Specifications

CHAPTER 7: SIMULATION
SIMULATING DESIGNS WITH EDA TOOLS
132 ■ INTRODUCTION TO QUARTUS II ALTERA CORPORATION
top-level design file and test vectors from the Vector Waveform File.
You can also generate self-checking test bench files if you specify the
expected values in the Vector Waveform File.
■ Memory Initialization Files: You can use the Quartus II Memory
Editor to enter the initial contents of a memory block, for example,
content-addressable memory (CAM), RAM, or ROM, in a Memory
Initialization File (.mif) or a Hexadecimal (Intel-Format) File (.hex).
You can then export the memory contents as a RAM Initialization
File (.rif) for use in functional simulation with EDA simulation tools.
■ Signal Activity Files: You can create Signal Activity Files for use with
the PowerPlay Power Analyzer. A Signal Activity File contains toggle
rate and static probability data for a design. You can specify a limit for
the signal activity period, and can also specify that glitch filtering can
be performed.
EDA Simulation Flow
Using the NativeLink feature, you can direct the Quartus II software to
compile a design, generate the appropriate output files, and then
automatically perform the simulation using EDA simulation tools.
Alternatively, you can run EDA simulation tools manually before
compilation (functional simulation) or after compilation (timing simulation)
in the Quartus II software.
Functional Simulation Flow
You can perform a functional simulation at any point in your design flow.
The following steps describe the basic flow needed to perform a functional
simulation of a design using an EDA simulation tool. Refer to Quartus II
Help for more information on specific EDA simulation tools. To perform a
functional simulation using EDA simulation tools:
1. If you have not already done so, set up the project in the EDA
simulation tool.
2. Create a working library.
3. Compile the appropriate functional simulation libraries with the EDA
simulation tool.