Introduction
When using Altera® FPGA to configure in Active Serial (AS) mode, information about configuration devices compatible with Active Serial mode, including 3rd party vendor QSPI-Flash devices, is published on Altera® website.
(Reference) Altera® website (Table 4 - Supported Third Party Configuration Devices)
https://www.altera.com/design/guidance/configuration#intel-supported-configuration-devices
On the other hand, there are many 3rd party vendor QSPI-Flash devices not listed here and not supported by the Quartus Prime Programmer.
This article explains, using GigaDevice devices as an example, how to newly register QSPI-Flash devices not yet registered in Quartus Prime Programmer using the "Convert Programming File" feature of Quartus Prime, enabling configuration in Active Serial mode. The explanation is divided into two parts.
Target FPGAs: Cyclone V, Cyclone IV, Cyclone 10 LP, etc. (excluding Stratix 10 and Agilex series)
Part 1: Quartus Prime Setup and Programming
This section explains the conversion from sof file to jic file and the programming process.
1) Evaluation Environment
• Development Tool: Quartus Prime Standard Edition: Ver25.1
• FPGA
- Cyclone V GX: 5CGXFC7D6F27C7 (prepared ASx4 sof file)
- Cyclone IV E: EP4CE40F23C8N (prepared ASx1 sof file)
• QSPI-Flash
GigaDevice: GD25Q256EFIRR
• Download Cable: Altera USB Blaster III
2) Saving Parameters
Save the newly created parameters (xml file) to any directory
(Generation of the xml file is explained separately)
3) Convert Programming File Settings
From the Quartus Prime File menu, select Convert Programming Files.. (the Convert Programming File GUI will launch)
① Programming file type: JTAG Indirect Configuration File (.jic)
② Configuration device: Click the red-framed area to register/select Configuration Device parameters
- Device Family: The ROM list changes depending on the selected family
- Configuration mode: Device and Pin Options => Same as Configuration scheme in ③
- Custom database directory: Specify the directory where the xml file was saved, then select the QSPI-Flash from the Name field and click OK
③ Configuration scheme: Match with Configuration mode
④ Specify the save destination for the generated jic file
⑤ Flash Loader registration
Click Add Device within the red frame and select from the list (button display changes depending on selection)
⑥ SOF Data registration
Click Add Files and register the sof file
⑦ Click Generate to create the jic file
4) Launch Quartus Programmer and Execute jic Programming
You can confirm that the conversion from sof file to jic file, programming on the Cyclone V GX development board, verification, and configuration all succeed.
Part 2 will explain the process of generating the xml file.
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