The FlashLoader application can be used to program a bitfile or any other data to the onboard FPGA flash of supported devices.

Running the sample to load your own bitfile into flash is easy enough:

1. Download the pre-built sample bitfiles corresponding to your FPGA module from our Pins Downloads.
2. Find flashloader.exe (and its source code) in the Samples Directory installed with FrontPanel
3. You need to have the following in a single directory:
   • flashloader.exe
   • okFrontPanel.dll (.so for Linux, .dylib for macOS)
   • flashloader.bit (from step 1)
   • Your own bitfile to be programmed into flash

1. At the command line, run: flashloader.exe w <path to valid bitfile>

1. At the command line, run: flashloader.exe r <sector start> <sector end> <output file>

Clearing the reset profile prevents power on configuration for devices that support reset profiles.

1. At the command line, run: flashloader.exe c

The rate at which a bitfile can be loaded at power-on from flash is configured during bitstream generation. Read the Xilinx/Intel SPI configuration user guide appropriate for your product to determine how to configure this. Flash configuration and connections are documented in your product’s documentation space. Note that the flashloader tool sets the flash part’s QE bit so x4 configuration can be used, if supported (currently on UltraScale/UltraScale+ boards).

FrontPanel 5.3.5

• Added ‘c’ option for clearing Reset Profiles
• Improved error reporting
• Added usage requirements note to usage printout

FrontPanel 5.2.7

• Added flash read functionality
• Fixed issue in HDL where an extra flash sector would be erased
• Fixed issue where last sector transfer would contain old data