Importing IFF Schematic Files into DFII

This chapter describes the procedure for importing an Intermediate File Format (IFF) schematic file from the Cadence CIW.

IFF Schematic Import into DFII

Before attempting to import an IFF file into DFII, refer to Before Using the IFF Translators. The basic procedure for importing an IFF schematic file into DFII can be broken down into several simple steps:

Accessing the Framework Input Transfer Form
Specifying the File Name and Setting Import Options
Completing the Import

Importing an IFF Schematic File

This section describes the procedure for importing an IFF schematic file into the Cadence DFII using the IFF Translator's User Interface. Before importing an IFF schematic file, refer to the beginning of Importing IFF Schematic Files into DFII.

The menu items described in this section are only available after the .cdsinit file has been configured for an Intermediate File Format file transfer between DFII and ADS. For more information, refer to Before Using the IFF Translators.

Accessing the Framework Input Transfer Form

To access the schematic import dialog, launch your import from the Cadence Command Interpreter Window (CIW).

In a terminal window, change to the appropriate directory.
Run DFII by typing the appropriate command (typically icms or msfb ). The Cadence Command Interpreter Window (CIW) appears.

Cadence CIW Window

From the Cadence CIW, choose IFF > Import IFF . The Framework Input Transfer Form appears.

Specifying the File Name and Setting Import Options

In the Framework Input Transfer Form , specify the file name, enter the names of any components that you want ignored and supply other basic information needed by the translator.

Input File Name

In the Input File Name field, enter the full path and file name of the IFF file generated in Advanced Design System that you want to import into Cadence.

Do not place these instances in schematics

In the Do not place these instances in schematics field, enter the names of any components that you want Cadence to ignore during the import. If the IFF file contains symbol data for these components, the symbols are created, however; they are not placed in the Cadence schematic. This option enables you to prevent the import of ADS simulation and model components which do not have equivalent components in DFII.

Do not overwrite existing symbols

Set the Do not overwrite existing symbols checkbox as desired. When this option is selected, existing symbols are preserved rather than overwritten. If a symbol does not exist prior to the transfer, it is created during the import. The default value is selected.

Do not change existing CDF for symbols

Set the Do not change existing CDF for symbols checkbox as desired. When this option is selected, Cadence cell Component Description Formats (CDFs) are not updated during the import. The default value is selected.

Do not create user properties on symbols

When this option is selected, user instance properties are not created during the import. The default value is selected and it is recommended to keep the default setting when using ADS 1.3 and above to export the IFF file.

Map nodes named gnd

In the Map nodes named gnd to field, enter the ground node name mapping information. The default value is the gnd! used by Advanced Design System.

Map nodes named agnd

In the Map nodes named agnd to field, enter the analog ground node name mapping information. The default value is the agnd! used by Advanced Design System.

Callback Execution

There are three options available from the Callback Execution pull-down menu.

All This option executes the evaluation of all functions or expressions used.
Changed Parameters This option executes the evaluation of only those functions or expressions that have changed.
None This option disables any callback execution and is the default setting.

Completing the Import

After you have completed the Framework Input Transfer Form , click Apply in the Framework Input Transfer Form to save your settings or Defaults to retain the default settings. You can also click Cancel to abort the import operation. Click OK to begin the translation.

After the translation begins, all import log information is displayed in the Cadence CIW. One of the log lines will display what was created. Any warnings or error messages encountered during the translation are also displayed in the log messages.

While cells are created in the appropriate Cadence libraries, the cell view is not automatically displayed in the CIW. If full hierarchy was specified for the Advanced Design System export, existing schematics common to both program environments are overwritten on import. Symbols are overwritten only when you deselect the Do not overwrite existing symbols checkbox in the Framework Input Transfer Form . If you have deselected this option, symbols only are overwritten; existing CDF data is not overwritten. Only data needing to be overwritten is overwritten; and new versions are generated for all Cadence cell views.