Power and Thermal Analyzer | Quartus® Prime Design Software

Q: When should an engineer use PTA instead of Early Power Estimator?

Use PTA for devices supported by its release. Use the documented EPE workflow for mature devices listed outside PTA support.

Q: How does an FPGA switching-activity assumption affect estimated power?

Higher activity increases dynamic-power estimates. Use representative workload activity and clocks rather than defaults when planning the power budget.

Q: How does a designer investigate PTA estimates that differ from board measurements?

Compare workload, rails, temperature and included components. Separate FPGA consumption from board-level losses and repeat with matched operating conditions.

Q: When should thermal analysis be repeated during FPGA development?

Repeat analysis after resource, clock, package, airflow or workload changes, and again when implementation and measurement data become available.

Q: How does Tcl automation help compare FPGA power design options?

Scripted runs keep assumptions consistent while sweeping supported devices, speed grades or resource settings, making comparisons reproducible.

Software & Tools

Faster workflows, efficient, and intuitive power and thermal analysis without compromising accuracy.

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Overview

Power and Thermal Analyzer (PTA) is the next-generation power and thermal analysis tool for Altera FPGAs. PTA introduces faster workflows, enhanced usability, and automation capabilities to help you make better design decisions earlier in the cycle. PTA replaces PTC with a modern, streamlined platform for today’s complex workloads.

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Key Features

The PTA includes the following key features:

Speed and Efficiency	Run power and thermal analysis quickly across devices, speed grades, and IP types; automate “what-if” and batch runs with Tcl scripting.
Enhanced Experience	Intuitive UI with graphical reporting, hierarchy-first display, sortable columns, and native redo/undo for easier debugging.
Accuracy	Trusted PTC-level power estimation across FPGA device families.
Flexibility	Use as a standalone tool or integrated within Quartus to fit your workflow. Import .ptc/.qptc files for seamless migration. Export, import, and reuse PTA data across designs for consistent analysis.
Streamlined Input, Validation, and Debug	Faster setup with row-based entry and view filtering, plus real-time error highlighting and improved debug usability.
Hard IP Support	Guided setup plus accurate modeling of hard IP, including EMIF, PCI Express, and high-speed transceivers (device dependent).
Thermal Solution Assessment	Assess and optimize thermal performance with flexible calculation modes.

Supported Devices

Altera Device	Power and Thermal Analyzer	Early Power Estimator
Agilex^® 9	✓	✕
Agilex 7	✓	✕
Agilex 5	✓	✕
Stratix^® 10	✓	✕
Mature Devices	✕	✓

Migration: Starting with version 25.3, PTA is the supported tool for accurate and flexible power and thermal analysis. Engineers can seamlessly migrate from legacy PTC workflows without losing project data. Simply select Import PTC File when creating a project. All PTC data—including design hierarchy, resource usage, and power profiles—is automatically imported, letting you continue analysis, run “what-if” scenarios, and leverage enhanced reporting with minimal setup.