Nios® V Processor Software Developer Handbook

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ID 743810
Date 4/01/2024
Public
Document Table of Contents
Document Table of Contents x
1. Overview of Nios® V Embedded Processor Development 2. Getting Started from the Command Line 3. Nios® V Processor Software Development and Implementation 4. Nios® V Processor Board Support Package Editor 5. Overview of the Hardware Abstraction Layer 6. Developing Programs Using the Hardware Abstraction Layer 7. Developing Device Drivers for the Hardware Abstraction Layer 8. Exception Handling 9. Cache and Tightly-Coupled Memory 10. MicroC/OS-II Real-Time Operating System 11. MicroC/TCP-IP Protocol Stack 12. FreeRTOS* Real-Time Operating System 13. Read-Only Zip File System 14. Publishing Component Information to Embedded Software 15. Nios® V Processor Appendix A. Nios® V Processor Software Developer Handbook Archives 16. Revision History for the Nios® V Processor Software Developer Handbook
1. Overview of Nios® V Embedded Processor Development x
1.1. Nios® V Processor Software Development Environment 1.2. Nios® V Processor Software Project Types 1.3. Nios® V Processor Development Tools 1.4. Nios® V Processor Software Programs
1.1. Nios® V Processor Software Development Environment x
1.1.1. Quartus® Prime Software Support
1.3. Nios® V Processor Development Tools x
1.3.1. Nios® V Processor Command Line Utilities Tools 1.3.2. Board Support Package Editor 1.3.3. Ashling* RiscFree* IDE for Intel® FPGAs
1.4. Nios® V Processor Software Programs x
1.4.1. CMakeLists.txt and Nios® V Processor Tools
2. Getting Started from the Command Line x
2.1. Advantages of Command Line Software Development 2.2. Outline of the Nios® V Processor Tools Command Line
2.2. Outline of the Nios® V Processor Tools Command Line x
2.2.1. Command Line Utilities
2.2.1. Command Line Utilities x
2.2.1.1. niosv-bsp 2.2.1.2. niosv-app 2.2.1.3. niosv-download
3. Nios® V Processor Software Development and Implementation x
3.1. Nios® V Processor Tools 3.2. Nios® V Processor Software File Tree 3.3. Nios® V Processor Software Development Flow 3.4. Developing with the Hardware Abstraction Layer
3.1. Nios® V Processor Tools x
3.1.1. Nios® V Processor Tools Overview 3.1.2. Nios® V Processor Software Build Tools
3.1.2. Nios® V Processor Software Build Tools x
3.1.2.1. Nios® V Processor Software Build Tools Graphical User Interface 3.1.2.2. Nios® V Processor Software Build Tools Command Line Interface 3.1.2.3. What the Build Tools Create
3.1.2.1. Nios® V Processor Software Build Tools Graphical User Interface x
3.1.2.1.1. BSP Editor 3.1.2.1.2. Ashling* RiscFree* IDE for Intel FPGAs 3.1.2.1.3. Nios V Command Shell
3.1.2.2. Nios® V Processor Software Build Tools Command Line Interface x
3.1.2.2.1. Nios® V Processor Command Line Utilities 3.1.2.2.2. File Format Conversion Tools 3.1.2.2.3. Other Utilities Tools
3.1.2.3. What the Build Tools Create x
3.1.2.3.1. Applications and Libraries 3.1.2.3.2. Board Support Packages 3.1.2.3.3. CMakeLists.txt
3.2. Nios® V Processor Software File Tree x
3.2.1. Building Single Application and Single BSP 3.2.2. Building Single Application, Single Library, and BSP 3.2.3. Building Multiple Applications and Single BSP 3.2.4. Building BSP Library
3.2.1. Building Single Application and Single BSP x
3.2.1.1. Build Commands 3.2.1.2. File Tree Directory
3.2.2. Building Single Application, Single Library, and BSP x
3.2.2.1. Build Commands 3.2.2.2. File Tree Directory
3.2.3. Building Multiple Applications and Single BSP x
3.2.3.1. Build Commands 3.2.3.2. File Tree Directory
3.2.4. Building BSP Library x
3.2.4.1. Build Commands 3.2.4.2. File Tree Directory
3.3. Nios® V Processor Software Development Flow x
3.3.1. Getting Started 3.3.2. Configuring BSP Projects 3.3.3. Configuring the Application Project 3.3.4. Building and Running Nios® V Processor Software
3.3.2. Configuring BSP Projects x
3.3.2.1. Selecting the Operating System 3.3.2.2. Intel HAL Configuration Tips 3.3.2.3. Micrium MicroC/OS-II Configuration tips 3.3.2.4. Configuring FreeRTOS* 3.3.2.5. Adding Software Package 3.3.2.6. Using Tcl Script with BSP Editor 3.3.2.7. Exporting Tcl Scripts with BSP Editor 3.3.2.8. Importing Tcl Script to Create a New BSP
3.3.3. Configuring the Application Project x
3.3.3.1. Application Configuration Tips 3.3.3.2. Linking User Libraries
3.3.4. Building and Running Nios® V Processor Software x
3.3.4.1. Building the Nios® V Processor Software 3.3.4.2. Downloading and Running the Nios® V Processor Software 3.3.4.3. Nios® V Processor Software Debugging 3.3.4.4. Run Time Stack Checking 3.3.4.5. Ensuring Software Project Coherency
3.3.4.2. Downloading and Running the Nios® V Processor Software x
3.3.4.2.1. Communicating with the Target Device
3.3.4.5. Ensuring Software Project Coherency x
3.3.4.5.1. Recommended Development Practice 3.3.4.5.2. Recommended Architecture Practice
3.4. Developing with the Hardware Abstraction Layer x
3.4.1. Hardware Abstraction Layer Services 3.4.2. System Startup in HAL-based Application 3.4.3. HAL Peripheral Services 3.4.4. Handling Exceptions
3.4.1. Hardware Abstraction Layer Services x
3.4.1.1. HAL Configuration Options 3.4.1.2. Configuring the Boot Environment
3.4.2. System Startup in HAL-based Application x
3.4.2.1. System Initialization 3.4.2.2. crt0 Initialization 3.4.2.3. HAL Initialization
3.4.3. HAL Peripheral Services x
3.4.3.1. Timer Devices 3.4.3.2. Character Mode Devices 3.4.3.3. Flash Memory Devices
3.4.3.1. Timer Devices x
3.4.3.1.1. System Clock Timer 3.4.3.1.2. Timestamp Timer
3.4.3.2. Character Mode Devices x
3.4.3.2.1. stdin, stdout and stderr 3.4.3.2.2. Blocking versus Non-Blocking I/O 3.4.3.2.3. Adding Your Own Character Mode Device
3.4.3.3. Flash Memory Devices x
3.4.3.3.1. Memory Initialization, Querying, and Device Support 3.4.3.3.2. Accessing Flash Memory 3.4.3.3.3. Configuration and Use Limitations 3.4.3.3.4. Direct Memory Access Devices 3.4.3.3.5. Unsupported Devices
3.4.4. Handling Exceptions x
3.4.4.1. Modifying the Exception Handler
4. Nios® V Processor Board Support Package Editor x
4.1. Board Support Packages 4.2. Common BSP Tasks 4.3. Details of BSP Creation 4.4. Tcl Scripts for BSP Settings 4.5. Revising Your BSP 4.6. Specifying BSP Defaults 4.7. Device Drivers and Software Packages 4.8. Boot Configurations for Intel FPGA Embedded Software
4.1. Board Support Packages x
4.1.1. Overview of BSP Creation 4.1.2. Nios® V Processor BSP Components
4.1.2. Nios® V Processor BSP Components x
4.1.2.1. Hardware Abstraction Layer 4.1.2.2. newlib C Standard Library 4.1.2.3. Device Drivers 4.1.2.4. Optional Software Packages 4.1.2.5. Optional Real-Time Operating System
4.2. Common BSP Tasks x
4.2.1. Creating a BSP for an Intel® FPGA Development Board 4.2.2. Adding the BSP Editor to Tool Flow 4.2.3. Linking and Locating 4.2.4. Other BSP Tasks
4.2.2. Adding the BSP Editor to Tool Flow x
4.2.2.1. Using Version Control 4.2.2.2. Copying, Moving, or Renaming a BSP 4.2.2.3. Passing the BSP to Another Developer
4.2.2.1. Using Version Control x
4.2.2.1.1. Creating BSP by Running User-defined Script to Call niosv-bsp 4.2.2.1.2. Creating Script that Uses the Command Line Tools
4.2.3. Linking and Locating x
4.2.3.1. Creating Memory Initialization Files 4.2.3.2. Modifying Linker Memory Regions 4.2.3.3. Creating a Custom Linker Section 4.2.3.4. Changing the Linker Section Mapping
4.2.3.3. Creating a Custom Linker Section x
4.2.3.3.1. Creating a Linker Section for an Existing Region 4.2.3.3.2. Dividing a Linker Region to Create a New Region and Section
4.2.4. Other BSP Tasks x
4.2.4.1. Querying Settings 4.2.4.2. Managing Device Drivers 4.2.4.3. Controlling the stdio Device 4.2.4.4. Configuring Optimization and Debugger Options 4.2.4.5. Configuring RISC-V Compiler
4.3. Details of BSP Creation x
4.3.1. BSP Settings File Creation 4.3.2. BSP Files and Folders 4.3.3. Linker Map Validation 4.3.4. Hierarchical Platform Designer Systems
4.3.2. BSP Files and Folders x
4.3.2.1. Generated and Copied Files 4.3.2.2. BSP Files
4.3.4. Hierarchical Platform Designer Systems x
4.3.4.1. Handling Hierarchical Systems
4.4. Tcl Scripts for BSP Settings x
4.4.1. Calling a Custom BSP Tcl Script
4.4.1. Calling a Custom BSP Tcl Script x
4.4.1.1. Tcl Script to Examine Hardware and Choose Settings
4.5. Revising Your BSP x
4.5.1. Regenerating Your BSP 4.5.2. Updating Your BSP 4.5.3. Recreating Your BSP
4.5.1. Regenerating Your BSP x
4.5.1.1. What Happens 4.5.1.2. When to Regenerate Your BSP
4.5.2. Updating Your BSP x
4.5.2.1. What Happens 4.5.2.2. When to Update Your BSP
4.5.3. Recreating Your BSP x
4.5.3.1. What Happens 4.5.3.2. When to Recreate Your BSP
4.6. Specifying BSP Defaults x
4.6.1. Top Level Tcl Script for BSP Defaults
4.6.1. Top Level Tcl Script for BSP Defaults x
4.6.1.1. Specifying the Default stdio Device 4.6.1.2. Specifying the Default System Timer 4.6.1.3. Specifying the Default Memory Map 4.6.1.4. Specifying the Default Bootloader Parameters 4.6.1.5. Specifying the Default Exception Parameter
4.8. Boot Configurations for Intel FPGA Embedded Software x
4.8.1. Memory Types 4.8.2. Boot from Flash Configuration 4.8.3. Run from Initialized Memory Configuration 4.8.4. Run-time Configurable Reset Configuration
5. Overview of the Hardware Abstraction Layer x
5.1. Getting Started with the Hardware Abstraction Layer 5.2. HAL Architecture for Embedded Software Systems 5.3. Embedded Hardware Supported by the HAL
5.2. HAL Architecture for Embedded Software Systems x
5.2.1. Services 5.2.2. Applications versus Drivers 5.2.3. Generic Device Models 5.2.4. C Standard Library—Newlib, Picolibc
5.2.3. Generic Device Models x
5.2.3.1. Device Model Classes 5.2.3.2. Benefits to Application Developers 5.2.3.3. Benefits to Device Driver Developers
5.3. Embedded Hardware Supported by the HAL x
5.3.1. Nios® V Processor Core Support 5.3.2. Supported Peripherals
5.3.2. Supported Peripherals x
5.3.2.1. Full HAL Support 5.3.2.2. Partial HAL Support
6. Developing Programs Using the Hardware Abstraction Layer x
6.1. HAL BSP Settings 6.2. The Nios® V Processor Embedded Project Structure 6.3. The system.h System Description File 6.4. Data Widths and the HAL Type Definitions 6.5. UNIX-Style Interface 6.6. Using Character-Mode Devices 6.7. Using Timer Devices 6.8. Using Flash Devices 6.9. Using DMA Devices 6.10. Interrupt Controllers 6.11. Reducing Code Footprint in Embedded Systems 6.12. Boot Sequence and Entry Point 6.13. Memory Usage 6.14. Working with HAL Source Files
6.6. Using Character-Mode Devices x
6.6.1. Standard Input, Standard Output and Standard Error 6.6.2. General Access to Character Mode Devices 6.6.3. C++ Streams 6.6.4. /dev/null 6.6.5. Lightweight Character-Mode I/O 6.6.6. Intel FPGA Logging Functions
6.6.6. Intel FPGA Logging Functions x
6.6.6.1. Enabling Logging 6.6.6.2. Extra Logging Options 6.6.6.3. Logging Levels 6.6.6.4. Example: Creating a BSP with Logging 6.6.6.5. Custom Logging Messages 6.6.6.6. Intel FPGA Logging Files
6.7. Using Timer Devices x
6.7.1. System Clock Driver 6.7.2. Alarms 6.7.3. Timestamp Driver Using the Timestamp to Measure Code Execution Time
6.8. Using Flash Devices x
6.8.1. Simple Flash Access 6.8.2. Block Erasure or Corruption 6.8.3. Fine-Grained Flash Access
6.8.3. Fine-Grained Flash Access x
6.8.3.1. alt_get_flash_info() 6.8.3.2. alt_erase_flash() 6.8.3.3. alt_write_flash_block()
6.9. Using DMA Devices x
6.9.1. DMA Transmit Channels 6.9.2. DMA Receive Channels
6.9.2. DMA Receive Channels x
6.9.2.1. Memory-to-Memory DMA Transactions
6.11. Reducing Code Footprint in Embedded Systems x
6.11.1. Apply Compiler Flags 6.11.2. Use Small Variant Device Drivers 6.11.3. Reduce the File Descriptor Pool 6.11.4. Use /dev/null 6.11.5. Use a Smaller File I/O Library 6.11.6. Use the Minimal Character-Mode API 6.11.7. Eliminate Unused Device Drivers 6.11.8. Use the Picolibc Library 6.11.9. Eliminate Unused alt_load() 6.11.10. Eliminate Unneeded Exit Code
6.11.1. Apply Compiler Flags x
6.11.1.1. Apply Different Compiler Flags in BSP and APP
6.11.5. Use a Smaller File I/O Library x
6.11.5.1. Definition of 'asnprintf()' 6.11.5.2. Use UNIX-Style File I/O 6.11.5.3. Emulate ANSI C Functions
6.11.10. Eliminate Unneeded Exit Code x
6.11.10.1. Eliminate Clean Exit 6.11.10.2. Eliminate All Exit Code 6.11.10.3. Turn off C++ Support
6.12. Boot Sequence and Entry Point x
6.12.1. Hosted Versus Free-Standing Applications 6.12.2. Boot Sequence for HAL-Based Programs 6.12.3. Customizing the Boot Sequence
6.12.2. Boot Sequence for HAL-Based Programs x
6.12.2.1. System Initialization Code Boot Sequence 6.12.2.2. Default Implementation Steps
6.13. Memory Usage x
6.13.1. Memory Sections 6.13.2. Assigning Code and Data to Memory Partitions 6.13.3. Placement of the Heap and Stack 6.13.4. Global Pointer Register 6.13.5. Boot Modes
6.13.2. Assigning Code and Data to Memory Partitions x
6.13.2.1. Simple Placement Options 6.13.2.2. Advanced Placement Options
6.14. Working with HAL Source Files x
6.14.1. Finding HAL Files 6.14.2. Overriding HAL Functions
7. Developing Device Drivers for the Hardware Abstraction Layer x
7.1. Driver Integration in the HAL API 7.2. The HAL Peripheral-Specific API 7.3. Preparing for HAL Driver Development 7.4. Development Flow for Creating Device Drivers 7.5. Nios® V Processor Hardware Design Concepts 7.6. Accessing Hardware 7.7. Creating Embedded Drivers for HAL Device Classes 7.8. Integrating a Device Driver in the HAL 7.9. Creating a Custom Device Driver for the HAL 7.10. Reducing Code Footprint in HAL Embedded Drivers 7.11. HAL Namespace Allocation 7.12. Overriding the HAL Default Device Drivers
7.5. Nios® V Processor Hardware Design Concepts x
7.5.1. The Relationship Between the .qsys File and system.h 7.5.2. Using the System Generation Tool to Optimize Hardware 7.5.3. Components, Devices, and Peripherals
7.7. Creating Embedded Drivers for HAL Device Classes x
7.7.1. Character-Mode Device Drivers 7.7.2. File Subsystem Drivers 7.7.3. Timer Device Drivers 7.7.4. Flash Device Drivers 7.7.5. DMA Device Drivers
7.7.1. Character-Mode Device Drivers x
7.7.1.1. Create a Device Instance 7.7.1.2. Register a Character Device
7.7.1.1. Create a Device Instance x
7.7.1.1.1. Modifying the Global Error Status, errno 7.7.1.1.2. Default Behavior for Functions Defined in alt_dev
7.7.2. File Subsystem Drivers x
7.7.2.1. Create a Device Instance 7.7.2.2. Register a File Subsystem Device
7.7.3. Timer Device Drivers x
7.7.3.1. System Clock Driver 7.7.3.2. Timestamp Driver
7.7.4. Flash Device Drivers x
7.7.4.1. Create a Flash Driver 7.7.4.2. Register a Flash Device
7.7.5. DMA Device Drivers x
7.7.5.1. DMA Transmit Channel 7.7.5.2. DMA Receive Channel
7.8. Integrating a Device Driver in the HAL x
7.8.1. Overview 7.8.2. Assumptions and Requirements 7.8.3. Nios® V Processor BSP Generation Flow 7.8.4. File Names and Locations 7.8.5. Driver and Software Package Tcl Script Creation
7.8.3. Nios® V Processor BSP Generation Flow x
7.8.3.1. Component Discovery 7.8.3.2. Device Driver Versions 7.8.3.3. Device Driver and Software Package Inclusion
7.8.3.3. Device Driver and Software Package Inclusion x
7.8.3.3.1. Specific Requests 7.8.3.3.2. No Specific Requests
7.8.4. File Names and Locations x
7.8.4.1. Source Code Discovery
7.8.5. Driver and Software Package Tcl Script Creation x
7.8.5.1. Example Device Driver File Hierarchy and Naming 7.8.5.2. Tcl Command Walkthrough for a Typical Driver or Software Package 7.8.5.3. Creating Settings for Device Drivers and Software Packages
7.8.5.2. Tcl Command Walkthrough for a Typical Driver or Software Package x
7.8.5.2.1. Creating and Naming the Driver or Package 7.8.5.2.2. Identifying the Hardware Component Class 7.8.5.2.3. Setting the BSP Type 7.8.5.2.4. Specifying an Operating System 7.8.5.2.5. Specifying Source Files 7.8.5.2.6. Specifying a Subdirectory 7.8.5.2.7. Enabling Software Initialization 7.8.5.2.8. Adding Include Paths 7.8.5.2.9. Version Compatibility
7.8.5.3. Creating Settings for Device Drivers and Software Packages x
7.8.5.3.1. How Settings Affect the Generated BSP 7.8.5.3.2. Data Types 7.8.5.3.3. Setting Destination Files 7.8.5.3.4. Setting Display Name 7.8.5.3.5. Setting Identifier 7.8.5.3.6. Setting Default Value 7.8.5.3.7. Setting Description 7.8.5.3.8. Setting Creation Example
7.9. Creating a Custom Device Driver for the HAL x
7.9.1. Header Files and alt_sys_init.c 7.9.2. Device Driver Source Code
7.9.1. Header Files and alt_sys_init.c x
7.9.1.1. Creating alt_sys_init.c Based on Associated Header Files
7.9.2. Device Driver Source Code x
7.9.2.1. altera_avalon_jtag_uart.h Defining Macros
8. Exception Handling x
8.1. Nios® V Processor Exception Handling Overview 8.2. Nios® V Processor Hardware Interrupt Service Routines 8.3. Nios® V Processor Software Interrupt Service Routines 8.4. Improving Nios® V Processor ISR Performance 8.5. Debugging Nios® V Processor ISRs 8.6. HAL Exception Handling System Implementation 8.7. Nios® V Processor Instruction-Related Exception Handler
8.1. Nios® V Processor Exception Handling Overview x
8.1.1. Exception Handling Terminology 8.1.2. Hardware Interrupt Controllers 8.1.3. How the Hardware works 8.1.4. Latency and Response Time
8.1.2. Hardware Interrupt Controllers x
8.1.2.1. Internal Interrupt Concepts
8.1.3. How the Hardware works x
8.1.3.1. How the Internal Interrupt Controller Works
8.1.4. Latency and Response Time x
8.1.4.1. Internal Interrupt Controller
8.2. Nios® V Processor Hardware Interrupt Service Routines x
8.2.1. HAL APIs for Hardware Interrupts 8.2.2. Writing a Hardware ISR 8.2.3. Registering a Hardware ISR 8.2.4. Enabling and Disabling Interrupts 8.2.5. C Example
8.2.1. HAL APIs for Hardware Interrupts x
8.2.1.1. Enhanced HAL Hardware Interrupt API
8.2.2. Writing a Hardware ISR x
8.2.2.1. Using General Exception Funnels 8.2.2.2. Running in a Restricted Environment
8.2.3. Registering a Hardware ISR x
8.2.3.1. Methods the HAL Uses to Register the ISR
8.2.5. C Example x
8.2.5.1. Writing a Hardware ISR to Service a Button PIO Interrupt 8.2.5.2. Registering the Button PIO ISR with the HAL
8.3. Nios® V Processor Software Interrupt Service Routines x
8.3.1. HAL APIs for Software Interrupt 8.3.2. Writing a Software ISR 8.3.3. Registering a Software ISR 8.3.4. Enabling and Disabling Interrupts 8.3.5. C Example
8.3.5. C Example x
8.3.5.1. Writing a Software ISR 8.3.5.2. Registering the Software ISR with the HAL
8.4. Improving Nios® V Processor ISR Performance x
8.4.1. Software Performance Improvements 8.4.2. Hardware Performance Improvements
8.4.1. Software Performance Improvements x
8.4.1.1. Execute Time-Intensive Algorithms in the Application Context 8.4.1.2. Implement Time-Intensive Algorithms in Hardware 8.4.1.3. Increase Buffer Size 8.4.1.4. Use Double Buffering 8.4.1.5. Keep Interrupts Enabled 8.4.1.6. Use Fast Memory 8.4.1.7. Use a Separate Exception Stack 8.4.1.8. Use Nested Hardware Interrupts 8.4.1.9. Use Compiler Optimization
8.4.1.7. Use a Separate Exception Stack x
8.4.1.7.1. Separate General Exception Stack
8.4.2. Hardware Performance Improvements x
8.4.2.1. Add Fast Memory 8.4.2.2. Add a DMA Controller 8.4.2.3. Place the Handler in Fast Memory 8.4.2.4. Select Hardware Interrupt Priorities
8.4.2.4. Select Hardware Interrupt Priorities x
8.4.2.4.1. Hardware Interrupt Priorities with the Internal Interrupt Controller
8.6. HAL Exception Handling System Implementation x
8.6.1. Exception Handling System Structure 8.6.2. General Exception Funnels 8.6.3. Hardware Interrupt Funnel 8.6.4. Software Exception Funnel 8.6.5. Software Interrupt Handler 8.6.6. Timer Interrupt Handler
8.6.2. General Exception Funnels x
8.6.2.1. Exception Occurs 8.6.2.2. Exception Dispatch with the Internal Interrupt Controller 8.6.2.3. Returning from Exceptions
8.6.3. Hardware Interrupt Funnel x
8.6.3.1. Hardware Interrupt Funnel for the Internal Interrupt Controller
8.6.4. Software Exception Funnel x
8.6.4.1. Instruction-Related Exceptions 8.6.4.2. Miscellaneous Exceptions 8.6.4.3. Invalid Instructions
8.7. Nios® V Processor Instruction-Related Exception Handler x
8.7.1. Writing an Instruction-Related Exception Handler 8.7.2. Registering an Instruction-Related Exception Handler 8.7.3. Removing an Instruction-Related Exception Handler 8.7.4. Debugging for Instruction-Related Exception Handler
8.7.1. Writing an Instruction-Related Exception Handler x
8.7.1.1. Exception Cause Codes
8.7.4. Debugging for Instruction-Related Exception Handler x
8.7.4.1. Enable JTAG UART polling operation 8.7.4.2. Example of Instruction-Related Exception Handler 8.7.4.3. Adding Custom Exception Handler
9. Cache and Tightly-Coupled Memory x
9.1. Nios® V Processor Cache Implementation 9.2. Initializing Cache after Reset 9.3. Device Driver Cache Considerations 9.4. Managing Cache in Multi-Master and Multi-Processor Systems 9.5. Tightly-Coupled Memory
10. MicroC/OS-II Real-Time Operating System x
10.1. Overview of the MicroC/OS-II RTOS 10.2. Other RTOS Providers 10.3. The Nios® V Processor Implementation of MicroC/OS-II 10.4. Implementing MicroC/OS-II Projects for the Nios® V Processor
10.1. Overview of the MicroC/OS-II RTOS x
10.1.1. Support and Licensing
10.3. The Nios® V Processor Implementation of MicroC/OS-II x
10.3.1. MicroC/OS-II Architecture 10.3.2. MicroC/OS-II Device Drivers 10.3.3. Thread-Safe Drivers 10.3.4. The newlib ANSI C Standard Library 10.3.5. Interrupt Service Routines for MicroC/OS-II
11. MicroC/TCP-IP Protocol Stack x
11.1. Overview of the MicroC/TCP-IP Protocol Stack 11.2. Support and Licensing 11.3. Prerequisites for Understanding the MicroC/TCP-IP Protocol Stack 11.4. Introduction to the MicroC/TCP-IP Protocol Stack - Nios® V Processor Edition 11.5. The MicroC/TCP-IP Protocol Stack Files and Directories 11.6. Enabling MicroC/TCP-IP Protocol Stack 11.7. Using the MicroC/TCP-IP Protocol Stack
11.4. Introduction to the MicroC/TCP-IP Protocol Stack - Nios® V Processor Edition x
11.4.1. Nios® V Processor System Requirements
11.7. Using the MicroC/TCP-IP Protocol Stack x
11.7.1. Initializing the Stack 11.7.2. Network IP configuration 11.7.3. Example applications
11.7.3. Example applications x
11.7.3.1. simple_socket_server.c 11.7.3.2. app_iperf.c
12. FreeRTOS* Real-Time Operating System x
12.1. Overview of the FreeRTOS* 12.2. The Nios® V Processor Implementation of FreeRTOS* 12.3. Implementing FreeRTOS™ Project for the Nios® V Processor
12.1. Overview of the FreeRTOS* x
12.1.1. Support and Licensing
12.2. The Nios® V Processor Implementation of FreeRTOS* x
12.2.1. FreeRTOS* Architecture 12.2.2. FreeRTOS* Device Drivers 12.2.3. Thread-Safe HAL Drivers 12.2.4. The newlib ANSI C Standard Library
12.3. Implementing FreeRTOS™ Project for the Nios® V Processor x
12.3.1. Create FreeRTOS BSP Project 12.3.2. Configure FreeRTOS Features 12.3.3. Write FreeRTOS-based Source Codes 12.3.4. Generate Application CMake File 12.3.5. Build FreeRTOS BSP and Application Projects
13. Read-Only Zip File System x
13.1. Read-Only Zip File System in BSP Editor 13.2. Preparing the Zip File 13.3. Programming the Zip File to Flash 13.4. Programming the Zip File to On-Chip ROM
13.3. Programming the Zip File to Flash x
13.3.1. General Purpose QSPI Flash 13.3.2. Active Serial Configuration Flash in Control-block Based Devices 13.3.3. Active Serial Configuration Flash in SDM Based Devices
14. Publishing Component Information to Embedded Software x
14.1. Embedded Component Information Flow 14.2. Embedded Software Assignments
14.2. Embedded Software Assignments x
14.2.1. C Macro Namespace 14.2.2. Configuration Namespace
14.2.1. C Macro Namespace x
14.2.1.1. Generated Macro in system.h 14.2.1.2. GCC C/C++ 32-bit Processor Constants
14.2.2. Configuration Namespace x
14.2.2.1. Configuration Data Types 14.2.2.2. Component Configuration Information 14.2.2.3. Memory-Mapped Slave Information
15. Nios® V Processor Appendix x
15.1. HAL API 15.2. Nios® V Processor Tools Reference 15.3. GNU RISC-V Embedded GCC Toolchain Reference 15.4. Settings Managed by Nios® V Processor Board Support Package Editor 15.5. Board Support Package Tcl Commands 15.6. Nios® V Processor Design Example 15.7. Manual System PATH Variable Setup
15.1. HAL API x
15.1.1. HAL API Reference 15.1.2. HAL Standard Types
15.1.1. HAL API Reference x
15.1.1.1. _exit() 15.1.1.2. _rename() 15.1.1.3. alt_dcache_flush() 15.1.1.4. alt_dcache_flush_all() 15.1.1.5. alt_icache_flush_all() 15.1.1.6. alt_dcache_flush_no_writeback() 15.1.1.7. alt_icache_flush_all() 15.1.1.8. alt_icache_flush() 15.1.1.9. alt_alarm_start() 15.1.1.10. alt_alarm_stop() 15.1.1.11. alt_dma_rxchan_depth() 15.1.1.12. alt_dma_rxchan_close() 15.1.1.13. alt_dev_reg() 15.1.1.14. alt_dma_rxchan_open() 15.1.1.15. alt_dma_rxchan_prepare() 15.1.1.16. alt_dma_rxchan_reg() 15.1.1.17. alt_dma_txchan_close() 15.1.1.18. alt_dma_txchan_ioctl() 15.1.1.19. alt_dma_txchan_open() 15.1.1.20. alt_dma_txchan_reg() 15.1.1.21. alt_flash_close_dev() 15.1.1.22. alt_exception_cause_generated_bad_addr() 15.1.1.23. alt_erase_flash_block() 15.1.1.24. alt_dma_rxchan_ioctl() 15.1.1.25. alt_dma_txchan_space() 15.1.1.26. alt_dma_txchan_send() 15.1.1.27. alt_flash_open_dev() 15.1.1.28. alt_fs_reg() 15.1.1.29. alt_get_flash_info() 15.1.1.30. alt_ic_irq_disable() 15.1.1.31. alt_ic_irq_enabled() 15.1.1.32. alt_ic_isr_register() 15.1.1.33. alt_ic_irq_enable() 15.1.1.34. alt_instruction_exception_register() 15.1.1.35. alt_irq_cpu_enable_interrupts () 15.1.1.36. alt_irq_disable_all() 15.1.1.37. alt_irq_enable_all() 15.1.1.38. alt_irq_enabled() 15.1.1.39. alt_irq_init() 15.1.1.40. alt_irq_pending () 15.1.1.41. alt_llist_insert() 15.1.1.42. alt_llist_remove() 15.1.1.43. alt_load_section() 15.1.1.44. alt_nticks() 15.1.1.45. alt_read_flash() 15.1.1.46. alt_tick() 15.1.1.47. alt_ticks_per_second() 15.1.1.48. alt_timestamp() 15.1.1.49. alt_timestamp_freq() 15.1.1.50. alt_timestamp_start() 15.1.1.51. alt_write_flash() 15.1.1.52. alt_write_flash_block() 15.1.1.53. close() 15.1.1.54. fstat() 15.1.1.55. fork() 15.1.1.56. fcntl() 15.1.1.57. execve() 15.1.1.58. getpid() 15.1.1.59. kill() 15.1.1.60. stat() 15.1.1.61. settimeofday() 15.1.1.62. wait() 15.1.1.63. unlink() 15.1.1.64. sbrk() 15.1.1.65. link() 15.1.1.66. lseek() 15.1.1.67. open() 15.1.1.68. alt_sysclk_init() 15.1.1.69. times() 15.1.1.70. read() 15.1.1.71. write() 15.1.1.72. usleep() 15.1.1.73. alt_lock_flash() 15.1.1.74. gettimeofday() 15.1.1.75. ioctl() 15.1.1.76. isatty() 15.1.1.77. alt_niosv_enable_msw_interrupt() 15.1.1.78. alt_niosv_disable_msw_interrupt() 15.1.1.79. alt_niosv_is_msw_interrupt_enabled() 15.1.1.80. alt_niosv_trigger_msw_interrupt() 15.1.1.81. alt_niosv_clear_msw_interrupt() 15.1.1.82. alt_niosv_register_msw_interrupt_handler()
15.1.2. HAL Standard Types x
15.1.2.1. alt_getchar() 15.1.2.2. alt_putstr() 15.1.2.3. alt_putchar() 15.1.2.4. alt_printf()
15.2. Nios® V Processor Tools Reference x
15.2.1. Nios® V Processor Command Line Utilities 15.2.2. File Format Conversion Tools Reference 15.2.3. Other Command Line Utilities Tools Reference
15.2.1. Nios® V Processor Command Line Utilities x
15.2.1.1. niosv-shell 15.2.1.2. niosv-bsp 15.2.1.3. niosv-app 15.2.1.4. niosv-download 15.2.1.5. niosv-stack-report
15.2.2. File Format Conversion Tools Reference x
15.2.2.1. elf2hex 15.2.2.2. elf2flash
15.2.3. Other Command Line Utilities Tools Reference x
15.2.3.1. juart-terminal 15.2.3.2. cmake 15.2.3.3. make 15.2.3.4. openocd 15.2.3.5. openocd-cfg-gen
15.4. Settings Managed by Nios® V Processor Board Support Package Editor x
15.4.1. Overview of BSP Settings 15.4.2. Overview of Component and Driver Settings 15.4.3. BSP Settings Reference
15.4.2. Overview of Component and Driver Settings x
15.4.2.1. Intel FPGA Avalon-MM JTAG UART Driver Settings 15.4.2.2. Intel FPGA Avalon-MM UART Driver Settings
15.4.3. BSP Settings Reference x
15.4.3.1. Intel HAL BSP 15.4.3.2. Micrium MicroC/OS-II BSP 15.4.3.3. FreeRTOS BSP 15.4.3.4. Device Drivers BSP
15.5. Board Support Package Tcl Commands x
15.5.1. Tcl Command Environments 15.5.2. Tcl Commands for BSP Settings 15.5.3. Tcl Commands for BSP Generation Callbacks 15.5.4. Tcl Commands for Drivers and Packages
15.5.2. Tcl Commands for BSP Settings x
15.5.2.1. add_memory_device 15.5.2.2. add_memory_region 15.5.2.3. add_section_mapping 15.5.2.4. are_same_resource 15.5.2.5. delete_memory_region 15.5.2.6. delete_section_mapping 15.5.2.7. disable_sw_package 15.5.2.8. enable_sw_package 15.5.2.9. get_addr_span 15.5.2.10. get_assignment 15.5.2.11. get_available_drivers 15.5.2.12. get_available_sw_packages 15.5.2.13. get_base_addr 15.5.2.14. get_break_offset 15.5.2.15. get_break_slave_desc 15.5.2.16. get_cpu_name 15.5.2.17. get_current_memory_regions 15.5.2.18. get_current_section_mappings 15.5.2.19. get_default_memory_regions 15.5.2.20. get_driver 15.5.2.21. get_enabled_sw_packages 15.5.2.22. get_exception_offset 15.5.2.23. get_exception_slave_desc 15.5.2.24. get_fast_tlb_miss_exception_offset 15.5.2.25. get_fast_tlb_miss_exception_slave_desc 15.5.2.26. get_interrupt_controller_id 15.5.2.27. get_irq_interrupt_controller_id 15.5.2.28. get_irq_number 15.5.2.29. get_memory_region 15.5.2.30. get_module_class_name 15.5.2.31. get_module_name 15.5.2.32. get_reset_offset 15.5.2.33. get_reset_slave_desc 15.5.2.34. get_section_mapping 15.5.2.35. get_setting 15.5.2.36. get_setting_desc 15.5.2.37. get_slave_descs 15.5.2.38. is_char_device 15.5.2.39. is_connected_interrupt_controller_device 15.5.2.40. is_connected_to_data_master 15.5.2.41. is_connected_to_instruction_master 15.5.2.42. is_ethernet_mac_device 15.5.2.43. is_flash 15.5.2.44. is_memory_device 15.5.2.45. is_non_volatile_storage 15.5.2.46. is_timer_device 15.5.2.47. log_debug 15.5.2.48. log_default 15.5.2.49. log_error 15.5.2.50. log_verbose 15.5.2.51. set_driver 15.5.2.52. set_ignore_file 15.5.2.53. set_setting 15.5.2.54. update_memory_region 15.5.2.55. update_section_mapping 15.5.2.56. add_default_memory_regions 15.5.2.57. create_bsp 15.5.2.58. generate_bsp 15.5.2.59. get_available_bsp_type_versions 15.5.2.60. get_available_bsp_types 15.5.2.61. get_available_cpu_architectures 15.5.2.62. get_available_cpu_names 15.5.2.63. get_available_software 15.5.2.64. get_available_software_setting_properties 15.5.2.65. get_available_software_settings 15.5.2.66. get_bsp_version 15.5.2.67. get_cpu_architecture 15.5.2.68. get_sopcinfo_file 15.5.2.69. get_supported_bsp_types 15.5.2.70. is_bsp_hal_extension 15.5.2.71. open_bsp 15.5.2.72. save_bsp 15.5.2.73. set_bsp_version 15.5.2.74. set_logging_mode
15.5.3. Tcl Commands for BSP Generation Callbacks x
15.5.3.1. add_class_sw_setting 15.5.3.2. add_class_systemh_line 15.5.3.3. add_module_sw_property 15.5.3.4. add_module_sw_setting 15.5.3.5. add_module_systemh_line 15.5.3.6. add_systemh_line 15.5.3.7. get_class_peripheral 15.5.3.8. get_module_assignment 15.5.3.9. get_module_name 15.5.3.10. get_module_peripheral 15.5.3.11. get_module_sw_setting_value 15.5.3.12. get_peripheral_property 15.5.3.13. remove_class_systemh_line 15.5.3.14. remove_module_systemh_line 15.5.3.15. set_class_sw_setting_property 15.5.3.16. set_module_sw_setting_property
15.5.4. Tcl Commands for Drivers and Packages x
15.5.4.1. add_sw_property 15.5.4.2. add_sw_setting 15.5.4.3. add_sw_setting2 15.5.4.4. create_driver 15.5.4.5. create_os 15.5.4.6. create_sw_package 15.5.4.7. set_sw_property 15.5.4.8. set_sw_setting_property
15.6. Nios® V Processor Design Example x
15.6.1. Intel® FPGA Design Store 15.6.2. Quartus® Prime Software 15.6.3. Migrating to Other Intel® FPGA Device
15.6.2. Quartus® Prime Software x
15.6.2.1. Configurable Example Design
1. Overview of Nios® V Embedded Processor Development
2. Getting Started from the Command Line
3. Nios® V Processor Software Development and Implementation
4. Nios® V Processor Board Support Package Editor
5. Overview of the Hardware Abstraction Layer
6. Developing Programs Using the Hardware Abstraction Layer
7. Developing Device Drivers for the Hardware Abstraction Layer
8. Exception Handling
9. Cache and Tightly-Coupled Memory
10. MicroC/OS-II Real-Time Operating System
11. MicroC/TCP-IP Protocol Stack
12. FreeRTOS* Real-Time Operating System
13. Read-Only Zip File System
14. Publishing Component Information to Embedded Software
15. Nios® V Processor Appendix
A. Nios® V Processor Software Developer Handbook Archives
16. Revision History for the Nios® V Processor Software Developer Handbook

6.7.3. Timestamp Driver

Sometimes you want to measure time intervals with a degree of accuracy greater than that provided by HAL system clock ticks. The HAL provides high resolution timing functions using a timestamp driver. A timestamp driver provides a monotonically increasing counter that you can sample to obtain timing information. The HAL only supports one timestamp driver in the system.

Specify a hardware timer peripheral as the timestamp device by manipulating BSP settings. The Intel-provided timestamp driver uses the timer that you specify.

If a timestamp driver is present, the following functions are available:

  • alt_timestamp_start()
  • alt_timestamp()

Calling alt_timestamp_start() starts the counter running. Subsequent calls to alt_timestamp() return the current value of the timestamp counter. Calling alt_timestamp_start() again resets the counter to zero. The behavior of the timestamp driver is undefined when the counter reaches (232 - 1 or 264 - 1, depending on the timer parametrization used).

You can obtain the rate at which the timestamp counter increments by calling the function alt_timestamp_freq(). This rate is typically the hardware frequency of the Nios® V processor system—usually millions of cycles per second. The timestamp drivers are defined in the alt_timestamp.h header file.

Using the Timestamp to Measure Code Execution Time

#include <stdio.h>

#include "sys/alt_timestamp.h"

#include "alt_types.h"

int main(void) {
  alt_u32 time1;
  alt_u32 time2;
  alt_u32 time3;
  if (alt_timestamp_start() < 0) {
    printf("No timestamp device available\n");
  } else {
    time1 = alt_timestamp();
    func1(); /* first function to monitor */
    time2 = alt_timestamp();
    func2(); /* second function to monitor */
    time3 = alt_timestamp();
    printf("time in func1 = %u ticks\n",
      (unsigned int)(time2 - time1));
    printf("time in func2 = %u ticks\n",
      (unsigned int)(time3 - time2));
    printf("Number of ticks per second = %u\n",
      (unsigned int) alt_timestamp_freq());
  }
  return 0;
}
Related Information
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