Visible to Intel only — GUID: iga1401316857930
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Visible to Intel only — GUID: iga1401316857930
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18.1. Core Overview
Using the EPCS/EPCQA serial flash controller core, Nios® II systems can:
- Store program code in the EPCS/EPCQA device. The EPCS/EPCQA serial flash controller core provides a boot-loader feature that allows Nios® II systems to store the main program code in an EPCS/EPCQA device.
- Store non-volatile program data, such as a serial number, a NIC number, and other persistent data.
- Manage the device configuration data. For example, a network-enabled embedded system can receive new FPGA configuration data over a network, and use the core to program the new data into an EPCS/EPCQA serial configuration device.
The EPCS/EPCQA serial flash controller core is Platform Designer-ready and integrates easily into any Platform Designer-generated system. The flash programmer utility in the Nios® II IDE allows you to manage and program data contents into the EPCS/EPCQA device.Note: Intel is offering an alternative device for EPCS. Refer to Product Discontinuance Notification PDN1708 for more details. For information about migration, refer to AN822: Intel Configuration Device Migration Guideline.
For information about the EPCS/EPCQA serial configuration device family, refer to the Serial Configuration Devices Data Sheet.
For details about using the Nios® II HAL API to read and write flash memory, refer to the Nios® II Software Developer's Handbook.
For details about managing and programming the EPCS/EPCQA memory contents, refer to the Nios® II Flash Programmer User Guide.
For Nios® II processor users, the EPCS/EPCQA serial flash controller core supersedes the Active Serial Memory Interface (ASMI) device. New designs should use the EPCS/EPCQA serial flash controller core instead of the ASMI core.