Intel® Agilex™ Configuration User Guide

ID 683673
Date 10/29/2021
Public

A newer version of this document is available. Customers should click here to go to the newest version.

Document Table of Contents

5.5.3. Generating a Factory Update Image

You can generate the factory update image from the command line directly, by running the quartus_pfg with the following arguments:
quartus_pfg -c fpga.sof factory_update.rpd -o mode=ASX4 -o start_address=<address> -o bitswap=ON -o rsu_upgrade=ON
Note: The rsu1.tcl script that Intel provides performs the bit swap operation. Consequently, if you are using this script, set bitswap=OFF in the command above.
Alternatively, you can use the Intel® Quartus® Prime Pro Edition Programming File Generator to generate a factory update image (.rpd). You can use this image to update the decision firmware, decision firmware data, and the factory image.
  1. Note: The .rpd to program flash memory includes firmware pointer information for image addresses. You must use the Programming File Generator to generate the .rpd for flash devices.
    On the File menu, click Programming File Generator.
  2. Select Intel® Agilex™ from the Device family drop-down list.
  3. Select the configuration mode from the Configuration mode drop-down list. The current Intel® Quartus® Prime only supports the RSU feature in the Active Serial x4 configuration mode.
  4. On the Output Files tab, assign the Output directory and Name.
  5. Select the .rpd output file type.
  6. Click the Edit… button and assign the Start address for the factory update image in flash memory. You do not have to create a separate partition for the factory update image. The factory update image typically includes the minimum amount of logic necessary to successfully debug your design if your application image fails to load. Consequently the Start address can be the sector boundary of unused space in flash memory. This Start address must match the starting address of the target sector in flash memory. If the address is incorrect, the image does not load when the host tries to use this image as a backup image.
    Note: If unused space is not available, you can use an application image space other than application image 1. In this case after the update operation completes you must restore the application image by writing the associated application image (.rpd) to the application slot.
    Figure 73. Specifying Parameters for Single .rpd Stored in Flash Memory
  7. By default, the .rpd file type is little-endian. If you are using a third-party programmer that does not support the little-endian format, set Bit swap to On to generate the .rpd file in big endian format.
    Note: The rsu1.tcl script that Intel provides performs the bit swap operation. Consequently, if you are using this script, set Bit swap to Off.
  8. On the Input Files tab, click Add Bitstream. If necessary, change the Files of type to SRAM Object File (*.sof). Then, select factory image .sof file and click Open.
    Figure 74. Specify the .sof File
  9. Select the .sof and then click Properties. Turn On Generate RSU factory update image. Specify the Bootloader file.
    Note: You only have to specify the Bootloader file for Intel® Agilex™ SX devices.
    Figure 75. Turn On Remote System Firmware Upgrade
  10. Click Generate to generate the RSU programming files. You can now update the Intel® Agilex™ firmware. You can save the configuration in a .pfg file for later use.