intel Error Message Register Unloader FPGA IP

Error Message Register Unloader Intel® FPGA IP Core User Guide

The Error Message Register Unloader Intel® FPGA IP core (altera_emr_unloader) reads and stores data from the hardened error detection circuitry in supported Intel FPGA devices. You can use the Error Message Register Unloader IP core’s Avalon® Streaming (Avalon-ST) logic interface to read the device EMR.

Figure 1. Error Message Register Unloader Block Diagram

When hardware updates the EMR content, the IP core reads (or unloads) and deserializes the EMR content, and allows other logic (such as the Intel FPGA Advanced SEU Detection IP core, Intel FPGA Fault Injection IP core, or user logic) to access the EMR content simultaneously.

Features

• Retrieves and stores the error register message contents for Intel FPGA devices
• Permits injection of an EMR register content value without changing CRAM bits
• Avalon (-ST) interface
• Easy instantiation with the parameter editor GUI
• Generates VHDL or Verilog HDL synthesis files

IP Core Device Support

The following devices support the Error Message Register Unloader IP core:

Table 1. IP Core Device Support

devices
Intel Quartus Prime Standard Edition| Arria V, Arria II GX/GZ, Intel Arria 10, Cyclone V, Stratix® IV, and Stratix V devices

Resource Utilization and Performance

The Intel Quartus Prime software generates the following resource estimate for the Cyclone V (5CGXFC7C7F23C8) FPGA device. Results for other supported devices are similar.

Table 2. Error Message Register Unloader IP Core Device Resource Utilization

Functional Description

Supported Intel FPGA devices have an error message register that indicates the occurrence of a CRC error in the configuration RAM (CRAM). CRAM errors can occur because of a single event upset (SEU). You can use the Error Message Register Unloader IP core’s Avalon-ST logic interface to access the FPGA device EMR. For example, you can use the Error Message Register Unloader IP core with the Intel FPGA Fault Injection and Intel FPGA Advanced SEU Detection IP cores to access device EMR information.  The Error Message Register Unloader IP core monitors the device EMR. Whenhardware updates the EMR content, the IP core reads (or unloads) and de-serializes the EMR content. The IP core allows other logic (such as the Intel FPGA Advanced SEU Detection IP core, Intel FPGA Fault Injection IP core, or user logic) to access the EMR content simultaneously. As shown in the

unique_1/unique_1_Connect_42_image_fbb_3mm_gs on page 3, the Error Message

Register Unloader IP core instantiates the CRC Error Verify IP core for some devices.
Note: For more information on SEU support for your FPGA device, refer to the device handbook’s SEU mitigation chapter.

Error Message Register
Some single event upset (SEU) FPGA devices contain built-in error detection circuitry to detect a flip in any of the device’s CRAM bits due to a soft error. The bit assignments for the device EMR vary by device family. For details on the EMR bits for your FPGA device family, refer to the device handbook’s SEU mitigation chapter.

Signals

Table 3. Error Message Register Unloader Signals

current EMR content. The EMR content updates when the device detects a new error. The EMR contains the error until a new error is detected, even if internal or external scrubbing corrects the error.
crcerror| 1| Output| Indicates detection of a CRC error. This signal synchronizes to the clock port of the Error Message Register Unloader IP core.
crcerror_pin| 1| Output| Connect this signal to the CRC_Error pin. This signal is synchronous to the device’s internal oscillator.
crcerror_clk| 1| Input| CRC Error Verify IP core input clock signal.
crcerror_reset| 1| Input| CRC Error Verify IP core active-high logic reset signal.
emr[N-1:0]| 46, 67, or 78| Output| This data port contains the device’s error message register contents, as defined in the device handbook SEU mitigation chapter:

•    Intel Arria 10 and Intel Cyclone 10 GX devices have 78-bit EMRs

•    Stratix V, Arria V, and Cyclone V devices have 67-bit EMRs

•    Older devices have 46-bit EMRs

The EMR output signals comply with the Avalon-ST interface definition.

N is 46, 67, or 78.

emr_valid| 1| Output| Active high when the emr signal contents are valid. This signal complies with the Avalon interface definition.
emr_error| 1| Output| This signal is active high when the current EMR output transfer has an error and should be ignored. Typically, this signal indicates that the EMR input clock is too slow. This signal complies with the Avalon interface definition.
endoffullchip| 1| Output| Optional output signal that indicates the end of each full- chip error detection cycle for the entire device. Intel Arria 10, Intel Cyclone 10 GX, Stratix V, Arria V, and Cyclone V devices only.

Timing

The Error Message Register Unloader IP core requires two clock cycles for the device error message circuitry, plus the following additional Error Message Register Unloader input clock cycles to unload EMR content: N + 3 where N is the emr signal width.

• 122 clock cycles for Intel Arria 10 and Intel Cyclone 10 GX devices
• 70 clock cycles for Stratix V, Arria V, and Cyclone V devices
• 49 clock cycles for Stratix IV and Arria II GZ/GX devices

IP Timing Behavior (Intel Arria 10 and Intel Cyclone 10 GX Devices)
The following waveforms show the Error Message Register Unloader IP core timing behavior for Intel Arria 10 and Intel Cyclone 10 GX devices.

Figure 2. emr_valid Signal for Correctable Errors (0 < Column-Based Type < 3’b111) Timing Diagram

Figure 3. emr_valid Signal for Correctable Errors after Power Up Only (Column-Based Type == 3’b0)
Note: When first loaded with the bitstream, the FPGA executes Frame-based EDCRC once, calculates the columnbased check bit and turns it into column- based EDCRC. This timing diagram is referring to the error detected during frame-based EDCRC.

Figure 4. emr_valid Signal for Uncorrectable Errors

Figure 5. emr_error Timing Diagram

All Other Device Timing
The following waveforms show the Error Message Register Unloader IP core timing behavior for Stratix V, Stratix IV, Arria V, Arria II GZ/GX, and Cyclone V devices.

Figure 6. emr_read Timing Diagram

Figure 7. emr_valid Timing Diagram

Figure 8. Example EMR Errors Timing Diagram

• In the case of 2 consecutive SEU errors, the IP core asserts emr_error for the lost EMR content.
• The IP core asserts emr_error if it detects the falling edge of the crcerror pulse for the next error, before the IP core loads the previous content of the EMR user update register into the user shift register.
• The rising edge of crcerror deasserts emr_error.
• emr_error is a critical system state and can indicate that the Error Message Register Unloader input clock is too slow.

Parameter Settings

Table 4. Error Message Register Unloader Parameters

32, 64, 128, 256

| 2| Indicates the error detection clock divisor value to apply to the internal oscillator. The divided clock drives the internal CRC function. This setting must match the ERROR_CHECK_FREQUENCY_DIVISOR

Intel Quartus Prime Settings File ( .qsf ) setting,

otherwise the software issues a warning.

Stratix IV and Arria II devices do not support a value of 1.

Enable Virtual JTAG CRC error injection| On, off| Off| Enables in-system sources and probes (ISSP) functionality to inject the EMR register content via the JTAG interface without changing the CRAM value. Use this interface to troubleshoot user logic that is connected to the core.
Input clock frequency| Any| 50 MHz| Specifies the frequency of the Error Message Register Unloader IP core input clock. This option is applicable when the Input clock is driven from Internal Oscillator parameter is off.
Input clock is driven from Internal Oscillator| On, off| Off| Indicates that the internal oscillator provides the core input clock. Enable this parameter if an internal oscillator drives the user design’s core input clock.

Note: The frequency of the internal oscillator is not affected by the CRC error check clock divisor.

CRC Error Verify input clock frequency| 10 – 50 MHz| 50 MHz| Specifies CRC Error Verify IP core (ALTERA_CRCERROR_VERIFY) input clock frequency.

Stratix IV and Arria II devices only.

Completion of full chip Error Detection cycle| On, off| Off| Optional. Turn on to assert this signal at the end of each full chip error detection cycle.

Stratix V, Intel Arria 10, Arria V, Cyclone V, and Intel Cyclone 10 GX devices only.

Installing and Licensing Intel FPGA IP Cores

The Intel Quartus Prime software installation includes the Intel FPGA IP library. This library provides many useful IP cores for your production use without the need for an additional license. Some Intel FPGA IP cores require purchase of a separate license for production use. The Intel FPGA IP Evaluation Mode allows you to evaluate these licensed Intel FPGA IP cores in simulation and hardware, before deciding to purchase a full production IP core license. You only need to purchase a full production license for licensed Intel IP cores after you complete hardware testing and are ready to use the IP in production. The Intel Quartus Prime software installs IP cores in the following locations by default:

Figure 9. IP Core Installation Path

Table 5. IP Core Installation Locations

Windows
< drive>:\intelFPGA\quartus\ip\altera| Intel Quartus Prime Standard Edition| Windows
< home directory>:/intelFPGA_pro/quartus/ip/altera| Intel Quartus Prime Pro Edition| Linux
< home directory>:/intelFPGA/quartus/ip/altera| Intel Quartus Prime Standard Edition| Linux

Customizing and Generating IP Cores
You can customize IP cores to support a wide variety of applications. The Intel Quartus Prime IP Catalog and parameter editor allow you to quickly select and configure IP core ports, features, and output files.

IP Catalog and Parameter Editor
The IP Catalog displays the IP cores available for your project, including Intel FPGA IP and other IP that you add to the IP Catalog search path.. Use the following features of the IP Catalog to locate and customize an IP core:

• Filter IP Catalog to Show IP for active device family or Show IP for all device families. If you have no project open, select the Device Family in IP Catalog.
• Type in the Search field to locate any full or partial IP core name in IP Catalog.
• Right-click an IP core name in IP Catalog to display details about supported devices, to open the IP core’s installation folder, and for links to IP documentation.
• Click Search for Partner IP to access partner IP information on the web.

The parameter editor prompts you to specify an IP variation name, optional ports, and output file generation options. The parameter editor generates a top-level Intel Quartus Prime IP file (.ip) for an IP variation in Intel Quartus Prime Pro Edition projects. The parameter editor generates a top-level Quartus IP file (.qip) for an IP variation in Intel Quartus Prime Standard Edition projects. These files represent the IP variation in the project, and store parameterization information.

Figure 10. IP Parameter Editor (Intel Quartus Prime Pro Edition)

Figure 11. IP Parameter Editor (Intel Quartus Prime Standard Edition )

The Parameter Editor
The parameter editor helps you to configure IP core ports, parameters, and output file generation options. The basic parameter editor controls include the following:

• Use the Presets window to apply preset parameter values for specific applications (for select cores).
• Use the Details window to view port and parameter descriptions, and click links to documentation.
• Click Generate ➤ Generate Testbench System to generate a testbench system (for select cores).
• Click Generate ➤ Generate Example Design to generate an example design (for select cores).
• Click Validate System Integrity to validate a system’s generic components against companion files. (Platform Designer systems only)
• Click Sync All System Info to validate a system’s generic components against companion files. (Platform Designer systems only)

The IP Catalog is also available in Platform Designer (View ➤ IP Catalog). The Platform Designer IP Catalog includes exclusive system interconnect, video and image processing, and other system-level IP that are not available in the Intel Quartus Prime IP Catalog. Refer to Creating a System with Platform Designer or Creating a System with Platform Designer (Standard) for information on use of IP in Platform Designer (Standard) and Platform Designer, respectively

Related Information

• Creating a System with Platform Designer
• Creating a System with Platform Designer (Standard) (Standard)

Specifying IP Core Parameters and Options
Follow these steps to specify IP core parameters and options.

1. In the Platform Designer IP Catalog (Tools ➤ IP Catalog), locate and doubleclick the name of the IP core to customize. The parameter editor appears.
2. Specify a top-level name for your custom IP variation. This name identifies the IP core variation files in your project. If prompted, also specify the target FPGA device family and output file HDL preference. Click OK.
3. Specify parameters and options for your IP variation:
   • Optionally select preset parameter values. Presets specify all initial parameter values for specific applications (where provided).
   • Specify parameters defining the IP core functionality, port configurations, and device-specific features.
   • Specify options for generation of a timing netlist, simulation model, testbench, or example design (where applicable).
   • Specify options for processing the IP core files in other EDA tools.
4. Click Finish to generate synthesis and other optional files matching your IP variation specifications. The parameter editor generates the top-level .qsys IP variation file and HDL files for synthesis and simulation. Some IP cores also simultaneously generate a testbench or example design for hardware testing.
5. To generate a simulation testbench, click Generate ➤ Generate Testbench System. Generate Testbench System is not available for some IP cores that do not provide a simulation testbench.
6. To generate a top-level HDL example for hardware verification, click Generate ➤ HDL Example. Generate ➤ HDL Example is not available for some IP cores.

The top-level IP variation is added to the current Intel Quartus Prime project. Click Project ➤ Add/Remove Files in Project to manually add a .qsys (Intel Quartus Prime Standard Edition) or .ip (Intel Quartus Prime Pro Edition) file to a project. Make appropriate pin assignments to connect ports.

Core Generation Output (Intel Quartus Prime Pro Edition)
The Intel Quartus Prime software generates the following output file structure for individual IP cores that are not part of a Platform Designer system.

Figure 12. Individual IP Core Generation Output (Intel Quartus Prime Pro Edition)

Table 6. Output Files of Intel FPGA IP Generation

parameterization of an IP core in your project. If the IP variation is part of a Platform Designer system, the parameter editor also generates a .qsys file.

the .sopcinfo file by providing more detailed register information about the system. This file enables register display views and user customizable statistics in System Console.

During synthesis, the Intel Quartus Prime software stores the .svd files for slave interface visible to the System Console masters in the .sof file in the debug session. System Console reads this section, which Platform Designer queries for register map information. For system slaves, Platform Designer accesses the registers by name.

/synopsys/vcsmx

| Contains a shell script vcs_setup.sh to set up and run a simulation.

Contains a shell script vcsmx_setup.sh and synopsys_sim.setup file to set up and run a simulation.

/cadence| Contains a shell script ncsim_setup.sh and other setup files to set up and run an simulation.
/xcelium| Contains an Parallel simulator shell script xcelium_setup.sh and other setup files to set up and run a simulation.
/submodules| Contains HDL files for the IP core submodule.

Specifying IP Core Parameters and Options (Legacy Parameter Editors)

Some IP cores use a legacy version of the parameter editor for configuration and generation. Use the following steps to configure and generate an IP variation using a legacy parameter editor.
Note: The legacy parameter editor generates a different output file structure than the latest parameter editor. Refer to Specifying IP Core Parameters and Options for configuration of IP cores that use the latest parameter editor

Figure 13. Legacy Parameter Editors

1. In the IP Catalog (Tools ➤ IP Catalog), locate and double-click the name of the IP core to customize. The parameter editor appears.
2. Specify a top-level name and output HDL file type for your IP variation. This name identifies the IP core variation files in your project. Click OK.
3. Specify the parameters and options for your IP variation in the parameter editor. Refer to your IP core user guide for information about specific IP core parameters.
4. Click Finish or Generate (depending on the parameter editor version). The parameter editor generates the files for your IP variation according to your specifications. Click Exit if prompted when generation is complete. The parameter editor adds the top-level .qip file to the current project automatically.

Note: To manually add an IP variation generated with legacy parameter editor to a project, click Project ➤ Add/Remove Files in Project and add the IP variation .qip file.

IP Core Generation Output (Intel Quartus Prime Standard Edition)
The Intel Quartus Prime Standard Edition software generates one of the following output file structures for individual IP cores that use one of the legacy parameter editors.

Figure 14. IP Core Generated Files (Legacy Parameter Editors)

Generated IP File Output A

Generated IP File Output B

Generated IP File Output C

Generated IP File Output D

Notes:

1. If supported and enabled for your IP variation
2. If functional simulation models are generated
3. Ignore this directory

Document Revision History for Error Message Register Unloader Intel FPGA IP IP Core User Guide

Unloader IP core_

to Error Message Register Unloader Intel FPGA IP core.

•    Updated figures _emrvalid Signal for Correctable Errors after Power Up Only (Column-Based Type == 3’b0) and _emrvalid Signal for Uncorrectable Errors.

Message Register Unloader IP Core User Guide_.

•    Updated the “IP Core Device Support” table.

•    Updated for latest branding standards.

•    Made editorial updates throughout the document.

July 2017| 2017.07.15| •    Added Intel Cyclone 10 GX device support.

•    Changed V-Type to Column-Based Type in IP timing diagrams.

•    Provided separate parameterization instructions for Intel Quartus Prime Pro Edition and Intel Quartus Prime Standard Edition.

•    Updated for latest branding standards.

May 2016| 2016.05.02| •    Removed feature bullet about Verilog HDL RTL support.

•    Changed Quartus II references to Quartus Prime.

June 2015| 2015.06.12| Updated Arria 10 support details.
December 2014| 2014.12.15| Initial release.

Intel Corporation. All rights reserved. Intel, the Intel logo, and other Intel marks are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries. Intel warrants performance of its FPGA and semiconductor products to current specifications in accordance with Intel’s standard warranty, but reserves the right to make changes to any products and services at any time without notice. Intel assumes no responsibility or liability arising out of the application or use of any information, product, or service described herein except as expressly agreed to in writing by Intel. Intel customers are advised to obtain the latest version of device specifications before relying on any published information and before placing orders for products or services. *Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.

References

• 1. Error Message Register Unloader Intel® FPGA IP Core User Guide
• Intel® Quartus® Prime Software User Guides
• 1. Answers to Top FAQs

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