The flow to configure Nios® II to boot from EPCS /EPCQ, generate required programming files, and program development kits can be complex. Also due to some problems in the Nios II bootloader in the Quartus® II software version 13.0, some patches and design edits are required.
The attached how to document covers the full flow for Quartus II 13.0 including the workarounds required for 13.0, and targets the Altera Cyclone V SOC development kit but is relevent to any design / kit.
Download the how to document: Nios II Boot from EPCQ and EPCS in Quartus II 13.0.pdf
Other Downloads:
To work around the problems in the Quartus® II software version 13.0 and 13.0 sp1 download the relevent patch and other files below, and follow the steps in Nios II Boot from EPCQ and EPCS in Quartus II 13.0.pdf to install them.
- Cyclone V SOC Development Kit rev C: Max V image to allow EPCQ programing
- Patch to enable boot from EPCS for V series devices
- Patch 0.23 for Quartus II 13.0 and SP1 (see Nios II Boot from EPCQ and EPCS in Quartus II 13.0.pdf for installation instructions for 13.0 SP1)
The problems in the Nios II boot loader for boot from EPCQ / EPCS have been fixed for the Quartus II Software version 13.1.