775 - Diamond: How do I setup my favorite synthesis and simulation tools?

775 - Diamond: How do I setup my favorite synthesis and simulation tools?

Description:

Diamond tools come packaged with Synopsys's Synplify Pro synthesis tool (Lattice Device version) and Aldec's Active-HDL (Lattice Edition) simulation environment.

In addition to these bundled tools, Diamond supports other synthesis and simulation environments. Diamond has the ability to support the following versions of the synthesis and simulation environments. Once they are integrated into the Diamond, you can use these tools for your synthesis and simulation needs.

Synthesis Tools:

  • Synopsys' Synplify Pro (multi-vendor full version)
  • Mentor Graphics Precision
Simulation Environment:
  • Active HDL Pro
  • Mentor Graphics Modelsim (all versions)
Solution:
These are simple to setup in Diamond. In the main window go to the Tools menu and select the Options. Under the Options window, expand the Environment on the left hand side and select Directories. The right hand side will show the paths for the different supported tools. Follow the steps below to setup synthesis, simulation and editors in Diamond.

Setup Synplify synthesis tool:
  1. By default, use OEM box is checked, and the path is filled in for the Lattice Device edition of Synplify Pro.
  2. Browse to the path where the full version of Synplify is installed, select the Synplify executable, and click OK.
Setup Precision synthesis tool:
  1. You will see the default path setup for Precision. By default the path entry is blank.
  2. Browse to the path where Precision is installed, select the Precision executable, and click OK.
Setup Modelsim simulation tool:
  1. You will see the default path setup for Modelsim. By default it is left empty.
  2. Browse to the path where Modelsim is installed on the machine, and click OK.
Setup Active-HDL Pro simulation tool:
  1. You will see the default path setup for Active-HDL.
  2. Browse to the path where Active-HDL Pro is installed on the machine, and click OK.
Once you have these in place, any new project, when created, will permit you to use the custom tools.

Existing projects remember the synthesis and simulation tool that was active when the project was created.  You can change the tools associated with the project by:

  • Opening the project in Diamond
  • Click on Project menu
  • Select Synthesis option
  • Select the syntheis tool you want to use and click OK.

Diamond is able to support other synthesis tools. The project must be configured as an EDIF Only.
Synthesis tools must be run independent from Diamond, and must create an EDIF netlist for use by Diamond.

For simulation tool, start Simulation Wizard from Tools menu and follow the steps to create a simulation project.