Development Software
System Console
Debug live FPGA systems with System Console. Read and write registers, check clocks and resets, and automate tests to speed up board bring-up.
Overview
System Console is a flexible system-level debugging tool that helps designers quickly and efficiently debug their design while the design is running at full speed in an FPGA. System Console enables designers to send read and write system-level transactions into their Platform Designer system to help isolate and identify problems. It also provides a quick and easy way to check system clocks and monitor reset states, which can be particularly helpful during board bring-up. In addition, System Console allows designers to create their own custom verification or demonstration tool using graphical elements, such as buttons, dials, and graphs, to represent many system-level transactions and monitor the processing of data.
Demo Videos
OnChip Debug Using System Console
See how easy it is to read and write system registers.Learn how to control parts of your system for debug using System Console.
Faster Board Bring-Up with System Console
See how you can bring up your board faster with a few simple checks.Learn how to quickly isolate issues by checking your system’s resets and clocks, and by performing simple address-based read and write transactions.
Building a Custom Verification GUI with System Console
See how you can build your own custom GUI to debug and monitor your system.Learn how to add different graphical elements to control and monitor your system.
Getting Started
- Read the System-Level Debugging and Monitoring of FPGA Designs (PDF) white paper
Watch the System Console video demos
Faster Board Bring-Up with System Console
Building a Custom Verification GUI with System Console
On Chip Debug Using System Console
System Console Overview - Part 1
- Download the AN812: Platform Designer System Design Tutorial (includes System Console)
- Read the Analyzing and Debugging Designs with System Console (Chapter 8 of the Quartus® Prime Pro Edition User Guide: Debug Tools)
Learn about other applications developed on System Console
External Memory Interface Debug Toolkit
Common Questions
The programmed design needs a supported debug-access path connected to the target register interface, with working clocks, resets and transport.
Use System Console for live transactions and scripted checks. Use Signal Tap to capture internal waveforms and cycle-level events.
Verify service discovery, debug connection, address mapping, clock activity and reset release. Test a known register before complex transactions.
Review register side effects and access permissions. Avoid destructive reads and unintended writes during live testing.
Scripts can repeat register, clock and reset checks and record results, reducing manual variation across boards.