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How to Download and Use Intel Quartus Prime Lite 18.1

If you are looking for a free and easy way to design circuits using FPGA devices, you might want to try Intel Quartus Prime Lite 18.1. This is a free version of Intel Quartus Prime design software that supports low-cost FPGA device families and provides an ideal entry point to high-volume device design. In this article, we will show you how to download and use Intel Quartus Prime Lite 18.1 for your projects.

What is Intel Quartus Prime Lite 18.1?

A free version of Intel Quartus Prime design software

Intel Quartus Prime is a programmable logic device design software produced by Intel. It allows you to create, compile, simulate, and program FPGA devices using various methods of design entry, such as Verilog, VHDL, schematic, or graphical editors. It also includes a range of tools for debugging, analysis, optimization, and verification of your designs.

Supports low-cost FPGA device families

Intel Quartus Prime Lite 18.1 supports Intel’s low-cost FPGA device families, such as Cyclone 10 LP, MAX 10, Cyclone V, MAX V, Cyclone IV, Arria II, and MAX II devices. These devices are suitable for applications that require low power consumption, high performance, and flexibility.

Provides an ideal entry point to high-volume device design

Intel Quartus Prime Lite 18.1 provides an ideal entry point to high-volume device design because it does not require a license file and is available as a free download from the official website. You can use it to learn the basics of FPGA design, explore different device features and IP cores, and prototype your ideas before moving to a higher edition of Intel Quartus Prime software.

How to Download Intel Quartus Prime Lite 18.1?

Visit the official website and select your operating system

To download Intel Quartus Prime Lite 18.1, you need to visit the official website and select your operating system (Windows or Linux). You will see a list of files that you need to download for your installation.

Download the software and device support files

You need to download the following files from the website:

• Quartus-lite-18.1.0.625-windows.tar (5.8 GB) – This is the main software file that includes Nios II EDS.
• ModelSimSetup-18.1.0.625-windows.exe (1 GB) – This is the ModelSim-Intel FPGA Edition software that includes Starter Edition.
• CycloneV-18.1.qdz (2 GB – This is the device support file for Cyclone V devices.
• MAX-18.1.qdz (1.2 GB) – This is the device support file for MAX devices.
• Additional device support files for other device families that you want to use.

You can download these files using a download manager or a web browser. Make sure you have enough disk space and a stable internet connection.

Extract the files and run the setup file

After downloading the files, you need to extract them to a folder on your computer. You can use a tool like WinRAR or 7-Zip to do this. Then, you need to run the setup file (setup.bat for Windows or setup.sh for Linux) to start the installation process. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation.

How to Use Intel Quartus Prime Lite 18.1?

Start a new project and enter your design using Verilog code

To use Intel Quartus Prime Lite 18.1, you need to start a new project and enter your design using Verilog code. You can do this by following these steps:

1. Launch Intel Quartus Prime Lite 18.1 from your desktop or start menu.
2. Select File > New Project Wizard to create a new project.
3. Enter a name and location for your project and click Next.
4. Select the device family and device that you want to use for your design and click Next.
5. Add any existing files or libraries that you want to include in your project and click Next.
6. Specify the simulation settings and click Next.
7. Review the summary of your project settings and click Finish.
8. Select File > New > Verilog HDL File to create a new Verilog file.
9. Enter your design code using Verilog syntax and save the file.

Compile the designed circuit and assign pins

After entering your design code, you need to compile the designed circuit and assign pins. You can do this by following these steps:

1. Select Processing > Start Compilation to compile your design. This will check for any errors or warnings in your code and generate a netlist of your circuit.
2. Select Assignments > Pin Planner to open the Pin Planner window. This will show you the available pins on your device and allow you to assign them to your inputs and outputs.
3. Drag and drop the signals from the Node Name column to the Location column or double-click on a cell and enter the pin number manually.
4. Select File > Save Project to save your pin assignments.

Program and configure the FPGA device using JTAG

After compiling your design and assigning pins, you need to program and configure the FPGA device using JTAG. You can do this by following these steps:

1. Connect your FPGA device to your computer using a USB cable and a JTAG adapter.
2. Select Tools > Programmer to open the Programmer window. This will show you the detected devices on the JTAG chain and allow you to program them with your design file.
3. Add your design file (.sof) to the File column by clicking on Add File or browsing for it.
4. Select Program/Configure from the Operation column and check the Program/Configure checkbox for your device.
5. Click on Start to program and configure your device with your design file.

Test the designed circuit using a development board

After programming and configuring your device, you can test the designed circuit using a development board. You can do this by following these steps:

1. Connect your development board to a power source and turn it on.
2. Connect any external components or devices that you want to use with your circuit, such as LEDs, switches, sensors, etc.
3. Observe the behavior of your circuit and verify that it works as expected.
4. If you encounter any problems or errors, you can use the simulation and debugging tools in Intel Quartus Prime Lite 18.1 to troubleshoot them.

Benefits of Intel Quartus Prime Lite 18.1

No license file required

One of the benefits of Intel Quartus Prime Lite 18.1 is that it does not require a license file to use it. You can download it for free from the official website and install it on any computer without any restrictions or limitations. You can also use it for as long as you want without any expiration date or renewal fees.

<h3 Full-featured EDA product with intuitive interface

Another benefit of Intel Quartus Prime Lite 18.1 is that it is a full-featured EDA product with an intuitive interface. It offers various methods of design entry, such as Verilog, VHDL, schematic, or graphical editors. It also provides a range of tools for debugging, analysis, optimization, and verification of your designs. You can easily navigate through the different windows and menus and access the features and functions that you need.

Supports a wide range of devices and IP cores

A third benefit of Intel Quartus Prime Lite 18.1 is that it supports a wide range of devices and IP cores. It supports Intel’s low-cost FPGA device families, such as Cyclone 10 LP, MAX 10, Cyclone V, MAX V, Cyclone IV, Arria II, and MAX II devices. It also supports over 2000 IP cores that you can use to enhance your designs, such as memory controllers, DSP blocks, Ethernet MACs, PCI Express interfaces, etc. You can browse and select the IP cores from the IP Catalog window and customize them according to your needs.

Includes simulation and debugging tools

A fourth benefit of Intel Quartus Prime Lite 18.1 is that it includes simulation and debugging tools that help you test and troubleshoot your designs. It includes ModelSim-Intel FPGA Edition software that allows you to simulate your designs using Verilog or VHDL code. It also includes SignalTap II Logic Analyzer that allows you to capture and analyze signals from your device in real time. You can use these tools to verify the functionality and performance of your designs and identify any errors or issues.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Intel Quartus Prime Lite 18.1 is a free and easy way to design circuits using FPGA devices. It is a free version of Intel Quartus Prime design software that supports low-cost FPGA device families and provides an ideal entry point to high-volume device design. It allows you to create, compile, simulate, and program FPGA devices using various methods of design entry, such as Verilog code. It also includes a range of tools for debugging, analysis, optimization, and verification of your designs. It does not require a license file and is available as a free download from the official website.

FAQs

What are the system requirements for Intel Quartus Prime Lite 18.1?

The system requirements for Intel Quartus Prime Lite 18.1 are:

• Operating system: Windows 7/8/10 or Linux (Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6/7 or CentOS 6/7)
• Processor: Intel Core i5 or higher
• Memory: 8 GB RAM or higher
• Disk space: 40 GB or higher
• Internet connection: Required for downloading the software and device support files

How can I update Intel Quartus Prime Lite 18.1?

You can update Intel Quartus Prime Lite 18.1 by downloading the latest version from the official website and installing it over the existing version. You can also check for updates from the Help menu in the software.

How can I get help or support for Intel Quartus Prime Lite 18.1?

You can get help or support for Intel Quartus Prime Lite 18.1 by visiting the official support page. You can find documentation, tutorials, videos, forums, training courses, and contact information there.

What are the differences between Intel Quartus Prime Lite 18.1 and other editions of Intel Quartus Prime software?

The main differences between Intel Quartus Prime Lite 18.1 and other editions of Intel Quartus Prime software are:

<h4 How can I get the latest version of Intel Quartus Prime software?

You can get the latest version of Intel Quartus Prime software by visiting the official download page. You can choose the edition and the operating system that you want to download. You can also find the release notes, installation guides, and other resources there.

I hope this article has helped you to learn how to download and use Intel Quartus Prime Lite 18.1 for your FPGA design projects. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. Thank you for reading!

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