Nios II Classic Processor Reference Guide

ID 683620
Date 10/28/2016
Public
Document Table of Contents

1.4.1. Configurable Soft Processor Core

The Nios® II processor is a configurable soft IP core, as opposed to a fixed, off-the-shelf microcontroller. You can add or remove features on a system-by-system basis to meet performance or price goals. Soft means the processor core is not fixed in silicon and can be targeted to any Intel FPGA family.

You are not required to create a new Nios® II processor configuration for every new design. Intel FPGA provides ready-made Nios® II system designs that you can use as is. If these designs meet your system requirements, there is no need to configure the design further. In addition, you can use the Nios II instruction set simulator to begin writing and debugging Nios II applications before the final hardware configuration is determined.