Before Using the IFF Translators with Mentor Graphics

Before using the IFF translators, there are several topics that must be addressed. This chapter is broken down into three main sections that cover these issues:

• Configuring your Software for IFF Translation

• Understanding Component Library Requirements

• Constructing Designs for IFF Translation

After covering the information in this chapter, you'll be ready to begin sharing your designs between ADS and Boardstation using the IFF translators.

Configuring your Software for IFF Translation

This section describes the details related to software requirements and configuring the ADS and Mentor Graphics design environments to support IFF translation. Before attempting an IFF translation, the appropriate licenses must also be installed and the shell environment must be configured for Mentor Graphics.

Software Requirements

The IFF Translator described in this manual requires ADS 1.7 or newer. IFF is supported by Mentor Graphics versions C.4 or newer. IFF is also supported on all operating system versions which run Mentor Graphics software. Currently, this includes Solaris 2.8 or newer, HP-UX 11, Windows 2000, or Red Hat Linux 7.2, 7.3, or 8.0. For additional information, please contact Mentor Graphics Corporation.

License Requirements

In addition to the mainstream Mentor Graphics (Design Architect, Falcon Framework, etc.) and Advanced Design System licenses, the following additional product licenses are required.

Agilent Technologies Licenses

• trans_iff
• trans_mentor_schem
• trans_mentor_layout

  Note Before continuing, ensure that you have a valid license for the ADS schematic and layout environment. For more information on ADS Licenses, refer to " Setting up Licenses on UNIX Systems " in the UNIX and Linux Installation manual.

Mentor Graphics Licenses

• RF Architect license (pcbrarch)
• RF Layout license (pcbrflayout)

  Note This and all other Mentor Graphics licenses must be purchased from Mentor Graphics Corporation.

Setting Environment for Mentor Graphics

Mentor Graphics requires some special environment variables to be set so that their RF Architect product will be available in Design Architect. This section describes the information that must be added your environment, as well as the libraries that should be added to the Mentor Graphics location map file. This information is provided for convenience only. To obtain up-to-date information, refer to Mentor Graphic's RF Design Tools User's and Reference Manual (rf_useref.pdf), which is distributed with Mentor Graphic's RF Architect product.
The following environment variables must be set, either in your UNIX profile ( .cshrc or .profile depending on your shell), or in the system environment on Windows:

• MGC_HOME - Set this to the Mentor Graphics installation directory
• MGC_LOCATION_MAP - Set this to the full path of the location map file you wish to use.
• AMPLE_PATH - Add the path $MGC_HOME/pkgs/pcb_rf/userware/En_na to the value of AMPLE_PATH (delimit multiple paths with colons). On Windows, add %MGC_HOME%\pkgs\pcb_rf\userware\En_na (delimit multiple paths with semicolons). Including this directory in the Ample path will allow Mentor Graphics to load the add on software required for doing IFF imports and exports from ADS.
• MGC_RF_SYSTEM - Set the value to ADS

  Note Ample is Mentor Graphic's C/lisp-like interpretive programming language for framework and database integration.

  Add the following libraries to your location map file:

• $MGC_ADSLIB - This is the Mentor Graphics equivalent library for ADS primitive components. This library is primarily used for drawing transmission line elements. A tar file containing this library is located at $MGC_HOME/pkgs/pcb_rf/data/lib. Consult your librarian to get the location where the library has been installed.
• $HPEESOF_LIBS - This is the Mentor Graphics equivalent library for ADS connectors. It contains ADS ports that can be used for generating hierarchical designs. A tar file containing this library is located at $MGC_HOME/pkgs/hpeesof_int/data/lib. Consult your librarian to get the location where the library has been installed.
  Example of a location map file:
  #
  MGC_LOCATION_MAP_1
  #
  $MGC_ADSLIB
  /sj/pcb/rf/data/mgc_adslib
  $HPEESOF_LIBS
  /sj/pcb/rf/data/hpeesof_libs
  $MGC_GENLIB
  /sj/auspcbfs1/mentor_8.2/mgc_libraries/gen_lib

Understanding Component Library Requirements

The fundamental library requirement for a successful IFF transfer is that both the Advanced Design System and Mentor Graphics Falcon Framework contain compatible component libraries. This section provides an overview of compatible libraries and discusses the issues related to simulating your design.

Compatible libraries between two design frameworks can be considered equivalent component libraries for all practical purposes. While two EDA frameworks may have some differences in the way component information is handled, the fundamental component parameters for each primitive component must map each other to have the same function in one framework as it does in the other. Components and parameters such as component names, symbols, size and shape, symbol pin locations, etc. in the source framework must all map to corresponding components and parameters in the target framework. The diagram below displays an example of two equivalent, or compatible component libraries within two separate EDA frameworks.

Compatible Component Libraries

Simulating a Design Transferred via IFF

A circuit can be transferred from a source environment into a target environment via IFF translator and be simulated in the target environment only if the component libraries that have been used to create the circuit are compatible between the two environments. This requires more than just a transfer of symbol graphics and properties. In ADS, it is necessary to set up a simulation definition for the component. In Compatible Component Libraries, assume Component A is a capacitor. When the component is sent to ADS via IFF, a symbol of the Component A capacitor will be created. ADS will not know it is a capacitor based on the IFF import. It is necessary to use utilities to tell ADS that Component A is a capacitor. This can be done by using the Design/Parameters dialog, using the Library Translator, or editing the AEL component definition file for Component A. Additionally, because ADS is designed to handle high frequency simulation effects, it is usually necessary to create a subcircuit model that represents the capacitor with parasitic effects that are not seen in low frequency simulations. These high frequency models will typically not exist in the source framework, and need to be created specifically in ADS.

Getting Help

Due to the detailed nature of creating compatible component libraries, it is recommended that you consult Agilent EEsof-EDA Solution Services for more information. Solution Services can provide training on how to configure compatible component libraries as well as complete library development solutions. Contact your local Agilent Technologies sales representative for more information on working with Solution Services.

Constructing Designs for IFF Translation

The IFF translator module enables bi-directional, fully hierarchical schematic and layout transfer between the ADS and Mentor Graphics Boardstation. You can edit your schematic and layout in either environment, and when you transfer edited material to the other environment, all edits are preserved, including property changes.

Before attempting to transfer a design via IFF, ensure that all component libraries are compatible in all frameworks. This step is essential for a successful IFF transfer. For more information on compatible libraries, refer to Understanding Component Library Requirements.

To have a successful IFF transfer, it is required that only components that are contained within the compatible libraries be used in your designs. A hierarchical design approach is recommended for the implementation of RF Board designs in ADS.

Separating Simulation Control Elements

Simulation control elements are not transferred between ADS and Mentor Graphics. Because of the different way the two environments handle simulation setup, it is recommended that your simulation control elements in Advanced Design System be separated from your circuit schematic information using a hierarchical approach (i.e. top level contains simulation control and instance(s) of subcircuits containing DUT). This enables you to transfer only the schematic information in the subcircuit and will require you to set up simulation controls independently in the Mentor Graphics environment. For more information, refer to " Creating Hierarchical Designs " in the Schematic Capture and Layout manual.

Known Issues and Limitations

There are several known issues or limitations that you should become familiar with before attempting to perform an IFF translation.

• Only one schematic is allowed per cell in Advanced Design System.
• Only one symbol is allowed per cell in Advanced Design System.
• Only one layout is allowed per cell in Advanced Design System.
• Schematic view points can not be exported from Mentor Graphics. Only the base schematic can be translated. This means that package annotations that are annotated to a view point can not be sent to Advanced Design System.