FPGA compiler speed up

[mgulin]

Hy all!

I have some issues using Xilinx compiler tools. 

The reason why I want to use FPGA is to get analog measurements from two NI 9205 modules, and also to filter those measurements. Modules are configured to operate in DIFF terminal mode, while other module parameters are set to default values (+/- 10 V etc.).

2.1. When I try to compile the simplest program - read a single analog measurement every 150 us, see the fig below - compilation just takes too long, i.e. at lest few hours, more specifically, compilation stucks on mapping. I monitored my PC performance, CPU is on 20% of 3,84 GHz, while memory is on 10% of 31,9 GB. Q1: Is there any way to configure the compiler to use as much of PC resources as possible?

I'll probably post some more questions once I manage to get this simplest program to work 🙂

Thank you in advance!

Best regards,

Marko.

[Dragis]

For (1) if you open the National Instruments installation program from Uninstall Programs in Control Panel you should be able to find and uninstall the Vivado tools.

For (2) I would highly recommend using NIs Compilation Cloud as those machines are tuned for doing FPGA compiles. Unfortunately, FPGA compiles are generally fairly long, so getting them onto machines that are good at doing them is key : )

However, ensure you are using other means of writing and validating your program such as the simulation methods which don't require waiting on the long compiles.

[T-REX$]

I just wanted to add to Dragis's last comment:

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Dragis wrote:

However, ensure you are using other means of writing and validating your program such as the simulation methods which don't require waiting on the long compiles.

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There is a really good tutorial that talks about LabVIEW FPGA's simulation and debugging options here. Running code in simulation can save you a ton of time, since you don't have to compile to validate your logic.

Testing and Debugging LabVIEW FPGA Code

[Timothy_ · Accepted solution]

hello,
what os are you using? i read somewhere on this forum that windows 8 and possibly windows 10 are not supported by xilinx compilator.
I was faceing simular problem with compiling code. On Windows 8 compilation take more than 50 minutes and still not finished. Then tryed to compile same code on Windows 7 it take  only 10 minutes.

[mgulin]

Hey guys,

First of all, thank you for your help! I'm definitely going to use the simulator for programs with more complex logic.

Timothy_, you're right, I was unable to compile the program because I was runing the compiler on Windows 10. I installed the same compiler on Windows 7, and it works without any problems.

Best regards,

Marko.

[saimot]

Also for the speed-up of the copilation process, you can assign the compile worker to a spcific CPU core (set affinity) on a windows OS. This way you can get a speed boost up to 40%. I use it on Windows 7. See:

https://forums.ni.com/t5/LabVIEW-FPGA-Idea-Exchange/Multi-core-Compiling/idi-p/1085808/page/2

As already mentioned here, Windows 10 is officialy not supported by the NI Labview FPGA Xilinx. See:

https://www.ni.com/en/shop/software-portfolio/national-instruments-product-compatibility-for-microso...

Although I was able to compile some imple VIs on it, often it hangs as you described.