Forum Discussion
Can't start RTL simulation
Similar problem here:
OS Name: Microsoft Windows 10 Business
Version: 10.0.19045 Build 19045
I have acquired a 90-day free trial license for Quartus Prime Standard (because I need VHDL 2008) and downloaded and installed version 23.1. When I
1) run Questa Intel FPGA Edition 2023.3 (Quartus Prime Pro 23.1std) from the Windows button prompt,
2) run Questa Intel FPGA Starter Edition 2023.3 (Quartus Prime Pro 23.1std) from the Windows button prompt, or
3) run Tools->Run simulation tool->RTL simulation from Quartus Prime Standard Edition,
I see the following popup:
Both QuestaSim versions are installed. In addition, alternative 3 above prints the following to the system window:
Info (22036): Successfully launched NativeLink simulation (quartus_sh -t "c:/intelfpga_lite/23.1std/quartus/common/tcl/internal/nativelink/qnativesim.tcl" --rtl_sim "cpuctl" "top")
Info (22036): For messages from NativeLink execution see the NativeLink log file C:/Development/sts_node/Source/cpuctlAlt/cpuctl_nativelink_simulation.rpt
The suggested log file does not exist, but there is a file C:/Development/sts_node/Source/cpuctlAlt/top_nativelink_simulation.rpt does, and it contains the following:
Info: Start Nativelink Simulation process
Info: NativeLink has detected VHDL design -- VHDL simulation models will be used
========= EDA Simulation Settings =====================
Sim Mode : RTL
Family : max10
Quartus root : c:/intelfpga_lite/23.1std/quartus/bin64/
Quartus sim root : c:/intelfpga_lite/23.1std/quartus/eda/sim_lib
Simulation Tool : questa intel fpga
Simulation Language : vhdl
Version : 93
Simulation Mode : GUI
Sim Output File :
Sim SDF file :
Sim dir : simulation\questa
=======================================================
Info: Starting NativeLink simulation with Questa Intel FPGA software
Sourced NativeLink script c:/intelfpga_lite/23.1std/quartus/common/tcl/internal/nativelink/modelsim.tcl
Warning: File top_run_msim_rtl_vhdl.do already exists - backing up current file as top_run_msim_rtl_vhdl.do.bak1
Info: Spawning Questa Intel FPGA Simulation software
Info: NativeLink simulation flow was successful
We have purchased Quartus Prime Standard through DigiKey. When Intel responds with our license, we will see if things work better. It looks like this is a common problem.
The license file generated at the Intel Self-Service Licensing Center contains the following:
################################################################################
# FEATURE START
# The following is the license file for Questa*-Intel FPGA Edition - Questa Plus
500 Unable to generate license.
# FEATURE END
################################################################################
It appears that no license has been issued from the SSLC. What do I need to do to make this happen?
- bdilb2 years ago
New Contributor
I requested a Questa Intel FPGA Starter Edition, and I received two license file emails. The first one appeared to be an update of my original license file, this time with a valid FEATURE section for Questa Intel FPGA Edition. Pasting that feature into my original license file made the QuestaSim window appear. The problem is now fixed for me.
- RichardT_altera2 years ago
Super Contributor
I remember one time there was an issue with the SSLC causing the license generated to be unusable for Questa, like what happen in your case.
All in all, I'm glad to know the issue has been resolved.Regards,
Richard Tan