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Altera_Forum's avatar
Altera_Forum
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17 years ago

Use different version of Quartus II without version compatible database

Hi,

I need to fix my Stratix III (-I4) design with the current version of the Quartus II(8.1). The timing model is still preliminary for this version, so I'd like to check timing of the design with the future version (9.0). It is easy to recompile with 9.0, but what I want to do is see the timing of the design fit with 8.1.

Unfortunately version-compatible database is not supported yet. Is there any way to check it?

Thanks

4 Replies

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    17 years ago

    You could probably write out a .qxp for your top-level partition and then import it. (There might be some restriction against importing into the top-level, I can't remember, but worth a try.) It's annoying that the versin compatible database isn't supported yet, since that's really it's main purpose.

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    17 years ago

    Hi Rysc,

    Thank you very much for suggestion. I try it, but unfortunately I find the top partition can't be imported.

    Regards,
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    17 years ago

    Here's an idea. Open your top-level file and go to File -> Create Symbol for it. Then create a new .bdf and insert that symbol into it. Right-click on the symbol and Insert Pins(or whatever the name is to add ports to every I/O of a block). You now have a top-level file that does nothing but wrap your design. Run Analysis & Elaboration, and create a partition on that first level(what was your top-level). Now try the same flow, but you're no longer exporting the top-level, just the level below it.

    To be honest, I'm not a huge fan of this flow as I think it opens you up to issues if you have complicated I/O, like a DDR2 structure or something. There's a decent chance it will work, but not positive. Another possibility is to create a lower-level partition on the hierarchy/s that always have the critical paths, if your design is one that acts that way. Then just export that one, import into Q9.0, and at least you're rerunning the analysis on that portion. Of course, if you're using a beta version, I don't know if you can really be sure the timing models are final.
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    17 years ago

    Hello Rsyc,

    I appreciate your help. Since some errors appears in the incremental compilation, I will consult with Altera engineer if they depend on paticular design.

    Regards

    Here is an error just for your information.

    Error: Line 349291 in Atom Netlist File C:/Work/Temporary/version_compatibility_test/v81/incremental_db/compiled_partitions/top.inst_5621acd9427f1329b7316527822479141.imp.atm contains illegal output port index "DFFIN"