EDIF Input File (.edf) Definition

An EDIF version 2 0 0 netlist file with the extension .edf, generated by any standard EDIF netlist writer. The Quartus® Prime software also supports EDIF Input files with the extensions (.edif) or (.edn).

During compilation, Quartus® Prime software maps the cells in EDIF Input Files to Quartus® Prime logic functions using one or more Library Mapping (.lmf) File files, including library of parameterized modules (LPM) functions, as well as to user-defined functions.

All logic functions in an EDIF Input File map to a logic function in a Library Mapping File. For functions that do not map to Intel-provided LMFs, you create a custom LMF. You can map EDIF cells to Intel-provided functions or to any design file that the Quartus® Prime software creates.

The Compiler processes EDIF Input Files automatically, generating a Compiler Netlist Extractor (. cnf) file for every cell in an EDIF Input File. You can also specify EDIF Input settings to help the Compiler interpret EDIF Input Files by specifying optional LMFs and non-default VCC and GND signal names.

You can define all logic in a project with a single EDIF Input File, or you can incorporate a file at any hierarchy level in a hierarchical project.

When you open an EDIF Input File in the Text Editor and create the default symbol for the current file, the Quartus® Prime software automatically creates a Block Symbol (.bsf) File. You can incorporate this symbol and the logic it represents into a Block Design (.bdf) File.

You can also use EDIF Input File logic in an Text Design (.tdf) File by including a Function Prototype and inserting an instance of the function into the TDF.

The following EDIF property constructs allow you to import resource assignments into the Quartus® Prime software:

Construct Type of Assignment
chip_pin_lc Chip, pin, logic cell
clique clique
logic_option Logic option

As an alternative, you can use the Assignment Editor in the Quartus® Prime software to make all types of assignments--including location and device assignments--for the logic in the EDIF Input File.

To properly convert an EDIF Input File, EDIF constructs must have the following values:

Construct Value
edifLevel 0
keywordLevel 0
viewType NETLIST
cellType GENERIC

The file name may be truncated to 8 characters. If you truncate the file name, you must then either rename the file with its previous longer file name from within the Quartus® Prime software, or edit the file to change any instances of the file name to the new, truncated name. To rename the file from within the Quartus® Prime software, open the file with the truncated name in the Text Editor and save it to its previous longer file name. However, if the file transfer software inserts unsupported characters into the truncated name, you must rename the file from the DOS command line before you can open it in the Text Editor.