Running NIOSV processor from external SDRAM on Cyclone IV E.

[himanshu]

Hello,

I am working on a project where previously NIOS II was used and NIOS II Code was loaded through external SDRAM on the Cyclone IV E (EP4CE40F23C8) FPGA. It works fine without any issue.

Now as per the requirement of the project, NIOS II needs to replaced with NIOSV processor. If I run the NIOSV through On-Chip-Ram, the code executes well as expected. But when I try to run the NIOSV code through external SDRAM, ELF gets loaded successfully but the code does not executes as expected.

I have already make sure to set the reset vector in NIOSV to the SDRAM Controller IP. The BSP settings are also made accordingly.

Following are my questions regarding the issue:
- 1 : Is NIOSV processor applicable to run through external SDRAM ?
- 2 : If yes to Q.1, then what is the procedure I need to follow in order to run the NIOSV processor through external SDRAM.

FYI:
- Quartus Version used : Quartus Prime Standard 22.1.1
- RiscFree IDE for creating software project.
- FPGA :  Cyclone IV E (EP4CE40F23C8)
- External SDRAM Part No on the Cyclone IV FPGA : W9816G6IH ( WinBond )

Any help regarding this issue would be appreciated. Thanks !!

Regards,
Himanshu

[himanshu]

Hello,

I am writing this to follow up on the issue that I have mentioned. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks!!

Regards,
Himanshu

[Waldi3141]

Hello,

i see you have already posted this question on the intel forum,
regarding your question you should be much better advised there than here.

best regards

Waldi

[Thomas D]

Hi himanshu,
we now have a reference design available online for our TEI0003 CYC1000 board with Nios V/m running through an external SDRAM (Winbond W9864G6JT-6).

• Wiki description: https://wiki.trenz-electronic.de/display/PD/TEI0003+Test+Board
• Download link: https://shop.trenz-electronic.de/de/Download/?path=Trenz_Electronic/Modules_and_Module_Carriers/2.5x6.15/TEI0003/Reference_Design/22.1/test_board

The IP Core used is an AXI4 sdram controller from Github. The source code was only slightly adapted for Quartus.

• Source code on github: https://github.com/ultraembedded/core_sdram_axi4

You can simply copy the IP Core and try it out on your board.

br
Thomas