Setting up Quartus to run ModelSim

Quartus uses ModelSim (Altera Edition) to perform simulation. ModelSim is even used for Vector Waveform files. ModelSim and Quartus are two entirely separate applications that loosely communicate with each other.

You typically invoke ModelSim from Quartus via the Tools -> Run Simulation Tool -> RTL Simulation menu

Invoking ModelSim from within Quartus

However, if you’ve every tried to run ModelSim without having set it up, you might have encountered the following error:

Error Dialog when trying to run ModelSim from Quartus

This is indicating that Quartus does not know which version of ModelSim to run and where it resides on your disk. I am assuming you are using ModelSim ASE (Altera Starter Edition). There is also a licensed version that is not free.

The good news is that to resolve this is a one-off task. Open the Quartus Options dialog box by selecting the Tools -> Options menu

Accessing the Options Dialog

You should now see a dialog box similar to that below. Expand the general category and click EDA Tool Options.

Quartus Options Dialog

In the Model-Sim Altera box, you need to add the path to the folder that contains ModelSim ASE. For Windows, the location of this is:

[Quartus Root Folder]\modelsim_ase\win32aloem

Examples:

  • For my machine, it is C:\intelFPGA\16.1\modelsim_ase\win32aloem
  • For the lite version of Quartus, it is probably C:\intelFPGA_lite\16.1\modelsim_ase\win32aloem
My own EDA Tools Options – yours may vary

 

You should not be able to launch ModelSim from within Quartus and use vector waveforms.

By Nicholas Outram

Dr. Nicholas Outram is an Associate Professor in Computing and Electronics in the School of Computing and Mathematics, Plymouth University, UK. He specialises in iOS development, Biomedical Signal Processing, Embedded Software Development and VHDL. Dr. Outram has developed and heads-up an intensive fast-track iOS development course for students, academics and engineers both in Plymouth and overseas. He also develops iOS applications for research and teaching. Dr. Outram has a Ph.D. in Biomedical Signal Processing and Artificial Intelligence and a first class honours degree in Electrical & Electronic Engineering. Before returning to academia, he worked for 5 years in industry as a DSP engineer and research engineer.

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