User guide

Nios II IDE Help System

Programming Flash

You can program flash memory with software files, SRAM object files (.sof), and data files.

Programming flash memory enables your hardware to load software and configuration data at

startup time. You can program flash memory connected to an FPGA using the Nios II IDE flash

programmer.

You manage programming flash memory using flash programmer configurations. A flash

programmer configuration is a group of settings that affect the flash programming process for

a specific hardware target. You can create multiple flash programmer configurations, each of

which has its own programming parameters. This is useful if you are working on multiple

projects or targeting multiple boards. You can also set up a flash programmer configuration to

program a combination of file types, allowing you to program two or three files in one

operation.

Note: To run the flash programmer, the files to program into flash must reside in a

Nios II C/C++ application project. The associated SOPC Builder system must include flash

memory.

To open the flash programmer and create a flash programmer configuration:

1. On the Tools menu, click Flash Programmer.

2. Right-click the Flash Programmer configuration type in the configurations list,

and then click New. A new flash programmer configuration appears.

3. In the Name box, enter a unique name for the new configuration.

To specify files to program into flash memory:

1. In the configurations list, click a flash programmer configuration.

2. Click the Main tab.

3. If you are programming an executable file into flash memory, use the following

steps:

a. Turn on Program software project into flash memory.

b. Specify the desired project in the Project box. The flash programmer

automatically finds the Nios II ELF Executable and target hardware files

for your project.

4. If you are not programming an executable file into flash memory, use the

following steps:

a. Turn on Program software project into flash memory.

b. Delete the contents of the Project box.

c. Turn off Program software project into flash memory. The SOPC

Builder System option is enabled.

d. Specify the target hardware file in the SOPC Builder System box.