Quartus® Prime Pro Edition User Guide: Design Compilation

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Date 4/01/2024
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Document Table of Contents
Document Table of Contents x
Answers to Top FAQs 1. Design Compilation 2. Reducing Compilation Time 3. Quartus® Prime Pro Edition User Guide Design Compilation Archives A. Quartus® Prime Pro Edition User Guides
1. Design Compilation x
1.1. Compilation Overview 1.2. Using the Compilation Dashboard 1.3. Design Netlist Infrastructure 1.4. Using the Node Finder 1.5. Precompiled Component (PCC) Generation Flow 1.6. Analysis & Elaboration Flow 1.7. Design Synthesis 1.8. Design Place and Route 1.9. Incremental Optimization Flow 1.10. Fast Forward Compilation Flow 1.11. Full Compilation Flow 1.12. Compilation Monitoring Mode 1.13. Exporting Compilation Results 1.14. Integrating Other EDA Tools 1.15. Compiler Optimization Techniques 1.16. Synthesis Language Support 1.17. Synthesis Settings Reference 1.18. Fitter Settings Reference 1.19. Design Compilation Revision History
1.1. Compilation Overview x
1.1.1. Compilation Flows 1.1.2. Compilation Hierarchy 1.1.3. Compilation on a Compute Farm
1.3. Design Netlist Infrastructure x
1.3.1. DNI Netlist Five-Box Data Model
1.6. Analysis & Elaboration Flow x
1.6.1. Exploring the RTL Analyzer 1.6.2. Use Case Examples
1.6.1. Exploring the RTL Analyzer x
1.6.1.1. Sweep Hints Viewer 1.6.1.2. Object Set Console 1.6.1.3. Module Interfaces 1.6.1.4. Bundled Instances 1.6.1.5. Auto-hide Unconnected Pins 1.6.1.6. Filtering Ports and Nets 1.6.1.7. Expand Connections
1.6.2. Use Case Examples x
1.6.2.1. Scripting Routine Tasks Using Tcl Commands 1.6.2.2. Traversing the Design Netlist Using Tcl Commands
1.7. Design Synthesis x
1.7.1. Preparing for Design Synthesis 1.7.2. Running Synthesis 1.7.3. Using Synopsys* Design Constraint (SDC) on RTL Files 1.7.4. Post-Synthesis Static Timing Analysis (STA) 1.7.5. Viewing Synthesis Reports 1.7.6. Viewing Synthesis Dynamic Report
1.7.2. Running Synthesis x
1.7.2.1. Preserving Registers During Synthesis 1.7.2.2. Preserving Signals for Monitoring and Debugging
1.7.3. Using Synopsys* Design Constraint (SDC) on RTL Files x
1.7.3.1. Registering the SDC-on-RTL SDC File 1.7.3.2. Applying the SDC-on-RTL Constraints 1.7.3.3. Inspecting SDC-on-RTL Constraints 1.7.3.4. Creating Constraints in SDC-on-RTL SDC Files 1.7.3.5. Using Entity-Based SDC-on-RTL Constraints 1.7.3.6. Types of SDC Files Used in the Quartus® Prime Software 1.7.3.7. Example: Using SDC-on-RTL Features
1.8. Design Place and Route x
1.8.1. Running the Fitter 1.8.2. Viewing Fitter Reports
1.8.1. Running the Fitter x
1.8.1.1. Fitter Commands 1.8.1.2. Disabling or Enabling Physical Synthesis Optimization
1.8.2. Viewing Fitter Reports x
1.8.2.1. Plan Stage Reports 1.8.2.2. Place Stage Reports 1.8.2.3. Route Stage Reports 1.8.2.4. Retime Stage Reports 1.8.2.5. Finalize Stage Reports
1.8.2.2. Place Stage Reports x
1.8.2.2.1. Global Signal Visualization Report
1.8.2.3. Route Stage Reports x
1.8.2.3.1. Global Router Congestion Hotspot Summary Report 1.8.2.3.2. Global Router Wire Utilization Map Report
1.9. Incremental Optimization Flow x
1.9.1. Concurrent Analysis During Synthesis or Fitting 1.9.2. Analyzing Compiler Snapshots 1.9.3. Validating Periphery (I/O) after the Plan Stage
1.9.2. Analyzing Compiler Snapshots x
1.9.2.1. Running Snapshot Viewer
1.9.2.1. Running Snapshot Viewer x
1.9.2.1.1. Analyzing Failing Paths with Snapshot Viewer 1.9.2.1.2. Analyzing Clocking with Snapshot Viewer 1.9.2.1.3. Analyzing High Fan-out Nets with Snapshot Viewer 1.9.2.1.4. Validating Timing Constraints with Snapshot Viewer 1.9.2.1.5. Analyzing Congestion with Snapshot Viewer
1.10. Fast Forward Compilation Flow x
1.10.1. Step 1: Run Register Retiming 1.10.2. Step 2: Review Retiming Results 1.10.3. Step 3: Run Fast Forward Compile 1.10.4. Step 4: Review Fast Forward Results 1.10.5. Step 5: Implement Fast Forward Recommendations 1.10.6. Retiming Restrictions and Workarounds
1.10.2. Step 2: Review Retiming Results x
1.10.2.1. Locate Critical Chains
1.10.3. Step 3: Run Fast Forward Compile x
1.10.3.1. Fast Forward Compile By Hierarchy 1.10.3.2. HyperFlex Settings
1.10.4. Step 4: Review Fast Forward Results x
1.10.4.1. Clock Fmax Summary Report 1.10.4.2. Fast Forward Details Report
1.11. Full Compilation Flow x
1.11.1. Full Compilation Flow with Temporary Optimization Mode
1.13. Exporting Compilation Results x
1.13.1. Exporting a Version-Compatible Compilation Database 1.13.2. Importing a Version-Compatible Compilation Database 1.13.3. Creating a Design Partition 1.13.4. Exporting a Design Partition 1.13.5. Reusing a Design Partition 1.13.6. Viewing Quartus Database File Information 1.13.7. Clearing Compilation Results
1.13.6. Viewing Quartus Database File Information x
1.13.6.1. QDB File Attribute Types
1.14. Integrating Other EDA Tools x
1.14.1. Generating a VQM Netlist for other EDA Tools
1.15. Compiler Optimization Techniques x
1.15.1. Compiler Optimization Modes 1.15.2. Allow Register Retiming 1.15.3. Automatic Gated Clock Conversion 1.15.4. Enable Intermediate Fitter Snapshots 1.15.5. Fast Preserve Option 1.15.6. Fractal Synthesis Optimization
1.15.6. Fractal Synthesis Optimization x
1.15.6.1. Enabling or Disabling Fractal Synthesis
1.16. Synthesis Language Support x
1.16.1. Verilog and SystemVerilog Synthesis Support 1.16.2. VHDL Synthesis Support
1.16.1. Verilog and SystemVerilog Synthesis Support x
1.16.1.1. Verilog HDL Input Settings (Settings Dialog Box) 1.16.1.2. Design Libraries 1.16.1.3. Verilog HDL Configuration 1.16.1.4. Initial Constructs and Memory System Tasks 1.16.1.5. Verilog HDL Macros
1.16.1.3. Verilog HDL Configuration x
1.16.1.3.1. Hierarchical Design Configurations
1.16.2. VHDL Synthesis Support x
1.16.2.1. VHDL Input Settings (Settings Dialog Box) 1.16.2.2. VHDL Standard Libraries and Packages 1.16.2.3. VHDL wait Constructs 1.16.2.4. VHDL-2019 Conditional Analysis Tool Directives
1.17. Synthesis Settings Reference x
1.17.1. Advanced Synthesis Settings
2. Reducing Compilation Time x
2.1. Factors Affecting Compilation Results 2.2. Strategies to Reduce the Overall Compilation Time 2.3. Reducing Synthesis Time and Synthesis Netlist Optimization Time 2.4. Reducing Placement Time 2.5. Reducing Routing Time 2.6. Reducing Static Timing Analysis Time 2.7. Setting Process Priority 2.8. Reducing Compilation Time Revision History
2.2. Strategies to Reduce the Overall Compilation Time x
2.2.1. Running the ECO Compilation Flow 2.2.2. Enabling Multi-Processor Compilation 2.2.3. Using Block-Based Compilation
2.2.2. Enabling Multi-Processor Compilation x
2.2.2.1. Processor Base Clock Frequency 2.2.2.2. Random Access Memory (RAM) 2.2.2.3. Storage
2.3. Reducing Synthesis Time and Synthesis Netlist Optimization Time x
2.3.1. Settings to Reduce Synthesis Time and Synthesis Netlist Optimization Time 2.3.2. Use Appropriate Coding Style to Reduce Synthesis Time
2.4. Reducing Placement Time x
2.4.1. Placement Effort Multiplier Settings
2.5. Reducing Routing Time x
2.5.1. Identifying Routing Congestion with the Chip Planner
2.5.1. Identifying Routing Congestion with the Chip Planner x
2.5.1.1. Areas with Routing Congestion 2.5.1.2. Congestion due to HDL Coding style
Answers to Top FAQs
1. Design Compilation
2. Reducing Compilation Time
3. Quartus® Prime Pro Edition User Guide Design Compilation Archives
A. Quartus® Prime Pro Edition User Guides

1.4. Using the Node Finder

The Node Finder allows you to search objects in the design netlist based on your search criteria. It returns a list of matching nodes. From the nodes list, you can also locate a node using the RTL Analyzer and other Quartus® Prime software tools. In terms of the functionality, it is similar to the Object Finder in the RTL Analyzer. You must complete the Analysis & Elaboration compilation stage to perform a search.
Note: This version of the Node Finder is available only in Quartus® Prime Pro Edition software versions 23.3 and later.

To launch the Node Finder, on the Quartus® Prime software menu, click View > Node Finder. In the following example, the Node Finder has found all user-entered names in your design files:

The Named field accepts partial or full-text characters and standard wildcard characters. When you click Search, the Node Finder searches all node names matching the specified text. Your search strings are saved, so you can access previously searched strings using the drop-down. The Node Finder provides additional search options (described in the section below) to refine your search.

Node Finder Search Options

Use the Show More Search Options button in the Node Finder to apply filters and refine your search. The following search options are available:

Important: Search options available in the Node Finder vary based on the filter you select in the Filter drop-down list.
Table 4.  Node Finder Search Options
Node Finder Search Options Description
Filter Provides a set of default filters. For more information about each filter, refer to the Node Finder Search Filters table. Depending on the filter selected, when you click the Options button, some options are enabled, disabled, or grayed out by default.

To refine your search, you can either use one of the default filters or create a custom filter based on one of the default filters using the Customize button.

Options
  • Case-insensitivity: Allows searching case-insensitive node names. By default, the search is case-sensitive. With this option enabled, the search returns the same result irrespective of whether you use lowercase or uppercase search strings.
  • Object Type: Specifies the object type to search for. You can choose between instance, instance_bus, instance_port, port, port_bus, net, and net_bus.
  • Properties: Allows adding or removing object properties, such as object name, name of an object's parent, number of ports, source file or line number in the source, and so on. You can type the property values (integer or string) manually.
Look in Allows you to refine your search hierarchy path. Use the browse button to select the search hierarchy level. It displays the Select Hierarchy Level dialog box, allowing you to navigate and select the desired hierarchy level.
Include subentities Includes node names below the current search hierarchy level in the Nodes Found list.
Hierarchy view Allows you to view nodes in the Nodes Found list in hierarchy levels.

Node Finder Search Filters

The following search filters are available in the Node Finder:

Table 5.  Node Finder Filters and Search Mode
Filter Name Description
Design Entry (all names) Finds all user-entered names in the search hierarchy path.
Pins: assigned Finds all assigned pins in the search hierarchy path.
Pins: unassigned Finds all unassigned pins in the search hierarchy path.
Pins: input Finds all input pins in the search hierarchy path.
Pins: output Finds all output pins in the search hierarchy path.
Pins: bidirectional Finds all bidirectional pins in the search hierarchy path.
Pins: virtual Finds all I/O elements mapped to logic elements with a virtual pin logic option assignment.
Pins: all Finds all pins in the search hierarchy path.
Pins: all & Registers: post-fitting Finds all pins and registers that persist after physical synthesis and fitting within the search hierarchy path.
Note: This filter is a combination of the Pins: all and Registers: post-fitting filters.
Ports: partition Finds all user-entered and compiler-generated partition ports within the post-fit netlist and search hierarchy path.
Entity instance: pre-synthesis Finds all entity instances within the pre-synthesis netlist and search hierarchy path.
Registers: pre-synthesis Finds all user-entered register names contained in the design after Analysis & Elaboration, but before physical synthesis performs any synthesis optimizations.
Registers: post-fitting Finds all user-entered registers in the search hierarchy path that survived physical synthesis and fitting.
Post-synthesis Finds all user-entered and synthesis-generated nodes contained in the design after design elaboration and physical synthesis.
Post-synthesis: preserved for debug Finds all internal device nodes that you have designated with preserve for debug in the post-synthesis netlist.
Post-Compilation Finds all user-centered and compiler-generated names that persist post-fit and do not have location assignments.
Signal Tap: pre-synthesis Finds all internal device nodes in the pre-synthesis netlist that are preserved for analysis by the Signal Tap Logic Analyzer.
Note: Signal Tap: pre-synthesis user defined filter option is unsupported in the DNI mode because functionally, it is same as the Signal Tap: pre-synthesis.
Signal Tap: post-fitting Finds all internal device nodes in the post-fit netlist that are preserved for analysis by the Signal Tap Logic Analyzer.
Signal Tap: post-fitting user defined Finds all user defined internal device nodes in the post-fit netlist that are preserved for analysis by the Signal Tap Logic Analyzer.
Signal Tap: pre-synthesis preserved for debug Finds all internal device nodes in the pre-synthesis netlist that are preserved for analysis by the Signal Tap Logic Analyzer.
Signal Tap: post-fitting preserved for debug Finds all internal device nodes in the post-fit netlist that are preserved for analysis by the Signal Tap Logic Analyzer.

The following image illustrates an example of the Node Finder finding case-insensitive internal device nodes in the pre-synthesis netlist:

Figure 4. Example of Finding Case-insensitive Internal Device Nodes

The following image illustrates an example of the Node Finder using the Post-synthesis filter to find user-entered synthesis-generated nodes in the design:

Figure 5. Example of Finding User-entered Synthesis-generated Nodes
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