To Enter a Circuit

Open Max+plus II:

1. Choose "Altera - MAX+plus II 9.01" from the Start-Programs menu.

Add Components:

1.  Place the pointer where you would like to place the symbol (click on a location) and then choosing "Symbol - Enter Symbol". In the pop-up window, select the required library by double-clicking on it. You will then see the symbols in that library.  Select a symbol by clicking on it, and then choose OK. Repeat for the symbols needed for your design. Here are some hints for making this process easier:
1. You may copy symbols by using the commands in the "Edit" window or the keystroke equivalents given.
2. You can double-click anywhere in the window to bring up the "Enter Symbol" popup window.
3. Symbols can be moved by "dragging" them around with the mouse. You can select a group of them by drawing a box around them with the mouse and then move the entire group.
4. You may remove symbols by selecting them and then using the "delete" key.

Make Connections:

1. To make a connection between two symbols, place the cursor at one symbol terminal, and drag the cursor to the terminal of the second gate.
2. Connection lines can be deleted by selecting them and then pressing the delete key.

Add Inputs and Outputs:

1. Add the components "input" and "output" to your circuit using the same method used to add other symbols.
2. Label each input and output by double-clicking on  the default "pin_name" label that appears on the component. When it turns black, type in the input or output name.

To Simulate a Circuit

Compiling Project

1. To simulate your circuit, you must first define the circuit to be your current project. Choose "File - Project - Set Project to Current File" .
2. Next you must "compile" your circuit. Choose "MAX+plus II - Compiler" or click on the compiler button  to bring up the compiler window.
3. Click on "start" to begin compilation. If you have any obvious errors such as shorts or opens, the compiler will find these. If you get only a warning about preliminary timing characteristics, then your circuit is ready to simulate.

Initialize Waveform

1. Next we must define the inputs for simulation. Open the waveform editor by choosing "MAX+plus II - Waveform Editor".
2. Choose "Node - Enter Nodes from SNF" to add the inputs and outputs from your circuit to the waveform window. When the pop-up window appears, click on the "list" button to show all the inputs and outputs on the left side of the window. Click on the "=>" button to add these nodes and then press "OK".

You can re-order the signals by dragging the labels on the left hand side with the mouse.

Define Test Inputs

1. Choose "Options - Snap to Grid" to turn off the snap to grid option.
2. Click on a signal to select it, and then on the clock button on the left side of the window, it is the 4th button from the bottom. Enter the desired period.

1. Choose "MAX+plus II - Simulator" or click on the simulator button  to bring up the simulation window.

Click on "Start" to start the simulation.
2. If there are any problems and your circuit must be changed, remember to  save and compile the circuit before re-simulating.

Using Signal Groups:

1. Put signals in the order you would like them to appear.
2. Select the individual signals by clicking on each one and holding down the shift key.
3. When they are all selected, choose "Node - Enter Group" and type in the name, for example: "B[3..0]", when the pop-up window appears if it is not already there.

Printing Results

1. To print a circuit diagram or waveform window, bring the window to the front and choose "File - Print".
1. For graphics files make a box around the circuit using the mouse (selecting all components) Make sure that the "Selected Area" box is checked.
2. For waveform output, you may want to choose "Print Setup" and set landscape mode first.