Forum Discussion
Which FPGA IP can be used FREE in production with the Quartus LITE dev. sw?
- 2 years ago
I tested a bit in Quartus Prime Light (20.1.1) for a MAX10 (10M50DA type), and these are some findings.
- It seems it's the more elaborate IPs that needs paid licenses (as has been said), so PLLs, use of ADC in MAX10, etc. are free
- You can disable use og Evaluation licenses:
Assignments > Settings > Compilation Process Settings > More Settings > Intel FPGA IP Evaluation Mode: Disable
- In the Compilation Report you can check (examples when disabled):
- Assembler > Encrypted IP Cores Summary (Gives for example: Nios II Embedded...: Unlicensed; Signal Tap: Licensed)
- Assembler > Messages (gives for example)
- 115003 Can't generate programming files ... not valid license for following IP core(s)
115005 Unlicensed IP: "Nios II Embedded Processor Encrypted output..."
115004 Unlicensed encrypted design file: "c:/....../altera_nios_gen2_rtl_module.sv"- When Evaluation mode is Enabled, you get the programming file <name>_time_limited.sof (as Frank said earlier).
- You can also check in the Compilation Report
- Analysis & Synthesis > IP Cores Summary, the Licence Type column
For example: Signal Tap: Licensed; no licence needed (it seems): N/A, Nios II Embedded...: OpenCore (not free)(Nios II is btw outdated, Nios V should be used for new designs, but it needs a paid license as well.)
So, I'm a bit more optimistic, seems that much of the simpler IP in Platform Designer in Quartus can be used.
Does that mean you can't use the PLLs, ADs etc. in MAX 10 run in production without paying for IP?
I don't know what the differentiators are, but basic hardware operations like PLLs and ADC and such are always available. It's the add-on functional IP where licensing starts.
- SmallBusinessOwner2 years ago
New Contributor
Thanks. Is there a way I can see in Quartus Lite what is add-on functional IP and what counts as basic hardware operation?
- sstrell2 years ago
Super Contributor
No. I always joke that they should put little dollar signs next to the IP that requires licensing.
- SmallBusinessOwner2 years ago
New Contributor
LOL. Would make it too easy...