SmartHLS License

Setup

Please follow the below instructions to generate and install SmartHLS tool license:

1. Log into Microchip Direct > FPGA Software and IP Core Products.
2. Click on the “Request Free License” button on the right.

1. Click “Register” beside either the “SmartHLS 1 Year Node Locked License for Windows” or “SmartHLS 1 Year Floating License for Windows or Linux Server”.

1. On the next page, enter the hard Disk ID (for node locked license) or MAC ID (for floating license) of the machine based on the selected license option and click on the “Submit” button. You will then be emailed a new license.dat license file enabling you to use SmartHLS.
2. Open the SmartHLS license.dat file and copy the contents into your existing Libero software license file with the same Libero license option (Disk ID or MAC ID). For example, if you generated a node locked license for the SmartHLS tool, you need to add the SmartHLS license file contents into the Libero node locked license file.
3. Double check that your LM_LICENSE_FILE environment variable is set correctly.

Note

If you have not yet installed the license for the Libero Design Suite Software, refer to https://www.microchip.com/en-us/products/fpgas-and-plds/fpga-and-soc-design-tools/fpga/licensing or your Libero license file email for instructions on how to download and install your Libero license and software.

Debugging License Issues

If you are having license issues with SmartHLS try the following steps:

1. Double check the LM_LICENSE_FILE is printed correctly in the SmartHLS license error message:

   Error: There is a problem with your SmartHLS feature license.
   Your current environment variable is: LM_LICENSE_FILE=1702@server.domain.com
   Please modify your LM_LICENSE_FILE environment variable and restart SmartHLS.
   

   If you changed your LM_LICENSE_FILE environment variable then you will need to restart the SmartHLS IDE to detect the change.

2. Otherwise, on Windows run Start -> Command Prompt. In the command prompt, run this command to debug issues checking out the “SmartHLS” feature:

   C:\Microchip\Libero_SoC_v2023.1\Designer\bin\lmutil.exe lmdiag SmartHLS
   

   Make sure you can see This license can be checked out. For example:

   -----------------------------------------------------
   License file: 1702@server.domain.com
   -----------------------------------------------------
   "SmartHLS" v2022.08, vendor: actlmgrd, expiry: 14-aug-2041
   License server: 10.241.70.175
   floating license  expires: 14-aug-2041
   
   This license can be checked out
   

   If not, you will need to update your license.dat file to include the SmartHLS feature line.

3. You can also check how many SmartHLS licenses are in use with:

   C:\Microchip\Libero_SoC_v2023.1\Designer\bin\lmutil.exe lmstat -f SmartHLS
   

When is the License Checked?

SmartHLS does not check the license when opening the SmartHLS IDE or when running the standard software flow (compiling/debugging/execution).

SmartHLS will check for a valid license when Compile Software to Hardware is clicked to compile software to hardware:

SmartHLS will also check for a valid license whenever running shls commands from the SmartHLS Command Line Interface.