Release date: December 2010
Altera delivers all intellectual property (IP) cores, including the Nios® II embedded processor, as an IP library that is built into the Quartus® II software download file and installation process.
Altera IP Library
The IP downloaded with Quartus II software includes Altera’s MegaCore® library of licensed cores. The portfolio includes IP for digital signal processing (DSP), protocol, memory interface, and embedded processors and related peripherals. View the full list of IP provided by Altera and its partners at Altera’s IP catalog or search using the online IP selector.
Evaluation
Altera's free OpenCore Plus hardware evaluation feature allows you to perform the following actions with all licensed Altera® IP cores and many partner IP cores:
- Simulate the core behavior within your system
- Verify the design functionality and quickly evaluate its size and speed
- Generate time-limited device programming files for designs that incorporate MegaCore functions or partner IP
- Program a device and verify the design in hardware
See Application Note 320: OpenCore Plus Evaluation of Megafunctions (PDF) for a complete description and guide to using the OpenCore Plus evaluation feature.
Purchasing and Licensing
No license keys are required for OpenCore Plus hardware evaluation of Altera IP cores. Third-party IP cores are delivered by the partner for evaluation with the appropriate license key.
Altera licenses MegaCore functions on a per-seat, perpetual basis. The license fee includes first-year maintenance and support. You must renew the maintenance contract to receive updates, bug fixes, and technical support beyond the first year.
You must obtain a full license for the Altera MegaCore IP core or Nios II soft processor core to generate programming files that you may use for an unlimited time. To obtain a license file, visit the Self-Service Licensing Center or contact your local Altera representative.
Download Notes
- Support
- Help with Altera’s MegaCore IP products is available in the IP Support section.
- Find answers to many common Nios II questions in the Nios Forum area of the Altera Forum.
- Legal Notice—Altera's MegaCore License Agreement governs the installation and use of all MegaCore IP, including the Nios II soft processor. The Software Subscription License Agreement governs the installation and use of the Quartus II design software and the rest of the Altera IP catalog, including Qsys and SOPC Builder components.
