2.6.9.1. Generating PR Bitstream Files - For Stratix® 10 and Agilex® FPGA Portfolio devices, the Assembler generates a configuration .rbf automatically at the end of compilation. For Arria® 10 and Cyclone® 10 GX designs, use any of the following methods to process the PR bitstreams and generate the Raw Binary File ( .rbf ) file for reconfiguration. - 2026-08-19

Quartus® Prime Pro Edition User Guide
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25.1
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Device Families > Agilex Families > Agilex 5
Device Families > Agilex Families > Agilex 5 > E-Series
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Device Families > Agilex Families > Agilex 3
Device Families > Stratix Families
Device Families > Agilex Families > Agilex 7 > I-Series
Device Families > Cyclone Families > Cyclone 10 > Cyclone 10 GX
Device Families > Cyclone Families > Cyclone 10
Device Families > Agilex Families > Agilex 5 > D-Series
Device Families > Agilex Families > Agilex 7 > M-Series
Development Software and Tools > FPGA Design & Simulation Tools > Quartus Prime Design Software > Pro Edition
Device Families > Arria Families > Arria 10
Device Families > Agilex Families > Agilex 7 > F-Series
Device Families > Stratix Families > Stratix 10
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Device Families > Cyclone Families
Device Families > Arria Families
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For Stratix® 10 and Agilex® FPGA Portfolio devices, the Assembler generates a configuration .rbf automatically at the end of compilation. For Arria® 10 and Cyclone® 10 GX designs, use any of the following methods to process the PR bitstreams and generate the Raw Binary File (.rbf) file for reconfiguration.
Note: The Assembler generates a configuration .rbf automatically at the end of compilation for Stratix® 10 and Agilex® FPGA Portfolio devices. You do not need to separately generate these files when targeting these devices.

Generating PR Bitstreams During Compilation ( Arria® 10 and Cyclone® 10 GX Designs)

Follow these steps to generate the .rbf file during compilation for Arria® 10 and Cyclone® 10 GX designs:

  1. Add the following assignments to the revision .qsf to automatically generate the required PR bitstreams following compilation:
    set_global_assignment -name GENERATE_PR_RBF_FILE ON
set_global_assignment -name ON_CHIP_BITSTREAM_DECOMPRESSION OFF
  2. To compile the revision and generate the .rbf, click Processing > Start Compilation.

Generating PR Bitstreams with Convert Programming Files Dialog Box ( Arria® 10 and Cyclone® 10 GX Designs)

Follow these steps to generate the .rbf with the Convert Programming Files dialog box:

  1. Click File > Convert Programming Files. The Convert Programming Files dialog box appears.
  2. Specify the output file name and Programming file type as Raw Binary File for Partial Reconfiguration (.rbf).
  3. To add the input .pmsf file to convert, click Add File.
  4. Select the newly added .pmsf file, and click Properties.
  5. Enable or disable any of the following options and click OK:
    • Compression—enables compression on PR bitstream.
    • Enhanced compression—enables enhanced compression on PR bitstream.
    • Generate encrypted bitstream—generates encrypted independent bitstreams for base image and PR image. You can encrypt the PR image even if your base image has no encryption. The PR image can have a separate encryption key file (.ekp). If you enable Generate encrypted bitstream, enable or disable the Enable volatile security key, Use encryption lock file, and Generate key programming file options.
  6. Click Generate. The PR bitstream files generate according to your specifications.
Figure 18. PMSF File Properties Bitstream Encryption