Embedded Design Handbook

ID 683689
Date 8/28/2023
Public
Document Table of Contents

5.2.4.3. Nios® II Processor Application Copied from General Purpose QSPI Flash to RAM Using Boot Copier ( Intel® MAX® 10)

Using a boot copier to copy the Nios® II application from QSPI flash to RAM is suitable when multiple iterations of application software development and high system performance are required. Nios® II processor application copied from QSPI flash to RAM using boot copier but with larger memory space due to QSPI flash (depending on QSPI chip selection). This is an advantage for supporting software applications that require larger program space and high software performance (compared to XIP).

The Nios® II SBT tool automatically adds the Nios® II processor memcpy-based boot copier to the system when the executable file (.elf) is converted to the memory initialization file (.hex). The boot copier is located at the base address of the HEX data, followed by the application.

The Nios® II processor starts executing the boot copier software upon system reset that copies the application from the general purpose QSPI to the on-chip memory or external RAM. Once this process is complete, the Nios® II processor transfers the program control over to the application.

Figure 129.  Nios® II Application Copied from General Purpose QSPI Flash to RAM using Boot Copier (for Intel® MAX® 10)
Table 39.  RAM and ROM Size Requirement
RAM Size Requirement ROM Size Requirement
Equivalent to the executable code and dynamic memory size required by user program. Executable code and boot copier must not exceed the size of the QSPI flash.