Quartus® Prime Pro Edition User Guide: Debug Tools

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Date 7/08/2024
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Document Table of Contents
Document Table of Contents x
Answers to Top FAQs 1. System Debugging Tools Overview 2. Design Debugging with the Signal Tap Logic Analyzer 3. Quick Design Verification with Signal Probe 4. In-System Debugging Using External Logic Analyzers 5. In-System Modification of Memory and Constants 6. Design Debugging Using In-System Sources and Probes 7. Analyzing and Debugging Designs with System Console 8. Quartus® Prime Pro Edition User Guide Debug Tools Archives A. Quartus® Prime Pro Edition User Guides
1. System Debugging Tools Overview x
1.1. System Debugging Tools Portfolio 1.2. Tools for Monitoring RTL Nodes 1.3. Stimulus-Capable Tools 1.4. Virtual JTAG Interface Intel® FPGA IP 1.5. System-Level Debug Fabric 1.6. SLD JTAG Bridge 1.7. Partial Reconfiguration Design Debugging 1.8. Preserving Signals for Debugging 1.9. System Debugging Tools Overview Revision History
1.1. System Debugging Tools Portfolio x
1.1.1. System Debugging Tools Comparison 1.1.2. Suggested Tools for Common Debugging Requirements 1.1.3. Debugging Ecosystem
1.2. Tools for Monitoring RTL Nodes x
1.2.1. Resource Usage 1.2.2. Pin Usage 1.2.3. Usability Enhancements
1.2.1. Resource Usage x
1.2.1.1. Overhead Logic
1.2.1.1. Overhead Logic x
1.2.1.1.1. For Signal Tap Logic Analyzer 1.2.1.1.2. For Signal Probe 1.2.1.1.3. For Logic Analyzer Interface
1.2.2. Pin Usage x
1.2.2.1. For Signal Tap Logic Analyzer 1.2.2.2. For Signal Probe 1.2.2.3. For Logic Analyzer Interface
1.2.3. Usability Enhancements x
1.2.3.1. Incremental Routing 1.2.3.2. Automation Via Scripting
1.3. Stimulus-Capable Tools x
1.3.1. In-System Sources and Probes 1.3.2. In-System Memory Content Editor 1.3.3. System Console
1.3.1. In-System Sources and Probes x
1.3.1.1. Push Button Functionality
1.3.2. In-System Memory Content Editor x
1.3.2.1. Generate Test Vectors
1.3.3. System Console x
1.3.3.1. Test Signal Integrity 1.3.3.2. Board Bring-Up and Verification 1.3.3.3. Debug with Available Toolkits
1.6. SLD JTAG Bridge x
1.6.1. SLD JTAG Bridge Index 1.6.2. Instantiating the SLD JTAG Bridge Agent 1.6.3. Instantiating the SLD JTAG Bridge Host
1.7. Partial Reconfiguration Design Debugging x
1.7.1. Debug Fabric for Partial Reconfiguration Designs
1.7.1. Debug Fabric for Partial Reconfiguration Designs x
1.7.1.1. Generation of PR Debug Infrastructure
1.8. Preserving Signals for Debugging x
1.8.1. Preserve for Debug Overview 1.8.2. Marking Signals for Debug
1.8.2. Marking Signals for Debug x
1.8.2.1. Step 1: Enabling Preserve for Debug 1.8.2.2. Step 2: Implement Preserve for Debug Assignments 1.8.2.3. Step 3: Locate and Report Preserve for Debug Nodes
1.8.2.1. Step 1: Enabling Preserve for Debug x
1.8.2.1.1. Enabling Preserve for Debug In Project Settings 1.8.2.1.2. Enabling Preserve for Debug at Instance Level
1.8.2.2. Step 2: Implement Preserve for Debug Assignments x
1.8.2.2.1. HDL Implementation 1.8.2.2.2. Quartus® Prime Settings Implementation
1.8.2.3. Step 3: Locate and Report Preserve for Debug Nodes x
1.8.2.3.1. Locating Preserve for Debug Nodes 1.8.2.3.2. Reporting Preserve for Debug Nodes
2. Design Debugging with the Signal Tap Logic Analyzer x
2.1. Signal Tap Logic Analyzer Introduction 2.2. Signal Tap Debugging Flow 2.3. Step 1: Add the Signal Tap Logic Analyzer to the Project 2.4. Step 2: Configure the Signal Tap Logic Analyzer 2.5. Step 3: Compile the Design and Signal Tap Instances 2.6. Step 4: Program the Target Hardware 2.7. Step 5: Run the Signal Tap Logic Analyzer 2.8. Step 6: Analyze Signal Tap Captured Data 2.9. Simulation-Aware Signal Tap 2.10. Other Signal Tap Debugging Flows 2.11. Signal Tap Logic Analyzer Design Examples 2.12. Custom State-Based Triggering Flow Examples 2.13. Signal Tap File Templates 2.14. Running the Standalone Version of Signal Tap 2.15. Signal Tap Scripting Support 2.16. Merge Multiple Signal Tap files 2.17. Signal Tap File Version Compatibility 2.18. Design Debugging with the Signal Tap Logic Analyzer Revision History
2.1. Signal Tap Logic Analyzer Introduction x
2.1.1. Signal Tap Hardware and Software Requirements
2.3. Step 1: Add the Signal Tap Logic Analyzer to the Project x
2.3.1. Creating a Signal Tap Instance with the Signal Tap GUI 2.3.2. Creating a Signal Tap Instance by HDL Instantiation
2.3.1. Creating a Signal Tap Instance with the Signal Tap GUI x
2.3.1.1. Managing Signal Tap Instances
2.3.2. Creating a Signal Tap Instance by HDL Instantiation x
2.3.2.1. Signal Tap Intel® FPGA IP Parameters
2.4. Step 2: Configure the Signal Tap Logic Analyzer x
2.4.1. Preserving Signals for Monitoring and Debugging 2.4.2. Preventing Changes that Require Full Recompilation 2.4.3. Specifying the Clock, Sample Depth, and RAM Type 2.4.4. Specifying the Buffer Acquisition Mode 2.4.5. Adding Signals to the Signal Tap Logic Analyzer 2.4.6. Defining Trigger Conditions 2.4.7. Specifying Pipeline Settings 2.4.8. Filtering Relevant Samples
2.4.4. Specifying the Buffer Acquisition Mode x
2.4.4.1. Non-Segmented Buffer 2.4.4.2. Segmented Buffer
2.4.5. Adding Signals to the Signal Tap Logic Analyzer x
2.4.5.1. Adding Pre-Synthesis or Post-Fit Nodes 2.4.5.2. Adding Simulation-Aware Signal Tap Nodes 2.4.5.3. Adding Nios® II Processor Signals with a Plug-In 2.4.5.4. Signals Unavailable for Signal Tap Debugging 2.4.5.5. Organizing Signals in the Signal Tap Logic Analyzer
2.4.5.2. Adding Simulation-Aware Signal Tap Nodes x
2.4.5.2.1. Add Simulator-Aware Node Finder Settings
2.4.6. Defining Trigger Conditions x
2.4.6.1. Basic Trigger Conditions 2.4.6.2. Nested Trigger Conditions 2.4.6.3. Comparison Trigger Conditions 2.4.6.4. Advanced Trigger Conditions 2.4.6.5. Custom Trigger HDL Object 2.4.6.6. Specify Trigger Position 2.4.6.7. Power-Up Triggers 2.4.6.8. External Triggers 2.4.6.9. Trigger Condition Flow Control 2.4.6.10. Sequential Triggering 2.4.6.11. State-Based Triggering 2.4.6.12. Trigger Lock Mode
2.4.6.3. Comparison Trigger Conditions x
2.4.6.3.1. Specifying the Comparison Trigger Conditions
2.4.6.4. Advanced Trigger Conditions x
2.4.6.4.1. Examples of Advanced Triggering Expressions
2.4.6.5. Custom Trigger HDL Object x
2.4.6.5.1. Using the Custom Trigger HDL Object 2.4.6.5.2. Required Inputs and Outputs of Custom Trigger HDL Module 2.4.6.5.3. Custom Trigger HDL Module Properties
2.4.6.6. Specify Trigger Position x
2.4.6.6.1. Post-fill Count
2.4.6.7. Power-Up Triggers x
2.4.6.7.1. Enabling a Power-Up Trigger 2.4.6.7.2. Configuring Power-Up Trigger Conditions 2.4.6.7.3. Managing Signal Tap Instances with Run-Time and Power-Up Trigger Conditions
2.4.6.10. Sequential Triggering x
2.4.6.10.1. Configuring the Sequential Triggering Flow
2.4.6.11. State-Based Triggering x
2.4.6.11.1. State-Based Triggering Flow Tab 2.4.6.11.2. State Machine Pane 2.4.6.11.3. Resources Pane 2.4.6.11.4. State Diagram Pane 2.4.6.11.5. Signal Tap Trigger Flow Description Language 2.4.6.11.6. State-Based Storage Qualifier Feature
2.4.6.11.5. Signal Tap Trigger Flow Description Language x
2.4.6.11.5.1. <state_label> 2.4.6.11.5.2. <boolean_expression> 2.4.6.11.5.3. <action_list> 2.4.6.11.5.4. Trigger that Skips Clock Cycles after Hitting Condition 2.4.6.11.5.5. Storage Qualification with Post-Fill Count Value Less than m 2.4.6.11.5.6. Resource Manipulation Action 2.4.6.11.5.7. Buffer Control Actions 2.4.6.11.5.8. State Transition Action
2.4.6.11.6. State-Based Storage Qualifier Feature x
2.4.6.11.6.1. Storage Qualification Feature for the State-Based Trigger Flow
2.4.8. Filtering Relevant Samples x
2.4.8.1. Input Port Mode 2.4.8.2. Transitional Mode 2.4.8.3. Conditional Mode 2.4.8.4. Start/Stop Mode 2.4.8.5. State-Based Mode 2.4.8.6. Showing Data Discontinuities 2.4.8.7. Disable the Storage Qualifier
2.5. Step 3: Compile the Design and Signal Tap Instances x
2.5.1. Recompiling Only Signal Tap Changes 2.5.2. Timing Preservation 2.5.3. Performance and Resource Considerations
2.5.3. Performance and Resource Considerations x
2.5.3.1. Increasing Signal Tap Logic Performance 2.5.3.2. Reducing Signal Tap Device Resources
2.6. Step 4: Program the Target Hardware x
2.6.1. Ensure Compatibility Between .stp and .sof Files
2.7. Step 5: Run the Signal Tap Logic Analyzer x
2.7.1. Changing the Post-Fit Signal Tap Target Nodes 2.7.2. Runtime Reconfigurable Options 2.7.3. Signal Tap Status Messages
2.8. Step 6: Analyze Signal Tap Captured Data x
2.8.1. Viewing Capture Data Using Segmented Buffers 2.8.2. Viewing Data with Different Acquisition Modes 2.8.3. Creating Mnemonics for Bit Patterns 2.8.4. Locating a Node in the Design 2.8.5. Saving Captured Signal Tap Data 2.8.6. Exporting Captured Signal Tap Data 2.8.7. Creating a Signal Tap List File
2.8.2. Viewing Data with Different Acquisition Modes x
2.8.2.1. Continuous Mode and a Storage Qualifier Examples
2.8.3. Creating Mnemonics for Bit Patterns x
2.8.3.1. Adding Mnemonics with a Plug-In
2.9. Simulation-Aware Signal Tap x
2.9.1. Generating a Simulation Testbench from Signal Tap Data 2.9.2. Create Simulation Testbench Dialog Box Settings
2.10. Other Signal Tap Debugging Flows x
2.10.1. Managing Multiple Signal Tap Configurations 2.10.2. Debugging Partial Reconfiguration Designs with Signal Tap 2.10.3. Debugging Block-Based Designs with Signal Tap 2.10.4. Debugging Devices that use Configuration Bitstream Security 2.10.5. Signal Tap Data Capture with the MATLAB* MEX Function
2.10.1. Managing Multiple Signal Tap Configurations x
2.10.1.1. Data Log Pane 2.10.1.2. SOF Manager
2.10.2. Debugging Partial Reconfiguration Designs with Signal Tap x
2.10.2.1. Signal Tap Guidelines for PR Designs 2.10.2.2. PR Design Setup for Signal Tap Debug 2.10.2.3. Performing Data Acquisition in a PR design
2.10.2.2. PR Design Setup for Signal Tap Debug x
2.10.2.2.1. Preparing the Static Region for Signal Tap Debugging 2.10.2.2.2. Preparing the Base Revision for Signal Tap Debugging 2.10.2.2.3. Preparing PR Personas for Signal Tap Debugging
2.10.3. Debugging Block-Based Designs with Signal Tap x
2.10.3.1. Signal Tap Debugging with a Core Partition 2.10.3.2. Signal Tap Debugging with a Root Partition 2.10.3.3. Compiler Snapshots and Signal Tap Debugging
2.10.3.1. Signal Tap Debugging with a Core Partition x
2.10.3.1.1. Partition Boundary Ports Method 2.10.3.1.2. Debug a Core Partition through Partition Boundary Ports 2.10.3.1.3. Export a Core Partition with Partition Boundary Ports 2.10.3.1.4. Signal Tap HDL Instance Method 2.10.3.1.5. Export a Core Partition with Signal Tap HDL Instances 2.10.3.1.6. Debug a Core Partition Exported with Signal Tap HDL Instances
2.10.3.1.4. Signal Tap HDL Instance Method x
2.10.3.1.4.1. Debug a Core Partition Exported with Signal Tap HDL Instances
2.10.3.2. Signal Tap Debugging with a Root Partition x
2.10.3.2.1. Export the Root Partition with SLD JTAG Bridge 2.10.3.2.2. Debugging an Exported Root Partition and Core Partition Simultaneously using the SLD JTAG Bridge
2.10.3.3. Compiler Snapshots and Signal Tap Debugging x
2.10.3.3.1. Add Post-Fit Nodes when Reusing a Partition Containing a Synthesis Snapshot
2.12. Custom State-Based Triggering Flow Examples x
2.12.1. Trigger Example 1: Custom Trigger Position 2.12.2. Trigger Example 2: Trigger When triggercond1 Occurs Ten Times between triggercond2 and triggercond3
2.15. Signal Tap Scripting Support x
2.15.1. Signal Tap Command-Line Options 2.15.2. Data Capture from the Command Line
3. Quick Design Verification with Signal Probe x
3.1. Signal Probe Debugging Flow 3.2. Quick Design Verification with Signal Probe Revision History
3.1. Signal Probe Debugging Flow x
3.1.1. Step 1: Reserve Signal Probe Pins 3.1.2. Step 2: Assign Nodes to Signal Probe Pins 3.1.3. Step 3: Connect the Signal Probe Pin to an Output Pin 3.1.4. Step 4: Compile the Design 3.1.5. (Optional) Step 5: Modify the Signal Probe Pins Assignments 3.1.6. Step 6: Run Fitter-Only Compilation 3.1.7. Step 7: Check Connection Table in Fitter Report
4. In-System Debugging Using External Logic Analyzers x
4.1. About the Quartus® Prime Logic Analyzer Interface 4.2. Choosing a Logic Analyzer 4.3. Flow for Using the LAI 4.4. Controlling the Active Bank During Runtime 4.5. LAI Core Parameters 4.6. In-System Debugging Using External Logic Analyzers Revision History
4.2. Choosing a Logic Analyzer x
4.2.1. Required Components
4.3. Flow for Using the LAI x
4.3.1. Defining Parameters for the Logic Analyzer Interface 4.3.2. Mapping the LAI File Pins to Available I/O Pins 4.3.3. Mapping Internal Signals to the LAI Banks 4.3.4. Compiling Your Quartus® Prime Project 4.3.5. Programming Your Intel-Supported Device Using the LAI
4.4. Controlling the Active Bank During Runtime x
4.4.1. Acquiring Data on Your Logic Analyzer
5. In-System Modification of Memory and Constants x
5.1. IP Cores Supporting In System Memory Content Editor 5.2. Debug Flow with the In-System Memory Content Editor 5.3. Enabling Runtime Modification of Instances in the Design 5.4. Programming the Device with the In-System Memory Content Editor 5.5. Loading Memory Instances to the ISMCE 5.6. Monitoring Locations in Memory 5.7. Editing Memory Contents with the Hex Editor Pane 5.8. Importing and Exporting Memory Files 5.9. Access Two or More Devices 5.10. Scripting Support 5.11. In-System Modification of Memory and Constants Revision History
5.10. Scripting Support x
5.10.1. The insystem_memory_edit Tcl Package
5.10.1. The insystem_memory_edit Tcl Package x
5.10.1.1. Getting Information about the insystem_memory_edit Package
6. Design Debugging Using In-System Sources and Probes x
6.1. Hardware and Software Requirements 6.2. Design Flow Using the In-System Sources and Probes Editor 6.3. Compiling the Design 6.4. Running the In-System Sources and Probes Editor 6.5. Tcl interface for the In-System Sources and Probes Editor 6.6. Design Example: Dynamic PLL Reconfiguration 6.7. Design Debugging Using In-System Sources and Probes Revision History
6.2. Design Flow Using the In-System Sources and Probes Editor x
6.2.1. Instantiating the In-System Sources and Probes IP Core 6.2.2. In-System Sources and Probes IP Core Parameters
6.4. Running the In-System Sources and Probes Editor x
6.4.1. In-System Sources and Probes Editor GUI 6.4.2. Programming Your Device With JTAG Chain Configuration 6.4.3. Instance Manager 6.4.4. In-System Sources and Probes Editor Pane
6.4.4. In-System Sources and Probes Editor Pane x
6.4.4.1. Reading Probe Data 6.4.4.2. Writing Data 6.4.4.3. Organizing Data
7. Analyzing and Debugging Designs with System Console x
7.1. Introduction to System Console 7.2. Starting System Console 7.3. System Console GUI 7.4. Launching a Toolkit in System Console 7.5. Using System Console Services 7.6. On-Board Intel® FPGA Download Cable II Support 7.7. MATLAB* and Simulink* in a System Verification Flow 7.8. System Console Examples and Tutorials 7.9. Running System Console in Command-Line Mode 7.10. Using System Console Commands 7.11. Using Toolkit Tcl Commands 7.12. Analyzing and Debugging Designs with the System Console Revision History
7.1. Introduction to System Console x
7.1.1. IP Cores that Interact with System Console 7.1.2. Services Provided through Debug Agents 7.1.3. System Console Debugging Flow
7.2. Starting System Console x
7.2.1. Customizing System Console Startup
7.3. System Console GUI x
7.3.1. System Console Views 7.3.2. Toolkit Explorer Pane 7.3.3. System Explorer Pane 7.3.4. Customizing, Saving, and Resetting the System Console Layout
7.3.1. System Console Views x
7.3.1.1. Main View 7.3.1.2. Autosweep View 7.3.1.3. Dashboard View 7.3.1.4. Eye Viewer
7.3.1.1. Main View x
7.3.1.1.1. Link Pair View
7.4. Launching a Toolkit in System Console x
7.4.1. Available System Debugging Toolkits 7.4.2. Creating Collections from the Toolkit Explorer 7.4.3. Filtering and Searching Interactive Instances
7.5. Using System Console Services x
7.5.1. Locating Available Services 7.5.2. Opening and Closing Services 7.5.3. Using the SLD Service 7.5.4. Using the In-System Sources and Probes Service 7.5.5. Using the Monitor Service 7.5.6. Using the Device Service 7.5.7. Using the Design Service 7.5.8. Using the Bytestream Service 7.5.9. Using the JTAG Debug Service
7.5.3. Using the SLD Service x
7.5.3.1. SLD Commands
7.5.4. Using the In-System Sources and Probes Service x
7.5.4.1. In-System Sources and Probes Commands
7.5.5. Using the Monitor Service x
7.5.5.1. Monitor Commands
7.5.6. Using the Device Service x
7.5.6.1. Device Commands
7.5.7. Using the Design Service x
7.5.7.1. Design Service Commands
7.5.8. Using the Bytestream Service x
7.5.8.1. Bytestream Commands
7.5.9. Using the JTAG Debug Service x
7.5.9.1. JTAG Debug Commands
7.7. MATLAB* and Simulink* in a System Verification Flow x
7.7.1. Supported MATLAB* API Commands 7.7.2. High Level Flow
7.8. System Console Examples and Tutorials x
7.8.1. Nios® II Processor Example
7.8.1. Nios® II Processor Example x
7.8.1.1. Processor Commands
Answers to Top FAQs
1. System Debugging Tools Overview
2. Design Debugging with the Signal Tap Logic Analyzer
3. Quick Design Verification with Signal Probe
4. In-System Debugging Using External Logic Analyzers
5. In-System Modification of Memory and Constants
6. Design Debugging Using In-System Sources and Probes
7. Analyzing and Debugging Designs with System Console
8. Quartus® Prime Pro Edition User Guide Debug Tools Archives
A. Quartus® Prime Pro Edition User Guides

1.1.1. System Debugging Tools Comparison

Table 1.  System Debugging Tools Portfolio
Tool Description Typical Usage
System Console and Debugging Toolkits
  • Provides real-time in-system debugging capabilities using available debugging toolkits.
  • Allows you to read from and write to memory mapped components in a system without a processor or additional software.
  • Communicates with hardware modules in a design through a Tcl interpreter.
  • Allows you to take advantage of all the features of the Tcl scripting language.
  • Supports JTAG and TCP/IP connectivity.
  • Perform system-level debugging.
  • Debug or optimize signal integrity of a board layout even before finishing the design.
  • Debug external memory interfaces.
  • Debug an Ethernet Intel FPGA IP interface in real time.
  • Debug a PCI Express* link at the Physical, Data Link, and Transaction layers.
  • Debug and optimize high-speed serial links in your board design.
Signal Tap logic analyzer
  • Uses FPGA resources.
  • Captures data continuously from the signals you specify while the logic analyzer is running. To capture and store only specific signal data, you specify conditions that trigger the start or stop of data capture. A trigger activates when the trigger conditions are met, stopping analysis and displaying the data
You have spare on-chip memory and you want functional verification of a design running in hardware.
Simulation-Aware Signal Tap
  • A hybrid solution between Simulation and In-System Debugging.
  • Minimize the use of FPGA resources by Signal Tap.
  • Expand visibility on your design using a generated simulation testbench with acquired data.
  • You have limited FPGA resources and need expanded visibility for debugging your design with minimal impact.
  • Reduce the overall compilation iterations by making more design signals visible.
Signal Probe Incrementally routes internal signals to I/O pins while preserving results from the last place-and-routed design. You have spare I/O pins and you want to check the operation of a small set of control pins using either an external logic analyzer or an oscilloscope.
Logic Analyzer Interface (LAI)
  • Multiplexes a larger set of signals to a smaller number of spare I/O pins.
  • Allows you to select which signals switch onto the I/O pins over a JTAG connection.
You have limited on-chip memory and a large set of internal data buses to verify using an external logic analyzer. Logic analyzer vendors, such as Tektronics* and Agilent*, provide integration with the tool to improve usability.
In-System Sources and Probes Provides an easy way to drive and sample logic values to and from internal nodes using the JTAG interface. Provides real-time slow sampling capability. You want to prototype the FPGA design using a front panel with virtual buttons.
In-System Memory Content Editor Displays and allows you to edit on-chip memory.

You want to view and edit the contents of on-chip memory that is not connected to a Nios® II processor.

You can also use the tool when you do not want to have a Nios® II debug core in your system.

Virtual JTAG Interface Allows you to communicate with the JTAG interface so that you can develop custom applications. You want to communicate with custom signals in your design.

Refer to the following for more information about launching and using the available debugging toolkits:

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