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Altera_Forum's avatar
Altera_Forum
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10 years ago

long simulation times when simulating UniPHY-based DDR3 in skip calibration mode

Hi, all

According to this article at emi_debug.pdf on page 8: Table 1–1. Typical Simulation Times Using UniPHY IP, skip calibration should take only 3 minutes. My DDR3 UniPHY design is very basic with 8 bits read and write operation. I use generated example design for simulation. For my case, I choose skip calibration mode and also disable the EMIF On-Chip Debug Toolkit in Diagnostics tab of the UniPHY-based controller MegaWizard GUI.

http://www.alteraforum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=10311&stc=1

Figure below is ModelSim starter 10.3c waveform simulation. To get overall complete simulation (110us), my computer took about more than 30 minutes to complete it.

http://www.alteraforum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=10312&stc=1

May I know how to reduce the simulation time as stated in 3 minutes? Any example design file i need to reedit?

Thanks!

7 Replies

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    10 years ago

    My computer spec is as below:

    1. RAM : 8GB

    2. Processor: Inter(R) Core (TM) i5-4210M CPU @ 2.6GHz 2.6GHz

    3. Window: 64 bit OS Windows 7 Professional SP1

    For modelSim model, I use ModelSim Altera Starter edition 10.3c
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    10 years ago

    Hi, Tricky

    My computer spec is as below:

    1. RAM : 8GB

    2. Processor: Inter(R) Core (TM) i5-4210M CPU @ 2.6GHz 2.6GHz

    3. Window: 64 bit OS Windows 7 Professional SP1

    my Version of modelsim is: ModelSim ALTERA STARTER EDITION 10.3c
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    10 years ago

    The altera starter edition has the slowest simulation speed. For faster simulations, you need to purchase a better licence. The more you pay, the faster the simulation.

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    10 years ago

    Hi, Tricky

    Thanks for reply.

    --- Quote Start ---

    The altera starter edition has the slowest simulation speed. For faster simulations, you need to purchase a better licence. The more you pay, the faster the simulation.

    --- Quote End ---

    May I know what is the better licence version to boost the simulation speed? May I know where to see the license price?

    Here's my findings.

    By referring to the link below:

    https://www.altera.com/products/design-software/model---simulation/modelsim-altera-software.html

    I found out that payable ModelSim-Altera Edition Software, it only improve 33 % faster simulation performance than ModelSim®-Altera® Starter Edition software.

    Also, may i know what is line limitations mean? For ModelSim Altera Starter pack, the line limitation only up to 10k.
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    10 years ago

    That is just the ALtera Edition. You will get Speed up from a full Questa Licence. But this will be a few thousand $.

    You need to speak to your distrubuter about licencing.
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    10 years ago

    --- Quote Start ---

    Also, may i know what is line limitations mean? For ModelSim Altera Starter pack, the line limitation only up to 10k.

    --- Quote End ---

    It means after 10000 lines of code, the simulation goes very very slow.