Customizing and generating ip cores, Converting .sof files to a .pof – Altera Parallel Flash Loader IP User Manual

Page 24

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Related Information

AN478: Using FPGA-Based Parallel Flash Loader with the Quartus II Software

Provides more information about using the FPGA-based PFL IP core to program a flash memory device.

Customizing and Generating IP Cores

You can customize IP cores to support a wide variety of applications. The Quartus II IP Catalog displays

IP cores available for the current target device. The parameter editor guides you to set parameter values

for optional ports, features, and output files.
To customize and generate a custom IP core variation, follow these steps:
1. In the IP Catalog (Tools > IP Catalog), locate and double-click the name of the IP core to customize.

The parameter editor appears.

2. Specify a top-level name for your custom IP variation. This name identifies the IP core variation files

in your project. If prompted, also specify the target Altera device family and output file HDL

preference. Click OK.

3. Specify the desired parameters, output, and options for your IP core variation:

• Optionally select preset parameter values. Presets specify all initial parameter values for specific

applications (where provided).

• Specify parameters defining the IP core functionality, port configuration, and device-specific

features.

• Specify options for generation of a timing netlist, simulation model, testbench, or example design

(where applicable).

• Specify options for processing the IP core files in other EDA tools.

4. Click Finish or Generate to generate synthesis and other optional files matching your IP variation

specifications. The parameter editor generates the top-level

.qip

or

.qsys

IP variation file and HDL files

for synthesis and simulation. Some IP cores also simultaneously generate a testbench or example

design for hardware testing.

5. To generate a simulation testbench, click Generate > Generate Testbench System. Generate >

Generate Testbench System is not available for some IP cores.

6. To generate a top-level HDL design example for hardware verification, click Generate > HDL

Example. Generate > HDL Example is not available for some IP cores.
When you generate the IP variation with a Quartus II project open, the parameter editor automatically

adds the IP variation to the project. Alternatively, click Project > Add/Remove Files in Project to

manually add a top-level

.qip

or

.qsys

IP variation file to a Quartus II project. To fully integrate the IP

into the design, make appropriate pin assignments to connect ports. You can define a virtual pin to

avoid making specific pin assignments to top-level signals.
Note: By default, all unused pins are tied to ground. Altera recommends setting all unused pins to tri-

state because doing otherwise might cause interference. To set all unused pins to tri-state, in the

Quartus II software, click Assignments > Device > Device and Pin Options > Unused Pins

and select an item from the Reserve all unused pins list.

Converting .sof Files to a .pof

To generate a programming file with different compression features, you must convert the

.sof

files to

a

.pof

.

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Customizing and Generating IP Cores

UG-01082

2015.01.23

Altera Corporation

Parallel Flash Loader IP Core User Guide

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