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RWegg's avatar
RWegg
Icon for New Contributor rankNew Contributor
7 years ago

Are there any known issues creating .jbc files with Quartus 18?

I have been successful making .jbc files for a Max 5 CPLD using Quartus 13.1. I now need to do a similar thing for a Max 10 FPGA. I've heard issues regarding Quartus 17+ and generating .jbc files. Ar...
Vicky1's avatar
Vicky1
Icon for Regular Contributor rankRegular Contributor
7 years ago

Hi,

  1. As Quartus tool edition is not mentioned in the post so in case of Quartus lite edition used then user need to request the license to enable the encryption option from the SSLC (Self Service Licensing Center) refer the below old thread, https://forums.intel.com/s/question/0D50P000045aENR/generating-encrypted-bitstream-pof-ekp-files-for-max10-10m50daf484c6ges?s1oid=00DU0000000YT3c&s1nid=0DB0P000000U1Hq&emkind=chatterCommentNotification&s1uid=0050P000008AbZD&emtm=1542607151000&fromEmail=1&s1ext=0
  2. If design contains any OpenCore Plus time-limited cores/IP then Quartus tool can not create the encryption files, https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/programmable/quartushelp/14.1/mergedProjects/msgs/msgs/opgmio_cannt_generate_jam.htm https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/programmable/quartushelp/15.0/mergedProjects/msgs/msgs/epgmio_can_not_have_multiple_files.htm
  3. Refer '3.8. AES Encryption' from the below link,

https://www.intel.com/content/dam/www/programmable/us/en/pdfs/literature/hb/max-10/ug_m10_config.pdf

Let me know if this has helped resolve the issue you are facing or if you need any further assistance.

Best Regards

Vikas Jathar

(This message was posted on behalf of Intel Corporation)

RWegg's avatar
RWegg
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7 years ago

I'm afraid I do not understand the response. I am not intending to encrypt anything. I am simply trying to generate .JBC files as I have done successfully with versions of Quartus (Lite Edition) prior to 18.0. WHile I can (apparently) generate the .JBC file itself, it fails to program 100% of the time. If I use Quartus 15.1 (again, Lite Edition) to create the .JBC file, it works fine. I have seen one other post in which a similar observation was made. That author of that post indicated an apparent issue related to some internal "algorithm version 68" which is new after Quartus 17.

I have not worked on this issue for about three months. Back then I was under pressure to prove that our design was viable (i.e. that the hardware could support in-system programming using the JAM player). While I mananged to prove that, I must now get the design polished to the point of reliable operation. This includes the firmware revision and re-programming process in the field.

So, is Intel aware of any issues regarding the ability of Quartus 18.0 (Lite Edition) and later to generate reliable .JBC files?

I will continue to use my workaround (i.e. use Quartus 15) to create .JBC files. However, such a workaround makes me uncomfortable, especially with the newer MAX 10 device family.