Since Quartus Prime version 22, Questa has replaced ModelSim as the simulation tool in the Quartus Prime Suite. While NativeLink simulation techniques are the same as ModelSim, two common issues arise when first setting up Questa for GeMRTOS Nios V FPGA simulation on Windows.
Issue 1: Questa Requires a License #
Questa software requires a valid license to run. At minimum, a temporary free license must be downloaded from Intel before Questa can be launched. Without a license, Questa will refuse to start.
See the Questa-Intel FPGA Edition license setup guide for step-by-step instructions on configuring the MGLS_LICENSE_FILE environment variable and the mgcld daemon.
Issue 2: Signals Not Visible When Simulating a Nios Eclipse Project #
When simulating a Nios II/V Eclipse project in Questa, signals may not appear in the wave window. To make all signals visible, execute the following commands from the Questa command prompt:
do load_sim.tcl.
ld_debugUsing ld_debug instead of ld causes all signals to appear in the simulation.
Key Takeaways #
- Questa replaced ModelSim in Quartus Prime 22+ — existing NativeLink simulation flows carry over, but a license is now required even for basic simulation.
- Download a free temporary license from Intel and configure
MGLS_LICENSE_FILEbefore launching Questa for GeMRTOS Nios V simulations. - If signals are missing in Questa after loading a Nios Eclipse project simulation, run
ld_debuginstead ofldto expose all signals in the wave window.
Reference: Intel Community — Nios II simulation with Questa.
