🧰 ModelSim Installation Guide on Ubuntu #
This guide provides a step-by-step explanation of how to install and set up ModelSim on Ubuntu.
1. What is ModelSim? #
ModelSim is a widely-used simulator for HDL (Hardware Description Language) designs. It supports Verilog, VHDL, and SystemVerilog-based simulations. It often comes integrated with FPGA development environments like Intel Quartus Prime or Xilinx Vivado.
2. Obtaining the ModelSim Installer #
ModelSim is usually distributed alongside FPGA development tools. You can get it using one of the following methods:
-
From Intel or Mentor Graphics Websites:
- Visit Intel’s official website or Mentor’s official site.
- Download a free edition like ModelSim Starter Edition.
-
Bundled with Quartus Prime:
- Download Intel Quartus Prime and enable ModelSim during installation.
Note: The Professional Edition of ModelSim usually requires a valid license.
3. Installing ModelSim #
Step 3.1: Preparing the Installer #
The ModelSim installer usually comes in a .run or .sh format. Make it executable:
chmod +x modelsim-installer.run
Step 3.2: Running the Installer #
Start the installation with:
./modelsim-installer.run
Follow the on-screen instructions and choose the installation directory (commonly /opt/modelsim).
Step 3.3: Adding ModelSim to PATH #
To run ModelSim from the terminal, add its binary directory to your PATH:
echo 'export PATH=/opt/modelsim/bin:$PATH' >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc
4. Licensing ModelSim #
If you’re using ModelSim Starter Edition, a license is not required. However, for the Professional Edition, follow these steps:
- Obtain a license file (
license.dat) from Intel or Mentor. - Set the license path using:
export LM_LICENSE_FILE=/path/to/license.dat
To make it permanent, add the line to your ~/.bashrc.
5. Running ModelSim #
Launch ModelSim from the terminal:
vsim
The ModelSim graphical interface should start.
6. Troubleshooting #
Issue 1: Command not found
#
If vsim is not recognized, verify that ModelSim’s bin directory is correctly added to your PATH.
Issue 2: License Error #
- Make sure the license file path is correct.
- Check the license server status:
lmutil lmstat -a
Issue 3: GUI Not Starting (GTK Error) #
Install required GTK libraries if the GUI fails to launch:
sudo apt-get install libgtk-3-dev libglib2.0-dev
7. Alternative: Using Docker #
If you prefer not to install ModelSim directly on your system, you can run it inside a Docker container. Either create your own Docker image or use an existing one (if available and licensed).
8. Conclusion #
With this guide, you should be able to install and use ModelSim on Ubuntu successfully. If you run into issues or need additional help, feel free to share your setup details! 😊