Intel® Quartus® Prime Pro Edition User Guide: Design Compilation

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ID 683236
Date 10/02/2023
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Document Table of Contents
Document Table of Contents x
1. Answers to Top FAQs 2. Design Compilation 3. Reducing Compilation Time 4. Intel® Quartus® Prime Pro Edition User Guide Design Compilation Archives A. Intel® Quartus® Prime Pro Edition User Guides
2. Design Compilation x
2.1. Compilation Overview 2.2. Using the Compilation Dashboard 2.3. Design Netlist Infrastructure 2.4. Design Synthesis 2.5. Design Place and Route 2.6. Incremental Optimization Flow 2.7. Fast Forward Compilation Flow 2.8. Full Compilation Flow 2.9. Exporting Compilation Results 2.10. Integrating Other EDA Tools 2.11. Compiler Optimization Techniques 2.12. Synthesis Language Support 2.13. Synthesis Settings Reference 2.14. Fitter Settings Reference 2.15. Design Compilation Revision History
2.1. Compilation Overview x
2.1.1. Compilation Flows 2.1.2. Compilation Hierarchy 2.1.3. Compilation Monitoring
2.3. Design Netlist Infrastructure x
2.3.1. DNI-Based Compilation Flow 2.3.2. DNI Netlist Five-Box Data Model 2.3.3. DNI-Based Node Finder 2.3.4. Exploring the RTL Analyzer 2.3.5. Early Timing Analysis After Design Synthesis 2.3.6. DNI Use Case Examples
2.3.4. Exploring the RTL Analyzer x
2.3.4.1. Sweep Hints Viewer 2.3.4.2. Object Set Console 2.3.4.3. Module Interfaces 2.3.4.4. Bundled Instances 2.3.4.5. Auto-hide Unconnected Pins 2.3.4.6. Filtering Ports and Nets 2.3.4.7. Expand Connections
2.3.5. Early Timing Analysis After Design Synthesis x
2.3.5.1. Synopsys* Design Constraint (SDC) on RTL 2.3.5.2. Post-Synthesis Static Timing Analysis (STA) 2.3.5.3. Types of SDC Files Used in the Intel® Quartus® Prime Software
2.3.5.1. Synopsys* Design Constraint (SDC) on RTL x
2.3.5.1.1. Registering the SDC-on-RTL SDC File 2.3.5.1.2. Applying the SDC-on-RTL Constraints 2.3.5.1.3. Inspecting SDC-on-RTL Constraints 2.3.5.1.4. Creating Constraints in SDC-on-RTL SDC Files 2.3.5.1.5. Using Entity-Based SDC-on-RTL Constraints
2.3.6. DNI Use Case Examples x
2.3.6.1. Scripting Routine Tasks Using DNI Tcl Commands 2.3.6.2. Traversing the DNI Netlist Using Tcl Commands 2.3.6.3. Using SDC-on-RTL Features
2.4. Design Synthesis x
2.4.1. Running Synthesis 2.4.2. Viewing Synthesis Reports 2.4.3. Viewing Synthesis Dynamic Report
2.4.1. Running Synthesis x
2.4.1.1. Preserving Registers During Synthesis 2.4.1.2. Preserving Signals for Monitoring and Debugging
2.5. Design Place and Route x
2.5.1. Running the Fitter 2.5.2. Viewing Fitter Reports
2.5.1. Running the Fitter x
2.5.1.1. Fitter Commands 2.5.1.2. Disabling or Enabling Physical Synthesis Optimization
2.5.2. Viewing Fitter Reports x
2.5.2.1. Plan Stage Reports 2.5.2.2. Place Stage Reports 2.5.2.3. Route Stage Reports 2.5.2.4. Retime Stage Reports 2.5.2.5. Finalize Stage Reports
2.5.2.2. Place Stage Reports x
2.5.2.2.1. Global Signal Visualization Report
2.5.2.3. Route Stage Reports x
2.5.2.3.1. Global Router Congestion Hotspot Summary Report 2.5.2.3.2. Global Router Wire Utilization Map Report
2.6. Incremental Optimization Flow x
2.6.1. Concurrent Analysis During Synthesis or Fitting 2.6.2. Analyzing Compiler Snapshots 2.6.3. Validating Periphery (I/O) after the Plan Stage
2.6.2. Analyzing Compiler Snapshots x
2.6.2.1. Running Snapshot Viewer
2.6.2.1. Running Snapshot Viewer x
2.6.2.1.1. Analyzing Failing Paths with Snapshot Viewer 2.6.2.1.2. Analyzing Clocking with Snapshot Viewer 2.6.2.1.3. Analyzing High Fan-out Nets with Snapshot Viewer 2.6.2.1.4. Validating Timing Constraints with Snapshot Viewer 2.6.2.1.5. Analyzing Congestion with Snapshot Viewer
2.7. Fast Forward Compilation Flow x
2.7.1. Step 1: Run Register Retiming 2.7.2. Step 2: Review Retiming Results 2.7.3. Step 3: Run Fast Forward Compile 2.7.4. Step 4: Review Fast Forward Results 2.7.5. Step 5: Implement Fast Forward Recommendations 2.7.6. Retiming Restrictions and Workarounds
2.7.2. Step 2: Review Retiming Results x
2.7.2.1. Locate Critical Chains
2.7.3. Step 3: Run Fast Forward Compile x
2.7.3.1. Fast Forward Compile By Hierarchy 2.7.3.2. HyperFlex Settings
2.7.4. Step 4: Review Fast Forward Results x
2.7.4.1. Clock Fmax Summary Report 2.7.4.2. Fast Forward Details Report
2.8. Full Compilation Flow x
2.8.1. Full Compilation Flow with Temporary Optimization Mode
2.9. Exporting Compilation Results x
2.9.1. Exporting a Version-Compatible Compilation Database 2.9.2. Importing a Version-Compatible Compilation Database 2.9.3. Creating a Design Partition 2.9.4. Exporting a Design Partition 2.9.5. Reusing a Design Partition 2.9.6. Viewing Quartus Database File Information 2.9.7. Clearing Compilation Results
2.9.6. Viewing Quartus Database File Information x
2.9.6.1. QDB File Attribute Types
2.10. Integrating Other EDA Tools x
2.10.1. Generating a VQM Netlist for other EDA Tools
2.11. Compiler Optimization Techniques x
2.11.1. Compiler Optimization Modes 2.11.2. Allow Register Retiming 2.11.3. Automatic Gated Clock Conversion 2.11.4. Enable Intermediate Fitter Snapshots 2.11.5. Fast Preserve Option 2.11.6. Fractal Synthesis Optimization
2.11.6. Fractal Synthesis Optimization x
2.11.6.1. Enabling or Disabling Fractal Synthesis
2.12. Synthesis Language Support x
2.12.1. Verilog and SystemVerilog Synthesis Support 2.12.2. VHDL Synthesis Support
2.12.1. Verilog and SystemVerilog Synthesis Support x
2.12.1.1. Verilog HDL Input Settings (Settings Dialog Box) 2.12.1.2. Design Libraries 2.12.1.3. Verilog HDL Configuration 2.12.1.4. Initial Constructs and Memory System Tasks 2.12.1.5. Verilog HDL Macros
2.12.1.3. Verilog HDL Configuration x
2.12.1.3.1. Hierarchical Design Configurations
2.12.2. VHDL Synthesis Support x
2.12.2.1. VHDL Input Settings (Settings Dialog Box) 2.12.2.2. VHDL Standard Libraries and Packages 2.12.2.3. VHDL wait Constructs 2.12.2.4. VHDL-2019 Conditional Analysis Tool Directives
2.13. Synthesis Settings Reference x
2.13.1. Advanced Synthesis Settings
3. Reducing Compilation Time x
3.1. Factors Affecting Compilation Results 3.2. Strategies to Reduce the Overall Compilation Time 3.3. Reducing Synthesis Time and Synthesis Netlist Optimization Time 3.4. Reducing Placement Time 3.5. Reducing Routing Time 3.6. Reducing Static Timing Analysis Time 3.7. Setting Process Priority 3.8. Reducing Compilation Time Revision History
3.2. Strategies to Reduce the Overall Compilation Time x
3.2.1. Running the ECO Compilation Flow 3.2.2. Enabling Multi-Processor Compilation 3.2.3. Using Block-Based Compilation
3.2.2. Enabling Multi-Processor Compilation x
3.2.2.1. Processor Base Clock Frequency 3.2.2.2. Random Access Memory (RAM) 3.2.2.3. Storage
3.3. Reducing Synthesis Time and Synthesis Netlist Optimization Time x
3.3.1. Settings to Reduce Synthesis Time and Synthesis Netlist Optimization Time 3.3.2. Use Appropriate Coding Style to Reduce Synthesis Time
3.4. Reducing Placement Time x
3.4.1. Placement Effort Multiplier Settings
3.5. Reducing Routing Time x
3.5.1. Identifying Routing Congestion with the Chip Planner
3.5.1. Identifying Routing Congestion with the Chip Planner x
3.5.1.1. Areas with Routing Congestion 3.5.1.2. Congestion due to HDL Coding style
1. Answers to Top FAQs
2. Design Compilation
3. Reducing Compilation Time
4. Intel® Quartus® Prime Pro Edition User Guide Design Compilation Archives
A. Intel® Quartus® Prime Pro Edition User Guides

2.7.3.1. Fast Forward Compile By Hierarchy

When enabled, Fast Forward compile runs on the entire design hierarchy by default. Optionally, you can specify the Enable Hyper-Retimer Fast Forward Hierarchy analysis during compilation assignment to include or exclude specific design subhierarchies and instances during Fast Forward compile. This technique allows you to focus Fast Forward reporting and optimization efforts on only specific areas of the design. Fast Forward compilation by hierarchy generates the same reports as Fast Forward compilation of the entire hierarchy.

Follow these steps to include or exclude specific design subhierarchies and instances during Fast Forward compilation:

  1. To enable the optional Fast Forward Compilation stage during full compilation, turn on Fast Forward Timing Closure Recommendations on the Compilation Dashboard, or add the following assignment to the project .qsf: 
    set_global_assignment -name FLOW_ENABLE_HYPER_RETIMER_FAST_FORWARD ON
    Figure 110. Enable Fast Forward Timing Closure Recommendations
  2. To exclude a specific hierarchy or entity from Fast Forward Compilation, set the Enable Hyper-Retimer Fast Forward Hierarchy analysis during compilation assignment to Off in the Assignment Editor, or add the following assignment to the project .qsf for each hierarchy or entity that you want to exclude: 
    set_global_assignment -name HYPER_RETIMER_FAST_FORWARD_ON_HIERARCHY OFF \
    <INSTANCE MODULE NAME>
  3. To include a specific hierarchy or entity from Fast Forward Compilation, set the Enable Hyper-Retimer Fast Forward Hierarchy analysis during compilation assignment to On in the Assignment Editor, or add the following assignment to the project .qsf for each hierarchy or entity that you want to include: 
    set_global_assignment -name HYPER_RETIMER_FAST_FORWARD_ON_HIERARCHY ON \
     <INSTANCE MODULE NAME>
  4. Click the Fast Forward Timing Closure Recommendations stage on the Compilation Dashboard, or click Processing > Start Compilation to run a full compilation that includes Fast Forward Compile.

You can mix ON and OFF assignments for the same instance within a single .qsf. If you assign mixed ON and OFF assignments to the same instance, the last assignment that appears in the .qsf takes precedence.

If you want to perform Fast Forward analysis for a subset of the hierarchies in your design, turn off Fast Forward analysis for all hierarchies that you want to omit from analysis. Otherwise, turn off Fast Forward analysis at the root hierarchy, and turn on Fast Forward analysis for the hierarchies that you want to analyze. The following examples show some of these assignment combinations, with respect to the Example Design Hierarchy.

Figure 111. Example Design Hierarchy 
# This runs Fast Forward Compile on the entire hierarchy: A,B,C,D,E,F
# This produces the same result as if FAST_FORWARD_HIERARCHY was not set in the QSF

set_global_assignment -name FLOW_ENABLE_HYPER_RETIMER_FAST_FORWARD ON
set_instance_assignment -name HYPER_RETIMER_FAST_FORWARD_ON_HIERARCHY ON -to |
# Runs Fast Forward Compile on B and E only, ignores A,C,D,F

set_global_assignment -name FLOW_ENABLE_HYPER_RETIMER_FAST_FORWARD ON
set_instance_assignment -name HYPER_RETIMER_FAST_FORWARD_ON_HIERARCHY OFF -to |
set_instance_assignment -name HYPER_RETIMER_FAST_FORWARD_ON_HIERARCHY ON -to B
# Runs  Fast Forward Compile on C only, ignores A,B,D,E,F

set_global_assignment -name FLOW_ENABLE_HYPER_RETIMER_FAST_FORWARD ON
set_instance_assignment -name HYPER_RETIMER_FAST_FORWARD_ON_HIERARCHY OFF -to |
set_instance_assignment -name HYPER_RETIMER_FAST_FORWARD_ON_HIERARCHY ON -to C
set_instance_assignment -name HYPER_RETIMER_FAST_FORWARD_ON_HIERARCHY OFF -to F
# ON instance HYPER_RETIMER_FAST_FORWARD_ON_HIERARCHY takes precedence
# Fast Forward Compile runs on only C and F
# If the assignments were reversed then FFC would not run

set_global_assignment -name FLOW_ENABLE_HYPER_RETIMER_FAST_FORWARD ON
set_instance_assignment -name HYPER_RETIMER_FAST_FORWARD_ON_HIERARCHY OFF -to |
set_instance_assignment -name HYPER_RETIMER_FAST_FORWARD_ON_HIERARCHY OFF -to C
set_instance_assignment -name HYPER_RETIMER_FAST_FORWARD_ON_HIERARCHY ON -to C
# This runs on A,B,C,F

set_global_assignment -name FLOW_ENABLE_HYPER_RETIMER_FAST_FORWARD ON
set_instance_assignment -name HYPER_RETIMER_FAST_FORWARD_ON_HIERARCHY OFF -to D
set_instance_assignment -name HYPER_RETIMER_FAST_FORWARD_ON_HIERARCHY OFF -to E
Note: Instance assignments apply to the post-fit netlist. Therefore, you may need to define design partitions. Otherwise, instance names can change during synthesis, leading to unexpected assignment results. Refer to Creating a Design Partition.
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