Why does my Stratix IV device, PCI Express Gen2 system fail to link train after upgrading to Quartus II software versions 14.0 and later?

Description

Due to a bug in the Quartus® II software versions 14.0 and later, your Stratix® IV device, PCI Express® Gen2 system may fail to link train under the following conditions.

• Instantiating a new Gen2 Hard IP for PCI Express generated in Quartus II software versions 14.0 and later.
• Upgrading an existing Gen2 Hard IP for PCI Express regenerated in Quartus II software versions 14.0 and later.
• Instantiating a new Gen2 PIPE PHY IP generated in Quartus II software versions 14.0 and later.
• Upgrading an existing Gen2 PIPE PHY IP regenerated in Quartus II software versions 14.0 and later.

Resolution

To solve this problem you can add the following assignments to your Quartus Settings File (.QSF)

• set_instance_assignment -name POWER_UP_LEVEL HIGH -to *pllreset_delay_blk0c*
• set_instance_assignment -name POWER_UP_LEVEL HIGH -to *pcie_sw_sel_delay_blk0c*