An ASCII text file (with the extension .vqm) that contains a node-level (or atom) netlist. VQM files are typically generated by EDA synthesis tools such as Synplicity Synplify, and contain the logic for the design.
A VQM file can also be generated by the Quartus II Compiler in order to save synthesis results for the LogicLock Import / Export flow in one of the following ways:
Turn on Save a node-level netlist in the Compilation Process Settings page in the Settings dialog box, and then compile the design.
Turn on Save a node-level netlist in the Back-Annotate Assignments dialog box and back-annotate a design.
Click Start VQM Writer.
Altera recommends using the Incremental Compilation flow to preserve synthesis and fitting results in preference to the LogicLock Import / Export flow or back-annotation flow.
When generated from intermediate synthesis results in the Quartus II software, the VQM File is placed in the <project directory>\atom_netlists\ directory. You can then use the VQM File by creating and then compiling a new project from the file.
Note: The VQM Writer does not support the generation of VQM Files for designs targeting the Cyclone III or Stratix III device families.
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