TimeQuest Timing Analyzer
TimeQuest Timing Analyzer
Catch timing-related errors faster and easier than gate-level simulation & board
testing
PRE
IN
CLK
PRE
Q
CLR
CLR
CLR
combinational
delays
OUT
Synopsys Design
Constraints (SDC) support
Standardized constraint
methodology
Easy-to-use interface
Constraint entry
Standard reporting
Scripting emphasis
Presentation focuses on
using GUI
quartus staw
quartus_staw
Command line
TimeQuest GUI
Report Pane
View Pane
Tasks Pane
Console Pane
Tasks Pane
Executes most
commands with Double-click to execute
any command
default settings
Use menus for nondefault settings
Report Pane
Displays list of
generated reports
currently available for
viewing
Reports generated by
Tasks pane
Reports generated
using report commands
View Pane
Timing Summary
Table
Timing Histogram
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Console pane
Use Quartus II
editor to create
and/or edit SDC
SDC editing
unique features
(for .sdc files)
Access to GUI
Constraints inserted at
cursor location
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or
b.
3.
4.
5.
To execute:
Tasks pane
Netlist menu
Tcl: create_timing_netlist
Constraints menu
Execution
Read SDC File (Tasks pane or
Constraints menu)
project
<current_revision>.sdc (if it exists in
project directory)
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Most common
constraints can be
accessed from the
Constraints menu
Same as Edit menu
Insert Constraints in
SDC file editor
Use if unfamiliar with
SDC syntax
Constraining
Double-click on
individual report
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Uses
Re-starting timing analysis on same timing netlist applying different
write_sdc command
Saves all constraints & exceptions
Notes
SDC files generated by TimeQuest
TA only if requested
Use -expand option (not in GUI) to
convert Altera-specific SDC
commands (discussed later) into
standard SDC
Run report_sdc command
(console, Tasks pane, or Report
menu) to see what will get written to
SDC file
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41
or
b.
3.
4.
5.
(preferred method)
Main TimeQuest window: Enter commands directly
into console
Main TimeQuest window: Directly into console using
GUI dialog boxes in Constraints menu
order)
2. <current_revision>.SDC located in project directory
Notes:
Arria GX and newer devices only support
Timequest TA.
TimeQuest TA is enabled by default for new
Stratix III and Cyclone III designs.
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(Tasks pane)
Many different reporting options available
Place Tcl reporting commands into script file
Easy repetition
Synopsys
PrimeTime
Mentor Graphics
TAU
Timing Reports
Reporting in TimeQuest TA
Report Destinations
Console
Report results displayed in the console
-stdout: enable console reporting
Output file
Store report results in a text file
-file <name>: name file to store results
-append: append results to existing file specified by
-file option
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Utility Reports
Report SDC
Lists constraints successfully applied to the netlist, organized by
constraint type
Command: report_sdc
Report Clocks
List all the clocks defined by constraints in the design
Command: report_clocks
constraint arguments
Command: report_sdc -ignored
Summary Reports
Command: create_timing_summary
create timing summary
-setup, -hold, -recovery, -removal: create report on
Report Datasheet
Summarizes timing requirements for the entire design
Tsu, Th, Tco, Tco (min), Tpd, Tpd (min)
Command: report_datasheet
Check Timing
Checks for potential timing problems with design or constraints
-include <check_list>: perform check only on listed checks
Command: check_timing
Reporting Macros
throughout design
# of bins along X
axis to place bars
(-num_bins)
registers
report_timing Arguments
Choose Report
Timing (Reports
menu) or double-click
on Report Timing
(Tasks pane)
Select level
of detail
Tcl: report_timing
Select where to
send output report
Source &
Destination Clocks
Calculated Slack
Source &
Destination Nodes
4 detailed views of
path available
Data arrival
path details
Calculated slack
& path Summary
Data required
path details
Waveform visualizes
TimeQuest slack
calculations
Other Reports
Report Metastability
Size and names of found synchronization chains and MTBF for each
Report DDR
Custom reporting for use with the ALTMEMPHY high performance
transitions
criteria
Instructor-Led Training
Online Training
http://www.altera.com/training
View training class schedule & register for a class
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Incremental compilation
Quartus II optimization features & techniques
MySupport: http://www.altera.com/mysupport
Hotline: (800) 800-EPLD (7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. PST)