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Fix License Issue for Questa Intel FPGA

Updated on Jun 19,2024

Fix License Issue for Questa Intel FPGA

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Setting up Intel Quest FPGA Starter Edition
    • 2.1. Installing Quartus Prime 21.1
    • 2.2. Installing Questa Intel FPGA Starter Edition
    • 2.3. Obtaining a Free License
  3. Troubleshooting License Error
    • 3.1. Checking License File Environment Variables
    • 3.2. Running lmotel lmdx
  4. Configuring Questa Intel FPGA Tool in Quartus
    • 4.1. Specifying the Questa Install Directory
    • 4.2. Selecting Questa Intel FPGA as the Tool Name
  5. Compiling the Project and Creating a Test Bench
    • 5.1. Compiling the Project in Quartus
    • 5.2. Creating a Test Bench
  6. Resolving RTL Simulation Error
    • 6.1. Running ala motel lmdx
    • 6.2. Troubleshooting Active-HDL Student Edition License
  7. Obtaining a License from Intel Licensing Center
    • 7.1. Accessing Intel Self-Service Licensing Center
    • 7.2. Signing Up for Free Licenses
    • 7.3. Specifying Computer Information
    • 7.4. Generating the License
    • 7.5. Saving the License File
  8. Editing Environmental Variables
    • 8.1. Editing Environmental Variables for Your Account
    • 8.2. Adding LM_LICENSE_FILE Variable
  9. Launching Questa from Quartus
    • 9.1. Closing and Reopening Quartus
    • 9.2. Opening the Project in Quartus
    • 9.3. Launching Questa
  10. Fixing Test Bench Name
    • 10.1. Renaming Test Bench with Underscores
  11. Verifying Questa Starter Edition Setup
    • 11.1. Checking License Information
    • 11.2. Running Diagnosis
  12. Conclusion

How to Set up Intel Quest FPGA Starter Edition and Make It Work with Quartus

In this Tutorial, we will guide you through the process of setting up Intel Quest FPGA Starter Edition and making it work seamlessly with Quartus Prime 21.1. The Questa Intel FPGA Starter Edition is a free tool provided by Intel, but it requires a license to operate. We will show you how to obtain the license and troubleshoot any errors that may arise during the setup process.

1. Introduction

The Intel Quest FPGA Starter Edition is a powerful tool for designing and simulating FPGA circuits. With its integration with Quartus Prime, it provides a comprehensive environment for FPGA development. However, the setup process can be complex, especially when dealing with licenses and configuration settings. This tutorial aims to simplify the setup process and help you get started with Intel Quest FPGA Starter Edition quickly and efficiently.

2. Setting up Intel Quest FPGA Starter Edition

To begin, we need to install Quartus Prime 21.1 and Questa Intel FPGA Starter Edition. These software packages are essential for FPGA development and simulation.

2.1. Installing Quartus Prime 21.1

Before installing Questa Intel FPGA Starter Edition, make sure you have Quartus Prime 21.1 installed on your system. If you haven't installed Quartus Prime yet, follow these steps to install it:

  1. Download Quartus Prime 21.1 from the official Intel website.
  2. Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
  3. Once the installation is complete, proceed to the next step to install Questa Intel FPGA Starter Edition.

2.2. Installing Questa Intel FPGA Starter Edition

The next step is to install Questa Intel FPGA Starter Edition. This software Package provides the necessary tools and libraries for FPGA simulation. Follow these steps to install Questa Intel FPGA Starter Edition:

  1. Download Questa Intel FPGA Starter Edition from the official Intel website.
  2. Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
  3. After the installation is complete, you will need to obtain a free license for Questa Intel FPGA Starter Edition. Next, we will guide you through the process of obtaining the license.

2.3. Obtaining a Free License

To obtain a free license for Questa Intel FPGA Starter Edition, follow these steps:

  1. Go to the Intel Licensing Center website and log in with your Intel account.
  2. If you don't have an account, you may need to go through additional verification and registration steps to get approval.
  3. Once you have access to the licensing center, click on "Sign Up for Revelation or Free Licenses."
  4. Select Questa from the list of available licenses and specify the number of seats (e.g., one).
  5. Agree to the terms and conditions, and click on "Get License."
  6. Fill in the information about the computer where you will be running the Questa software. Provide the computer name, IP address, license type (fixed or floating), and other required details.
  7. Generate the license by clicking on the "Generate License" button.
  8. The license file will be sent to your email after some time. Save the license file to your computer.

3. Troubleshooting License Error

If you encounter an error related to the license file, follow the steps below to troubleshoot and resolve the issue.

3.1. Checking License File Environment Variables

To ensure that the license file environment variables are set correctly, follow these steps:

  1. Open the environmental variables settings for your account.
  2. Add a new environmental variable named "LM_LICENSE_FILE" and browse for the license file.
  3. Click "OK" to save the changes.

3.2. Running lmotel lmdx

If the license error still persists, you can try running the command lmotel lmdx to diagnose the issue further. This command will provide information about the active licenses and their status.

4. Configuring Questa Intel FPGA Tool in Quartus

Once you have successfully installed Questa Intel FPGA Starter Edition and resolved any license errors, you need to configure it in Quartus Prime. Follow the steps below to configure Questa as your simulation tool:

4.1. Specifying the Questa Install Directory

By default, Questa Intel FPGA is installed in the Intel FPGA install directory. To specify the Questa install directory in Quartus, follow these steps:

  1. Open Quartus Prime and go to Options.
  2. Select the "Quest" category.
  3. In the "Tool Name" dropdown menu, select "Questa Intel FPGA."
  4. Save the settings.

4.2. Selecting Questa Intel FPGA as the Tool Name

After specifying the Questa install directory, you need to select Questa Intel FPGA as your simulation tool in Quartus. Follow these steps:

  1. Open the project in Quartus Prime.
  2. Go to Settings and select "Test Bench."
  3. In the "Tool" dropdown menu, select "Questa Intel FPGA."

5. Compiling the Project and Creating a Test Bench

With Questa Intel FPGA configured as The Simulation tool in Quartus, you can now compile your project and create a test bench for simulation.

5.1. Compiling the Project in Quartus

Before creating a test bench, make sure your project is compiled in Quartus. Follow these steps to compile your project:

  1. Open your project in Quartus Prime.
  2. Go to the Processing menu and select "Start Compilation."
  3. Wait for the compilation process to complete.

5.2. Creating a Test Bench

Once your project is compiled, you can create a test bench for simulation. A test bench is a piece of code that stimulates the design and captures the results. Follow these steps to create a test bench in Quartus:

  1. Open your project in Quartus Prime.
  2. Go to the File menu and select "New." Choose "Design Files" and select "VHDL Test Bench" or "Verilog Test Bench" depending on your design language.
  3. Write the necessary code to stimulate your design and capture the outputs.
  4. Save the test bench file.

Continue the rest of the article...

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