# Installation Procedure 2026
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1. Required Tools
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Website:
https://fpgacademy.org/tools.html

Recommended version: 21.1

Download and install:
- Quartus Prime
- Questa
- Cyclone V Device Support

Also install:
- USB-Blaster (JTAG communication driver)


2. Questa License
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A license is required for Questa.

Documentation:
https://docs.altera.com/r/docs/683472/26.1/altera-fpga-software-installation-and-licensing/questa-altera-fpga-edition-and-questa-altera-fpga-starter-edition-software-license

Procedure:
1. Go to https://www.altera.com/SSLC
2. Sign in
3. Select "Evaluation or No-Cost Licenses"
4. Choose:
   "Questa - FPGA Starter Edition License"
5. Select or register a new PC
6. Generate the license
7. Save the license file
8. Set the LM_LICENSE_FILE environment variable

Alternative:
- Use ModelSim 10.5 (included with Quartus 16.1)
- Available in the Logic Networks course


3. Legacy Intel License Information (Obsolete)
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For reference only.

Intel Community Guide:
https://community.intel.com/t5/Intel-FPGA-Software-Installation/I-don-t-understand-how-to-create-or-receive-the-free-license-for/td-p/1328029

Intel Licensing Center:
https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/programmable/licensing/support-center.html

License Setup:
https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/docs/programmable/683472/22-1/and-software-license.html


4. Altera Monitor Program
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Download:
https://fpgacademy.org/tools.html

Notes:
- Use version 21.1 whenever possible.
- If the latest version cannot be downloaded, an older 21.1 release is generally sufficient and compatible with course material.


5. Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)
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The Monitor Program 21.1 is known to require WSL1.

References:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/install

Intel Forum discussion:
https://community.intel.com/t5/Intel-FPGA-University-Program/intel-FPGA-Monitor-Program-can-t-work/m-p/1405441#M4489

Intel documentation:
https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/docs/programmable/683525/21-3/installing-windows-subsystem-for-linux.html

Recommended distribution:
- Ubuntu 18.04 LTS (if available)

Required packages:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install dos2unix
sudo apt install make
sudo apt install build-essential

Notes:
- Modern Windows installations often default to WSL2.
- Some versions of the Altera Monitor Program work correctly only with WSL1.
- Verify the active WSL version before proceeding.


6. DE1-SoC CD-ROM / System Builder
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Download:
http://cd-de1-soc.terasic.com

Notes:
- Most laboratory boards are DE1-SoC Revision G.
- Other revisions may exist, but course material is generally based on Revision G.


7. Quartus 21.1 DDR3 / HPS Patch
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Problem:
On Windows, Quartus Prime Standard Edition 21.1 may fail when generating HDL from Platform Designer if the design includes:

- DDR3 SDRAM Controller with UniPHY IP
- HPS + DDR3 configurations

Typical error:

Error during execution of script generate_hps_sdram.tcl
child process exited abnormally

Patch information:
https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/programmable/articles/000088789.html

Resolution:
Download and install the official Intel patch corresponding to Quartus Prime Standard Edition 21.1.

Status:
Scheduled to be fixed in later Quartus releases.