Software exchange.

[Altera_Forum]

Hi, 

 Does anybody knows if we could use another piece of software with the Altera Cyclone II FPGA Starter Kit? - I have many troubles using the QUARTUS || Software, mainly the Library folder from which I cannot use my parts and component libraries even after having followed all recommandations. - Can I use ORCAD 9.0 instead with this kit for example?  Many Thanks...

[Altera_Forum]

Not sure, if Orcad 9.0 provides a library for Altera, or indicates that it will output a netlist (edif) that is Altera acceptable, or it outputs generic HDL code (VHDL or Verilog), then you should be able to use it just fine. 

 You will need to ask OrCAD (Cadence) that question. You will need to tell them the version of Altera tools you are suing as well.  Good luck.

[Altera_Forum]

Hi, 

 as I know at the moment there is no possibility to implement a design to a Altera device without Quartus II. At least you will need Quartus II to place and route your design, and to generate the programming files for the FPGA.  But there are different ways to generate the design. You can use written code from yourself or you can use some other tools which can generate VHDL or Verilog code. On market there are existing some Tools for generating algorithmen. (You can define a function, verify it with the tool, and than you can generate a code for implementation)  If ORCAD provides such a function I don't know. I think Matlab/Simulink provides some functionality for the implementation. But there are also other tools on marked. It depends on your needs.