Linux Qsys Now "platform designer", from old time still has trouble never addressed. ALT_PLL Altera FPGA IP open in a small window with scroll bar, if something is touched in this state after long time crash. If enlarged scroll bar disappear and PLL can be edited but again doesn't save. This trouble is present till version 15.0. Tcl file is messed up and unreadable. The only way to use PLL on linux platform is to import old PLL file then edit parameter by hand. Attached actual file I patched to generate Frequency I need on my design. When opened for edit all parameter are set in different unit and still try to save leave untouched. How can I cure this unpleasant issue? Linux Mint release 17.2 Intel I7, Sony Vaio Pro SVS1511C5E 16GB ram.As oon picture crash.

Hi Sstrell, this issue as I wrote is still present from revision 15.0 When I learned how to write My Ip core modules. Also in a new design if I add ALT_PLL has same behavior. See this Enlarge, edit parameter then finishFinish result in not saved PLL Step 3 add ALT_PLL, enlarge then two times finish button.step 4, edit Alt_PLL, just configure clock input 50MHz, C0 to 100MHz, c1 10MHz as from step 2, finish finish and IP remain as is from step 3. Delete add again same deterministic sequence. Alt_PLL_Reconfigure has same issue, other IP work like a charm. This as I stated never changed from at almost revision 15.0, I had no previous revision installed, Regards Roberto

Hi , I totally understand what you are trying to say, and able to understand the dummy block . My intension only want to show you that the Qsys file is not generated successfully with the design that you send.Again with Verilog, we had an issue on certain versions between Verilog and VHDL languages . So only to isolate the language issue I have suggested the above procedure.

This post is a bit far afield from the original post. But if you're taking the FPGA Design for Embedded Systems Specialization on Coursera and attempting to use a Linux for Quartus Prime, you'll probably end up here.Intel stopped licensing modelsim from Mentor (now Siemens) before Quartus Prime 23. That will be the next hurdle. And if you do try to get modelsim running under linux (the assignment grader uses modelsim scripting), you will need to get an older version of Quartus running (and the older version may not be available on Intel's site anymore, so you may need to use the class' provided binaries). The modelsim executable was compiled in 32 bit mode, so you'll need to go install 32 bit system libraries. There are breadcrumbs out there to explain. Where you will be stopped dead in your tracks is when you get to using Nios. Nios uses a custom modified version of eclipse. Eclipse is a bit crufty and demands a specific version of the Java virtual machine. I fought with that mightily. Under Ubuntu it was just a non starter. Intel suggests it *can* work under SUSE. I stood up a version of SUSE in an attempt to make it work. I was never successful. I have a day job. I got sick of dumping time into tool issues. This pained me. Like you, I am a Linux advocate -- I haven't run Windows at home as my daily driver in at least 15 years. I wasn't willing to give up. So, I hear you. To your criticism of this. I get it. I think the challenge for the creators of the class is that the effort to create the class is HUGE. To retool the class to use a newer version of Quartus would mean redoing the videos and the quizzes. Basically they'd need to start over. I will say that when I did switch to Windows, it just worked (using the binaries provided by the class). I understand the idealism. But, be careful, your time is valuable. I think I posted comments about this in the class forum. Look me up. It's been a year plus. I will say that it was a fun class! I'll also say that the automatic grader (at the time) didn't give good feedback and sometimes would give you points off for reasons that were inexplicable. Don't fret over that.

When enlarged as shown just save if one clock output is selected (sometimes) again editing never succed and next open show new parameter not held. After succesful add I try'd two times add 3 more clock for 200, 250 and 10MHz, changes never appear on .qsys file. Project is shareable just removing two IP core.

I'm not sure why the old Megawizard is showing up in a new version of Quartus. I'd recommend simply deleting the PLL component from your system design and re-adding it.#iwork4intel

Linux Qsys Now "platform designer", ALT_PLL Altera FPGA IP doesn't save, crash.

25 Replies

Rahul_S_Intel1
Frequent Contributor
6 years ago
Hi ,
I totally understand what you are trying to say, and able to understand the dummy block . My intension only want to show you that the Qsys file is not generated successfully with the design that you send.
Again with Verilog, we had an issue on certain versions between Verilog and VHDL languages . So only to isolate the language issue I have suggested the above procedure.
gregh3285
New Contributor
2 years ago
This post is a bit far afield from the original post. But if you're taking the FPGA Design for Embedded Systems Specialization on Coursera and attempting to use a Linux for Quartus Prime, you'll probably end up here.
Intel stopped licensing modelsim from Mentor (now Siemens) before Quartus Prime 23. That will be the next hurdle. And if you do try to get modelsim running under linux (the assignment grader uses modelsim scripting), you will need to get an older version of Quartus running (and the older version may not be available on Intel's site anymore, so you may need to use the class' provided binaries). The modelsim executable was compiled in 32 bit mode, so you'll need to go install 32 bit system libraries. There are breadcrumbs out there to explain. Where you will be stopped dead in your tracks is when you get to using Nios. Nios uses a custom modified version of eclipse. Eclipse is a bit crufty and demands a specific version of the Java virtual machine. I fought with that mightily. Under Ubuntu it was just a non starter. Intel suggests it *can* work under SUSE. I stood up a version of SUSE in an attempt to make it work. I was never successful. I have a day job. I got sick of dumping time into tool issues. This pained me. Like you, I am a Linux advocate -- I haven't run Windows at home as my daily driver in at least 15 years. I wasn't willing to give up. So, I hear you. To your criticism of this. I get it. I think the challenge for the creators of the class is that the effort to create the class is HUGE. To retool the class to use a newer version of Quartus would mean redoing the videos and the quizzes. Basically they'd need to start over. I will say that when I did switch to Windows, it just worked (using the binaries provided by the class). I understand the idealism. But, be careful, your time is valuable. I think I posted comments about this in the class forum. Look me up. It's been a year plus. I will say that it was a fun class! I'll also say that the automatic grader (at the time) didn't give good feedback and sometimes would give you points off for reasons that were inexplicable. Don't fret over that.
- Serqetry
  New Contributor
  2 years ago
  You are awesome for explaining all this. I figured out the Modelsim issue already. I am using Arch Linux and there is an AUR package for the version 20.1 modelsim for this very reason. It works fine with 21.1 Quartus and newer, even if it is ugly (so is Qsys/Platform Designer). Honestly using those tools in a Windows VM wouldn't be much worse than using these old barely readable Java apps that aren't made for 4K screens on Linux anyway. Quartus itself works quite well in Linux for the most part, so that's nice at least.
  What you say about the Nios Eclipse editor makes the situation quite clear to me. I have used modified Eclipse editors before (TI's CCS editor for the MSP430) and it's not a great experience... so I can only imagine. I'll give it a go to see if I can get it working with Arch, but I won't waste my time if it doesn't look good from the start. For the Coursera course, using the old versions of stuff in a Windows VM definitely seems like the smart choice.
  Thanks for all your insight!
- Ivan11
  New Contributor
  2 years ago
  Welp... thank you for that insight. I've been taking these courses and fighting my way until I too got stuck with this bug on week 2 of the last course. I have the same issues trying to run the ALT_PLL creation dialog. I guess it's time to dust off the Windows installation.
  As for ModelSim, I used the standalone version 20.1. The installer needed some libraries under Fedora (not officially supported), just check what library was missing if the installer crashes.
RRomano001
Contributor
6 years ago
When enlarged as shown just save if one clock output is selected (sometimes) again editing never succed and next open show new parameter not held.
After succesful add I try'd two times add 3 more clock for 200, 250 and 10MHz, changes never appear on .qsys file.
Project is shareable just removing two IP core.
altplltest.qsys.zip10 KB
sstrell
Super Contributor
6 years ago
I'm not sure why the old Megawizard is showing up in a new version of Quartus. I'd recommend simply deleting the PLL component from your system design and re-adding it.
#iwork4intel
- RRomano001
  Contributor
  6 years ago
  Hi Sstrell, this issue as I wrote is still present from revision 15.0 When I learned how to write My Ip core modules.
  Also in a new design if I add ALT_PLL has same behavior. See this
  Enlarge, edit parameter then finish
  Finish result in not saved PLL
  Step 3 add ALT_PLL, enlarge then two times finish button.
  step 4, edit Alt_PLL, just configure clock input 50MHz, C0 to 100MHz, c1 10MHz as from step 2, finish finish and IP remain as is from step 3.
  Delete add again same deterministic sequence. Alt_PLL_Reconfigure has same issue, other IP work like a charm.
  This as I stated never changed from at almost revision 15.0, I had no previous revision installed,
  Regards
  Roberto
  Test_Qsys_PLL.zip48 KB
Rahul_S_Intel1
Frequent Contributor
6 years ago
The design file is wrong, I could not able to detach the content, I have tried to create a simple PLL and it is working
- RRomano001
  Contributor
  6 years ago
  Hi RSree, test on Linux? I am not interested about Win, too slow and unreliable.
  Again a base project, generate PLL saving as is no edit allowed after create.
  It is not working and I see this problem also on other distribution.
  plltest.zip5.5 MB
Rahul_S_Intel1
Frequent Contributor
6 years ago
Hi , I have tried to test on the Quartus 18.1 standard ( Os Linux) and can able to successfully compile the design. And for me there is difficulty in testing the Quartus lite in linux environment, so could not able to do on that apology from myside
Rahul_S_Intel1
Frequent Contributor
6 years ago
posted a file.
plltest_quartus_std.qar115 KB
- RRomano001
  Contributor
  6 years ago
  Hi Rsee, I loaded the file you sent back, I argue is just same I sent you.
  Please OPEN QSYS (Platform Designer) LINUX version and try modify PLL settings:
  Input clock 50MHz not 100
  C1 Clock need a multiplier 2
  C2 clock need a divider 5 to output 10Mhz clock
  C3 ex set to 200MHz require a multiplier 4.
  DSave and reopen, check change are on file.
  If you can setup on Linux, and send back, then and only then you tested issue.
  Quartus installed on Ubuntu 18.02_4 doesn't work so I cannot test till now.... I open another issue soon.
  regards
Rahul_S_Intel1
Frequent Contributor
6 years ago
Hi , For me in linux, the above setting is working fine attached the example design. And I could not able to test on you design,because I am having error in Qsys with Dummy_master_0 module attached screen shot. Please note all I have done in Quartus STD not in lite. One more suggestion , can you please change the language to verilog and try.
- RRomano001
  Contributor
  6 years ago
  Hi RSree, sorry for what I have to write:
  Are you an FPGA designer and proficient on HDl languages, Platform designer usage?
  Why I am asking this? I feel as you are VERY far from what happen, from how a PLL work and never checked reconfigure PLL clocks input and PLL section feedback counters.
  Issue is about some TCL error I cannot address, Verilog VHDL is just the generated design hardware.
  Openiing the design file by hand then set the PLL block, refresh design and then load with all clock, generate correct IP core. Platform designer provided interface DOESN'T WORK!!! INTERFACE, SOFTWARE ISSUE, not HDL generated file.
  
  See snapshot, see what happen to saved PLL has just one clock C0 is on module, where set up C0, C1, C2, input frequency is not 100MHz default MUST BE 50MHz, Optput need be what I select and MORE THAN ONE I repeat REPEAT C0, C1, C2...
  Software code messed up is graphic interface, if you open is stretched and if you touch something it crash after a while. Resizing doesn't crash but NEVER save chenges on QSYS file. File is quite messed up.
  About dummy Master, this is another point I fear you are far from HDL design, is a very simple useless module to quiet warning and silence bus when no controller are there.
  Is very simple to "add new" from left ip core selector one just by new component then import vhdl file.
  This missing tcl file ( I can setup on project and send you) is not affecting the culprit of issue YOU CANNOT EDIT NOR APPLY AND SAVE CHANGES TO PLL PARAMETER!!!! THIS FROM 15.0!!
FH_
New Contributor
4 years ago
Hello, I know this is quite an old thread, nevertheless I have the exact same problem with the Platform Designer. I tested versions 18.1 and 20.1 (Standard edition) with the exact same behavior. It is not possible to add an ALTPLL component in the Platform Designer. The wizard appears (you then have to resize it, otherwise it will crash), you can make your adjustments an when you click finish nothing happens, no error message nothing.

When opening a QSYS file that already contains a PLL, it is possible to open the settings (i.e., the Mega Wizard) but changes have no effect.

Is Quartus under Linux. Are there any suggestions how to work around this problem?
- sstrell
  Super Contributor
  4 years ago
  You probably should start a new thread on this.
  
  New components get added to the bottom of the System View (System Contents). You don't see it anywhere and no messages in the Messages window about it?
ghanko
New Contributor
3 years ago
The issue is that qmegawiz command returns with status 1 which means "Cancel", so the tcl interprets the result as the user had clicked "Cancel" instead of "Finish". As a dirty hack I changed the following line

if { $status != 0 } {

to

if { $status != 0 && $status != 1} {

in ~/intelfpga_lite/20.1/ip/altera/sopc_builder_ip/altera_avalon_mega_common/sopc_mwizc.tcl

and it works. The "Cancel" button doesn't work after this of course but it's a far smaller issue.
- gregh3285
  New Contributor
  3 years ago
  Good hack, @ghanko! There are a couple instances of the line you mention in the file you mention. The diff on the file is below. I applied the patch and got past the problem that others are seeing:
  
  [gregh@Autolycus altera_avalon_mega_common]$ diff sopc_mwizc.tcl sopc_mwizc.tcl-orig 1050c1050 < if { $status != 0 && $status != 1} { --- > if { $status != 0} {