Common flash interface controller core, Core overview, Common flash interface controller core -1 – Altera Embedded Peripherals IP User Manual
Page 47: Core overview -1
Common Flash Interface Controller Core
5
2014.24.07
UG-01085
Core Overview
The common flash interface controller core with Avalon
®
interface (CFI controller) allows you to easily
connect Qsys systems to external flash memory that complies with the Common Flash Interface (CFI)
specification. The CFI controller is Qsys-ready and integrates easily into any Qsys-generated system.
For the Nios
®
II processor, Altera provides hardware abstraction layer (HAL) driver routines for the CFI
controller. The drivers provide universal access routines for CFI-compliant flash memories. Therefore,
you do not need to write any additional code to program CFI-compliant flash devices. The HAL driver
routines take advantage of the HAL generic device model for flash memory, which allows you to access
the flash memory using the familiar HAL application programming interface (API), the ANSI C standard
library functions for file I/O, or both.
The Nios II Embedded Design Suite (EDS) provides a flash programmer utility based on the Nios II
processor and the CFI controller. The flash programmer utility can be used to program any CFI-
compliant flash memory connected to an Altera
®
device.
For more information about how to read and write flash using the HAL API, refer to the .
For more information on the flash programmer utility, refer to the .
Further information about the Common Flash Interface specification is available at .
As an example of a flash device supported by the CFI controller, see the data sheet for the AMD
Am29LV065D-120R, available at .
The common flash interface controller core supersedes previous Altera flash cores distributed with Qsys
or Nios development kits. All flash chips associated with these previous cores comply with the CFI specifi‐
cation, and therefore are supported by the CFI controller.
©
2014 Altera Corporation. All rights reserved. ALTERA, ARRIA, CYCLONE, ENPIRION, MAX, MEGACORE, NIOS, QUARTUS and STRATIX words and logos are
trademarks of Altera Corporation and registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and in other countries. All other words and logos identified as
trademarks or service marks are the property of their respective holders as described at
www.altera.com/common/legal.html
. Altera warrants performance
of its semiconductor products to current specifications in accordance with Altera's standard warranty, but reserves the right to make changes to any
products and services at any time without notice. Altera assumes no responsibility or liability arising out of the application or use of any information,
product, or service described herein except as expressly agreed to in writing by Altera. Altera customers are advised to obtain the latest version of device
specifications before relying on any published information and before placing orders for products or services.
www.altera.com
101 Innovation Drive, San Jose, CA 95134