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Intel FPGA IP Evaluation Mode Issue

DLync7
Novice
1,426 Views

Hi,

I'm trying to evaluate various IP cores (NCO, FFT, TSE, NIOS II/f). 

However, I'm only ever able to get simulation only mode from them. The error message when doing analysis and synthesis is:

Warning(18390): Intel FPGA IP Evaluation Mode (Simulation-Only) feature is turned on for all cores in the design
Warning(18394): Some cores in this design do not support the Intel FPGA IP Evaluation Mode feature
Warning(18395): "FFT/IFFT" does not support the Intel FPGA IP Evaluation Mode feature

I get the same errors for the other IP. 

I am using Quartus Pro 20.1.
The device is a Cyclone 10 GX: 10CX220YF780E5G
Intel FPGA IP Evaluation Mode is set to Enable (disabling this does not fix)
Creating a new project does not fix the issue either. 

In previous versions of Quartus I have been able to get the Triple Speed Ethernet and the NIOS II/f cores to evaluate in Time Limited SOF files. I am trying to do the same now.

 

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SyafieqS
Moderator
1,394 Views

Hi David,

The error is due to you have no license for that core to evaluate. You can request a temporary 60-days evaluation license. Kindly contact your local sales representative or distributor. https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/partner/where-to-buy/overview.html

Thanks,

Regards

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DLync7
Novice
1,391 Views

Has this changed recently?

I used to be able to generate time limited .SOF files without needing any license with the Intel FPGA IP Evaluation Mode turned on. I was definitely using the NIOS II/f and Triple Speed Ethernet Core in a tethered evaluation mode either in Quartus Pro 18 or 19

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DLync7
Novice
1,361 Views

Hi,

Is there any update on this?
Going forward is the only way to generate time limited SOF files is with 60 day evaluation licenses by requesting from distributers? 

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/programmable/support/support-resources/download/licensing/q-and-a.html#a_01 This FAQ still says that a license is not required to evaluate Intel IP and AN320 has not been updated since Quartus 17.1

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SyafieqS
Moderator
1,313 Views

Hi Dave,


The link I gave is an alternate method in order for you to evaluate the IP and yes Intel FPGA IP Evaluation feature still support generating time limited SOF files. Is there any possibility you could the steps and design file for me to replicate the issue as this might be a bug for recent QP Pro releases(sent it via private message if it). Also just make sure to follow up with the distributor for the temporary 60-days evaluation license, surely there it is gonna take a while.


Cheers,

Syafieq


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DLync7
Novice
1,307 Views

Hi,

When I generate an IP core to evaluate (FFT for example), I use these settings

ip_gen.PNG

 All I do after that is add the .ip file to the project. Once it is added I get this message:

message.PNG

I have gone through every setting tab and made sure all the settings are the same as a blank project (signaltap off, logic analyzer off, simulation tool none). I have also tried deleting any qdb folders, the tmp-clearbox folder, the .qdf file and any .bak files related to settings.

If I don't have that fft ip file added I can generate regular .sof files fine and I have other IP that I have already purchased included in the project.

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KMour
Beginner
1,272 Views

Hi DLync7,

Did you figure out a way to get the FFT IP working in evaluation mode?  I've been dealing with exactly the same problem (Cyclone 10 GX device in Quartus Prime Pro 19.4).

Thanks,

Kyle

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DLync7
Novice
1,256 Views

Hi Kyle,

No I was not able to fix the issue. 

What I have noticed is that I had no trouble getting evaluation mode to work on a DE1-SOC (Cyclone V, Quartus Lite V20.1), however when using a DE10-Nano (Cyclone V, Quartus Lite 20.1) I had the same issues.

I can't think of any reason why two different Cyclone V devices in Quartus Lite would exhibit different behaviour in regards to IP cores.

I have noticed other people have had this issue in the forums but have not seen a solution that fixes the underlying problem.

 

Thanks

-David

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KMour
Beginner
1,252 Views

Hi David,

Thanks for the follow-up.  That's a bizarre situation.  I would have guessed that it was related to the Quartus install.  I'll let you know if I'm able to get it working.

Best,

Kyle

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DLync7
Novice
1,205 Views

Hi,

As an update I have not been able to fix the issue. 

However I did find something that may help.

I had a Quartus Lite project that was using an NCO in evaluation mode successfully. It was a very small project, merely outputting a sin and cos wave on a DAC.

Once verified that it was working, I added a lot of logic to the project (>50% LE usage on the Cyclone V FPGA) and then it changed back to simulation mode only for the IP cores.

I assume this is a bug at this point as I cant see any reason why adding logic that has nothing to do with licensing would change the IP core evaluate mode.

 

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