Updating Firmware - ArrowElectronics/AnalogMAX GitHub Wiki

Installing the Arrow USB Programmer

Before updating firmware, it is necessary to install the Arrow USB Programmer and associated drivers as described here.

The module is shipped with the Firmware suitable for all Reference designs. This guide is for restoring the firmware to factory condition, in case it has been altered.

For restoring the firmware of the module, one needs:

  • Intel - Quartus prime Lite Edition - Version 18.1
  • Arrow-USB-Blaster-Setup-2.2.exe (Install drivers if not done)
  • the firmware, a *.pof file as part of the compressed demo folder

Quartus prime and Arrow-USB-Blaster need to be installed prior to updating the firmware. In addition, the compressed folder needs to be extracted.

Downloading the firmware

Each demo has similar firmware which runs on a Nios® II soft core embedded processor in an Intel® MAX® 10 FPGA. This firmware controls the analog components on the board and samples and captures sensor data. It also manages a serial command protocol across a USB interface. Serial commands are sent to the processor to cause it to generate a sample record and then respond with the sample values. It transmits the response data to a PC to be displayed in graphical user interface GUI software.

Download the firmware file that corresponds to your Evaluation Kit.

Note that for AnalogMAX-01 file with pre-built Quartus includes a prebuilt folder. The programming files .pof for FPGA and different source files for hardware .sopcinfo and software .elf are included in subfolders. The reference design is the same in both cases.

Programming the firmware

In the windows start menu search for Intel FPGA 18.1. ... Lite Edition and open programmer.

In its window press "Hardware Setup..." which leads to an other new window.

In it press right next to "Currently selected hardware" and select "Arrow-USB-Blaster [USBX]", whereby the "X" in [USBX] is a placeholder.

Then, press "Close" and return to the previous window.

Now the hardware is selected and through pressing "Add File" the downloaded *.pof firmware file can be selected.

The window layout changes slightly.

Mark the "Program/Configure" box for the selected file. The programming of the FPGA is executed, when you press the button "Start". When the programming finishes, the Quartus Prime Programmer can be closed.

Click here to return to the Quick Start page.