how to simulate NIOS II generated in Qsys_Pro v17.0

Anyone knows whether NIOS RTL simulation is supported in Modelsim-Altera only? Or supported in NC-SIM as well?

Thanks.

Hi Terry,

You can simulate Nioss II using Modelsim-Altera/Cadence NC-Sim.

Requirements for Model sim.

■ The Quartus® II software version 11.0 or later

■ ModelSim-Altera Edition version 6.6d or higher

■ Nios II Embedded Design Suite version 11.0 or later

Refer below

https://www.altera.com/documentation/mwh1410385117325.html#mwh1410383407761

ModelSim:https://www.altera.com/en_us/pdfs/literature/an/an351.pdf

Best Regards,

Anand Raj Shankar

(This message was posted on behalf of Intel Corporation)

Thanks for you reply.

I'm using Quartus Prime Pro V17.0, Qsys_pro v17.0, cadence incisiv v13.20.

I don't think tool version is causing problem, I can use Quartus v13.1 to generate NIOS core and simulate it without any problem.

Now I need to migrate to Arria 10, so when I generate NISO in Qsys_Pro v17, it only gives me encrypted file <file_name>.vo, below is part of the .vo file.

`pragma protect begin_protected

`pragma protect version=1

`pragma protect author="Intel Corporation"

`pragma protect encrypt_agent="Quartus Prime Pro Software"

`pragma protect encrypt_agent_info="17.0"

`pragma protect key_keyowner="Aldec"

`pragma protect key_method="rsa"

`pragma protect key_keyname="ALDEC15_001"

`pragma protect encoding=(enctype = "base64", line_length = 76, bytes = 256)

`pragma protect key_block

BqdMQZuWP/tcTWnfV5UVLBLIusbnMvgyDlzxghFsC9EWkY37CLtcIU52onWzGaZ81ZJ7WjWRFNcL

p4SpxJKw82uykdx4m5MoZJc/XJ5/5Wco3iR2GHG/ZPPZpiP9DyEsn404aFYn8UyDuTurd8JF57am

KuSMYnSZ+l3yccoDc/O3p/aROyYtczvtSyY7H9dxO/6NRI/dijtKuTFeBSl4/J61T96cI1TejMHO

HpdVblEtKZ0D6TTlLn+xcg4nLBHWctvO4EfjQ4rMBHKHPn2c2koOuKnP5Y6V4u9sQ0p4C1noaqiP

1MBxeVoWu/vDKzbXY/GUwB3XRqBmFVQ16Z9Wqg==

Thanks.

Hi Terry,

Can you share me the error log that you have observed.

And how you simulated.

Best Regards,

Anand Raj Shankar

(This message was posted on behalf of Intel Corporation)

Hi Anand,

There is no error during compile and elaboration, but the NIOS cpu RTL used in simulation is encrypted and not recognized by NCSIM, NCSIM does not report error, but in simulation nothing toggles in NIOS CPU.

Please find attached .vo file generated by Qsys_Pro.

Thanks for your support.

Hi,

If you've enabled the "Generate simulation models" option in Qsys while generating the system, the tool will generate all simulation models for the blocks used in the Qsys design. Simulations libraries are generated for ModelSim, QuestaSim, Cadence and Synopys . This option will be present in the window that pops-up when you press the "Generate" or "Finish" buttons.

--- Quote Start ---

Hi,

If you've enabled the "Generate simulation models" option in Qsys while generating the system, the tool will generate all simulation models for the blocks used in the Qsys design. Simulations libraries are generated for ModelSim, QuestaSim, Cadence and Synopys . This option will be present in the window that pops-up when you press the "Generate" or "Finish" buttons.

--- Quote End ---

the .vo file is one of the output file when I press the "Generate", the problem is it is encrypted and not recognized by ncsim.

--- Quote Start ---

the .vo file is one of the output file when I press the "Generate", the problem is it is encrypted and not recognized by ncsim.

--- Quote End ---

I did generate a sample NIOS II system using QII 17.1 with DMA, on-chip SSRAM, FIR Module, etc. The output directory has a simulation folder, which has the simulation libraries for all the system components and there is a "submodules" folder which contains all the Verilog models of the modules. These are .v files and not .vo .

All of the Altera system IPs will be encrypted, but that does not mean the Sim tools cannot read them. Sim tools are capable of reading in encrypted RTL files and can use them in simulations. I have simulated various designs with 3rd party encrypted cores and it works properly. Did you look for the Generate simulation models option and enable it?

You could take a look at the following resources to help you with your simulation:

https://www.altera.com/content/dam/altera-www/global/en_us/pdfs/literature/an/an351.pdf

https://www.altera.com/support/support-resources/design-examples/intellectual-property/embedded/nios-ii/exm-simulating-niosii.html

Hi Terry,

For NIOS simulation there are two parts.

Software (C code for NIOS porcessor) / Hardware (NIOS Qsys system )

To simulate it completely software + hardware part it is only supported with Modelsim. You may refer to application note on detailed steps.

https://www.altera.com/en_us/pdfs/literature/an/an351.pdf

Best Regards,

Anand Raj Shankar

(This message was posted on behalf of Intel Corporation)