Why do I unexpectedly observe intermittent DDM Errors?
Description Beginning January 10, 2026, executing commands in the terminal or GUI of Quartus® Prime Pro Edition software, Quartus Embedded Edition software or select standalone tools may cause the software or tool to crash with an error similar to the crash signature shown below. This error affects: Quartus Prime Pro Software versions v23.3 through v25.3.1 Standalone Quartus Prime Pro Programmer v23.3 through v25.3.1 Standalone Quartus Prime Pro Embedded Edition v25.3 and v25.3.1 Standalone Quartus Prime Pro Power Thermal Analyzer v25.3 through v25.3.1 This issue is not observed in Quartus Prime Pro Edition versions 23.2 or prior or Quartus Prime Standard Edition. Crash Signature: Error (22912): Unhandled exception: Fatal Error: Assertion failed tools/cpp/ddm/ddm_assessor.cpp:53: DDM_T::verify_token(token) : Cannot identify the client from function assertion_error in tools/cpp/ddm_report/ddm_report_msg.cpp@465 *** Fatal Error: Program termination requested *** *** Below is the stack trace at the time the error occurred. *** The lines beginning "Err Handler" represent frames relating *** to generating this report. *** The point at which the error occurred is somewhere after these lines. *** There may be a few frames representing standard/library code *** before the Quartus frames begin. *** The search for the error should begin with the Quartus frames. *** Unwinder: libunwind *** Stack depth: 15 Quartus 0x24e67: err_terminator() + 0x1bc (ccl_err) Quartus 0xb036a: __cxxabiv1::__terminate(void (*)()) + 0xa (stdc++) Quartus 0xb03d5: (stdc++) Quartus 0xb0628: (stdc++) Quartus 0x1680d: void ddm_throw<DDM_RUNTIME_ERROR>(std::__cxx11::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>, std::allocator<char> > const&) + 0x26d (ddm_report) Quartus 0x13fae: DDM_REPORT::DDM_ASSERTION_HANDLER::assertion_error(std::__cxx11::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>, std::allocator<char> >) const + 0xde (ddm_report) Quartus 0x12a52: DDM_REPORT::ASSERTION_HANDLER::error(std::__cxx11::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>, std::allocator<char> >) + 0x72 (ddm_report) Quartus 0x13e64: DDM_REPORT::detail::assert_at_line(char const*, char const*, int, char const*, ...) + 0x1b4 (ddm_report) Quartus 0x205fb0: ddm_set_lassessor(DDM_T_ASSESSOR*, std::__cxx11::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>, std::allocator<char> > const&) + 0x60 (ddm) Quartus 0xf4445: DMS_MANAGER::DMS_MANAGER() + 0x5c5 (dni_dms) Quartus 0xf45b2: DMS_MANAGER::get() + 0x7a (dni_dms) Quartus 0xf6db4: _GLOBAL__sub_I_dms_manager.cpp + 0x58 (dni_dms) Quartus 0x647e: (ld-linux-x86-64) Quartus 0x6568: (ld-linux-x86-64) Quartus 0x202ca: (ld-linux-x86-64) Resolution To work around this problem: For Windows machines Download and unzip the Quartus Prime Pro version zip file that matches your Quartus Prime Pro version from this KDB. Double click on the executable ending in “windows.exe”. When the GUI pops up, press Next. Note that the GUI may look slightly different depending on the version of Quartus you are using. Accept the license agreement Specify the directory where the patch needs to be applied which may be a different location than Quartus install if you have standalone tools in a different directory from your Quartus Prime Pro software installation. Keep “Allow Patch to be uninstalled” selected. Select the software in which to install the patch: The patch will install in the directory of the software or tool you have selected. You will see an uninstall directory for the patch in your software or tool folder where patch is installed; it will contain an executable to uninstall the patch if required for any reason. To confirm patch is installed, you can run quartus_sh -v or corresponding version command for your tool via command line. Alternatively, you can Open Quartus in the GUI and select Help → About Quartus Prime in the main menu. If you are opening up a standalone tool you will navigate to Help-> About <tool_name>. For the Command Line Implementation of the patch in Windows, use the following command: <patch_filename.exe> --mode unattended --installdir <your_install_directory> --accept_eula 1 --patch_to [quartus|qprogrammer|qemb|pta] # An example to patch Quartus Prime Pro Edition Software v25.3: quartus-25.3-0.27-windows.exe --mode unattended --installdir /tmp/altera_pro/25.3 --accept_eula 1 # An example to patch the Standalone Programmer for Quartus Prime Pro Software v25.3: quartus-25.3-0.27-windows.exe --mode unattended --installdir /tmp/altera_pro/25.3 --accept_eula 1 --patch_to qprogrammer For Linux machines: Download and unzip the Quartus Prime Pro version zip file that matches your Quartus Prime Pro version from this KDB. Ensure you run chmod +x on the file ending with linux.run. Run in the command line: ./<installation_patch_run_file>. When GUI pops up, press Next. Note that the GUI may look slightly different depending on the version of Quartus you are using. Accept the license agreement Specify the directory where the patch needs to be applied which may be a different location than Quartus install if you have standalone tools in a different directory from your Quartus Prime Pro software installation. Keep “Allow Patch to be uninstalled” selected. Select the software in which to install the patch: The patch will install in the directory of the software or tool you have selected. You will see an uninstall directory for the patch in your software or tool folder where patch installed; it will contain an executable to uninstall the patch if required for any reason. To confirm patch is installed, you can run ./quartus_sh -v or corresponding version command for your tool via command line. Alternatively, you can Open Quartus in the GUI and select Help → About Quartus Prime in the main menu. If you are opening up a standalone tool you will navigate to Help-> About <tool_name>. For the Command Line Implementation of the patch in Linux, use the following command: ./<patch_filename.run> --mode unattended --installdir <your_install_directory> --accept_eula 1 --patch_to [quartus|qprogrammer|qemb|pta] # An example to patch Quartus Prime Pro Edition v25.3: ./quartus-25.3-0.27-linux.run --mode unattended --installdir /tmp/altera_pro/25.3 --accept_eula 1 # An example to patch the Standalone Programmer for Quartus Prime Pro Software v25.3: ./quartus-25.3-0.27-linux.run --mode unattended --installdir /tmp/altera_pro/25.3 --accept_eula 1 --patch_to qprogrammer This issue is scheduled to be fixed in a future release of the Quartus Prime Pro Edition Software. The below table lists the patches that are available and the associated patch number. The patch zip files are attached to the KDB below: Quartus Prime Pro Edition Version Patch Number 23.3 0.52 23.4 0.70 23.4.1 1.01 24.1 0.52 24.2 0.64 24.3 0.35 24.3.1 1.29 25.1 0.36 25.1.1 1.31 25.3 0.27 25.3.1 1.02
Why does Linux report "DMA engine initialization failed" error when EMAC uses GMII interface?
Description When supporting GMII interface for HPS EMAC, there are three clocks exported to FPGA: emac_tx_clk_i(input), emac_rx_clk_i(input), emac_gtx_clk(output) The Linux would report below error if the emac_tx_clk_i clock is not connected correctly: ...... [ 4.291414] socfpga-dwmac ff802000.ethernet: Failed to reset the dma [ 4.297785] socfpga-dwmac ff802000.ethernet eth1: stmmac_hw_setup: DMA engine initialization failed [ 4.306806] socfpga-dwmac ff802000.ethernet eth1: stmmac_open: Hw setup failed ...... Resolution Besides connecting the emac_rx_clk_i(125MHz) for GMII, the emac_tx_clk_i also needs to be connected correctly (2.5MHz or 25MHz), although it is not used in GMII mode. The emac_tx_clk_i requirement information has been added in the HPS document beginning with version 21.2.Why can’t I reset the Hard Processor System (HPS) of Intel Agilex® 7 FPGA or Intel® Stratix® 10 FPGA using the Mailbox Client Intel® FPGA IP?
Description You might see the Hard Processor System (HPS) on Intel Agilex® 7 SoC FPGA and Intel® Stratix® 10 SoC FPGA fail to reset when issuing the REBOOT_HPS command (0x47) through the Mailbox Client Intel® FPGA IP. The REBOOT_HPS command is not supported by the FPGA core to Secure Device Manager (SDM) interface, trying to reset the HPS from the FPGA core will be unsuccessful. Resolution To work around this problem, you must issue the command to reset the HPS through the JTAG interface using the System Console packet service as described in the AN 936: Executing SDM Commands via JTAG Interface. Extract the contents of the sdm-commands.zip. Open System Console from the Intel® Quartus® Prime Pro Edition Software by clicking Tools -> System Debugging Tools -> System Console. In the terminal window of System Console, change directories to where the file sdm_command.tcl was extracted. Enter the following command: % source sdm_command.tcl Execute the REBOOT_HPS command (0x47) with the exec_command procedure: % exec_command 0x47 The Intel Agilex 7 Hard Processor Technical Reference Manual and Intel Stratix 10 Hard Processor System Technical Reference Manual are scheduled to be updated with the above information.Why don’t I get a programming file when I compile with the Quartus® Prime Pro Edition software version 25.1.1?
Description Beginning with version 25.1.1 of the Quartus® Prime Pro Edition software, pin location assignments and I/O standard assignments are required for a programming file to be generated. If these required assignments are missing, no programming file is generated. You must add the required assignments and recompile your design to generate a programming file. If you do not want to generate a programming file, you may ignore this behavior change. To determine whether your design is missing pin location or I/O standard assignments, review your compilation messages. If either of the following messages was generated during your compile, your design is missing pin location or I/O standard assignments that are required to generate a programming file: Critical Warning: Some pins have incomplete I/O assignments. Refer to the I/O Assignment Warnings report for details Critical Warning: No exact pin location assignment(s) for <number> pins of <number> total pins. For the list of pins, please refer to the I/O Assignment Warnings table in the fitter report Resolution Review the I/O Assignment Warnings report, found in the Place sub-section of the Fitter section of the compilation report. Alternately, review the <revision>.fit.plan.rpt report file. For any pins in the I/O Assignment Warnings report that are reported as “Missing location assignment” or “Missing I/O standard,” add the appropriate location or I/O standard assignment. For help making these assignments, refer to Assigning I/O Pins After adding any required assignments, recompile the design to generate a programming file. This change applies to all device families supported by the Quartus® Prime Pro Edition software, beginning in version 25.1.1. Missing pin location or I/O standard assignments are reported as a critical warning, not an error. If you script the compilation of projects, the exit code of the compilation process still indicates success even if pin location or I/O standard assignments are missing, because missing pin location or I/O assignments are reported as a critical warning, not an error.Why isn’t a programming (SOF) file generated for the F-Tile Dynamic Reconfiguration Suite IP available for Example Designs when using the Quartus® Prime Pro Edition software versions 25.3 and earlier?
Description Due to starting from the Quartus® Prime Pro Edition software version 25.3 and earlier, it is compulsory to connect all the I/O ports to the correct PIN location. If any of the design I/O ports are floating and not properly connected, Quartus software will not be able to generate the programming file for the design compiled. This is mentioned in the Quartus Prime Pro Edition User Guide version 25.1.1 in 1.2. Generating Secondary Programming Files and provide the guidelines to the user on how to fix the Quartus software critical warning and successfully create the programming file for your design. Why don’t I get a programming file when I compile with the.... Similar programming (SOF) file generation problem you may observe when you generate the F-Tile Dynamic Reconfiguration Suite IP Example Designs by selecting Target Development Kit with option 1) Agilex™ 7 FPGA I-Series Transceiver-SoC Development Kit (Production 1 4xF-Tile) DK-SI-AGI027FA or 2) Agilex 7™ FPGA I-Series Transceiver-SoC Development Kit (Production 2 4xF-Tile) DK-SI-AGI027FC. As shown in the figure below. Resolution As a workaround, generate the F-Tile Dynamic Reconfiguration Suite IP Example Designs by selecting the Target Development Kit with the option you want and compiling the design. Review the I/O Assignment Warnings report, found in the Place sub-section of the Fitter section of the compilation report. Alternatively, review the <revision>.fit.plan.rpt report file. For any pins in the I/O Assignment Warnings report that are reported as “Missing location assignment” or “Missing I/O standard,” add the appropriate location or I/O standard assignment. For help making these assignments, refer to Assigning I/O Pins. After adding any required assignments, recompile the design to generate a programming file. This problem is scheduled to be fixed in a future release of the Quartus® Prime Pro Edition software.Error(18939): Unexpected error in JTAG server: Timeout.
Description You may see this error when trying to configure the Intel Agilex® 7 device on the Intel Agilex® 7 FPGA F-Series Development Kit with a SOF file over JTAG when the FPGA MSEL pins are set to ASx4 mode, and the QSPI contains an image from an older version of Intel® Quartus® Prime Software than currently being used. Resolution To avoid this error, set the MSEL pins to JTAG only so the device does not configure from the QSPI device on power-up. On the Intel Agilex® 7 FPGA F-series Development Kit, this is achieved by setting SW1 to OFF/OFF/OFF (MSEL[2:0] = "111"). This will allow you to configure the FPGA over JTAG with a SOF file and also allow you to write a new image to the QSPI with a JIC file.How can I support legacy SFP modules with Agilex™ 7 FPGA F-Tile receivers?
Description Altera® Agilex™ 7 FPGA device F-Tile receivers cannot tolerate 2V pk-pk signals from legacy SFP modules. Resolution You can support legacy SFP modules by adding inline 6dB RF attenuators in between the SFP module and the Agilex™ 7 device F-Tile receiver. You must also power sequence the SFP module, ensuring that it powers up after the FPGA is configured. The Agilex™ 7 device F-Tile equalizer in Auto Adaptation mode should open the RX eye for reduced amplitude SFP+ signals.Why does the ASMI Parallel II IP or the Generic Quad SPI Controller II IP fail to access a QSPI flash memory device?
Description Due to a problem in multiple Quartus® Prime Pro Edition and Standard Edition software versions, the ASMI Parallel II IP or the Generic Quad SPI Controller II IP fails to access a Quad SPI flash memory device. The affected software versions are: Quartus® Prime Pro Edition software versions from 22.1 to 25.3 Quartus® Prime Standard Edition software versions from 22.1 to 24.1 Chronologically, Prior to version 22.1, the initial state of DATA[3:2] was high. For the affected software versions, the initial state of DATA[3:2] was incorrectly changed to Hi-Z. For reader’s information, some quad SPI flash memory devices support RESET or HOLD function on DATA[3] and WRITE_PROTECT function on DATA[2]. DATA pins can be known as DATA, DQ, IO, or SIO across different QSPI flash memory device vendors. This modification to Hi-Z is recognized as low, thus the active-low RESET, HOLD and WRITE_PROTECT functions are enabled. With these, they prevent the flash controller IP from gaining access to flash devices. Resolution DATA[3:2] must be kept high as the initial state. If the targeted flash device is the Active Serial configuration flash memory, this problem is fixed starting from, Quartus® Prime Pro Edition software version 25.3.1, and Quartus® Prime Standard Edition software version 25.1. Otherwise (i.e. generic-purpose flash memory or affected software version), please refer to the workarounds below. For affected software versions, Targeted Flash Device Workarounds Active Serial configuration flash memory Differentiated with: DATA[3:2] pins are assigned to dedicated AS_DATA[3:2] pins Disable dedicated Active Serial interface option is turned off The initial state of DATA[3:2] is Hi-Z. Add external pull-up registers to the I/O VCC voltage on DATA[3:2]. Internal weak pull-up resistor option is unavailable for dedicated AS_DATA pins. Generic-purpose flash memory Differentiated with: DATA[3:2] pins are assigned to generic I/O pins Disable dedicated Active Serial interface option is turned on The initial state of DATA[3:2] is Hi-Z. Add external pull-up registers to the I/O VCC voltage on DATA[3:2], or Enable internal weak pull-up resistor on DATA[3:2] pins in Quartus® design project After Quartus® Prime Pro Edition software version 25.3.1 and Quartus® Prime Standard Edition software version 25.1, Targeted Flash Device Workarounds Active Serial configuration flash memory Differentiated with: DATA[3:2] pins are assigned to dedicated AS_DATA[3:2] pins Disable dedicated Active Serial interface option is turned off The initial state of DATA[3:2] is reverted to high. No workaround is needed. Generic-purpose flash memory Differentiated with: DATA[3:2] pins are assigned to generic I/O pins Disable dedicated Active Serial interface option is turned on The initial state of DATA[3:2] is Hi-Z. Add external pull-up registers to the I/O VCC voltage on DATA[3:2], or Enable internal weak pull-up resistor on DATA[3:2] pins in Quartus® design project Related IP Cores ASMI Parallel II IP, Generic Quad SPI Controller II IPHow to run Agilex™ Multiple EMIF Designer Tool in Agilex™ 7 FPGA and SoC FPGA M-Series, Agilex™ 5 FPGA and SoC FPGA, and Agilex™ 3 FPGA and SoC FPGA?
Description You can merge multiple EMIF design examples by configuring the required interconnections using Quartus® Prime Platform Designer. This manual process involves setting up and verifying each connection to ensure proper integration. Resolution To streamline and automate the merging of multiple EMIF designs, use the Agilex™ Multiple EMIF Designer Tool (AMED). This tool simplifies the integration process by handling the configuration steps automatically, reducing the potential for errors and saving time. You can download the AMED tool below. Follow the steps below to utilize the AMED tool: Copy all the *.tcl files into the same directory. Open a terminal: On Windows*, open Command Prompt. On Linux*, open Konsole or your preferred terminal. Navigate to the directory containing the *.tcl files using the cd command. Run the script by entering the command: tclsh multi_emif.tcl Navigating the AMED GUI: Select the number of designs to merge. Browse and add each design’s directory path. Set the output directory for the merged design. (Optional) Check Run Analysis & Synthesis to complete this stage automatically. Click Generate to start merging. Additional Information Note: Ensure that you specify the installation paths for standalone Quartus® environments as applicable: For Windows* standalone installation, provide the path, for example: C:/altera_pro/25.1/quartus For Linux* standalone installation, specify the appropriate installation directory path up to the “quartus” folder (e.g., /path/to/quartus). This step is not required when using Network-Based Quartus® installations on Linux*.Why does the Nios® V processor that applies fast JTAG UART driver stop (stuck in a loop) when the JTAG UART terminal is not active?
Description Due to a problem in the Board Support Package Editor of Quartus ® Prime software, the JTAG UART driver for fast implementation might get stuck in a loop for any Nios ® V processor designs, when JTAG UART terminal is not active. This problem has been present since: Quartus ® Prime Pro Edition software version 21.3 Quartus ® Prime Standard Edition software version 22.1 It is because the JTAG UART IP is initialized before the Nios ® V processor initialization in alt_sys_init.c. For example: void alt_sys_init( void ) { ALTERA_AVALON_JTAG_UART_INIT (JTAG_UART, jtag_uart); INTEL_NIOSV_M_INIT (NIOS, nios); } Resolution To work around this problem, update the alt_sys_init.c to initialize the Nios ® V processor first. void alt_sys_init( void ) { INTEL_NIOSV_M_INIT (NIOS, nios); ALTERA_AVALON_JTAG_UART_INIT (JTAG_UART, jtag_uart); } This problem is currently scheduled to be resolved in a future release of the Quartus ® Prime software. Additional Information Refer to Embedded Peripherals IP User Guide [titled as JTAG UART Core - Driver Options: Fast vs. Small Implementations] for more information about the JTAG UART driver for fast (non-blocking) and slow (blocking) implementation. Related Article NIOSV firmware stuck when juart-terminal is not open for the print messages.
