How do I use the Fast Simulation Models to improve the simulation time in the Quartus® Prime Pro Edition Software version 24.3.1 onwards?

Description

Follow these steps to use the Fast Simulation Models in designs targeting Agilex™ 7 FPGA, Agilex™ 5 FPGA, or Agilex™ 3 FPGA devices to improve simulation time in the Quartus® Prime Pro Edition Software version 24.3.1 onwards.

Resolution

1. Generate the example design from the .ip file or create a custom design for simulation (the same as the current flow).
2. Update the auto-generated simulation script to point to Fast Simulation Models in Agilex™ 7 FPGA, Agilex™ 5 FPGA, or Agilex™ 3 FPGA designs by setting the following variables with either of the following methods:
   • Method 1: For Questasim
     • Update the Tcl-based scripts  (msim_setup.tcl) with the following variables:
       • set DEVICES_SIM_LIB_DIR "$QUARTUS_INSTALL_DIR/../devices/sim_lib2/"
       • set QUARTUS_SIM_LIB_DIR "$QUARTUS_INSTALL_DIR/eda/sim_lib2/"
   • Method 2: For VCS (2-step), VCS (3-step)
     • Update the qsys-generated script (sh based scripts: vcs_setup.sh or vcsmx_setup.sh) with the following variables:
       • DEVICES_SIM_LIB_DIR="$QUARTUS_INSTALL_DIR/../devices/sim_lib2/"
       • QUARTUS_SIM_LIB_DIR="$QUARTUS_INSTALL_DIR/eda/sim_lib2/"
3.  Update the auto-generated simulation scripts to remove commands/options that slow down the simulation.
   • Questasim:
     • In the top-level example design simulation script, ensure ld and elab are called (instead of ld_debug and elab_debug). 
     • Remove -voptargs=+acc under elab_debug in mentor/msim_setup.tcl and under proc get_elab_options in common/modelsim_files.tcl if present.
     • Remove commands that dump out waveforms and other commands/options that can slow down the simulation.
   • VCS (2-step), VCS (3-step): 
     • Remove any debug elaboration options in the top-level script ( start with -debug_ )
     • Remove the -kdb option and any elaboration and simulation options to dump waveforms (such as +fsdb or +vpd dumps)

The IP example design for these devices has been enabled to use Fast Simulation Models by default in the Quartus® Prime Pro Edition Software version 25.1.1 onwards.

Additional Information

How do I revert from Fast Simulation Models to the Default Simulation Models in Quartus® Prime Pro Edition Software version 25.1.1 onwards?