Nios® V Processor Software Developer Handbook

ID 743810
Date 10/12/2024
Public
Document Table of Contents

8.8.5.2.2. Identifying the Hardware Component Class

Each driver must identify the hardware component class the driver is associated with in the set_sw_property command’s hw_class_name argument. The following example associates the driver with a hardware class called my_custom_component:

set_sw_property hw_class_name my_custom_component

Note: The set_sw_property command accepts several argument types. Each call to set_sw_property sets or overwrites a property to the value specified in the second argument.

The hw_class_name argument does not apply to software packages.

If you are creating your own driver to use in place of an existing one (for example, a custom UART driver for the altera_avalon_uart component), specify a driver name different from the standard driver. The Nios® V processor tools uses your driver only if you specify it explicitly.

For more information, refer to the Board Support Package Tcl Commands chapter.

Choose a name for your driver or software package that does not conflict with other Altera-supplied software or IP, or any third-party software or IP installed on your host system. The BSP generator uses the name you specify to look up the software package or driver during BSP creation. If the Nios® V processor finds multiple compatible drivers or software packages with the same name, the behavior is undefined.

If you intend to distribute your driver or software package, Altera recommends prefixing all names with your organization’s name.