it status should become 100% (Successful)

Results

By completing this step you will get demo project working on FPGA hardware. This step writes binary file to FPGA itself and after rebooting device it will be blank. Following recipe will provide you information how to write firmware to flash.

Write to flash

Writing compiled file to installed flash device is not trivial. It involves couple of file conversions with included tools and correct sequence pressing right buttons. This kind of complexity is caused of flexibility of Altera tools. It is possible to flash several FPGA’s or flash devices in one programming procedure. So, follow provided steps to program your designed logic into your board.

Convert file format

Fill information like provided screenshot. Programming device: JTAG Indirect Configuration File (.jic), Configuration device: EPCS4, Flash loader -> Add Device…, SOF data -> Add file

Now open programmer window