Why is there a hold slack difference when performing timing analysis using the -force_dat option in the Timing Analyzer?

Due to a problem in the Intel® Quartus® Prime Pro Edition Software version 20.1 and 20.2, you may see a hold slack difference in Intel® Stratix® 10 designs when using any of the High Performance or Superior Performance compilation modes. This is due to a missing timing arc that is introduced during optimization work in the compiler.

If you are still in the design phase of your project, and are using Intel® Quartus® Prime Pro Edition Software version 20.1 or 20.2, but cannot move to the latest version, download and install the patch from the link below. Recompile your design with the patch installed. 

If you are targeting Intel® Quartus® Prime Pro Edition Software version 20.1 or 20.2, and your project is finalized and in the production phase, but cannot move to the latest version, follow-through step (1) to (3) for impact assessment and necessary actions each individual compilation:  

1) Download this script to your project folder, missing_hold_timing_arc.tcl

2) Execute this command from the command line:

quartus_sta –t missing_hold_timing_arc.tcl –proj <project name> [-rev <revision name> ]

3) The script will return 1 of the following 4 outputs. Follow the corresponding instructions: 

        i) Design needs to be recompiled. Install patch 0.30 for the Intel Quartus Prime Pro Edition Software v20.1 and recompile.

• Download patch 0.30 for Intel Quartus Prime Pro Edition Software v20.1 for Windows (.exe)
• Download patch 0.30 for Intel Quartus Prime Pro Edition Software v20.1 for Linux (.run)
• Download the readme for patch 0.30 for Intel Quartus Prime Pro Edition Software v20.1 (.txt)

        ii) Design needs to be recompiled. Install patch 0.19 for the Intel Quartus Prime Pro Edition Software v20.2 and recompile.

• Download patch 0.19 for Intel Quartus Prime Pro Edition Software v20.2 for Windows (.exe)
• Download patch 0.19 for Intel Quartus Prime Pro Edition Software v20.2 for Linux (.run)
• Download the readme for patch 0.19 for Intel Quartus Prime Pro Edition Software v20.2 (.txt)

        iii) No timing violations. Recompilation for this seed is not necessary.

            This seed is not affected by this problem but if the design is recompiled without the patch then the script must be rerun.

        iv) This version of Intel Quartus Prime Pro Edition Software does not need to be patched.

            This message will only appear in the Intel® Quartus® Prime Pro Edition Software versions other than 20.1 and 20.2.

This problem is fixed beginning with the Intel® Quartus® Prime Pro Edition Software version 20.3.