Altera Excalibur APEX 20K200E User manual

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A-UG-NIOSGSG-2.0
Getting Started
Nios Embedded Processor
User Guide
January 2002
Version 2.0

ii Altera Corporation
Nios Embedded Processor Getting Started Guide Copyright
Copyright © 2002 Altera Corporation. All rights reserved. Altera, The Programmable Solutions Company, the stylized Altera logo,
specific device designations, and all other words and logos that are identified as trademarks and/or service marks are, unless
noted otherwise, the trademarks and service marks of Altera Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. All other product or
service names are the property of their respective holders. Altera products are protected under numerous U.S.
and foreign patents and pending applications, maskwork rights, and copyrights. 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 Corporation. 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.

Altera Corporation iii
About this User Guide
This user guide provides comprehensive information about the
ExcaliburTM Development Kit, featuring the NiosTM embedded processor.
Table 1 shows the user guide revision history.
fGo to the following sources for more information:
■See http://www.altera.com for more information about the features
of this kit, including new features in this release.
■See page 8 for a list of available Nios documentation.
■See the Nios embedded processor readme file for installation and
licensing information.
How to Find
Information
■The Adobe Acrobat Find feature allows you to search the contents of
a PDF file. Click the binoculars toolbar icon to open the Find dialog
box.
■Bookmarks serve as an additional table of contents.
■Thumbnail icons, which provide miniature previews of each page,
provide a link to the pages.
■Numerous links, shown in green text, allow you to jump to related
information.
How to Contact
Altera
For the most up-to-date information about Altera®products, go to the
Altera world-wide web site at http://www.altera.com.
Table 1. User Guide Revision History
Date Description
August 2000 Initial release
March 2001 1.1 release
January 2002 2.0 release

iv Altera Corporation
Nios Embedded Processor Getting Started User Guide
For technical support on this product, go to
http://www.altera.com/mysupport. For additional information about
Altera products, consult the sources shown in Table 2.
Note:
(1) You can also contact your local Altera sales office or sales representative.
Typographic
Conventions
The Nios Embedded Processor Getting Started User Guide uses the
typographic conventions shown in Table 3.
Table 2. How to Contact Altera
Information Type USA & Canada All Other Locations
Product literature http://www.altera.com http://www.altera.com
Altera literature services [e-mail] (1) [e-mail] (1)
Non-technical customer
service [phone] [phone] (7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Pacific Time)
Technical support (800) 800-EPLD (3753)
(7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Pacific Time)
[phone] (1)
(7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Pacific Time)
http://www.altera.com/mysupport/ http://www.altera.com/mysupport/
FTP site ftp.altera.com ftp.altera.com
Table 3. Conventions
Visual Cue Meaning
Bold Type with Initial
Capital Letters Command names, dialog box titles, checkbox options, and dialog box options are shown in bold, initial capital letters. Example: Save As dialog box.
bold type External timing parameters, directory names, project names, disk drive names,
filenames, filename extensions, and software utility names are shown in bold type.
Examples: fMAX, \QuartusII directory, d: drive, chiptrip.gdf file.
Bold italic type Book titles are shown in bold italic type with initial capital letters. Example:
1999 Device Data Book.
Italic Type with Initial
Capital Letters Document titles are shown in italic type with initial capital letters. Example: AN 75 (High-Speed Board Design).
Italic type Internal timing parameters and variables are shown in italic type. Examples: tPIA, n+ 1.
Variable names are enclosed in angle brackets (<>) and shown in italic type. Example:
<file name>, <project name>.pof file.
Initial Capital Letters Keyboard keys and menu names are shown with initial capital letters. Examples:
Delete key, the Options menu.

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Nios Embedded Processor Getting Started User Guide
“Subheading Title” References to sections within a document and titles of Quartus II Help topics are
shown in quotation marks. Example: “Configuring a FLEX 10K or FLEX 8000 Device
with the BitBlaster™Download Cable.”
Courier type Signal and port names are shown in lowercase Courier type. Examples: data1, tdi,
input. Active-low signals are denoted by suffix n, e.g., resetn.
Anything that must be typed exactly as it appears is shown in Courier type. For
example: c:\quartusII\qdesigns\tutorial\chiptrip.gdf. Also, sections
of an actual file, such as a Report File, references to parts of files (e.g., the AHDL
keyword SUBDESIGN), as well as logic function names (e.g., TRI) are shown in
Courier.
1., 2., 3., and a., b., c.,... Numbered steps are used in a list of items when the sequence of the items is
important, such as the steps listed in a procedure.
■Bullets are used in a list of items when the sequence of the items is not important.
vThe checkmark indicates a procedure that consists of one step only.
1The hand points to information that requires special attention.
rThe angled arrow indicates you should press the Enter key.
fThe feet direct you to more information on a particular topic.
Table 3. Conventions
Visual Cue Meaning

Altera Corporation 1
Introduction The Nios Development Kit includes software, hardware, accessories, and
documentation to create working embedded systems projects. The Nios
development board is shipped with a factory default 32-bit reference
design. In addition to the factory default design loaded on the board,
several other 16-bit and 32-bit reference designs are provided. You can use
these reference designs as a starting point for designing your own Nios
project with the included Nios peripherals and bus configuration.
The purpose of this getting started user guide is to familiarize you with all
the items in the kit. This user guide tells you how to install the Nios
embedded processor software and how to set up and test the Nios
development board. Once set up, you are ready to begin using the Nios
Development Kit to create your own Nios system module. A description
of the documents is available to assist you in choosing which documents
to use for designing your Nios embedded system.
Before You
Begin
Be sure to check the contents in each box of the kit to verify that you
received all the items. If any of these items are missing, contact
http://www.altera.com/mysupport before you proceed.
Nios Printed Documentation Box
■Nios 16-Bit Programmer’s Reference Manual
■Nios 32-Bit Programmer’s Reference Manual
Nios Embedded Processor Design Tools Box
■Nios Embedded Processor CD-ROM
■GNUPro Toolkit CD-ROM
■Quartus®II Limited Edition CD-ROM
■LeonardoSpectrum®CD-ROM
■Third-Party Tool Evaluation CD-ROMS
GNUPro Printed Documentation Box
■GNUPro printed documentation
Nios Embedded Processor
Getting Started

2Altera Corporation
Nios Embedded Processor Getting Started User Guide
Nios Development Board Box
■APEXTM 20K200E development board
■9-V DC power supply
■4 power cables (US, Japan, UK, Europe)
■Serial Y cable
■6-foot 25-pin parallel port extension cable
■ByteBlasterMVTM cable
■LCD Module
Important
Considerations
■You will need the serial number for installing and licensing the
Quartus II software. The sticker with the serial number is on the Nios
Embedded Processor Design Tools CD holder.
■You will need your network identification card (NIC) number for
licensing Quartus II software. To get your NIC number, go to the DOS
prompt and enter ipconfig/all. The 12-digit hexadecimal number
on the line marked “physical address” is your NIC number. When
entering the NIC number, exclude the dashes.
■Do not choose a directory name with spaces, such as Program Files.
Spaces in a directory name may cause the Quartus II software to not
work properly.
■You will need administrative privileges to install parts of the Quartus
II software on WinNT or Win2000.
CD Software
Description
Nios Embedded Processor
The SOPC Builder MegaWizard®is used to create Nios embedded
processor systems with either the 16-bit or 32-bit CPU core, built-in
peripherals, on- and off -chip ROM and RAM support and bus support for
external hardware modules.
To Install the Nios Embedded Processor CD-ROM
The Nios embedded processor CD-ROM is found in the Nios Embedded
Processor Design Tools Box. When you insert the Nios embedded
processor CD-ROM in your CD-ROM drive, the install program begins.
Follow the install directions.

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Nios Embedded Processor Getting Started User Guide
Quartus II Limited Edition Software
The Quartus II Limited Edition software is a programmable logic
development tool for programming Altera devices. The Quartus II tool
supports system-level solutions with block-level editing, workgroup
computing, and expanded support for megafunctions. In addition, an
embedded logic analysis feature allows engineers to verify chip
functionality and timing by observing internal and I/O signal values at
system clock speeds.
fFollow the instructions in the readme for licensing your Quartus II
software.
LeonardoSpectrum
LeonardoSpectrum is bundled with the Nios embedded processor and
installs automatically when you install the Nios embedded processor CD-
ROM. This version of LeonardoSpectrum is required for Nios system
development. This version of LeonardoSpectrum does not conflict with
any previously installed versions of the Nios embedded processor.
Third-Party Evaluation CD-ROMS
The third-party development tools included in the Nios development kit
support the Nios embedded processor. Refer to the readme for more
information about these third-party evaluation CD-ROMS.
The Nios
Development
Board
Use the Nios development board to begin developing embedded systems
running on an Altera programmable device. A 32-bit Nios CPU running a
boot monitor is pre-loaded into Flash memory and boots on power-up.
The monitor provides the interface between the CPU, memory and your
developed code. Custom hardware configuration and software
applications can be loaded into Flash memory to create a stand-alone
embedded system.
1Refer to the Nios Embedded Processor Development Board manual
and board schematics for more information by selecting Start >
Programs > Altera > Excalibur Nios 2.0 > Altera Excalibur Nios
Documentation from the Windows Start Menu.
Setting Up the
Development
Board
To set up the Nios development board, follow these steps:
1. Take the Nios development board out of the box and remove its anti-
static shipping bag. Take care not to expose the board to electrostatic
discharge (ESD) during setup or use.

4Altera Corporation
Nios Embedded Processor Getting Started User Guide
2. The Y serial cable has three labeled connectors; board, main and
debug. Connect the board connector to the serial port connector (J3)
on the Nios development board and the main connector to either the
COM1 or COM2 serial port on your personal computer.
1The debug connector is optionally available for dedicated debug
communications.
3. Connect one end of the 25-pin parallel cable to the parallel port of
your personal computer and the other end to the ByteBlasterMV
download cable.
fFor more information about the ByteBlasterMV download cable see the
ByteBlasterMV Parallel Port Download Cable Data Sheet on the website at
http://www.altera.com/literature/lit-index.html.
4. Connect the ByteBlasterMV download cable to the JTAG connector
(JP3).
5. Connect the 14-pin LCD module ribbon cable to JP12. Pin 1 on JP12
must connect to pin 1 on the LCD module. Pin 1 is marked with a
small triangle arrow molded into the plastic of the connector. You
will use the LCD module later for testing the system.
1Pin 3 on the LCD module has been deliberately removed. This
pin controls the contrast of the LCD module.
6. Connect the 9-V DC power-supply to J1. Select the appropriate
power cord for your location. Connect one end to the 9-V DC power
supply and the other end to an outlet.
You have finished connecting the board. LED 7, LED 3 and the dual
7-segment LED display lights and one row of the LCD module displays
black squares.
1If the Nios development board LEDs are not lit, check all the
connections to make sure power is supplied to the board
properly. For further assistance, call (800) 800-EPLD (3753).
Setting Up
Communication
with the Board
The development board is now working with the factory default settings.
Nios SDK shell is the terminal communication program you will use. To
establish interaction and communication with the development board, do
the following:
1. From the Windows Start Menu, select Altera> Excalibur Nios 2.0>
Nios SDK Shell. The shell window appears and displays a shell
prompt, as shown in Figure 1.

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Nios Embedded Processor Getting Started User Guide
Figure 1. Nios SDK Shell Prompt
1The terminal communications program for Nios 2.0 is Nios SDK
Shell. Selecting Program> Cygwin> bash from the Windows
Start Menu accesses the previous program used for terminal
communication. Do not use this method for Nios 2.0.
2. Type nios-run -t rto begin communicating with the
development board.
1Step 2 assumes the serial cable is connected to COM1. If you are
using COM2, type nios-run -p com2 -t r
3. Press Enter several times. The GERMS monitor (code that executes
and controls the boot process) running on the Nios CPU, displays
the first few lines of memory starting at address 0000, as shown in
Figure 2. You have established communications and are now ready
to download application software to the development board.

6Altera Corporation
Nios Embedded Processor Getting Started User Guide
Figure 2. GERMS Monitor
fSee the Software Development Reference Manual for a table of GERMS
monitor commands and usage examples.
4. Press Ctrl+C to exit the terminal communication program and return
to the Nios SDK Shell prompt.
Testing the
System
You will now compile and download the lcd demo to the Nios embedded
processor system. Change directories to the standard 32-bit example
design by typing the following command:
cd vhdl/standard_32/cpu_sdk/src
This command places you in the default software development directory
for the vhdl version of the example design. This design is pre-
programmed into the development board Flash memory.
1If you prefer working with verilog designs, type the following
command:
cd verilog/standard_32/cpu_sdk/src

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Nios Embedded Processor Getting Started User Guide
To compile and download the lcd demo, do the following:
1. Type nios-build lcd_demo1.c rat the Nios SDK Shell
prompt. The nios-build utility will invoke the compiler and linker
that produces several intermediate files and an executable (.srec) file
as shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3. Nios-Build Message
2. Type nios-run lcd_demo1.srec rto download the srec file
over the serial port and begin execution. You will see a message
appear on the LCD screen. Press any of the push-button switches
(SW4–SW7) and the message is replaced with a timer-count. Your
Nios system is now working.
You are now ready to start designing your own Nios system. Select Start
> Programs > Altera > Excalibur Nios 2.0 > Altera Excalibur Nios
Documentation from the Windows Start Menu to access the Nios Tutorial.
Use the Nios Tutorial to learn how to build a Nios system with the SOPC
Builder MegaWizard.

8Altera Corporation
Nios Embedded Processor Getting Started User Guide
Nios
Documentation
Below is a list and description of the documents available with the Nios
Development Kit. Use Table 1 as a reference for deciding which document
are appropriate. All the documents listed can be found in either PDF or
text format. These documents are available by selecting Start > Programs
> Altera>Excalibur Nios 2.0 > Altera Excalibur Nios Documentation
from the Windows Start Menu.
Nios Development Board Reference Manual
This reference manual (nios_development_board.pdf) describes the features
and functionality of the Nios development board and provides the
technical details of its components. For Nios board schematics, select Start
> Programs > Altera > Excalibur Nios 2.0 > Altera Excalibur Nios
Documentation from the Windows Start Menu.
Nios Software Development Reference Manual
This reference manual (nios_software_development_reference.pdf) provides
information for programmers developing software for the Nios
embedded processor. The primary focus of this document is for
developers writing code in C and includes sections addressing code
written in assembly.
Table 1. Nios Documentation
Document Hardware
Developer
Software
Developer
IP Developer
Nios Embedded Processor Getting Started Guide x x x
Nios Embedded Processor Development Board x x x
Nios 2.0 Tutorial x x x
Nios 16-Bit Programmer’s Reference Manual x
Nios 32-Bit Programmer’s Reference Manual x
Nios Embedded Processor Software Reference Manual x
Nios Embedded Processor Peripherals Reference Manual x x
Avalon Bus Specification Data Sheet x x
Custom Instruction Application Note x x
Nios Embedded Processor SOPC Builder Reference Manual x x
Nios Ethernet Development Kit User Guide x x
Simultaneous Multi-Mastering Application Note x x
Simulating Nios Embedded Processor Designs Application Note x x
GNUPro Printed documentation x x

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Nios Embedded Processor Getting Started User Guide
Nios 16-Bit Programmer’s Reference Manual
This reference manual (nios_programmers_reference_16.pdf) contains details
on the Nios processor architecture including registers, addressing modes,
program-flow control, exceptions and pipeline implementation. It
includes complete documentation on the Nios assembly language
instruction set for a 16-bit CPU.
Nios 32-Bit Programmer’s Reference Manual
This reference manual (nios_programmers_reference_32.pdf)contains details
on the Nios processor architecture including registers, addressing modes,
program-flow control, exceptions and pipeline implementation. It
includes complete documentation on the Nios assembly language
instruction set for a 32-bit CPU.
Nios Peripherals Reference Manual
This reference manual (nios_peripherals_reference_manual.pdf) describes the
peripherals included in the Nios development kit. It includes details about
peripheral registers, peripheral template file (PTF) assignments and
software routines.
SOPC Builder Reference Manual
This reference manual (sopc_reference_manual.pdf) provides an explanation
of the process for constructing a Nios system, an overview of the SOPC
Builder MegaWizard, an explanation of the PTF structure and a PTF
dictionary.
Nios Ethernet Development Kit User Guide
This user guide (nios_edk_user_guide.pdf) describes installing the kit’s
development tools and hardware and how to access the software
application examples. It includes a functional description of the daughter
card and PC-board design files and the supported protocol C-language
library with a plugs library reference for the software routines. The Nios
Ethernet Development Kit can be purchased as an optional add-on kit.
Avalon Bus Specifications Data Sheet
This data sheet (avalon_bus_spec.pdf) is for developers creating custom
peripherals for the Avalon™ bus. It defines terms and concepts of SOPC
designs based on the Avalon bus architecture used for connecting on-chip
processors and peripherals into a system on a programmable chip (SOPC).
Avalon bus signal functions and timing are defined.

10 Altera Corporation
Nios Embedded Processor Getting Started User Guide
Nios Tutorial
This tutorial (nios_tutorial_2_0.pdf) shows the developer how to use the
SOPC Builder MegaWizard to build a Nios processor-based system and
custom software development kit (SDK).
Simultaneous Multi-Mastering Avalon Bus Application Note
This application note (nios_an184_avalon_multimaster.pdf) describes the
simultaneous multi-master Avalon bus with an explanation about how it
differs from existing bus arbitration schemes. It includes an in-depth
explanation of bus arbitration priorities and most commonly used
configurations for your Nios embedded system design.
Custom Instruction Application Note
This application note (nios_an188_custom_instructions.pdf) describes the
custom instruction feature and how to implement custom instructions in
Nios based-designs. It includes a design example that shows the benefits
of using custom instructions.
Simulating Nios Embedded Processor Designs
This application note (nios_an189_simulating_designs.pdf) describes the
simulation flow of a simulation project and walks the user through the
process of simulating a design using ModelSim®created by the SOPC
Builder.
Nios FAQ
The FAQ covers both hardware and software design issues.
Readme File
This file explains the installation and operating requirements for
Windows, Solaris and HPUX. It also contains instructions for software
licensing.
For More
Information
For updates and newly created Nios documentation, go to the Excalibur
section of the Altera web site at http://www.altera.com. If you need
technical support, contact the Altera Applications department at
http://www.altera.com/mysupport.