The Nios® II Embedded Design Suite (EDS) is a comprehensive development package for Nios® II software design. The Nios® II EDS contains not just development tools, but also software, device drivers, bare metal Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) library, a commercial grade network stack software and evaluation version of a real-time operating system.
When you design with the Nios® II embedded processor, you have access to a portfolio of robust software development tools and software components available from us and our partner ecosystem. The Nios® II Embedded Design Suite (EDS) is a comprehensive development package for Nios® II software design. The Nios® II EDS contains not just development tools, but also software, device drivers, bare metal Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) library, a commercial grade network stack software and evaluation version of a real-time operating system.
The EDS is included as part of our Intel Quartus® Prime (15.1 and higher) or Intel® Quartus® development software tool (13.1 to 15.0).
The Nios® II Software Build Tools are a set of powerful commands, utilities, and scripts to manage build options for applications, BSPs, and software libraries.
The Nios® II Software Build Tools (SBT) for Eclipse is an integrated development environment for Nios® II software development tasks, such as editing, building, and debugging. Watch a free training video of how to develop software for the Nios® II processor.
With a PC, an Intel® FPGA, and a download cable, you have everything you need to write programs for, and communicate with, any Nios® II processor system.
Nios® II SBT for Eclipse key features:
With the Nios® II embedded processor, you have access to a broad range of third party embedded software components.
With the Nios® II embedded processor, you have access to a broad range of third party embedded software components.
The following items are included with the Nios® II EDS:
A complete list of applications examples, operating systems, middleware, and intellectual property (IP) cores are available from us and our software tool partners.
Writing software for the Nios® II processor is similar to any other microprocessor family. The easiest way to start designing effectively is using a Nios® II development kit from Intel. These kits include documentation, a ready-made development board, and all the tools necessary to write Nios® II programs right out of the box.
The Nios® II software development environment provided by Intel consists of the following tools:
This diagram shows the embedded software design flow for the Nios® II development environment. The Nios® II IDE provides an environment for code creation, along with optional RTOS and TCP/IP library integration. The Nios® II IDE also provides a tool for build management, using the GNU compiler as its underlying technology. Running and debugging embedded programs are tasks performed within the Nios® II IDE as well. Designers can target an FPGA development board or the ISS included with the Nios® II development kits. Additionally, the Nios® II IDE features a flash programmer that can be used to manage the flash contents of a processor system.
Intel offers device drivers for Intel® FPGA IP and HAL API.
Intel provides a complete set of peripheral device drivers and even generates a custom BSP automatically to accelerate your software development effort.
Evaluate the Nios® II processor tools and IP and develop software for free. When you are ready to ship your product, you must purchase a Nios® II IP core license. This royalty-free license never expires and allows you to target your processor design to any FPGA, so that your software investment is preserved even if the underlying hardware changes. To get started, follow these steps:
The Nios® II Embedded Design Suite (EDS) is available for free and is included with the Intel® Quartus® Prime software download from the download center.
Download the software from this web site.
When you download the Nios® II EDS, you get the following tools and software:
Platform Designer (formerly Qsys) and ModelSim*-Intel® FPGA software are installed as part of the Intel® Quartus® Prime software.
Purchase a license for the Nios® II processor IP core and related products.
Nios® II Processor IP
Get a license file for the Nios® II processor, non-time-limited use, by purchasing a stand-alone Nios® II processor core license (ordering code: IP-NIOS) or as part of the Embedded IP Suite (IPS-EMBEDDED).
Both fixed and floating licenses are available. To obtain a license file, contact your local representative.
Learn more about Nios® II processor licensing.
Micrium MicroC/OS-II
To obtain a license for the Micrium MicroC/OS-II RTOS, contact Micrium today. A wide range of embedded software partners supports the Nios® II processor.
Learn more about our embedded software partners.
Related Links
Foundational Software and Simulation Tools
High-Level Design
Embedded Design