Altera® Quartus® Prime Standard Edition Settings File Reference Manual

ID 683084
Date 5/08/2017
Public
Document Table of Contents

1.6.3. OPTIMIZATION_MODE

Controls the Compiler's high-level optimization strategy. By default, the Quartus Prime Compiler optimizes in a balanced mode, targeting the design's timing constraints. The alternate modes cause the Compiler to prioritize a particular optimization metric. High effort modes primarily enable additional optimizations that increase compilation time. Aggressive modes may increase compilation time and also make trade-offs that may harm the other optimization metrics (performance, area, etc.).\r\n\r\n'High Performance Effort' mode will cause the compiler to target increased positive timing margin (via Standard Fit compilation), increase the timing optimization effort applied during placement and routing, and enable timing-related Physical Synthesis optimizations (as allowed by the register optimization settings below). Each of these additional optimizations can increase compilation time. 'Aggressive Performance' mode enables the same optimizations as 'High Performance Effort' mode, and additionally enables options during Analysis & Synthesis to maximize design performance at a potential increase to logic area. If design utilization is already very high, this option may lead to difficulty in fitting which could also negatively affect overall optimization quality.\r\n\r\n'High Power Effort' mode guides the Compiler to spend additional compilation time reducing routing utilization, which saves dynamic power. In 'Aggressive Power' mode, the Compiler will further target reducing the routing usage of signals with the highest specified (via Signal Activity File) or estimated toggle rates, saving additional dynamic power but potentially affecting performance.\r\n\r\n'Aggressive Area' mode instructs the Compiler to target an area minimal solution, even if this reduces overall timing performance.\r\n\r\nThis setting affects Analysis & Synthesis and the Fitter.

Type

Enumeration

Values

  • Aggressive Area
  • Aggressive Performance
  • Aggressive Power
  • Balanced
  • High Performance Effort
  • High Power Effort

Device Support

This setting can be used in projects targeting any Altera device family.

Notes

This assignment is included in the Fitter report.

This assignment is included in the Analysis & Synthesis report.

Syntax


		set_global_assignment -name OPTIMIZATION_MODE <value>
	

Default Value

Balanced