Exporting Designs to IFF from Boardstation

This chapter describes the procedure for exporting an Intermediate File Format (IFF) file from the Mentor Graphics Boardstation.

IFF Schematic Export from Boardstation

Before attempting to export an IFF file from Boardstation, refer to Before Using the IFF Translators.

The basic procedure for exporting an IFF schematic file from Boardstation can be broken down into several simple steps:

1. Accessing the IFF Write Dialog in Design Architect
2. Completing the Export

Exporting an IFF Schematic File

This section describes the procedure for exporting an IFF schematic file from Boardstation using the IFF Translator from a Design Architect schematic window. It is a recommended practice to export only design schematic information. This implies excluding everything else from the export process such as simulation control blocks as well as any other elements that do not map directly to Advanced Design System. Such elements should exist at the top cell (symbol) view. To avoid complications, descend one level into this symbol view before beginning the export process.

The menu items described in this section are only available if the correct Ample path has been set up for the RF Architect option of Design Architect. For more information, refer to Before Using the IFF Translators.

Accessing the IFF Write Dialog in Design Architect

To access the schematic export tools, launch your export from the Mentor Graphics Design Architect (da) window.

1. In a terminal window, change to the appropriate directory.
2. Run Design Architect by typing the appropriate command (typically da or da_lms ). The Mentor Graphics Design Architect (da) window appears.
   

Mentor Graphics Design Architect Window

1. From the Mentor Graphics da window, choose RF > Export IFF . The IFF Write dialog appears.
2. Specify the name of the file where you wish the schematic data to be stored in IFF format. Use the Navigator button if you wish to graphically browse for a directory. The revert button will reset the file name to ./schematic. The cancel button will abort the export.
   

Mentor Graphics IFF Write Dialog

Completing the Export

After you have specified the output file name on the IFF Write dialog, click OK to begin the translation.
After the translation begins, all export log information is displayed in the terminal window in which Design Architect was started. Any warnings or error messages encountered during the translation are also displayed in the log messages. After the export finishes, the log file will be displayed in Design Architect, in a Notepad window.

Note Mentor Graphics does not provide any export options. There is no way to limit the amount of hierarchy exported, it will always export the full schematic hierarchy. However, parts belonging to an LMS library will not be exported.

Exporting an IFF Layout File

This section describes the procedure for exporting an RF Region to an IFF layout file using the IFF Translator from a Boardstation RF Layout window. Only one RF region may be exported at a time.

The menu items described in this section are only available if the correct Ample path has been set up for the RF Architect option of Design Architect. For more information, refer to Before Using the IFF Translators.

Accessing the IFF Write Dialog in RF Layout

To access the layout export tools, launch your export from the Mentor Graphics RF Layout window.

1. In a terminal window, change to the appropriate directory.
2. Run Design Architect by typing the command layout design -rf . The Mentor Graphics RF Layout window appears.
   

RF Layout Window

1. Click the right mouse button. On the popup menu, select RF > Export to IFF . The Export Layout to IFF dialog comes up.
   

Export Layout to IFF Dialog

Output File for IFF

There are two possible choices for this option, Default or Specify . If you leave Default checked, the IFF file will be named automatically, using the naming formula <design> /eesof_pcbinfo/to_hp/ <region> .xfer/layout.iff. If you would prefer to output the file to a different location, select the Specify radio button. This will change the dialog, so you can enter in your own file pathname. A Navigator button enables you to graphically browse for a file name.

Region

There will additionally be a list box, that contains the RF Regions that exist for the current board design. You must select one of these regions. The data for that particular RF Region will be output into the IFF file that was specified.

Completing the IFF Export

After specifying the options, click OK in the Export Layout to IFF dialog box to begin the translation. Press Cancel to abort the export, or Reset to reset the dialog options to their original state. Log messages will be output into the terminal window where the RF Layout process was started.