Introduction
Quartus is a design software for Intel FPGAs, CPLDs, and SoCs. It provides everything you need to design, simulate, optimize, and program your FPGA designs. Quartus is available in three editions: Pro, Standard, and Lite. Each edition has different features and supports different devices.
What is Quartus?
Quartus is a multiplatform design environment that easily adapts to your specific needs in all phases of FPGA, CPLD, and SoC designs. The Quartus software delivers the highest performance and productivity for Intel FPGAs, CPLDs, and SoCs. Some of the key tools and features of Quartus include:
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Platform Designer: a system integration tool that simplifies creating and connecting IP cores in your project. Platform Designer automatically generates interconnect logic to connect IP functions and subsystems.
Interface Planner: a graphical user interface that helps you plan and optimize your device pin assignments.
Intel HLS Compiler: a high-level synthesis tool that allows you to generate optimized hardware from C++ code.
Power Analyzer: a tool that estimates the power consumption of your design based on device settings, environmental conditions, and activity rates.
Timing Analyzer: a tool that analyzes the timing performance of your design based on timing constraints, device models, and placement and routing results.
DSP Builder for Intel FPGAs: a tool that allows you to design digital signal processing (DSP) systems using MATLAB* and Simulink*.
Questa*-Intel FPGA Edition Software: a simulation tool that supports mixed-language simulation, functional coverage, assertions, debugging, and more.
What is Quartus Lite Edition?
Quartus Lite Edition is a free version of the software that supports Intel's low-cost FPGA device families. These include:
Intel Cyclone 10 LP
Intel MAX 10
Intel MAX V
Intel MAX II
Downloading and Installing Quartus Lite Edition
Before you can start using Quartus Lite Edition, you need to download and install it on your computer. In this section, I will show you how to do that.
System Requirements
Quartus Lite Edition is compatible with Windows and Linux operating systems. The minimum hardware and software requirements for running Quartus Lite Edition are:
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Hardware
Software
Intel Core i3 processor or equivalent
8 GB of RAM
40 GB of available disk space
USB port for connecting the USB-Blaster cable
Windows 10, 8.1, or 7 (64-bit)
Linux CentOS 7.4, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.4, or Ubuntu 16.04 LTS (64-bit)
Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 1.8 or later
Downloading the Software
To download Quartus Lite Edition, you need to visit the Intel website and register for a free account. Follow these steps to download the software:
Go to .
Select the latest version of Quartus Lite Edition from the drop-down menu.
Select the device family that you want to use from the list of supported devices.
Select the operating system that you are using from the list of available options.
Select the components that you want to download from the list of available options. You can choose to download the full installation package or individual components such as device support, software updates, or additional tools.
Click on the Download Selected Files button.
If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to enter your email address and password. If you do not have an account, you can create one by clicking on the Create an Intel Account link.
After logging in, you will see a confirmation page with the download links and instructions. You can also choose to receive an email with the download links.
Click on the download links to start downloading the files. You may need to use a download manager to resume or pause the downloads.
Save the files in a folder on your computer.
Installing the Software
After downloading the files, you need to install them on your computer. The installation process may vary depending on your operating system and the components that you have downloaded. Follow these general steps to install the software:
Extract the files from the downloaded zip files.
Navigate to the folder where you extracted the files and locate the setup file. The setup file name may vary depending on your operating system and the version of Quartus Lite Edition that you have downloaded. For example, for Windows 10 and Quartus Lite Edition 20.1, the setup file name is QuartusLiteSetup-20.1.0.711.exe.
Double-click on the setup file to launch the installer.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation. You may need to accept the license agreement, select a destination folder, choose a device family, and configure some settings.
After the installation is complete, you can launch Quartus Lite Edition from your Start menu or desktop shortcut.
Using Quartus Lite Edition
Now that you have installed Quartus Lite Edition, you can start using it to create and program your FPGA designs. In this section, I will show you how to use some of the basic features and tools of Quartus Lite Edition.
Creating a New Project
A project is a collection of files and settings that define your FPGA design. To create a new project in Quartus Lite Edition, follow these steps:
Launch Quartus Lite Edition from your Start menu or desktop shortcut.
Select File > New Project Wizard.
The New Project Wizard will guide you through several steps to create your project. You can click on Next, Back, or Cancel at any time.
In Step 1, enter a name and a location for your project. You can also choose a template or an existing project as a basis for your new project. Click on Next.
In Step 2, select the device family and the device that you want to use for your project. You can also specify the device settings, such as the package, the speed grade, and the pin assignments. Click on Next.
In Step 3, add the files that you want to include in your project. You can add existing files or create new files. You can also specify the file type, such as schematic, HDL, or IP. Click on Next.
In Step 4, specify the simulation and synthesis settings for your project. You can choose the simulation tool, the synthesis tool, and the EDA netlist format. Click on Next.
In Step 5, review the summary of your project settings and click on Finish.
Your new project will be created and opened in Quartus Lite Edition.
Design Entry
Design entry is the process of creating and describing your FPGA design using different methods, such as schematic, HDL, or IP. Quartus Lite Edition supports various design entry methods, such as:
Schematic Editor: a graphical user interface that allows you to draw and connect symbols that represent logic functions, such as gates, flip-flops, or registers.
HDL Editor: a text editor that allows you to write and edit HDL code, such as Verilog or VHDL.
IP Catalog: a library of pre-designed and verified IP cores that you can customize and integrate into your design.
MegaWizard Plug-In Manager: a tool that allows you to create and configure parameterized IP cores, such as memories, PLLs, or DSP functions.
Intel HLS Compiler: a tool that allows you to generate optimized hardware from C++ code.
To use any of these design entry methods, you need to create or add a file of the corresponding type to your project. For example, to use the Schematic Editor, you need to create or add a schematic file (.bdf) to your project. To use the HDL Editor, you need to create or add an HDL file (.v or .vhd) to your project. To use the IP Catalog, you need to create or add an IP file (.ip) to your project.
You can create or add files to your project by selecting File > New... or File > Add/Remove Files in Project.... You can also right-click on the Files tab in the Project Navigator and select New... or Add/Remove Files in Project....
After creating or adding a file to your project, you can open it by double-clicking on it in the Project Navigator. You can also right-click on it and select Edit. The file will be opened in the appropriate editor based on its file type.
Simulation and Verification
Simulation and verification are essential steps in FPGA design that allow you to test and debug your design before programming it on a device. Quartus Lite Edition provides various tools and features for simulation and verification, such as:
Questa*-Intel FPGA Edition Software: a simulation tool that supports mixed-language simulation, functional coverage, assertions, debugging, and more.
RTL Viewer: a graphical user interface that displays the register transfer level (RTL) representation of your design.
Technology Map Viewer: a graphical user interface that displays the technology-mapped representation of your design.
Signal Tap Logic Analyzer: a tool that allows you to capture and analyze signals in your design during simulation or on-chip debugging.
In-System Sources and Probes Editor: a tool that allows you to insert sources and probes into your design for simulation or on-chip debugging.
In-System Memory Content Editor: a tool that allows you to view and modify the contents of memory elements in your design during simulation or on-chip debugging.
To use any of these tools and features for simulation and verification, you need to first generate a simulation netlist for your design. A simulation netlist is a file that contains the information about the logic elements and connections in your design for simulation purposes. To generate a simulation netlist for your design, follow these steps:
Select Tools > Run EDA Simulation Tool > EDA Netlist Writer.
Select the simulation tool that you want to use from the drop-down menu. For example, Questa*-Intel FPGA Edition Software.
Select the format of the simulation netlist that you want to generate from the drop-down menu. For example, Verilog HDL.
Select the files that you want to include in the simulation netlist from the list of available files. You can select all files or individual files.
Click on Generate.
The simulation netlist will be generated and saved in a folder named simulation in your project directory.
After generating a simulation netlist for your design, you can launch the simulation tool by selecting Tools > Run EDA Simulation Tool > EDA Gate Level Simulation. The simulation tool will open and load the simulation netlist and the testbench file. You can then run the simulation and analyze the results using the features and functions of the simulation tool.
Synthesis and Implementation
Synthesis and implementation are the processes of transforming your design into a programming file that can be downloaded to your device. Quartus Lite Edition provides various tools and features for synthesis and implementation, such as:
Synthesis: a tool that converts your design into a netlist of logic elements and interconnects that are compatible with your device.
Fitter: a tool that places and routes the logic elements and interconnects in your design onto the physical resources of your device.
Assembler: a tool that generates a programming file from the fitted netlist and the device settings.
Timing Analyzer: a tool that analyzes the timing performance of your design based on timing constraints, device models, and placement and routing results.
Power Analyzer: a tool that estimates the power consumption of your design based on device settings, environmental conditions, and activity rates.
Design Space Explorer II (DSE II): a tool that helps you optimize your design by exploring different synthesis and fitter settings and comparing the results.
To use any of these tools and features for synthesis and implementation, you need to first compile your design. Compiling your design is a one-step process that performs synthesis, fitting, assembly, timing analysis, and power analysis for your design. To compile your design, follow these steps:
Select Processing > Start Compilation.
The compilation process will start and display the progress and messages in the Messages window. You can also view the detailed reports for each stage of the compilation in the Tasks window.
The compilation process may take several minutes or hours depending on the size and complexity of your design. You can pause, resume, or cancel the compilation at any time by selecting Processing > Pause Compilation, Processing > Resume Compilation, or Processing > Cancel Compilation.
After the compilation is complete, you can view the summary of the results in the Compilation Report. You can also view more detailed reports for each stage of the compilation by double-clicking on them in the Tasks window.
The compilation process will generate a programming file named <project_name>.sof in your project directory. This file contains the configuration data for your device.
Programming the Device
Programming the device is the final step in FPGA design that allows you to download the programming file to your device and test its functionality. Quartus Lite Edition provides various tools and features for programming the device, such as:
Programmer: a tool that allows you to program or configure your device using a USB-Blaster cable or an Ethernet connection.
Signal Tap Logic Analyzer: a tool that allows you to capture and analyze signals in your design during on-chip debugging.
In-System Sources and Probes Editor: a tool that allows you to insert sources and probes into your design for on-chip debugging.
In-System Memory Content Editor: a tool that allows you to view and modify the contents of memory elements in your design during on-chip debugging.
System Console: a tool that allows you to communicate with your device using Tcl commands or scripts.
To use any of these tools and features for programming the device, you need to first connect your device to your computer using a USB-Blaster cable or an Ethernet connection. You also need to make sure that your device is powered on and configured with the correct mode settings. To program the device using the Programmer, follow these steps:
Select Tools > Programmer.
The Programmer window will open and display the available hardware devices and programming files. You can also add or remove hardware devices and programming files by clicking on the Hardware Setup... or Add File... buttons.
Select the hardware device that you want to program from the list of available devices. You can also select the mode, voltage, and operation options for the device by clicking on the Device Properties... button.
Select the programming file that you want to download to the device from the list of available files. You can also select the file type, such as SOF, POF, or JIC, by clicking on the Change File... button.
Click on the Start button to start programming the device. The progress and messages will be displayed in the Status column. You can also view more detailed information by clicking on the Show/Hide Details button.
After the programming is complete, you can verify the functionality of your design by observing the outputs on your device or using other tools such as Signal Tap Logic Analyzer or System Console.
Tutorials and Examples
If you want to learn more about Quartus Lite Edition and how to use it for your FPGA projects, you can refer to some of the tutorials and examples that are available online. Here are some links to some useful resources:
Platform Designer Tutorial
This tutorial shows you how to use Platform Designer, a system integration tool that simplifies creating and connecting IP cores in your project. You will learn how to create a system with a Nios II processor, a memory controller, and a UART interface using Platform Designer. You will also learn how to generate HDL code from Platform Designer and compile, program, and test your system using Quartus Lite Edition.
You can access the tutorial here:
How to Program Your First FPGA Device
This tutorial shows you how to program a simple LED blinking design on an FPGA board using Quartus Lite Edition. You will learn how to create a new project, write Verilog code, compile your design, and program your device using a USB-Blaster cable. You will also learn how to use Signal Tap Logic Analyzer to capture and analyze signals in your design.
You can access the tutorial here:
Intel Quartus Prime Software User Guides
This is a collection of user guides that cover various topics and features of Quartus software. You can find information about design entry, simulation, synthesis, implementation, programming, debugging, optimization, IP cores, and more. You can also find reference manuals for Quartus commands, Tcl scripts, file formats, and error messages.
You can access the user guides here:
Conclusion
In this article, I have introduced you to Quartus Lite Edition, a free version of Quartus software that supports Intel's low-cost FPGA device families. I have shown you how to download, install, and use Quartus Lite Edition for creating and programming your FPGA designs. I hope you have found this article helpful and informative. Quartus Lite Edition is a great way to get started with FPGA design and learn the basics of Quartus software. You can use Quartus Lite Edition to create and program simple or complex designs using various design entry, simulation, verification, synthesis, implementation, and programming tools. You can also use Quartus Lite Edition to explore different device families and IP cores that are supported by Intel. Quartus Lite Edition is a free and easy-to-use software that can help you unleash your creativity and innovation with FPGA design.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about Quartus Lite Edition:
What are the differences between Quartus Lite Edition, Standard Edition, and Pro Edition?
Quartus Lite Edition is a free version of Quartus software that supports Intel's low-cost FPGA device families. Quartus Standard Edition is a paid version of Quartus software that supports a wider range of Intel FPGA device families and offers more features and capabilities. Quartus Pro Edition is a paid version of Quartus software that supports the latest Intel FPGA device families and offers the highest performance and productivity.
How can I upgrade from Quartus Lite Edition to Standard Edition or Pro Edition?
You can upgrade from Quartus Lite Edition to Standard Edition or Pro Edition by purchasing a license from Intel or an authorized distributor. You can also request a free trial license for evaluation purposes. You can find more information about licensing options here:
How can I get technical support for Quartus Lite Edition?
You can get technical support for Quartus Lite Edition by visiting the Intel FPGA Support Center. You can find answers to common questions, browse the knowledge base, submit service requests, join the community forums, and more. You can access the Intel FPGA Support Center here:
How can I learn more about FPGA design and Quartus software?
You can learn more about FPGA design and Quartus software by visiting the Intel FPGA Training Center. You can find online courses, webinars, videos, workshops, and more. You can access the Intel FPGA Training Center here:
Where can I find more tutorials and examples for Quartus Lite Edition?
You can find more tutorials and examples for Quartus Lite Edition by visiting the Intel FPGA Design Examples page. You can find design examples for various topics, such as IP integration, system design, DSP design, embedded design, and more. You can access the Intel FPGA Design Examples page here:
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