Altera Quartus II Scripting - Manual (Page 21)

Introduction to the Quartus II Scripting Reference Manual 1–3
Overview
© July 2013 Altera Corporation Quartus II Scripting Reference Manual
Assembler
quartus_asm
The Quartus II Assembler generates a device programming image, in the form of one or more
of the following from a successful fit (that is, place-and-route).
Programmer Object Files (.pof)
SRAM Object Files (.sof)
Hexadecimal (Intel-Format) Output Files (.hexout)
Tabular Text Files (.ttf)
Raw Binary Files (.rbf)
The .pof and .sof files are then processed by the Quartus II Programmer and downloaded to
the device with the MasterBlaster
TM or the ByteBlaster TM II download cable, or the Altera
Programming Unit (APU). The Hexadecimal (Intel-Format) Output Files, Tabular Text Files,
and Raw Binary Files can be used by other programming hardware manufacturers that
provide support for Altera devices.
The Quartus II Fitter must be run successfully before running the Assembler.
Classic Timing Analyzer
quartus_tan
The Quartus II Classic Timing Analyzer computes delays for the given design and device, and
annotates them on the netlist. Then, the Classic Timing Analyzer performs timing analysis,
allowing you to analyze the performance of all logic in your design. The quartus_tan
executable includes Tcl support.
Quartus II Analysis and Synthesis or the Fitter must be run successfully before running the
Classic Timing Analyzer.
TimeQuest Timing Analyzer
quartus_sta
The Quartus II TimeQuest Timing Analyzer computes delays for the given design and device,
and annotates them on the netlist. Then, the TimeQuest Timing Analyzer performs timing
analysis, allowing you to analyze the performance of all logic in your design. The quartus_sta
executable includes Tcl support and SDC support.
Quartus II Analysis and Synthesis or the Fitter must be run successfully before running the
TimeQuest Timing Analyzer.
Design Assistant
quartus_drc
The Quartus II Design Assistant checks the reliability of a design based on a set of design
rules. The Design Assistant is especially useful for checking the reliability of a design before
converting the design for HardCopy
®
devices. The Design Assistant supports designs that
target any Altera device supported by the Quartus II software, except MAX
®
3000 and
MAX 7000 devices.
Quartus II Analysis and Synthesis or the Fitter must be run successfully before running the
Design Assistant.
Compiler Database Interface
quartus_cdb
The Quartus II Compiler Database Interface generates incremental netlists for use with
LogicLock
TM
back-annotation, or back-annotates device and resource assignments to
preserve the fit for future compilations. The quartus_cdb executable includes Tcl support.
Analysis and Synthesis must be run successfully before running the Compiler Database
Interface.
Table 1. Quartus II Command-Line Executables and Descriptions (Part 2 of 3)
Executable Description