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bob_rf's avatar
bob_rf
Icon for New Contributor rankNew Contributor
4 years ago

Trying to simulate FFT IP via Quartus Prime Lite Edition and ModelSim-Altera :(

Hello Friends,

It appears that the FFT IP 'available' in Quartus Prime Lite (18.1) actually costs ~$8k. I discovered that it is available from ARROW, Mouser, et al. for this price, after my simulation attempts with ModelSim-Altera returned Error: (vsim-3033).

** Error: (vsim-3033) ...... Instantiation of 'auk_dspip_r22sdf_top' failed. The design unit was not found.

This error was seen for each instantiation of the FFT IP(s) in my firmware design. Looking back over in the Quartus Prime Lite tool, I see my design almost fully compiles, passing Synthesis, Place & Route, Assembler, Timing Analysis, but then fails at the EDA Netlist Writer causing the compilation to fail. The following errors are reported:

204012 Can't generate netlist output files because the file "C:..................." is an OpenCore Plus time-limited file. Remove the unlicensed cores...

204009 Can't generate netlist output files because the license for encrypted file "C:................" is not available.

Obviously I need to have a license to use the FFT IP/core, but here is my question. I have seen in some other forums and links where it is stated that the core can be evaluated so long as the USB programmer cable is continually inserted to the platform board (inconvenient - pay money to remove). If I can program the encrypted core to a platform before paying $$$$, is it possible for me to obtain simulation results as well (before paying $$$$)?

***If it is possible to simulate this FFT (altera_fft_ii) IP from the IP catalog seen in Quartus Prime Lite, before buying it or paying any money, please let me know some good detailed instructions on how I can accomplish this simulation. ***

Regards,
bob_rf


9 Replies

  • bob_rf's avatar
    bob_rf
    Icon for New Contributor rankNew Contributor
    4 years ago

    Additionally, I have examined the following links (in my effort to simulate the FFT IP):

    Unable to simulate designs comprising FFT (ModelSim Intel FPGA Starter Edition 10.5b and 10.6d) - Intel Communities

    AN 320: Using Intel® FPGA IP Evaluation Mode (d2pgu9s4sfmw1s.cloudfront.net)

    The first link, from the forum, has an explanation about 'compilation order' of certain FFT IP files, but it is not clear how to accomplish changing the file order. I tried it a couple of different ways, such as in Project Navigator (in Quartus IDE) but I was not able to change the file order, let alone know if this is even an overall valid solution.

    As for the second link, regarding IP Evaluation Mode, I checked in Quartus under Assignments -> Settings -> Compilation Process Settings -> More Settings
    Under More Settings, for Intel FPGA IP Evaluation Mode, I made sure the Setting: was 'Enable'. This was the default setting, as well.

    I am still looking for a way to simulate this FFT IP before purchasing a license.

  • RichardT_altera's avatar
    RichardT_altera
    Icon for Super Contributor rankSuper Contributor
    4 years ago

    Hi @bob_rf

    You may checkout this KDB to solve the error

    https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/programmable/articles/000085676.html

    The Intel FPGA IP Evaluation Mode is the right way to go as it allows you to evaluate these licensed Intel FPGA IP cores in simulation and hardware.

    https://www.intel.cn/content/dam/www/programmable/us/en/pdfs/literature/an/an320.pdf

    Best Regards,
    Richard Tan

    p/s: If any answer from the community or Intel support are helpful, please feel free to give Kudos.

    • bob_rf's avatar
      bob_rf
      Icon for New Contributor rankNew Contributor
      4 years ago

      RichardTanSY_Intel,

      Thank you for replying here.

      Regarding the first link you included with your message.. I had found this link during my troubleshooting. Advice from the link:
      "To avoid this error, disable the EDA simulation tool in your project by opening the Settings dialog box from the Quartus II Assignments menu. Select the category EDA Tool Settings and the subcategory Simulation. On the Simulation page of the Settings dialog box, change the Tool name option to <None>."

      It sounds like the suggestion here is to totally disable the simulation, you know, to get the error to go away. The error that comes up when I am trying to simulate... What am I missing here?
      I tried this method before and it did not work. I follow these instructions again and I still get the same error code (vsim-3033) I listed above when trying to run a simulation in ModelSim.

      Also the second link included here is busted/broken. "Oops" (from the page). Might have to do with it being a .cn link (Intel China?). I do have the .pdf for this downloaded and I have referenced it. Is there a specific section you would have me see and follow instructions on?


      I did make sure the Quartus tool was set Enabled for Evaluation Mode. This appears to be the default setting. (see above picture from my Quartus Prime Lite tool)

      It does not seem to make a difference in allowing the design to compile, i.e. it still cannot compile. The failure occurs at EDA Netlist Writer step (with the previously mentioned errors).

      Let me know if you can think of any other advice for getting a simulation to run in evaluation mode.

      Regards,
      Robert



      • ShengN_altera's avatar
        ShengN_altera
        Icon for Super Contributor rankSuper Contributor
        4 years ago

        Hi bob_rf,

        Looks like modelsim can't find the "auk_dspip_r22sdf_top" module for simulation.

        Try opening <your fft ip folder>/synthesis file and including the .qip file into quartus.

        This included all submodules of FFT IP into quartus and do compilation again.

        Probably can resolve the error.

        Best regards,
        Sheng