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

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ID 683641
Date 1/07/2022
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Document Table of Contents
Document Table of Contents x
1. Answers to Top FAQs 2. Design Optimization Overview 3. Optimizing the Design Netlist 4. Netlist Optimizations and Physical Synthesis 5. Area Optimization 6. Timing Closure and Optimization 7. Analyzing and Optimizing the Design Floorplan 8. Using the ECO Compilation Flow 9. Intel® Quartus® Prime Pro Edition Design Optimization User Guide Archives A. Intel® Quartus® Prime Pro Edition User Guides
2. Design Optimization Overview x
2.1. Device Considerations 2.2. Required Settings for Initial Compilation 2.3. Optimization Trade-Offs and Limitations 2.4. Design Visualization and Optimization Tools 2.5. Design Optimization Overview Revision History
2.1. Device Considerations x
2.1.1. Device Migration Considerations
2.2. Required Settings for Initial Compilation x
2.2.1. Initial I/O Assignment Guidelines 2.2.2. Initial Timing Constraint Guidelines
2.3. Optimization Trade-Offs and Limitations x
2.3.1. Area Reduction Trade-Offs 2.3.2. Critical Path Delay Reduction Trade-Offs 2.3.3. Power Consumption Reduction Trade-Offs 2.3.4. Compilation Time Trade-Offs
2.4. Design Visualization and Optimization Tools x
2.4.1. Design Visualization Tools 2.4.2. Design Optimization Tools
3. Optimizing the Design Netlist x
3.1. When to Use the Netlist Viewers: Analyzing Design Problems 3.2. Intel® Quartus® Prime Design Flow with the Netlist Viewers 3.3. RTL Viewer Overview 3.4. Technology Map Viewer Overview 3.5. Netlist Viewer User Interface 3.6. Schematic View 3.7. Cross-Probing to a Source Design File and Other Intel® Quartus® Prime Windows 3.8. Cross-Probing to the Netlist Viewers from Other Intel® Quartus® Prime Windows 3.9. Viewing a Timing Path 3.10. Optimizing the Design Netlist Revision History
3.3. RTL Viewer Overview x
3.3.1. Maximizing Readability in RTL Viewer 3.3.2. Running the RTL Viewer
3.5. Netlist Viewer User Interface x
3.5.1. Netlist Navigator Pane 3.5.2. Properties Pane 3.5.3. Netlist Viewers Find Pane
3.6. Schematic View x
3.6.1. Display Schematics in Multiple Tabbed View 3.6.2. Schematic Symbols 3.6.3. Select Items in the Schematic View 3.6.4. Shortcut Menu Commands in the Schematic View 3.6.5. Filtering in the Schematic View 3.6.6. View Contents of Nodes in the Schematic View 3.6.7. Moving Nodes in the Schematic View 3.6.8. View LUT Representations in the Technology Map Viewer 3.6.9. Zoom Controls 3.6.10. Navigating with the Bird's Eye View 3.6.11. Partition the Schematic into Pages 3.6.12. Follow Nets Across Schematic Pages
4. Netlist Optimizations and Physical Synthesis x
4.1. Physical Synthesis Optimizations 4.2. Applying Netlist Optimizations 4.3. Scripting Support 4.4. Netlist Optimizations and Physical Synthesis Revision History
4.1. Physical Synthesis Optimizations x
4.1.1. Disabling or Enabling Physical Synthesis Optimization 4.1.2. Physical Synthesis Options
4.2. Applying Netlist Optimizations x
4.2.1. WYSIWYG Primitive Resynthesis
4.3. Scripting Support x
4.3.1. Synthesis Netlist Optimizations 4.3.2. Physical Synthesis Optimizations
5. Area Optimization x
5.1. Resource Utilization Information 5.2. Optimizing Resource Utilization 5.3. Scripting Support 5.4. Area Optimization Revision History
5.1. Resource Utilization Information x
5.1.1. Flow Summary Report 5.1.2. Fitter Reports 5.1.3. Design Assistant Recommendations 5.1.4. Analysis and Synthesis Reports 5.1.5. Compilation Messages 5.1.6. Chip Planner Visualization
5.2. Optimizing Resource Utilization x
5.2.1. Resource Utilization Issues Overview 5.2.2. I/O Pin Utilization or Placement 5.2.3. Logic Utilization or Placement 5.2.4. Routing
5.2.2. I/O Pin Utilization or Placement x
5.2.2.1. Guideline: Modify Pin Assignments or Choose a Larger Package
5.2.3. Logic Utilization or Placement x
5.2.3.1. Guideline: Optimize Source Code 5.2.3.2. Guideline: Optimize Synthesis for Area, Not Speed 5.2.3.3. Guideline: Restructure Multiplexers 5.2.3.4. Guideline: Perform WYSIWYG Primitive Resynthesis with Balanced or Area Setting 5.2.3.5. Guideline: Use Register Packing 5.2.3.6. Guideline: Remove Fitter Constraints 5.2.3.7. Guideline: Flatten the Hierarchy During Synthesis 5.2.3.8. Guideline: Re-target Memory Blocks 5.2.3.9. Guideline: Use Physical Synthesis Options to Reduce Area 5.2.3.10. Guideline: Retarget or Balance DSP Blocks 5.2.3.11. Guideline: Use a Larger Device 5.2.3.12. Guideline: Reduce Global Signal Congestion 5.2.3.13. Guideline: Report Pipelining Information
5.2.4. Routing x
5.2.4.1. Guideline: Set Auto Packed Registers to Sparse or Sparse Auto 5.2.4.2. Guideline: Set Fitter Aggressive Routability Optimizations to Always 5.2.4.3. Guideline: Increase Router Effort Multiplier 5.2.4.4. Guideline: Remove Fitter Constraints 5.2.4.5. Guideline: Optimize Synthesis for Routability 5.2.4.6. Guideline: Optimize Source Code 5.2.4.7. Guideline: Use a Larger Device
5.3. Scripting Support x
5.3.1. Initial Compilation Settings 5.3.2. Resource Utilization Optimization Techniques
6. Timing Closure and Optimization x
6.1. Optimize Multi Corner Timing 6.2. Optimize Critical Paths 6.3. Optimize Critical Chains 6.4. Design Evaluation for Timing Closure 6.5. Timing Optimization 6.6. Periphery to Core Register Placement and Routing Optimization 6.7. Scripting Support 6.8. Timing Closure and Optimization Revision History
6.2. Optimize Critical Paths x
6.2.1. Viewing Critical Paths
6.3. Optimize Critical Chains x
6.3.1. Viewing Critical Chains
6.4. Design Evaluation for Timing Closure x
6.4.1. Review Messages 6.4.2. Evaluate Fitter Netlist Optimizations 6.4.3. Evaluate Optimization Results 6.4.4. Evaluate Resource Usage 6.4.5. Evaluate Other Reports and Adjust Settings Accordingly 6.4.6. Evaluate Clustering Difficulty 6.4.7. Revise and Recompile
6.4.4. Evaluate Resource Usage x
6.4.4.1. Evaluate Global and Non-Global Usage 6.4.4.2. Evaluate Routing Usage 6.4.4.3. Evaluate Wires Added for Hold
6.5. Timing Optimization x
6.5.1. Correct Design Assistant Rule Violations 6.5.2. Implement Fast Forward Timing Closure Recommendations 6.5.3. Review Timing Path Details 6.5.4. Try Optional Fitter Settings 6.5.5. Back-Annotate Optimized Assignments 6.5.6. Optimize Settings with Design Space Explorer II 6.5.7. I/O Timing Optimization Techniques 6.5.8. Register-to-Register Timing Optimization Techniques 6.5.9. Metastability Analysis and Optimization Techniques
6.5.2. Implement Fast Forward Timing Closure Recommendations x
6.5.2.1. Retiming Limit Details Report 6.5.2.2. Fast Forward Timing Closure Recommendations
6.5.2.1. Retiming Limit Details Report x
6.5.2.1.1. Using the Retiming Limit Details Report
6.5.2.2. Fast Forward Timing Closure Recommendations x
6.5.2.2.1. Generating Fast Forward Timing Closure Recommendations 6.5.2.2.2. Implementing Fast Forward Recommendations
6.5.3. Review Timing Path Details x
6.5.3.1. Report Timing 6.5.3.2. Report Logic Depth 6.5.3.3. Report Neighbor Paths 6.5.3.4. Report Register Spread 6.5.3.5. Report Route Net of Interest 6.5.3.6. Report Retiming Restrictions 6.5.3.7. Report Pipelining Information 6.5.3.8. Report CDC Viewer 6.5.3.9. Timing Closure Recommendations 6.5.3.10. Global Network Buffers 6.5.3.11. Resets and Global Networks 6.5.3.12. Suspicious Setup 6.5.3.13. Auto Shift Register Replacement 6.5.3.14. Clocking Architecture
6.5.3.10. Global Network Buffers x
6.5.3.10.1. Source Location 6.5.3.10.2. Insertion Delay 6.5.3.10.3. Fan-Out 6.5.3.10.4. Global Signal Assignment
6.5.4. Try Optional Fitter Settings x
6.5.4.1. Optimize Hold Timing 6.5.4.2. Fitter Aggressive Routability Optimization
6.5.6. Optimize Settings with Design Space Explorer II x
6.5.6.1. DSE II Computing Resources 6.5.6.2. DSE II Optimization Parameters 6.5.6.3. DSE II Result Management 6.5.6.4. Running DSE II
6.5.7. I/O Timing Optimization Techniques x
6.5.7.1. I/O Timing Constraints 6.5.7.2. Optimize IOC Register Placement for Timing Logic Option 6.5.7.3. Fast Input, Output, and Output Enable Registers 6.5.7.4. Programmable Delays 6.5.7.5. Use PLLs to Shift Clock Edges 6.5.7.6. Use Fast Regional Clock Networks and Regional Clocks Networks 6.5.7.7. Spine Clock Limitations
6.5.8. Register-to-Register Timing Optimization Techniques x
6.5.8.1. Optimize Source Code 6.5.8.2. Improving Register-to-Register Timing 6.5.8.3. Physical Synthesis Optimizations 6.5.8.4. Set Power Optimization During Synthesis to Normal Compilation 6.5.8.5. Optimize Synthesis for Performance, Not Area 6.5.8.6. Flatten the Hierarchy During Synthesis 6.5.8.7. Set the Synthesis Effort to High 6.5.8.8. Duplicate Registers for Fan-Out Control 6.5.8.9. Prevent Shift Register Inference 6.5.8.10. Use Other Synthesis Options Available in Your Synthesis Tool 6.5.8.11. Fitter Seed 6.5.8.12. Set Maximum Router Timing Optimization Level 6.5.8.13. Register-to-Register Timing Analysis
6.5.8.8. Duplicate Registers for Fan-Out Control x
6.5.8.8.1. Manual Register Duplication 6.5.8.8.2. Automatic Register Duplication: Estimated Physical Proximity 6.5.8.8.3. Automatic Register Duplication: Hierarchical Proximity
6.5.8.13. Register-to-Register Timing Analysis x
6.5.8.13.1. Tips for Analyzing Failing Paths 6.5.8.13.2. Tips for Analyzing Failing Clock Paths that Cross Clock Domains 6.5.8.13.3. Tips for Critical Path Analysis 6.5.8.13.4. Tips for Creating a .tcl Script to Monitor Critical Paths Across Compiles 6.5.8.13.5. Global Routing Resources 6.5.8.13.6. Register RAMS and DSPs
6.6. Periphery to Core Register Placement and Routing Optimization x
6.6.1. Setting Periphery to Core Optimizations in the Advanced Fitter Setting Dialog Box 6.6.2. Setting Periphery to Core Optimizations in the Assignment Editor 6.6.3. Viewing Periphery to Core Optimizations in the Fitter Report
6.7. Scripting Support x
6.7.1. Initial Compilation Settings 6.7.2. I/O Timing Optimization Techniques 6.7.3. Register-to-Register Timing Optimization Techniques
7. Analyzing and Optimizing the Design Floorplan x
7.1. Design Floorplan Analysis in the Chip Planner 7.2. Creating Partitions and Logic Lock Regions with the Design Partition Planner and the Chip Planner 7.3. Using Logic Lock Regions in the Chip Planner 7.4. Using User-Defined Clock Regions in the Chip Planner 7.5. Scripting Support 7.6. Analyzing and Optimizing the Design Floorplan Revision History
7.1. Design Floorplan Analysis in the Chip Planner x
7.1.1. Starting the Chip Planner 7.1.2. Chip Planner GUI Components 7.1.3. Viewing Design Elements in the Chip Planner 7.1.4. Finding Design Elements in the Chip Planner 7.1.5. Exploring Paths in the Chip Planner 7.1.6. Viewing Assignments in the Chip Planner 7.1.7. Viewing High-Speed and Low-Power Tiles in the Chip Planner
7.1.2. Chip Planner GUI Components x
7.1.2.1. Chip Planner Toolbar 7.1.2.2. Layers Settings 7.1.2.3. Locate History Window 7.1.2.4. Chip Planner Floorplan Views
7.1.3. Viewing Design Elements in the Chip Planner x
7.1.3.1. Viewing Architecture-Specific Design Information 7.1.3.2. Viewing Available Clock Networks in the Device 7.1.3.3. Viewing Clock Sector Utilization 7.1.3.4. Viewing Routing Congestion 7.1.3.5. Viewing I/O Banks 7.1.3.6. Viewing High-Speed Serial Interfaces (HSSI) 7.1.3.7. Viewing the Source and Destination of Placed Nodes 7.1.3.8. Viewing Fan-In and Fan-Out Connections of Placed Resources 7.1.3.9. Viewing Immediate Fan-In and Fan-Out Connections 7.1.3.10. Viewing Selected Contents 7.1.3.11. Viewing the Location and Utilization of Device Resources in Chip Planner 7.1.3.12. Viewing Module Placement by Cross-Probing to Chip Planner
7.1.4. Finding Design Elements in the Chip Planner x
7.1.4.1. Find Options (Chip Planner Search)
7.1.5. Exploring Paths in the Chip Planner x
7.1.5.1. Analyzing Connections for a Path 7.1.5.2. Locate Path from the Timing Analysis Report to the Chip Planner 7.1.5.3. Show Delays 7.1.5.4. Viewing Routing Resources
7.2. Creating Partitions and Logic Lock Regions with the Design Partition Planner and the Chip Planner x
7.2.1. Viewing Design Connectivity and Hierarchy
7.3. Using Logic Lock Regions in the Chip Planner x
7.3.1. Viewing Connections Between Logic Lock Regions in the Chip Planner 7.3.2. Logic Lock Regions 7.3.3. Attributes of a Logic Lock Region 7.3.4. Migrating Assignments between Intel® Quartus® Prime Standard Edition and Intel® Quartus® Prime Pro Edition 7.3.5. Creating Logic Lock Regions 7.3.6. Customizing the Shape of Logic Lock Regions 7.3.7. Placing Device Resources into Logic Lock Regions 7.3.8. Hierarchical Regions 7.3.9. Additional Intel® Quartus® Prime Logic Lock Design Features 7.3.10. Logic Lock Regions Window 7.3.11. Snapping to a Region
7.3.5. Creating Logic Lock Regions x
7.3.5.1. Creating Logic Lock Regions with the Chip Planner 7.3.5.2. Creating Logic Lock Regions with the Project Navigator 7.3.5.3. Creating Logic Lock Regions with the Logic Lock Regions Window 7.3.5.4. Defining Routing Regions 7.3.5.5. Noncontiguous Logic Lock Regions 7.3.5.6. Considerations on Using Auto Sized Regions
7.3.6. Customizing the Shape of Logic Lock Regions x
7.3.6.1. Adding a New Shape to a Logic Lock Region 7.3.6.2. Subtracting Shape from Logic Lock Region 7.3.6.3. Merging Logic Lock Regions 7.3.6.4. Noncontiguous Logic Lock Regions
7.3.7. Placing Device Resources into Logic Lock Regions x
7.3.7.1. Empty Logic Lock Regions 7.3.7.2. Pin Assignment 7.3.7.3. Reserved Logic Lock Regions 7.3.7.4. Virtual Pins 7.3.7.5. Example: Placement Best Practices for Intel® Arria® 10 FPGAs
7.3.9. Additional Intel® Quartus® Prime Logic Lock Design Features x
7.3.9.1. Intel® Quartus® Prime Revisions Feature
7.4. Using User-Defined Clock Regions in the Chip Planner x
7.4.1. Creating Clock Assignments with the Chip Planner 7.4.2. Resizing a Clock Assignment 7.4.3. Moving a Clock Assignment 7.4.4. Deleting a Clock Region Assignment 7.4.5. Assigning a Clock Signal to a Clock Region 7.4.6. Clock Assignment Properties
7.5. Scripting Support x
7.5.1. Creating Logic Lock Assignments with Tcl commands 7.5.2. Assigning Virtual Pins with a Tcl command 7.5.3. Logic Lock Region Assignment Examples
8. Using the ECO Compilation Flow x
8.1. ECO Compilation Flow 8.2. ECO Tcl Script Example 8.3. Viewing ECO Compilation Reports 8.4. ECO Commands 8.5. ECO Command Limitations 8.6. Interactive ECO Fitting 8.7. Using the ECO Compilation Flow Revision History
8.4. ECO Commands x
8.4.1. ECO Command Quick Reference 8.4.2. make_connection 8.4.3. remove_connection 8.4.4. modify_lutmask 8.4.5. adjust_pll_refclk 8.4.6. modify_io_slew_rate 8.4.7. modify_io_current_strength 8.4.8. modify_io_delay_chain 8.4.9. create_new_node 8.4.10. remove_node 8.4.11. place_node 8.4.12. unplace_node 8.4.13. create_wirelut
8.6. Interactive ECO Fitting x
8.6.1. eco_load_design and eco_commit_design Commands
1. Answers to Top FAQs
2. Design Optimization Overview
3. Optimizing the Design Netlist
4. Netlist Optimizations and Physical Synthesis
5. Area Optimization
6. Timing Closure and Optimization
7. Analyzing and Optimizing the Design Floorplan
8. Using the ECO Compilation Flow
9. Intel® Quartus® Prime Pro Edition Design Optimization User Guide Archives
A. Intel® Quartus® Prime Pro Edition User Guides

5.2.3.2. Guideline: Optimize Synthesis for Area, Not Speed

If the Fitter cannot resolve a design due to limitations in logic resources, resynthesize the design to improve the area utilization.

First, ensure that the device and timing constraints are set correctly in the synthesis tool. Particularly when area utilization of the design is a concern, ensure that you do not over-constrain the timing requirements for the design. Synthesis tools try to meet the specified requirements, which can result in higher device resource usage if the constraints are too aggressive.

If resource utilization is an important concern, you can optimize for area instead of speed.

  • If you are using Intel® Quartus® Prime synthesis, click Assignments > Settings > Compiler Settings > Advanced Settings (Synthesis) and select Balanced or Area for the Optimization Technique.
  • The Aggressive Area Optimization Mode optimizes for area at the cost of performance.
  • If you want to reduce area for specific modules in the design using the Area or Speed setting while leaving the default Optimization Technique setting at Balanced, use the Assignment Editor.
  • In some synthesis tools, not specifying an fMAX requirement can result in less resource utilization.

Optimizing for area or speed can affect the register-to-register timing performance.

Note: In the Intel® Quartus® Prime software, the Balanced setting typically produces utilization results that are very similar to those produced by the Area setting, with better performance results. The Area setting can give better results in some cases.

The Intel® Quartus® Prime software provides additional attributes and options that can help improve the quality of the synthesis results.

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