TimeQuest and the
Synopsis Design Constraint (sdc) File
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The TimeQuest timing analyser is Quartus Prime's timing verification tool.
TimeQuest requires information about connections and devices from Synopsis Design Constraint (sdc) file.
The Quartus Prime Standard Edition Handbook Verification explains the types of analysis that TimeQuest runs.

This A STANDARDIZED PROCEDURE FOR CLOSING TIMING ON OpenHPSDR FPGA FIRMWARE DESIGNS seems good. (another version).
Shows how to set up a minimal sdc file.

Examples of sdc files for the DE1-SoC.
VGA Example, audio example, video, and Altera/Intel

Small example

For the example project DE1-SoC_v.5.0.1_HWrevF_SystemCD\Demonstrations\FPGA\my_first_fpga
which is a simple counter the sdc file is
create_clock -name "CLOCK_50" -period 20.000ns [get_ports {CLOCK_50}]
derive_pll_clocks
derive_clock_uncertainty
which leaves the i/o ports unconstrained but passes all other timing. This seems to be about the minimum file.
Deleting this file and having TimeQuest build a new file by

  1. Run Analysis
  2. Run Fitter
  3. In Tools>TimeQuest>Tasks pane, following the steps below appears to
    write an sdc file which includes clocks and PLLs.
    1. Right-click Create Timing Netlist and click start
    2. Right-click Read sdc file and click start
    3. Right-click Update Timing Netlist and click start
    4. Right-click Write sdc File and click start

This new sdc file contains more specific information about the clocks, and a bunch of unpopulated header suggestions.

Nios system

The example project DE1-SoC_v.5.0.1_HWrevF_SystemCD\Demonstrations\FPGA\\DE1_SoC_SDRAM_Nios_Test
ships with a simple sdc file, again defining the clocks. TimeQuest analysis fails Multicorner timing analysis using this sdc file.
Performing the steps above for TimeQuest gives a new sdc file. After substituting the new file (Assignments>Settings>TimeQuest) for the old, Recompiling shows that TimeQuest now passes everything, except for the unconstrained i/o paths. Generating the sdc file in TimeQuest appears to pick up the specific PLL settings and Quartus settings.

More Info

From Altera:
See also Timing Constraints

TimeQuest Example: Basic SDC Example

set_input_delay -clock clk -max 3 [all_inputs]

set_input_delay -clock clk -min 2 [all_inputs]The Synopsys Design Constraint (SDC) format provides a simple and easy method to constrain the simplest to the most complex designs. The following example provides the simplest SDC file content that constrains all clock (ports and pins), input I/O paths, and output I/O paths for a design. You can use the SDC file below as a template for any design. However, each design should contain a customized SDC file that individually constrains all clocks, input ports, and output ports.

# Constrain clock port clk with a 10-ns requirement

create_clock -period 10 [get_ports clk]

# Automatically apply a generate clock on the output of phase-locked loops (PLLs)
# This command can be safely left in the SDC even if no PLLs exist in the design

derive_pll_clocks

# Constrain the input I/O path

set_input_delay -clock clk -max 3 [all_inputs]
set_input_delay -clock clk -min 2 [all_inputs]

# Constrain the output I/O path

set_output_delay -clock clk -max 3 [all_inputs]
set_output_delay -clock clk -min 2 [all_inputs]

 

Using TimeQuest Timing Analyzer (Quartus Prime)

Quartus Prime Standard Edition Handbook Volume 3: Verification Chapters 6 and 7

Quartus Prime Standard Edition Handbook Volume 1: Design and Synthesis