To compile Altera simulation model files

You must compile Altera simulation model files before simulating an Altera design. The Quartus^® Prime Standard Edition software includes simulation models for Altera megafunctions, primitives, library of parameterized modules (LPMs), IPFS models, and device family specific models in the <installation path>/eda/sim_lib directory.

You can use any of the following methods to compile Altera simulation models:

• If you enabled the NativeLink feature when setting up the simulator environment, click Processing > Start Compilation to automatically compile your design, Altera IP, simulation model libraries, and testbench following compilation.

or

• To compile all required libraries at once with EDA Simulation Library Compiler, follow these steps:

  GUI Steps:

  1. Prepare for EDA Simulation.
  2. On the Tools menu, click Launch EDA Simulation Library Compiler.
  3. Under EDA simulation tool, in the Tool name box, select a simulation tool. The Executable location box displays the location of the simulation tool you specified. You must set this location before you can run the EDA Simulation Library Compiler.
  4. Under Library families, select one or more family names and move them to the Selected families list.
  5. Under Library language, select VHDL, Verilog, or both.
  6. In the Output directory field, specify a location in which to store the compiled libraries.
  7. Click Start Compilation.

  or

  Command-Line Steps:

  Type the following at the command line:

  quartus_sh --simlib_comp -family <device family> -tool <EDA tools>-tool_path<path to simulation tool executable>-language <verilog/vhdl>-directory <output directory>-log <filename> -cmd_file <output_cmd file>-suppress_messages

  The following table provides information on the available settings with the quartus_sh executable:

  Setting	Required	Values	Description
  -family	Yes	Any device family all	The syntax is the device family name in lowercase letters, with no spaces. For example: stratixiigx All device families need to be compiled.
  -tool	Yes	activehdl |modelsim |mentor_vhdl_only | ncsim |questasim |rivierapro | vcs |vcsmx	A supported third-party simulation tool. Note: mentor_vhdl_only represents all mentor simulators such as ModelSim PE, ModelSim SE, and QuestaSim that need to be simulated in VHDL-only mode. Note: No libraries are generated for VCS. Instead, a VCS options file, simlib_comp.vcs, is generated that specifies the library source files. Note: Global libraries are created for Active-HDL, but not for Riviera-PRO.
  -tool_path	No	User-specified	Path to simulation tool executable.
  -language	Yes	verilog | vhdl	HDL language used for the simulation.
  -directory	No	User specified | current ( ./ )	Specifies an output directory for the compiled libraries. The default is the directory where you run the quartus_sh executable. Libraries are compiled into a single directory (< directory >/verilog_libs or < directory >/vhdl_libs) containing subdirectories for each of the compiled libraries. The subdirectory names for Verilog HDL libraries always contain the _ver suffix; whereas, the VHDL library directories have no suffix. For example: The Verilog HDL version of the altera_mf library is:<directory>/verilog_libs/altera_mf_ver and the VHDL version is:<directory>/vhdl_libs/altera_mf.
  -log	No	<log file name>	Specifies the file in which to store all messages issued during compilation that were not suppressed with-suppress_messages. If this setting is not specified then a log file is not created.
  -cmd_file	No	<output_cmd file>	The output file containing simulator commands used to compile the specified libraries.
  -gen_only	No		Specifies that only the tool command script should be generated (i.e., the simulator should not be invoked to compile the libraries). If this option is specified, -cmd_file should also be specified. Note: The library setup files for vcsmx and ncsim will be created even when this option is on.
  -suppress_messages	No		Specifies whether or not to suppress simulation-tool specific information and warning messages issued during compilation. This setting does not apply to tool-specific error messages. Messages that are suppressed do not appear in a log file, if one is created with the-log<filename> option.

  Note:

  • For users of the VCS software: No libraries are generated for VCS. Instead, a VCS options file, simlib_comp.vcs, is generated that specifies the library source files.
  • For users of the Active-HDL software: Global libraries are created for the Active-HDL software.

or

• Manually compile required Altera simulation models with your simulator according to simulator vendor documentation.