What Do I Need to Know to Get Started?
Evaluate our tools and develop software for free. When you are ready to ship your product, you must purchase a Nios® II intellectual property (IP) core license. This royalty-free license never expires and allows you to target your processor design to any Altera® FPGA, so your software investment is preserved even if the underlying hardware changes. Follow the steps below to get started today:
- Get the Design Software
- Evaluate the Software and Develop the Application
- Purchase Licensing
Step 1: Get the Design Software
There are several ways to get the Nios II processor and Nios II EDS development tools:
- Web download—All the software tools you need to start development are available for immediate download: the Quartus® II design software, the Nios IDE, and the SOPC Builder system development software. Download software from the Altera site.
- Development kits—Nios II development kits include a hardware development board, download cables, reference designs, a perpetual-use royalty-free license for the Nios II processor, and all the design software you need to begin designing embedded systems for FPGAs. Learn more about Nios II development kits.
- Altera subscription—If you already have an Altera software subscription, you automatically receive all of the design software you need with each release. Learn more about the Altera subscription advantage.
Note:
- License sold separately.
Step 2: Evaluate the Software and Develop the Application
- Build your applications and evaluate the Nios II embedded design flow.
- Design, compile, and generate time-limited Nios II processor systems and hardware accelerators generated by the Nios II C-to-Hardware (C2H) Acceleration Compiler without obtaining a license file by using the OpenCore Plus evaluation feature.
- Many reference designs and tutorials are included with the Nios II Embedded Design Suite. Additionally, training is available on the web and in instructor-led courses. Learn more about the training offered for designing with the Nios II processor
- You do not need a license if you are only developing software using the Nios II Embedded Design Suite. Before shipping a product containing one or more Nios II processors or accelerators generated by the Nios II C2H Compiler, you must purchase a license.
Step 3: Purchase Licensing
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 Nios II development kit or the stand-alone Nios II processor core license (ordering code: IP-NIOS).
Both fixed and floating licenses are available. To obtain a license file, contact your local Altera representative or Altera Tools Support .
Learn more about Nios II processor licensing
Nios II C2H Compiler
To license the Nios II C2H Compiler, you need an active Nios II processor license. To obtain licenses for the Nios II C2H Compiler (ordering code: IPT-C2H-NIOS) contact your local Altera representative or Altera Tools Support.
Learn more about Nios II C2H Compiler licensing
NicheStack TCP/IP Network Stack—Nios II Edition
To purchase a license for the NicheStack TCP/IP Network Stack, Nios II Edition, (ordering code: IPSW-TCPIP-NIOS) contact your local Altera representative or Altera Tools Support .
Learn more about NicheStack TCP/IP Network Stack—Nios II Edition licensing.
Micrium MicroC/OS-II RTOS
To obtain a license for the Micrium MicroC/OS-II RTOS, contact Micrium today.
The Nios II processor is supported by a wide range of embedded software partners. Learn more about our embedded software partners.
Figure 1. Designing With Nios II Processors
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