*** Fatal Error: Segment Violation: faulting address=(nil), … Module: quartus_pow

Description

Due to a problem in the Intel® Quartus® Prime Pro Edition Software version 20.3 and earlier, you may see this error when running Power Analyzer. This problem occurs when the power input file (.vcd) is not applied to the top entity.

Resolution

To work around this problem, either select your top entity when importing the VCD file in the Power Analyzer Settings or use this assignment in your QSF file and modify the bold text to your top entity:

set_instance_assignment -name POWER_READ_INPUT_FILE <filename>.vcd -to <Top entity> -entity <Top entity>