License for simulating with QuestaSim

[carlmenpo]

Hello,

I want to simulate Cheshire using QuestaSim. For that, I have requested a license for Questa Starter Edition.
I have followed the steps mentioned in the QuestaSim simulation section of the documentation.
However, when I run the simulation for the helloworld example, I get the following error:

run -all
Error: Failure to checkout svverification license feature.
Fatal: (vsim-7099) Unable to check out a verification license for the randomize() feature.
(...)
...../cheshire/.bender/git/checkouts/axi-ecdc900686449c15/src/axi_test.sv Line: 1389
Fatal error in Task axi_test/axi_rand_slave::rand_wait`
(...)

From what I have read, in order to use the randomize function, I would need a paid license for QuestaSim. Is this correct?
Is there no other way to simulate bare-metal programs on the SoC without a paid license?

Thank you in advance.

[AlfredoRodrigues4]

Hi,

I’m having the same question.
Were you able to find an alternative solution?

It says that an svverification license is required, which I believe is paid.
Cheshire simulation also supports VCS, but that is also paid.

[Sufiyan2003]

@carlmenpo @AlfredoRodrigues4
Hi, ran into the same issue myself yesterday while setting up QuestaSim. So the thing is that you have two options when setting up questasim, one was questa sim FPGA starter edition and the other was just QuestaSim FPGA Edition. For the starter edition you can get a license from alteras official website but it has limited features and doesnt support stuff like functional coverage, advanced debugging and this randomize function that you mentioned (might be some others that im missing).
There is no workaround for this other than purchasing the license.

[yvantor]

Hi @AlfredoRodrigues4 and @carlmenpo,

@Sufiyan2003 reply is correct, the only way to solve this is by obtaining a Questasim version that features functional verification functions. There has been some effort into running Cheshire with open-source simulators such as Verilator (check #230) but the work is currently on hold and we don't know when it will be resumed. I think the branch works, so you could give it a try, or feel free to take action if you will to contribute into helping completing the mentioned PR.

Since this is not an issue of Cheshire itself, I am going to close this a resolved.

Cheers!