Importing IFF Layout Files from Mentor Graphics

This chapter describes the procedure for importing an Intermediate File Format (IFF) layout file into Advanced Design System.

IFF Layout Import in ADS

The basic procedure for importing an IFF layout file into ADS can be broken down into several simple steps:

Opening an ADS Project and Layout Window
Importing IFF Layout Files into ADS
Specifying the Import File Selection
Selecting Import IFF Options
Completing the IFF Import

Opening an ADS Project and Layout Window

Open a project in ADS before attempting to import your design. Working in project directories enables the translator to organize design files in the standard ADS file structure. The import option will not be active in the File menu unless you open a project. From the ADS Main window:

Choose File > New Project to open a new project or File > Open Project to open an existing project.
For more information on working in project directories, refer to " Managing Projects and Designs " in the ADS Schematic Capture and Layout manual.
Before invoking the import procedure, close any open designs to remove any active designs from memory. In the ADS Main window, choose File > Close All .
Open a new ADS Layout window by clicking the New Layout Window icon in the ADS Main window tool bar.

A new ADS untitled layout window appears.

Importing an IFF Layout File

This section describes the procedure for importing an IFF layout file into Advanced Design System using the IFF Translator's User Interface. Before importing an IFF layout file, refer to Opening an ADS Project and Layout Window.

Caution
When a design being imported has the same name as an existing design, the existing design will be overwritten with no questions asked . The designs are not merged together. ADS will force all designs to be closed prior to import. Designs are saved to disk, not to memory. If you wish to keep your existing ADS designs intact, you must make a backup copy prior to doing your import.

Accessing the Layout Import dialog

To access the layout import dialog, launch your import from an ADS Layout window.
Choose File > Import. The layout Import dialog box appears.

Specifying the Import File Selection

In the layout Import dialog box, choose the type of file to import, specify the filename, and supply other basic information needed by the translator.

In the Import dialog box, select IFF from the File Type drop-down list if it isn't already displayed.
To specify the path and filename of the file you want to import, click Browse in the Import dialog box. The Import File Selection dialog box appears.
Double-click as needed to locate the directory containing your IFF file in the Directories field, then click the file in the Files field. Alternatively, you can enter the full path and file name in the Selection field.
After selecting the design you want to import, click OK . You are returned to the Import dialog box and the selected filename appears in the field labeled Import File Name (Source) .
Click More Options to define the import options. The Import IFF Options dialog box appears.

Selecting Import IFF Options

This section describes the choices available in the Import IFF Options dialog box. Import options for other file formats are detailed in the ADS " Importing and Exporting Designs " manual.
To access the layout Import IFF Options dialog box from the Import dialog, click More Options . The layout Import IFF Options dialog box appears.

In the Import IFF Options dialog box, select the appropriate options for your translation using the information below.

Remove IFF File After Import

Set the Remove IFF File After Import as desired. When selected, the . iff file is removed once the IFF file is successfully imported. This option is deselected as the default, and the IFF file remains after import.

Log verbose messages

When the Log verbose messages option is selected, all translation information is recorded in the ifftolib.log file resulting in step-by-step description of what happened internally during your translation. This option is primarily intended to be used as a diagnostics tool so the default mode for this option is deselected. Note that error and warning messages will always appear in your status window regardless of this selection.

Synchronize ports to symbol using node name

The Synchronize ports to symbol using node name option is not supported in the ADS 1.5 IFF importer. Ensure that this checkbox is deactivated.

Default Library Name For Library Parts

When the IFF file does not specify a library name for a component that needs to be created, the library name specified in this field is used. This is only necessary for environments that do not support the concept of a library. Mentor Graphics will always provide a library name.

Use layouts from libraries instead of building local copies from IFF file

Layout IFF files contain all of the graphics primitives required to represent a footprint of a component. This is a historical requirement, dating back to when it was not possible to represent components parametrically in Mentor Graphics. When this option is not checked, all footprints and transmission line components will have new components created for them in ADS. This will have the effect of flattening any parametrically defined footprints/layouts (e.g. an MLIN component). Normally, this option should be checked. When checked, ADS will consult with the Library Browser, and get centrally defined layout definitions, including parameterized layout definitions, for all footprints. If a definition cannot be found, the geometries in the IFF file will be used.

Trace Handling

ADS supports three different ways of interpreting metal lines, as a Trace, as a Path, or as a Polygon. This option allows you to specify how you wish to handle metal lines. Specifying trace means that there will be a connection point for the metal line on each end, making the metal line similar to a microstrip element. Specifying a path means that the metal line will be a path. Paths in ADS have a width, and are defined by points, but they do not have connectivity pins like a trace does. Specifying a polygon means the metal line will instead be created as a polygon.A polygon, like a path, also does not have any pins to define connectivity.

Note
The Default Library Name For Library Parts field is identical to the field of the same name in the Export IFF Options dialog box. Changes made to this field will modify the contents of the field in the Export IFF Options dialog box. For more information on Exporting IFF layout files, refer to Exporting IFF Layout Files from ADS.

About Component Libraries

A component library in Advanced Design System consists of a collection of component definitions. Each primitive component has an associated component name, symbol and predefined component parameters that include relevant physical and electrical characteristics.

The IFF translator can be used as the initial step in creating an ADS component library however; this topic is outside of the scope of this manual. Creating an ADS component library using IFF requires specialized tools and training. If you're interested in learning more about this topic, contact Agilent EEsof-EDA's Solution Services.

Completing the IFF Import

After specifying the IFF import options, click OK in the Import IFF Options dialog box to save your settings or Cancel to retain the default settings. After clicking OK , you are returned to the Import dialog box. Click OK to begin the translation.

When translation is complete, an Information Message dialog box appears stating, IFF Import Completed. The IFF Import log window also appears. Review the log message searching for any error messages or warnings generated during export.