Embedded Design Handbook

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

5.2.4.3.3. Programming Files Generation

Hardware Programmer Object File (.pof) Generation

Note: If there is only single hardware image, SOF to POF file conversion is not required because the Nios® II application data will be loaded into the QSPI flash separately. You can skip the following step and use the POF generated during Intel® Quartus® Prime project compilation to program into the device.
  1. In Intel® Quartus® Prime, click on Convert Programming Files from the File tab.
  2. Choose Programmer Object File (.pof) as Programming file type.
  3. Set Mode to Internal Configuration.
  4. Change the File name to the desired path and name.
  5. Under Input files to convert, select Page_0 and click on Add File button on the right.
  6. Browse to the first generated .sof file and click OK.
  7. For Dual configuration mode, click on Add Sof Page to create additional page for .sof file. This creates SOF data Page_1 automatically.
  8. Click Add File… and point to the second .sof file to add into Page_1.
  9. Click Generate to create the .pof file.
Figure 140. SOF to POF Files Conversion Settings for Dual Configuration Mode

Software Programmer Object File (.pof) Generation

Important: The quartus.ini file with PGMIO_SWAP_HEX_BYTE_DATA=ON content is required to byteswap the programming file during the POF generation. Please create the quartus.ini file or use the quartus.ini available in the related information and place it under Intel® Quartus® Prime tool directory or project directory before you proceed.
  1. In Intel® Quartus® Prime, click on Convert Programming Files from the File tab.
  2. Choose Programmer Object File (.pof) as Programming file type.
  3. Set Mode to 1-bit Passive Serial.
  4. Set Configuration device to CFI_512Mb.
  5. Change the File name to the desired path and name.
  6. Remove the SOF Page_0.
  7. Click on Add HEX Data, choose the HEX file generated in HEX Generation section. Select Absolute Addressing and click OK.
  8. Repeat Step 7 to add second HEX file if you are using Dual Images configuration mode.
  9. Click Generate to create the .pof file.
    Figure 141. HEX to POF file Conversion Settings for Single Image Configuration Mode
    Figure 142. HEX to POF file Conversion Settings for Dual Images Configuration Mode