What is up my friend! I figured it out!
I have been researching all night trying to figure out which chip stores the configuration in other fpga boards, and then trying to find it on this storm iv board. well looking at the board didnt help, but, looking at the block diagram gave me the answer I was looking for. This board uses an EPCS4 chip!
Here is the process I went through to program this chip:
(A process I learned from watching Ben Heck!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zrqYy369NQ)
after compiling your design into a ".sof" file
click file, convert programming files, opening the convert programming files window
click the "programming file type" drop down and select "JTAG indirect configuration file (.jic)"
click the "..." icon next to the configuration device dropdown, opening a configuration device window
under device family select Cyclone IV E
in the configuration device tab select the "EPCS4" device and click OK
next, under input files to convert, click on "flash loader", then to the right, click on add device, which opens the "select devices" window
under device family again select Cyclone IV E
then select our specific cyclone device version under device name, "EP4CE6", click OK
next click "SOF Data" inside input files to convert, and click add file
choose the .sof file you want
click on the "yourdesign.sof" item under SOF data, and click the properties button
check the compression checkbox, click ok
finally, click generate!
now we need to open the programmer and upload this new file to our board!
click tools, programmer
first, delete any item that is already in here, we want it empty
click add file, find your ".jic" file, it should just be in the same place as your .sof file
click the "program/configure" checkbox
then click start
and that's it! you can now power cycle your device and your design will remain!
