Using a Cyclone IV to program its own FLASH

[shaiko]

Hello,

I'd like to use a Cyclone IV E FPGA to program it's own configuration file - The programming file will be transferred to the FPGA from a CPU via a serial port.

The memory device is: EPCQ16
https://www.altera.com/literature/hb/cfg/cfg_cf52012.pdf

From reading the datasheet I understand that these are the pins that will have to be driven by the FPGA:

nCS
DCLK
DATA0
DATA

Is this correct?
Anything I missed?

 

[FvM]

Is this correct?

Yes. Flash programming can be achieved by the Altera altasmi IP.

 

[shaiko]

The configuration file's size is around 5MBs - the FPGA's RAM resources are a lot less then that - won't I need some kind of RAM memory to buffer the configuration file as it's being received by the CPU?
Do you know of any application note regarding this subject?

 

[FvM]

You don't need a buffer at all because the flash can be programmed byte-by-byte. The altasmi component is providing an optional sector buffer for programming speed enhancement.

Did you already review the altasmi user manual? It's giving basic usage suggestions if I remember right.