Expedition_PCB_guide

Xpedition xPCB Layout Evaluation Guide

This document is for information and instruction purposes. Mentor Graphics reserves the right to make changes in specifications and other in-formation contained in this publication without prior notice, and the reader should, in all cases, consult Mentor Graphics to determine whether any changes have been made.The terms and conditions governing the sale and licensing of Mentor Graphics products are set forth in written agreements between Mentor Graphics and its customers. No representation or other affirmation of fact contained in this publication shall be deemed to be a warranty or give rise to any liability of Mentor Graphics whatsoever.MENTOR GRAPHICS MAKES NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND WITH REGARD TO THIS MATERIAL INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.MENTOR GRAPHICS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WHATSO-EVER (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOST PROFITS) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS PUBLICATION OR THE INFORMA-TION CONTAINED IN IT, EVEN IF MENTOR GRAPHICS CORPORATION HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAM-AGES.U.S. GOVERNMENT LICENSE RIGHTS: The software and documentation were developed entirely at private expense and are commercial computer software and commercial computer software documentation within the meaning of the applicable acquisition regulations. Accord-ingly, pursuant to FAR 48 CFR 12.212 and DFARS 48 CFR 227.7202, use, duplication and disclosure by or for the U.S. Government or a U.S. Government subcontractor is subject solely to the terms and conditions set forth in the license agreement provided with the software, except for provisions which are contrary to applicable mandatory federal laws.

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Contents

Contents Introduction to Xpedition 7

Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 8Design Process Overview .................................................................................................. 10The Xpedition Design Flow ............................................................................................... 11Xpedition Highlights ......................................................................................................... 12Lesson 1: The Xpedition Start Pages ................................................................................. 13

Design Capture with Xpedition xDX Designer 15About This Evaluation ....................................................................................................... 16Lesson 2: Xpedition xDX Designer Workspace .................................................................. 16Lesson 3: Setting Up a New Project .................................................................................. 31Lesson 4: Selecting and Verifying Parts with Xpedition xDX Databook ............................ 39Lesson 5: Placing Symbols in the Schematic ..................................................................... 52Lesson 6: Wiring the Schematic........................................................................................ 63Lesson 7: Creating Rules and Constraints with Constraint Manager ................................ 78Lesson 8: Variant Manager ............................................................................................... 98Lesson 9: Generating the BOM (Bill of Materials) using Part Lister ................................ 109Lesson 10: Xpedition xDX Designer Integration with HyperLynx LineSim....................... 114Lesson 11: Xpedition xDX Designer Integration with HyperLynx Analog ........................ 120Lesson 12: Xpedition xDX Designer and Xpedition xPCB Layout Integration .................. 128

Contents

PCB Design with Xpedition xPCB Layout 137Lesson 13: The Xpedition xPCB Layout Environment ..................................................... 138Lesson 14: Setting Up a New Board Design .................................................................... 154Lesson 15: Placement ..................................................................................................... 168Lesson 16: Creating Rules and Constraints with Constraint Manager in xPCB Layout.... 185Lesson 17: Variant Management .................................................................................... 202Lesson 18: AutoActive Interactive Routing ..................................................................... 215Lesson 19: Final Layout Considerations .......................................................................... 243Lesson 20: Design Verification ........................................................................................ 249

Simulation with HyperLynx BoardSim & HyperLynx Thermal 256

Lesson 21: HyperLynx BoardSim Simulation ................................................................... 257Lesson 22: HyperLynx Thermal Analysis ......................................................................... 263

Completing the Design 269Lesson 23: Adding Drawing Documentation .................................................................. 270Lesson 24: Generating Manufacturing Outputs ............................................................ 278Lesson 25: Data Archiving and Transfer .......................................................................... 291Lesson 26: Creating Components in Your Personal Library ............................................ 285Conclusion ...................................................................................................................... 313

Contents

Appendix Appendix 1: ODBC Setup ...........................................................................................A-2 Appendix 2: Configure Xpedition xDX Databook .......................................................A-3 Appendix 3: Configuring Variant Manager ................................................................A-4

List of Figures Figure 1: Design Process Steps ................................................................................... 11 Figure 2: Xpedition Flow Diagram .............................................................................. 12 Figure 3: Xpedition xDX Designer Main Window ........................................................ 18 Figure 4: Xpedition xDX Designer Toolbars ............................................................19-20 Figure 5: Constraint Manager Main Window ............................................................. 80 Figure 6: Constraint Manager Toolbars .................................................................81-82 Figure 7: Xpedition xPCB Layout Main Window ....................................................... 140 Figure 8: Xpedition xPCB Layout Toolbars .........................................................141-144

Contents

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In this section:

Introduction to Xpedition

� Introduction � Design Process Overview � The Xpedition Design Flow � Xpedition Feature Highlights � The Xpedition Start Pages

8 Introduction

IntroductionXpedition is by far the most productive and complete PCB design suite that allows individual engineers and small workgroups to design highly complex PCBs while at the same time offering an affordable cost of ownership. Skeptical? We invite you to take a closer look using this evaluation guide and see for yourself.Xpedition is for the individual PCB engineer who does it all, operating independently or in small teams. Until now, your choice of design tool has been a frustrating compromise. High-end enterprise solutions that handle design complexity come with too much unnecessary overhead and the associated challenges of ease of use and cost of ownership. While desktop solutions are easier to use and have lower cost, they sacrifice productivity as design complexity increases. Xpedition delivers the best of both worlds - powerful technology from Mentor Graphics’ Xpedition combined with a focus on ease of adoption, ease of learning, ease of use, and affordability. Xpedition provides a tightly integrated design flow with everything you need to get the job done.

� Hierarchical schematic and table based design creation with intelligent parts selection

� Unified constraints definition and management across the flow � Component information and library management � Easy design reuse � Analog/mixed signal SPICE simulation Performing Design Analysis

(pre-layout) � Pre- and post-layout signal integrity analysis based on our leading-edge

HyperLynx technology � Board level thermal analysis � Best-in-class, PCB layout featuring:

• A single layout environment • Correct-by-construction approach to plane design, placement, and routing • Hierarchical component planning and placement • The industry’s most powerful auto-interactive routing environment for large busses, single ended, and differential pair nets • Groundbreaking Sketch routing • Advanced fabrication design including HDI and Flex

� PCB documentation and manufacturing outputs

While Xpedition is a complete suite for complex PCB design, you still have the flexibility of adding specialized advanced capabilities from the HyperLynx family of products, advanced packaging, FPGA co-design, and 3D design and modeling.Xpedition is a key part of Mentor Graphics scalable PCB design solutions. If you are a PADS user in need of higher performance design, Xpedition offers a simple upgrade path that allows you to leverage your prior experience of the PADS flow and tools. When your design needs evolve towards enterprise capabilities such as distributed libraries, design management, and concurrent engineering, you can seamlessly transition to Xpedition .We hope you’ll agree – with Xpedition, the days of compromise are over. Welcome to a new breed of PCB design solution for the next generation of PCB Engineers.

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Purpose of This GuideThis Evaluation Guide will introduce you to the major features and capabilities of the applications and help you to understand how they work together to unify and simplify your design process. We will walk through the entire workflow from symbol creation to design capture, rules and constraints entry, to layout, placement of components, interactive routing, and design verification to final output. The focus throughout is on using the entire Xpedition flow, with special attention paid not only to those areas where the applications function similarly, but also to the integration and transition locations, providing tips on how to get the job done more efficiently.

Working TogetherThis attention to workflow means that we will also show you how to use the applications together with real-world design examples. Along the way, we also introduce you to many of the great new features in each application, highlighting some of the more interesting techniques with steps and lots of illustrations. To see which applications and features a section covers, scan the “In this section” list at the beginning of each section.

Further ExplorationFinally, remember that this document is an evaluation guide, not a comprehensive user guide. Your most complete source of detailed feature information is the Help Menu in each application. In addition, take time to examine the resource information accessible through the Getting Started, Help, and News links within each applications Start Page. There you will find even more information on a variety of Mentor Graphics resources that will help you get started, get informed, and get inspired while using Xpedition. We hope this evaluation guide helps you see some of the exciting design possibilities available to you with XpeditionEnjoy!

Introduction


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Design Process OverviewCreating a new design project requires an engineer to pay attention to many details. Designing a PCB is a process of making design decisions and tradeoffs, based on engineering changes throughout the design. In order to obtain the best possible design, the engineer must weigh a number of conflicting factors and make calculated design choices to obtain the best possible design outputs.Knowing that your design tools have the ability to provide and manage the required content gives you a strong foundation on which to build your design. Xpedition offers a fully featured front-to-back design flow that allows the engineer to balance rules and constraints in an intelligent and predictable manner to produce quality designs that can be easily manufactured.

There are many operations that a designer must perform to complete a design, but the process flow can be simplified to a few basic steps shown below:1. Creating a Design Project2. Performing Design Capture

� Creating the top level schematic � Adding components to the schematic � Connecting the components � Verifying the design � Performing design simulation (pre-layout) � Defining constraints � Packaging and Forward Annotating the logical design for physical design

3. PCB Layout Design � Importing schematic design data to layout � Configuring for physical design � Generating plane structures � Adding physical constraints � Placing parts � Routing critical nets � Complete nets routing � Checking design rules (DRC) � Post layout analysis

4. Creating Documentation and Manufacturing Outputs � Creating schematic release documentation � Creating manufacturing outputs � Performing engineering change orders (ECO)

Partitioning your workflow to align with these steps will help you establish a structured approach to organizing your design tasks. It will also provide you with a number of checkpoints for reviewing your design data.

Introduction

Documentation and Manufacturing Outputs

Personal Library Part Creation

Create a Design Project

Schematic Capture with Simulation

PCB Design Layout with SI/Thermal Simulation

11Introduction

The Xpedition Design Flow


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Xpedition HighlightsDesign CaptureThe Xpedition flow delivers productive PCB design capture and definition functionality using Xpedition xDX Designer. You will have features like: intuitive project and design navigation, unlimited hierarchical support, informal design reuse, advanced design properties and rules management, full forward/back annotation including design constraints, cross probing between the schematic, layout, routing, and constraints. You will also have access to schematic-to-signal-integrity features. Component management is also included using library management tools.

Signal Integrity Simulation and AnalysisSignal integrity (SI) analysis is an essential part of modern electronic design. Increasingly fast edge rates in today’s ICs cause detrimental high-speed effects, even in PCB designs running at low operating frequencies. As driver ICs switch faster, a growing number of boards suffer from issues such as crosstalk, over/undershoot, ringing, glitching, and timing problems. Xpedition uses HyperLynx SI to offer powerful and easy-to-use signal integrity capabilities on the engineer’s desktop. With pre-layout analysis capabilities for defining routing constraints, to verification of the routed board to ensure your design goals are met, HyperLynx SI offers a complete environment for all your signal integrity analysis needs. HyperLynx Analog with EZwave is a board-level simulation and verification environment that is integrated into the Mentor Graphics Xpedition xDX Designer environment. Using a single schematic to drive both the simulation and PCB applications, it effectively eliminates costly and error-prone schematic re-entry, therefore significantly shortening the overall development cycle.HyperLynx SI also allows engineers to analyze board-level thermal problems on placed, partially routed, or fully routed PCB designs from Xpedition. Temperature profiles, gradients, and excess temperature maps enable engineers to resolve board and component overheating early in the design process.

PCB Layout and AutoActive Routing TechnologyXpedition offers unparalleled price-performance for the layout and design of complex circuit boards, including high-speed applications. Xpedition offers advanced design rules with real-time design rule check-ing, bi-directional cross probing, dynamic split-plane generation, as-sociative-dimensioning, direct DXF import into both the board and part library editors, physical design reuse, and advanced fabrication verification tools. Also included are assembly variant functions, test point generation, and an IDF import/export capability from/to third party CAD/CAM tools. Manufacturing outputs for a wide variety of industry standard formats are included like ODB++, recognized as the industry leading intelligent format used by PCB fabrication, assembly, and test vendors.Many designers of high-speed and/or dense designs require exacting manual control of routed signal traces. Xpedition includes interactive and customizable routing controls for design challenges such as differential pair routing, net tuning, manufacturing optimization and microvia and build-up technology. AutoActive® technology provides shape-based true 45 degree routing and is a single, integrated, place and route editing environment that reduces design time and increases productivity. These commands allow you to automatically manipulate individual traces, or groups of traces using Sketch Router, while intuitive constraint monitoring provides real-time feedback for correct-by- construction methodology. Advanced routing algorithms enable design rules and advanced design constraints using Constraint Manager to be applied between objects or groups of objects such as components, layers, nets, and vias. AutoActive technology simplifies routing operations to allow you to complete your layout quickly for those aggressive time-to-market schedules.

Introduction

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Lesson 1: The Xpedition Start PagesThe Start Page contains links to tutorial information, videos, online help features, and this Evaluation Guide. These items can help you become productive quickly. It is available in both Xpedition xDX Designer and Xpedition xPCB Layout.

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Introduction


❶ The Start Page appears when you open Xpedition by either clicking on the Xpedition xDX Designer or Xpedition xPCB Layout icon located on the desktop, or by selecting them from the Start > All Programs > Mentor Graphics SDD EEVX.1 (32 or 64-bit) > Design Entry or Layout menus.NOTE: Review the content for “New Project or PCB” or “Open” item at this time. If you select either of these items you can click Cancel to return to the Start Page.

Explore the resources available to you on the Start Page:❷ Take time to become familiar with the Getting Started, Help, and News

sections. These contain links to additional product documentation on SupportNet and InfoHub, including this Evaluation Guide and the Xpedition user manuals.

❸ Click New Project > Xpedition or New PCB to start a new design.❹ Go to the Recent section to quickly access designs you have worked on

previously.❺ If you do not wish to see the Start Page, you can toggle it off in

Xpedition xDX Designer by selecting View > Start Page.❻ In Xpedition xPCB Layout to keep the Start Page from appearing when

the program opens, disable View > Show Start Page at Startup.❼ Close Xpedition xDX Designer and/or Xpedition xPCB Layout if still

open.

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Introduction

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In this section:

Design Capture with Xpedition xDX Designer

� Installation and Setup � Xpedition xDX Designer Environment and Workspace � Setting up a New Project � Creating a New Schematic � Placing Parts � Wiring the Schematic � Creating Rules and Constraints with Constraint Manager � Variant Manager � Xpedition xDX Designer Integration with HyperLynx LineSim � Generating the BOM (Bill of Materials) � Xpedition xDX Designer Packager and Xpedition xPCB Layout Project

Integration

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About This EvaluationThis Evaluation Guide is intended to be used with Xpedition software which is installed separately.This Evaluation Guide and the accompanying lesson files allow a user who has limited experience with the Xpedition workflows to review new features and capabilities. Keep in mind this presentation is a snapshot of the full range of features that Xpedition provides.Note: The Xpedition Evaluation install has placed all of the lesson files used in this guide into the C:\Xpedition_Evaluation directory. The content of the evaluation material includes:

� Evaluation Guide PDF file (located in the C:\Xpedition_Evaluation directory)

� Schematic, Simulation and PCB Lesson files (located in the C:\Xpedition_Evaluation directory)

� Personal Library (located in the C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\Library directory) Datasheets (located in the C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\Library\Datasheets directory) Xpedition xDX Databook Database (located in the C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\Library\DatabookData directory)

Lesson 2: Xpedition xDX Designer WorkspaceIn Xpedition, Xpedition xDX Designer is used for schematic design capture. Xpedition xDX Designer follows Windows navigation standards. It supports pulldown menus, hot keys, toolbars, toolboxes and Tooltips. The menus are context sensitive: when you right-click, the popup menu options vary depending on the object you select. The interface is also fully customizable. Advanced Windows navigation features including Tear Off Menus, Dockable Windows, and Auto Hide Docking are also available.These standard windows features make Xpedition xDX Designer an easy and productive environment for schematic generation.

Start Xpedition xDX Designer

❶ Double-click the Xpedition xDX Designer icon on your desktop to open Xpedition xDX Designer to the Start Page.

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Xpedition xDX Designer Workspace

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Introduction to the User Interface (Main Editor Window)

Menus

Toolbars

Properties

Footprint Preview

Symbol Viewer

Navigator Pane

Status BarxDX Databook

Search Window

Workspace



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Toolbars

The Main Toolbar

The View Toolbar

New Cut

Print Copy File Viewer

Undo

Paste

Verify

Find Redo

Package Xpedition xPCB

Layout

xDM Librarian (Library Manager)

Route Mode

xDX Databook

Properties

Selection Filter

Zoom Out

Restore Zoom

Zoom In

Zoom Area

Fit Selected

Navigator

OutputFit All PusheExp View

My Parts

Save Zoom

Add Properties

Mode

ICT Viewer

GRC

Push ICT

Pop


Constraint Manager

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Toolbars (Continued)

The Add Toolbar

The Transform Toolbar

Net Special ComponentsSelect Circle Text

Arc

Bus ArrayBlock Line Cut Nets

Box

Mirror StretchRotate

90Align

BottomBackup Sheet

Align Center

Align Right

Grid On/Off

Align Left

Flip ScaleDisconnect

Add Missing

Ports

Delete

Grid Spacing

The Grid Toolbar

Align Top

Align Middle

Distribute Horizontally

Dist. Vertically

Snap to Grid

Manage Sheet

Backups

Bring Forward

Send Backward

Bring to Front

Send to Back

Auto Alignments On/Off



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Extended TooltipsAll of the toolbar icons contain tooltips to help you understand the commands you select. Xpedition xDX Designer also contains extended tooltip animation for most of the commands on the toolbars. These animations provide you with a brief video to minimize the learning curve and place immediate help at your fingertips. Quick-key commands are also provided within the tooltips.

Displaying Extended Tooltips

❶ Click Open on the Start Page and browse to and select C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\Lesson1\Lesson1.prj.

❷ If a previous lesson was open, click Yes to close the previous documents.

❸ Hover over the Select icon. The normal tooltip is shown along with the Quick-key command.

❹ Hover over the Select icon again, but leave your cursor over the icon for brief time (about 3 seconds). The animation for the command begins playing and shows additional information and usage for the command.

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Navigator Tree PaneThe Navigator Tree pane, like all Xpedition xDX Designer panes, is dockable and can be moved anywhere you wish on the screen. Xpedition xDX Designer remembers the height and width of any pane you modify during a working session. This is particularly beneficial in a dual monitor configuration. This pane shows a hierarchy of the schematic content and allows you to easily jump between pages, symbols, and nets.

The Navigator Tree Pane

❶ Open the Navigator Tree by selecting the toolbar icon if it is not already open.

❷ Double-click on CORPORATE schematic and notice the main window displays the sheet CORPORATE.Cover (The sheet name is shown on the tab at the top of the design window.).

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Next, click the [+] icon located to the left of the CORPORATE schematic name to expand the schematic sheets. Note: The tree should expand to look like this example.

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The Navigator Tree Pane (continued)

❻ Double-click control_buffers to open the schematic sheet in the editor workspace. Note: Notice the schematic sheet tabs located at the top of the workspace area display both Corporate.Cover and Corporate.control_buffers when you hover over them.Note: You can also click the [+] to expand any of the sheets in the Navigator tree.

❼ Two categories (Symbols and Nets) appear in the dialog box for each schematic sheet.

❽ Click the [+] again to expand the Symbols and Nets section of the Navigator tree.

❾ Select any symbol in the list. Xpedition xDX Designer automatically Cross Probes to that item.Note: Double-click on any symbol in the Navigator tree and it will zoom to that symbol in the schematic.

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Object TooltipsXpedition xDX Designer supports tooltips for Components and Nets. The visible attributes are configurable. Let’s take a closer look.

❶ Open Project Settings by selecting Setup > Settings or press the CTRL+ALT+G hotkey.

❷ Click Display and notice the options for controlling various display settings including Show Tooltips. Enable Components and Nets.

❸ Click OK.❹ Double-click the schematic sheet name PCI_Connection to open

this sheet of the schematic.❺ Click Selection Filter and enable All.❻ Click in the schematic workspace and place your cursor over any

component to see the ToolTip. ❼ Place your cursor over any net to view the netname tooltip.

Note: This is a very convenient way to get information without having to zoom in or invoke the Properties dialog to view and identify an object on the schematic.

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Navigation (Pan and Zoom)Zooming

❶ Click on any open area in the workspace.❷ Press the F7 (Zoom In) and F8 (Zoom Out) function keys to zoom.

Zoom in and out for practice. You can also use the different Zoom icons on the View Toolbar.

❸ Another method for Zooming In and Out is to use the Middle Mouse Scroll Wheel if you have one.

❹ To Pan within the workspace, click and drag the Middle Mouse Scroll Wheel.

❺ Press the Home key (Zoom to Full) to restore the view to the entire active schematic sheet, or use the Fit All icon.

❻ Press F9 , then drag a box around the area you wish to zoom to.❼ You can also Zoom To an area by pressing the Z key and dragging a

box around the area.❽ Use the Save Zoom and Restore Zoom icons when you want to be

able to go back to a previous location on the schematic.

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Additional Navigation ToolsSheet ThumbnailsNavigation through a large schematic database is made easier with Sheet Thumbnails. The small views of your schematic can help you easily find the sheet you want to work on.

❶ Select View > Thumbnails to open the thumbnails panel showing the sheet you are current working in.

❷ Double-click the CORPORATE.microprocessor sheet thumbnail and the sheet opens in a new tab.

❸ To make the workspace area larger, you can Auto-hide the Thumbnails panel by clicking the thumb tack icon.Note: You can use Auto-hide on any of the panels within Xpedition xDX Designer.

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Navigation ViewThis world view of your currently active schematic sheet allows you to easily zoom into areas for quick navigation.

❶ Select View > Other Windows > Navigation View and the global view window opens for you currently active sheet.

❷ The Navigation View window can be easily re-sized by dragging the window edges.

❸ Drag the slider up on the right side of the window to make the active zoom area smaller. Notice your main window zooms into the area shown by the zoom window.

❹ To change your zoom location, drag the zoom window within the Navigation View to a new area of the schematic sheet.

LinksLinks are Annotate symbols that allow you to quickly traverse to a corresponding link symbol on another sheet of the schematic. Connectivity can also be linked through To/From Off-sheet link symbols.

❺ Close or Auto-hide the Navigation view.❻ Hover your cursor over the blue arrow labeled micro.❼ While pressing the Alt key, select the link and you immediately jump

to the matching link symbol on the Cover sheet of the schematic.

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Help System

❶ Click Help to access documentation, support, SupportNet and tips. Take a moment to view the resources available from this menu.

❷ View all available shortcuts and system strokes by selecting Help > Show Strokes. Additional information is available on using Strokes can be found in Help > Documentation in InfoHub.Note: You can also configure Navigational controls in Setup > Settings > Schematic Editor > Strokes, Pan and Zoom.

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The Find FunctionYou can move through a design by cross-probing the design hierarchy in the Navigator. You can also use the Find function.

Using the Find Function

❶ Select Edit > Find/Replace or click the Find/Replace icon. ❷ Click the More button to open all options.❸ Take time to read through the available options.❹ Choose an option from the Within: drop-down list to define which

part of the design you would like to search. In this case select Board: CORPORATE (CORPORATE).

❺ Type C2 in the Find what: text box and click Find All.Note: The results of the search appear in the Find dialog.Note: When you search, the results will also show in the Output window. See item # 7 below.

❻ Notice that several sheets are now open. Each page containing a reference to C2 has been opened.

❼ In the Output window, select the (component) hyperlink to quickly jump to the capacitor with reference designator instance value of C2.

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Using the Find Function (continued)

Notice the section of the schematic where C2 resides.❽ In the Find and Replace dialog search for 698k within the Corporate

Schematic.❾ All parts meeting this criterion are listed in the output window. You can

also use this method to find nets.❿ Close all of the schematic pages using the X on the Tab to close each

sheet.Note: You can use Window > Close All to close all of the sheets currently open in your schematic.

⓫ Enter the net name BSYNC* (make sure to include the “*“ wildcard character) in the Find and Replace dialog box to search within the Corporate schematic for all instances where BSYNC is defined.

⓬ Click Find All to search the entire schematic.There are four instances of BSYNC- and four instances of BSYNC+ nets across three schematic sheets.Note: When you select a net, the appropriate schematic sheet is opened and that portion of the net is selected. This functionality allows you to check connectivity throughout your design very efficiently.

⓭ Select File> Close Project when you are finished to close the current project.

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Review Questions

1 What is the purpose of the Navigator?2 What information can I get from the tooltips?3 How many different ways are there to zoom in and out?4 When would I use the Find function instead of the Navigator?

Review Answers

1 The Navigator presents you with a central viewport into your design. All components, nets, classes, pin pairs and other design elements are available for browsing and querying from this common window.

2 Tooltips provide a quick and easy way to examine the properties of design objects (components and nets). Depending on how you have set up the visibility of properties, you can view information about these objects by simply holding the cursor over the item for a few seconds.

3 The Xpedition xDX Designer user interface provides multiple ways to perform most common design tasks. You can zoom in and out using the keyboard keys (F7 and F8), press F9 and drag a zoom window, press the z key and drag a zoom window, use the mouse scroll wheel forward and backward to zoom in and out, or use strokes.

4 Though the Navigator gives you the opportunity to browse the major elements of your design, use the Find command to build complex searches and quickly find very specific details such as all instances of a specific component value.


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Lesson 3: Setting Up a New Project

Project OverviewA project file (.prj) contains pointers to all of the files associated with Xpedition projects. Some of these files include the Schematic database, PCB layout database, configuration files, and log files.

The project database is stored in binary format in the /database directory. This Integrated Common Database (iCDB) structure provides a single data repository for a project and a framework for dynamic updates. The iCDB, continuously maintains connectivity, schematic and graphics objects, and constraint data throughout the flow. This reduces both design time and the risk of error inherent in creating and passing netlists between tools. When using Xpedition xDX Designer, you never have to stop and remember to save your work. Everything you do is always being stored. If you want to return to a previous state, you can use Undo to remove your edits. Everything you do between backups will be stored in the Undo queue.

In addition, you can create Backup points to rollback your design. You may choose File > Backup Sheet at anytime to create a backup of the active sheet. The Rollback Sheet function in Xpedition xDX Designer allows you to bring the schematic sheet back to the last Backup version. Upon invoking Xpedition xDX Designer, the Backup Sheet function is grayed out and the Rollback Sheet list is empty. When you open a schematic, the Backup Sheet function is enabled. The Rollback Sheet list is still grayed out until additional changes are performed on the schematic. When you make changes following a backup then the File > Rollback Sheet menu becomes active and lists the sheet backup timestamps. You can use this menu to return the active sheet to the backup state. You can also use File > Clear Backups to clear out all backups in the database. This is helpful to compact your project file size. The tool also creates incremental automatic backups for you using Setup > Settings > Project Backup.

Project Directory Structure

Integrated Common Database (iCDB)

iCDB

Setting Up a New Project


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Xpedition xDX Designer Project TemplatesIn this lesson you will create a new Xpedition xDX Designer project by selecting a template from the Start Page. Project Templates are a good method to keep your company's designs consistent from engineer to engineer. You can create multiple templates as needed for your design requirements.In this section, you will modify the standard project template for the Central Library and Component Properties Database. Any new project started with this template will use this information.Important - These steps must be performed to complete the entire lesson.

❶ Using Windows Explorer, browse to:C:\MentorGraphics\12.0.0SDD\SDD_HOME\standard\templates\dxdesigner\expedition.

❷ Open the file default.prj in a text editor of your choice like Notepad.❸ Edit the KEY CentralLibrary line to the new Central Library path as

shown:KEY CentralLibrary "C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\Library\ Library.lmc"

❹ Add the KEY DBCFile line to the new Properties File path as shown:KEY DBCFile "C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\Library\DatabookData\Sample.dbc"

❺ Review the project template file for other items you may want to setup for future designs. Do not make any further changes at this time.

❻ Save the file edits and close your text editor.

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Creating a Project ❶ If it is not already running, start Xpedition xDX Designer.

❷ Select File > Close Project to close any open project.❸ On the Start Page click New Project > Xpedition.❹ Select the default template from available templates.❺ Enter the name of your project in the Name box of Details.

Note: For this exercise enter your (first name) and (last name) for your project name (for example, JohnSmith).

❻ Enter the project Location as C:\Xpedition_Evaluation.❼ Notice the Central Library Path is set through the default template (or

you can browse to the path to link it to this template).❽ Click Create to create the project.❾ Your newly created project now appears in the Project Navigator Tree.

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Opening a ProjectThere are many ways to open a project. We will learn two ways here:Note: When you open the project for the first time you may see this message "This project was created on an earlier version of DxDesigner (see sample message to the right). If this message appears, simply select the Yes button to update and continue.

Using the .prj File Method

❶ Close Xpedition xDX Designer by selecting File > Exit.❷ Open Microsoft Windows Explorer.❸ Browse to C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\FirstLast directory.❹ Double-click on the FirstLast.prj.

Note: This launches Xpedition xDX Designer and opens the FirstLast project. If you get an error, double-click the icon rather than the file name. If you still get an error open Xpedition xDX Designer and move to the next step.

Using the File Menu

❺ From Xpedition xDX Designer, open a project using the menu File > Open > Project.

❻ Browse to the C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\FirstLast\ location.❼ Select FirstLast.prj file and click Open.

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Using the Start Page

❽ If your project is listed in the Recent projects, then click your project name to open.

❾ If not listed, click Open, then browse to C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\FirstLast\ and double-click FirstLast.prj.

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Project SettingsAfter you create a project, you may need to change the project settings. Throughout this evaluation, we will ask you to adjust settings using the Setup > Settings dialog box. You can use this dialog box at any time to customize your environment to your preferences.You may need to change the library path for a new design. If you have other libraries (perhaps used for previous designs) you can easily change the library path to use them in a new design. You can also point to a path containing a central library used by multiple users from a single library location.

Changing Libraries with Setup > Settings

❶ To open the Settings dialog box, select Setup > Settings.❷ Select the Project section of the hierarchy.❸ To change the Central Library Path, click on the Browse button and

select a new .lmc file from the location you choose. At this time, we will continue to use the path listed. Note: Only one Central Library Path and Library.lmc file can be referenced by a design project at any given time.

❹ Take a moment to browse the other sections of the Settings dialog box to see the other settings you can change in your design projects.

❺ Click Cancel to exit the dialog and leave the settings unchanged.

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Creating a New SchematicXpedition xDX Designer is a comprehensive schematic entry tool which combines a feature-rich environment with an easy-to-use GUI. Xpedition xDX Designer is simple to navigate whether you are adding parts, nets, buses, graphics or text. An Xpedition xDX Designer project can contain multiple schematics within a single project.

Creating a New Design

❶ Your Project file FirstLast.prj should still be open and you have a blank sheet in Schematic1.

❷ A border has been added automatically based on settings in Setup >Settings > Project > Borders and Zones and Setup > Settings > Schematic Editor > New Sheets. These border mappings should be saved in the borders.ini file within your template project directory so that you don’t have to change this when starting a new schematic.

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Adding and Placing a BorderAdding borders to a schematic can be done several ways. The process can be automatic or manual. You can change borders at any time to reflect a sheet size modification. We will cover a few ways to add borders in some of the exercises that follow.

Adding or Changing a Border

❶ Right-click and select Delete Border to delete the currently placed border.

❷ Change the sheet size to a B size sheet, and double-click inside the schematic sheet area. Select B from the Drawing Size drop-down list in the Properties window.

❸ Add a border manually by placing the cursor in the working area, right-click and select Insert Border.Note: When you add a border in this way, you use a border symbol defined in Setup > Settings > Project > Borders and Zones.

❹ Right-click and select Change Border. Select csheet.1 from the Borders partition.

❺ Change the sheet size to a C size using the Drawing Size dropdown list in the Properties window. Click OK to change border sheet settings.

❻ Click the Fit All icon to Zoom Out and change the view so it centers on the format.

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Review Questions

1 Where are my design files stored?2 Where are Project Templates stored?3 What is the quickest way to open a project?4 Where are the settings changes in Setup > Settings dialog box stored?5 Can I change the size of a border after I have started creating my schematic?

Review Answers

1 Xpedition xDX Designer stores your design files in the project directory tree under the name of your project. Project specific settings are saved in the project (.prj) file in your project directory.

2 There are project templates included with Xpedition. They are located at [Drive]:\MentorGraphics\12.0.0SDD\SDD_HOME\standard\templates\dxdesigner. You can also create your own templates and save them in your writable or corporate WDIR directory.

3 To quickly open a design, browse to the .prj file and double click it. This will launch Xpedition xDX Designer and open the design file.

4 The changes made in Setup > Settings are stored in multiple system files, some within the project directory, and some within the writable WDIR directory path. Most of the changes are saved in the Project (.prj) file or the Xpedition xDX Designer.xml file.

5 Sometimes it is difficult to predict in advance just how much room your design might consume on a sheet (or sheets). You can start a design with a specific border size. Any time during the design process you can change the border to a size that more closely fits the design requirement.


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Xpedition xDX Databook is a component information system that offers the advantage of a centralized component database system. The Xpedition xDX Databook utility allows you to manage library data more efficiently than ever before. It increases efficiency by decreasing the number of symbols required to support the parts in your design environment. Xpedition xDX Databook connects to any ODBC compliant database and makes the necessary content available to aid in the part selection process.

Lesson 4: Selecting and Verifying Parts with Xpedition xDX Databook

Search Window and CL ViewThere are two ways of looking at library data using Xpedition xDX Databook – searching and browsing. The Search tab provides access to all of the part database properties through Parametric queries. This is the window you typically use to place most of the parts on the schematic. The CL View tab is used for browsing the library database by part number or symbol. This view is typically used for placement of Local symbols and Hierarchal symbols. Parts placed from CL View must be verified in Xpedition xDX Databook to update additional properties from the parametric database prior to schematic release. When a part is added to the schematic, the Xpedition xDX Databook property data is also added so the part is complete when it is released onto the schematic. Xpedition xDX Databook also provides component verification checks to ensure the property data contained on the symbol in the schematic matches the content contained within the data source. This prevents incomplete or inaccurate data from being passed into the PCB design phase.

Configuring Xpedition xDX DatabookThe Evaluation Guide and databases include a pre-configured version of Xpedition xDX Databook. If you wish to learn more about configuring Xpedition xDX Databook and the ODBC Data source, please see the lessons in the Appendix for Configuring Xpedition xDX Databook and ODBC Setup.

Selecting and Verifying Parts with Xpedition xDX Databook


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Opening Xpedition xDX Databook

❶ If your project is not currently open, select File > Open > Project and select C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\FirstLast\FirstLast.prj.

❷ In the Navigator Pane, double-click on Board1 to the first sheet of the schematic.Note: As you create additional schematic sheets, they will appear in the Navigator hierarchy.

❸ Click the Xpedition xDX Databook icon to open the Xpedition xDX Databook window. The window opens with the default Search window.Note: Xpedition xDX Databook is linked to the Evaluation Sample.dbc database as shown in the Configuration information line.

❹ To allow for more screen area, close or Auto Hide the Output message window, if it is open.

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Libraries with Xpedition xDX Databook

❶ The Library dropdown list contains all available libraries as described in the database source. The available libraries are defined as Tables directly in a Microsoft Access database.

❷ Choose IC from the Library pulldown.The system now searches the Access database and lists all the components in the IC library.

❸ Drag the scroll bar located at the bottom of the Xpedition xDX Databook window to the left.

❹ You should see a column labeled Datasheet. These are links to Datasheets that describe more about the parts listed in Xpedition xDX Databook. You can also resize the column as needed.

❺ Click one of the datasheet links.The Datasheet opens and displays the PDF content.Note: If you did not install the pedition PE Evaluation in the default location under C:\Xpedition_Evaluation, then these links will not work.

❻ This Step is not required and is provided for your review.Note: You can configure any field as an active link. For example, you can open a simulation model from the schematic. To modify the configuration, right-click in Xpedition xDX Databook > Configure> Edit Configuration. Then select the desired library and find the Property Name you want to turn into an active link. Double-click the icon cell until the icon is the same as shown for the Datasheet field.

❼ If you opened the configuration (see note at right) click Cancel.

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Building a Component Query

❶ From the Library dropdown list, select the Resistor library.❷ Click Query Builder to start setting the query criteria.❸ Click Condition in the Query Builder dialog box.❹ Choose the options from the dropdown lists in each setting to match

the example shown. (VALUE, =, 10K). Click Add to set the criteria.This applies the search criteria.

❺ Click OK to activate the search based on the criteria.The resulting data found 19 matches based on the value equaling 10K.

Component Selection with Xpedition xDX DatabookMany schematic capture programs require a unique symbol for every part number. This can be very time consuming and error prone, and may also require creation of hundreds of extra schematic symbols. With Xpedition xDX Databook, the same symbol can be used for thousands of parts, and those parts can be easily located using queries.

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Narrowing the Search

Although this is a simple example of how the Query Builder can be used, it shows you how very advanced queries can be built and added to in order to narrow your search through possibly thousands of components within your library.

❶ Now narrow the search further to Resistors with 10K Values and CC1206 Cell Name. Select the Query Builder again, select the AND button, select the Condition button, set the 1st field to Cell Name, set the 2nd to =, set the 3rd to CC1206 then click Add.

❷ Click OK to apply the additional search based on the new criteria.Notice the quantity of available parts is significantly reduced according to the search criteria. There are now 6 Matches.

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Narrowing the Search, an Alternate Method

❶ Select the Query Builder again and click Back twice to remove the additional query for the Cell Name, then click OK to reset the search to the previous query.

❷ In the Top Line of the Xpedition xDX Databook search window, in the Cell Name column, select the = box, and note the functions available. Choose = from the dropdown list.

❸ Click the box to the right of the = Box in the Cell Name column and select the CC1206 Cell Name from the dropdown list and press Enter.Notice the quantity of available parts has been reduced as with the previous query.

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Search and Place

❶ Now let’s search for a part with a value of 10K, Cell Name of CC1206 and a Cost of less than 0.04 (cents).

❷ Click Query Builder once more, click AND, then click Condition, set the 1st field to Cost, set the 2nd field to <, set the 3rd field to 0.04.Note: You can use the Alternate Query method if you choose.

❸ Click Add to include the additional search criteria.❹ Click OK to apply the new search requirements.❺ You can also click the column headers to sort the results in ascending

or descending order. In this case, we have already filtered to only four results but we could have used fewer filters and then sorted the value column to find the desired part.

❻ Select the Part 103-RES. Notice the entire line is highlighted and both the symbol and cell can be viewed for the part by selecting the dropdown list in the Preview window.

❼ Click and drag that symbol onto the schematic and release your mouse button where you want to place the resistor. You can also drag the symbol directly from the Symbol Preview window into the schematic or click Add New Component with All Properties.

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Enabling the pedition Cell Preview Pane

❶ Click pedition Cell Preview or select View > Other Windows > Expedition Cell Preview.Note: If you don’t see this button then you may need to enable the toolbar in View > Toolbars > Addins.

❷ Select the symbol you placed in the schematic or any part in the Xpedition xDX Databook search window.

❸ The PCB cell appears in the Expedition Cell Preview Window.❹ Close the Expedition Cell Preview window by clicking the X.

Xpedition Cell PreviewThe Xpedition Layout Cell Preview pane allows you to graphically verify that the correct Cell (Land Pattern) will be used in Layout. The preview window updates when a symbol is selected on a schematic or within the Xpedition xDX Databook search window.

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View and Edit Properties

❶ Click the Properties icon to open the Properties window if it is not already open. All the properties are on the symbol. These properties were added to the generic symbol by Xpedition xDX Databook, using data from the Access database when the part was added to the schematic. By using this method, you do not have to worry about making manual errors when adding the properties.

❷ While in the Properties window, change the Value property field from 10K to 100K by entering the new value in the Value column.Note: We made a unique change to a part so the part number no longer matches the defined power rating. This condition could lead to a very expensive problem due to the way parts are ordered through a company’s purchasing department. Part numbers that do not match corresponding properties generally lead to overstocks and delays in schedule. Both are costly to correct and can be avoided if a Xpedition xDX Databook configuration is in place. Let’s look at how Xpedition xDX Databook can find these inconsistencies and resolve them quickly.

❸ With Xpedition xDX Databook still active and listing available resistors, select and drag another schematic symbol onto the schematic sheet. There should now be two new displayed symbols. (Follow the instructions in Step 7 in the previous topic: Search and Place).

❹ Change the Library: setting from Resistor to Capacitor.❺ Now assume you need a decoupling capacitor but have not decided on

the decoupling capacitor value to use. Select any available capacitor listed in the Xpedition xDX Databook pane, then click Add New Component with only Common Properties to add a generic component to the schematic.Note: You will receive a Warning that the Component does not have a Part Number. You will fix this later.

❻ With the new part active on your cursor, move both the cursor and the symbol over the working area and click to complete the part placement.Note: If you look at the Properties Editor, you will notice the capacitor has no Value property, not to mention many other missing properties. pre_rebrand_VLA can run a complete verification to ensure all parts are compliant with the database.

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Verification in Xpedition xDX DatabookXpedition xDX Databook can run verification on a group of selected items, a single page, or an entire design. The functionality is similar but for this exercise you will verify the parts we just placed.

Verification

❶ Click the Selection Filter icon located on the toolbar. Enable only the Symbol check box.

❷ Click and drag a selection box or CTRL + Left-click to select the three symbols we just added via Xpedition xDX Databook.

❸ Click New Live Verification Window in the Xpedition xDX Databook dialog box.Note: You can also use this button for verifying an entire page if no items are selected when it is activated.

❹ If you needed to run Verification on an entire design schematic, you would click New Hierarchical Verification Window, located directly below the New Live Verification Window button.

❺ A new Verify window opens showing the three parts color-coded. If we click on any of the parts, that part is highlighted in the schematic.(Yellow) Indicates a component has multiple matches. This is the generic part we added with Common Properties.(Green) Indicates the properties on the schematic match the database.(Red) Indicates that there is a conflict between the database and the schematic and no parts match. This is the part where we changed the Value so it no longer matches the Part Number.

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Verification (Continued)

❻ Fix the problem with the capacitor which is not correctly specified. Double-click on the Yellow Circle.

❼ A search window opens with the common properties automatically applied as filters.

❽ Select any part listed in the Xpedition xDX Databook dialog.❾ Click Annotate Component with All Properties to add the correct part

information.Notice the circle changes from yellow to green and the Properties Editor now shows the capacitor as a completely defined symbol/part.

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Verification (continued)

Now we will correct the part with the problem we created when we changed the Value to 100K.

Correcting a Database Conflict

❶ Double-click on the part that contains the last remaining red circle.❷ Scroll through the window that appears and notice the properties in

red. Notice the Value is in red because it does not match the database.❸ Scroll over the Value property name, right-click and choose Remove

Condition.The system searches the database and finds the part that matches the previously defined conditions. Notice that the verify routine has locked onto a single part.

❹ Click on the new part number.❺ Click the Annotate Component with All Properties icon to change to

the new part.We have now corrected the problem of the properties and the part number not being equal.The Properties window now shows that the resistor has all the properties of the part you selected.

❻ Select File > Close Project.

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Review Questions

1 What is the advantage of using Xpedition xDX Databook?2 Will Xpedition xDX Databook work with my existing component database?3 How complex can I make my search parameters?4 Why use Verification in Xpedition xDX Databook?

Review Answers

1 Sorting through a library of a couple of hundred parts might be tedious, but not impossible. Doing the same for a library (or libraries) of thousands of parts would be extremely time-consuming and difficult to manage. Fortunately, Xpedition xDX Databook provides the ability to perform very complex filtering and searches on large databases of components and presents you with a selection of candidate parts.

2 Xpedition xDX Databook will work with most ODBC-compliant databases allowing you to access the wealth of purchasing and engineering data that may already exist within your company. This connectivity also extends the capability to populate the properties of components in your design directly from the information in your company database(s).

3 Xpedition xDX Databook allows you to build very complex searches so that you can quickly narrow a search of thousands of components down to a select few for consideration in your design. These searches are cumulative, so you can start out with a broad range of parameters and then add additional qualifiers until you have found the desired part.

4 When creating a schematic with a large number of symbols, you may need to edit values and properties as the design evolves. These changes can sometimes elude updating until later in the design process. Verification allows you to periodically compare your design database against your component database to resolve any changes or conflicts.


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Lesson 5: Placing Symbols in the SchematicYou have learned that Xpedition xDX Designer, through the use of Xpedition xDX Databook, can make schematic component placement very easy. Xpedition xDX Designer also has several useful tools to help speed up your placement of the entire schematic. Note: In the following exercises, you will construct the schematic shown below.

Placing Symbols for a New Circuit

❶ Open C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\Lesson1\Lesson1.prj and then select File > New > Schematic, or click New and choose Schematic.Note: The new schematic sheet you created is located in the Blocks section of the design. This is because the Project already has a base schematic within it.

❷ Right-click the Schematic sheet name (Schematic1) in the Navigator and rename it to Logic_FirstLast (for example, Logic_JohnSmith).

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Placing Symbols in the Schematic

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Placing Parts Into the Schematic (Manually)

❶ In the Xpedition xDX Databook window, click the CL View tab, then click the Symbol View tab, and enter the symbol filter RES. Only symbols starting with RES are shown.

❷ Select resistor from the library Sample.

❸ In the Symbol Viewer, place the cursor over the resistor. 1 shape, then click and drag the symbol into the schematic working area.

❹ Add a second symbol by selecting Clear Filters and then enter capn in the Symbol Filter text box.Xpedition xDX Databook lists CAPNONPOL.

❺ Select CAPNONPOL from the library Sample.❻ Place the cursor over the symbol, then click and drag the shape into the

working area.❼ Take note that when you place symbols from the CL or Search windows of

Xpedition xDX Databook, the preview of the symbol is available.

Placing PartsPreviously we placed parts in a schematic using the Xpedition xDX Databook search window. For these next few lessons we will use the CL Symbol view to place parts. CL View allows you to place generic parts quickly, but you will need to update the Properties within them using Xpedition xDX Databook Verification prior to integrating your schematic with PCB layout. ❷

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Placing Parts into the Schematic (continued)

❼ Click Clear Filters and then expand the library Sample by selecting the [+] item.

❽ Find and place 145421 using the same method described in step 4.

Placing Parts from Xpedition xDX Databook with Alternate Cell Selection

❾ Open the Search window in Xpedition xDX Databook by clicking New Search Window.

❿ Select the Library IC, and find the symbol 74192 using the top line query method in the Symbol column. Select the Part 511-5V_IC.Note: There are two cells listed in the Symbol Preview dropdown list: the Default SO16, and the Alternate DIP16. Clicking each of them shows a preview of the Cell.

⓫ From the dropdown list, select DIP16 and check the Fixed box.⓬ Place the component on the schematic by clicking Add New

Component with All Properties.Note: The component has been placed to use the Alternate Cell during PCB layout. Checking the Fixed box tells the designer that the Cell Name property is fixed for primary placement.

⓭ Right-click to stop placement of further symbols. You should now have 4 symbols on your schematic.

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Adding Power and Ground Connections

❶ Open the Settings dialog selecting Setup > Settings.❷ Navigate to Project > Special Components. Then, select Power from

the dropdown list and verify that the pwr.1 symbol is available from the Globals library. (If available, go to Step 4.)

❸ If not, click New. A new dialog box opens which allows you to browse the libraries for a power symbol. Select the pwr.1 symbol from the Globals library. Click OK.

❹ Follow the same process as described in step 2, but this time select Ground in the Special Components dialog box. If the symbol gnd.1 is available from the Globals library, go to Step 5. If not, click New and select gnd.1 from the Globals library, then select OK.Note: Project > Boards > Special Components can contain as many Global Power and Ground symbols as you need in your designs. It also contains Ports for hierarchical designs and Off Page Links for cross referencing.

❺ Select OK to exit the Settings dialog.❻ The Power and Ground symbols are now available for placement using the

Special Components or My Parts command icons on the Xpedition xDX Designer toolbars. When you place these symbols, they default based on your settings from steps 3 and 4. ❸

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❶ Select View > My Parts to open the toolbox.❷ Click the Special Components section of My Parts, then select and drag

the gnd.1 symbol onto the schematic as shown.❸ Repeat step 2 and place the pwr.1 on the schematic.❹ Click the Recently Used section of My Parts, then place one more of

each gnd.1 and pwr.1 symbols on the schematic. This is an easy method to utilize symbols already placed within your schematic.

❺ Click on the Favorites section of My Parts, then from the Symbol Preview window of Xpedition xDX Databook drag the 74192 symbol to the section. Any parts that you will use often in the schematic can be placed here so that you do not to search for them again.

❻ Right-click the 74192 symbol in the Favorites section and click Delete item to remove it from the section.

❼ Close the My Parts toolbox.

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Copying Symbols

❶ You are going to need two resistors in this schematic example. Press and hold the CTRL key, then click to select and drag away from the first resistor. As you drag your mouse, a copy of the resistor attaches to your cursor and is ready for placement.

❷ Make sure there is plenty of room next to the capacitor for 2 copies. If not, move it by selecting the part and dragging to a new location.

❸ Using the previous method (CTRL + Left-click and drag) add two more capacitors.

❹ Click and draw a selection box around the second GND symbol.Note: Hold the ALT key while drawing your selection box and only objects completely within the box will be selected.

❺ Press the CTRL + C keys to create a new copy and place it into the clipboard.❻ Press the CTRL + V keys and a ghost image of the copied symbol is attached

to your cursor.❼ Click to place the new GND symbol to the right of the other two.

Note: Right-click to remove the part from your cursor once the new part is placed.

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ArraysYou can use the Array feature to add components and to add net labels. You can also use it to add multiple objects.

Using Arrays

❶ Click on the capacitor to select it.❷ Click Array to begin the arraying process.❸ Fill in the dialog box as shown in the figure: Rows = 3,

Columns = 1.❹ Click OK. The parts are automatically added and as

you drag the cursor, you can expand the array until the parts are spaced as shown (3 rows and 1 column).

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Rotating Symbols There are three ways to rotate objects within Xpedition xDX Designer. The first is to use the Rotate button. The second way uses the F3 button during placement or move. The third way uses the options from the popup menu. Let’s review a few examples.

Rotate a Symbol

❶ Click one of the resistors to select it. Click Rotate 90 Degrees. Note: The Rotate 90 Degrees button is located on the Transform toolbar. If the toolbar is not active, go to View > Toolbars and select Transform.

❷ Click and hold on one of the resistors, then drag the cursor. Note: The symbol moves with the cursor.

❸ While you move the part, press the F3 key and notice the part rotates.❹ Release the mouse to place the rotated resistor.❺ Right-click on one of the capacitors, then select Transform > Rotate

from the popup menu.Note: The part rotates at the cursor.

❻ Use the u hotkey combination to undo this rotation.

Flip and Mirror a Symbol

❼ Select the IC symbol on the right.❽ Click the Flip icon on the Transform toolbar. This flips the entire symbol

along the X-axis. Click Flip again to return the symbol to normal. ❾ Select the same IC again, this time click the Mirror icon. Notice the

Symbol now mirrors along the Y-axis. Click Mirror again to reset the symbol to normal.

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Moving Components using Dynamic Grid Alignment MarkersYou will arrange the components similar to the picture shown. Xpedition xDX Designer has Dynamic Alignment tools to make the task of arranging components easier.

❶ On the Grid toolbar enable Show Alignment Markers.❷ Select the first capacitor symbol and drag it to the desired location. ❸ Release the mouse to drop the symbol.❹ Select the second capacitor symbol and place as shown..❺ Select each of the remaining capacitor symbols and note the Dynamic

Alignment Markers showing that the symbols are aligned and at the same spacing as the two symbols placed in steps 2 through 4.

❻ Place the PWR symbols as shown and note the grid alignment markers show when the symbols are aligned in both the X and Y axis.

❼ Place the remaining symbols as shown using the grid alignment markers.

❽ Grid Alignment Markers can also be used to align text or other objects

❾ Delete the two capacitors on the lower right by selecting them and pressing the Delete key.Note: Another way to do this is to right-click and select Delete from the menu that appears.

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Aligning Components using Align Commands

❶ Using the CTRL + Left-click, select the 2 resistors and ground symbol as shown.

❷ Click the Align Center icon on the Transform toolbar to line up these symbols on their centers.Note: You can Align components by; Left, Center, Right, Top, Middle, and Bottom

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Review Questions

1 Can I mirror a symbol such as a transistor or logic gate?2 Am I limited to the PWR and GND symbols that are supplied in the libraries

with Xpedition xDX Designer?3 When would I want to create an array of components?4 Do Properties rotate with a symbol?

Review Answers

1 You can easily mirror a symbol during placement by using the Mirror icon on the Transform Toolbar, or right-click and select the Mirror command from the popup menu.

2 Though the Xpedition xDX Designer libraries contain a selection of PWR and GND symbols, you are free to add any custom symbols to the library that you require in your design.

3 Many designs contain groups of identical components such as switches, LEDs or decoupling capacitors. For example, some designers put all of the decoupling capacitors for a design in a group arrangement on the last page of the schematic. Using the Array command, you can place large groupings of these components with a few mouse clicks.

4 Properties do rotate with a symbol. However, you must be careful when doing this if you want the visible properties to maintain a specific visual relationship to the component. In some cases, such as discrete components (capacitors, resistors, diodes), it is preferable to create a separate symbol for a horizontal orientation and another for the vertical orientation. This eliminates the need to make any fine tuning adjustments to the visible properties after you place the symbols.


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Lesson 6: Wiring the Schematic

Connecting the Components with NetsThere are several ways to add nets to components. This section demonstrates several.

Connecting by Abutment

❶ Open C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\Lesson1\Lesson1.prj, then in the Blocks section, double-click the schematic Logic_FirstLast. The sheet opens.

❷ Zoom in on the ICs. To do this click Zoom Area and create a frame around the two IC symbols, or zoom in using the Mouse Scroll Wheel.

❸ Select one of the ICs and drag it such that the pins of the selected IC touch those of the unselected IC and notice the Connectivity Advisor which appears as a small asterisk (*) on each of the pins.

❹ Release the part by releasing the left mouse button.❺ Select the part again and drag it away from the first IC. The pins are

automatically connected.

Creating Nets Using Net Mode

❻ Click Net (or enter n using the keyboard) to enter Add Net mode.❼ Add a connection to Pin 4 of the IC. Select the pin and drag the

connection to the left. When the net is long enough release the left mouse button to drop the connection.

❽ Repeat step 7 for pins 5, 9, and 6 on the IC located on the left hand side.❾ Press ESC or click Select to exit net mode.

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64 Wiring the Schematic

Creating Nets using Multi-Net ConnectionYou can automatically connect multiple pins based on your selection order to speed up connecting your schematic.

❶ Select Add > Multi-net connection.❷ On the left IC, use frame select to select pins 14 and 19 in the order

shown. Start your frame selection from the Top and to the Right of the pins. NOTE: The selection order of the nets is numbered.

❸ To add the connections, frame select the upper pins on the two capacitors in the order you want them to be connected. Note the connection ordering numbers.

❹ Left-click to complete the connections.

Manually selecting Multiple Pins

❺ While still in the Multi-net connection command, select pin 7 on the left IC.

❻ While pressing the CTRL key, also select pins 12 and 11. Note the ordering.

❼ Now select the connection pins in the proper order as shown.❽ Left-click to complete the connections, and right-click to exit the

command.

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Creating Nets Outside of Net Mode

❶ Right-click on pin 1 of the IC on the left.❷ Move the cursor to the resistor located nearby.

Note: As you move the cursor, a net is added and follows the cursor location. Right-click to add vertices to the connection.

❸ Left-click to select the resistor’s upper pin to connect the net to it.

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Multi-pin Component InsertionYou can also create connections in your schematic by placing components on pre-existing connection lines. The connections will automatically split to make the component connections.

❹ Select the capacitor as shown and move it over the connection you added in steps 1 through 3.

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Multi-pin Component Insertion (continued)

❺ Release the left mouse button when the Connectivity Advisor shows the connections, and the capacitor splits the connection and connects.

❻ Create the connections as shown on the schematic using any of the methods you have learned. Move the components if needed, as you have been shown in previous lessons. Do not worry about assigning signal names at this point. You will do that next.

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67Wiring the Schematic

Cutting Net ConnectionsYou can easily cut net connections in your schematic. If the connections are already named, one of the new connections created will keep the net name and a new net name will be assigned to the additional net connection.

❶ Select Edit > Cut Nets.❷ Draw the section to cut the nets between the two ICs.❸ Release the mouse button to complete the net cutting.❹ Right-click to release the Cut Nets mode.❺ Click Undo to re-connect the nets.

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Naming Nets and Placing LabelsNaming Nets

❶ Double-click on the Net from pin 13 of the IC symbol on the left side (bottom of device).Note: If you have difficulty selecting a net, set the Selection Filter to enable Net and Bus.

❷ The Properties window opens. Enter the name C/BE3.❸ Select the net name and drag it to the left of the net.

NOTE: Be sure to only select the net name, not the net itself. You may need to zoom in or adjust the Selection Filter to enable Name.

❹ Double-click on the net connection from pin 21, then name this signal C/BE2.

❺ Click in an open area to release the signal name and the selected connection.

❻ Now select the signal name again, and drag the signal name to its desired location.

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Adding Names Using the Navigator

❶ In the schematic, select the net connected to pin 4 of the IC on the left. The corresponding net in the Navigator is highlighted.

❷ In the Navigator, right-click Rename, then enter the desired name and click Enter. Rename the net connected to pin 4 to ~CE. Using a ~ will create an inverted pin name.

❸ Another way to set pin inversion is to use True/False in the Properties window.

Adding Symbols with Named Net StubsYou can also add nets when you place symbols in the schematic.

❹ From the Xpedition xDX Databook Search window, open the Sample library, IC Partition and find the 74192 symbol.

❺ Before placing the symbol on the schematic, check Add Component with Net Stubs and Add Pin Labels to Nets on the right side of the Search window.

❻ Click Add New Component with All Properties icon and place the component on the schematic.

❼ Notice that all pins have net stubs and their names correspond to the associated pins.

❽ Delete this symbol and its connected net stubs from the schematic.

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Setting Properties for PartsProperty Visibility

❶ Open the Property window by selecting the Properties icon or by double-clicking the desired object.

❷ Select the IC on the right.Note: The properties for this component are displayed in the Property window.

❸ To make a property type visible you can check the box next to the property. ❹ Check the box next to Cell Name. Notice Cell Name is now shown below

the symbol.To make only the value visible check the box next to DIP16 (fixed) and uncheck the box next to Cell Name. Now only the value DIP16 (fixed) is visible.

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Adding New Properties

❶ To add a new property on the schematic, the property must be defined in the Property Definition Editor within Library Manager (Tools > Library Manager, then Tools > Property Definition Editor). This helps users standardize on required properties within the company and also prevents typing mistakes.Note: If any new Properties are required in your designs, you must add them in Library Manager first. After making a change, you will have to run Tools > Update Libraries or exit and re-invoke Xpedition xDX Designer before the properties are available for assignment.

❷ Select the IC on the left then and you will add some properties. ❸ In the Property window click in the blank cell at the bottom of the list

and select Part Number from the list.❹ Enter 510_5V_IC for Value and turn off the visibility check boxes

for the Property and Value.❺ Continue to enter the following property information:

Cell Name = SO24LDatasheet = C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\Library\Datasheets\ MC145421.PDFNote: This last step links the part to a datasheet. A link can be made to any type of document or website. The document can be launched directly from the schematic.

❻ Select the symbol and then right-click and choose Open Hyperlink > Datasheet.Note: This opens the appropriate datasheet in Adobe Acrobat.

❼ In Adobe Acrobat, close the datasheet.

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Change/Edit Properties

Manually❶ Select the resistor on the bottom left.❷ Add or change the following properties:

Part Number 107-RESCell Name CC1206Value 5.1KTolerance 1%Power 250mW

Using DxDataBook❸ Select the resistor on the top left.❹ Right-click and select Load into DxDataBook.❺ In DxDatabook, select Part Number 101-RES.❻ Click Annotate Component with All Properties and the properties are

added to the resistor component.

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Adding Properties to Parts Simultaneously

❶ Select one of the capacitors.❷ CTRL + click on each of the other two capacitors.

Note: All three of the capacitors are selected and their properties are listed in the Property Editor.

❸ In the Properties window click in the blank cell at the bottom of the list to add a new property.

❹ In the Property field select Part Number.❺ In the Value field enter 12301-CAP.❻ Select Enter to complete the property assignment. Now

if you select each capacitor individually you will notice they all have the same Part Number property.

❼ Add the following properties to all three capacitors using the Manual or Xpedition xDX Databook method you have already learned.Cell Name CC1206Value 10uFTolerance 5%Voltage 16V

❽ When you have finished adding the properties, review the assignment on each individual part, then close the schematic sheet.TIP: In the last sections you have learned how to manually add and change Properties on components, but remember the IC you placed on the right? Notice that we did not have to add or change any Properties in it because we used the Xpedition xDX Databook Search window to place it. You can save time in your designs by placing all your components this way!

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Working with the Bus ModelCreating a Bus

❶ Click New > Schematic to begin a new schematic.❷ The new schematic is now found in the Blocks section on the Project

Navigator and it is called Schematic1.❸ In Xpedition xDX Databook, click Show CL View or the CL View tab.❹ Select the Symbol View tab.❺ Expand the Sample library using the [+]button and highlight the

SymbolTest symbol .

❻ Click Place Symbol to place the symbols on the schematic as shown. Right-click to release the cursor from Placement mode.Note: You could also enter SymbolTest into the search field above the results display area and let DxDatabook find any matches in the list of libraries.

❼ Zoom in to the left side of the symbols.

❽ Using the Bus button, place a vertical bus labeled “A[15:0]” to the left of the symbols.

❾ Label the bus by assigning the A[15:0] value to the Name property for the bus.

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Connecting a Bus to Component NetsThere are two ways to connect these symbols to this bus. The first method connects the nets from the bus to the component.

❶ Right-click (directly across from the pin 2 on the left, below CLK) where you want the first net to connect and click Rip Nets.

❷ Select the nets you want to use. In this example, we are going to use A[15:8] from the Rip Nets dialog to connect to the top symbol.

❸ Click OK to place the nets on the bus starting where you last clicked. Use the CTRL+SHIFT+Mouse Scroll Wheel to spread the Bus Bits as needed. When the net lines are in-line and touching the symbol pins, click to connect them.NOTE: Verify that the Grid is enabled (Grid On) .

❹ When you release your mouse, the nets will be connected.NOTE: The properties are the “ripped bit indicator.” These indicate which bit of the bus is attached to a particular net.

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Connecting Component Nets to a BusThis is the second way to connect these symbols to this bus. This method connects the nets from the component to the bus.

❶ Select the bus nets you added in the previous steps.❷ Click Copy to place the nets in the clipboard.❸ Click Paste, then click near the lower IC and move the pasted nets to

the location as shown. Note: The Connection symbols (*) help to adjust the nets into place.

❹ Use the Add Properties Mode button to invoke the Add Properties dialog box, and set the following.

• Type = Net• Property = Name• Range = Enabled• Prefix = A• Value Dec= 7 and Delta = -1

This names all of the nets and allows you to use the cursor to drag them to connect up to the bus.

❺ Click Apply to place the Bus Bits.❻ Click on one of the nets to drag them towards the Bus. When the nets

are over the bus, release the left mouse button to connect them.❼ Close Add Properties.

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Review Questions

1 Do I need to connect every net at all points?2 Why add names to nets?3 Which properties should I make visible in my designs?4 When would I add properties to parts simultaneously?5 Why would I use a bus to represent connectivity of multiple connections?

Review Answers

1 As long as the schematic accurately represents the desired connectivity, it is not necessary to connect every net to all points. Connectivity can be established by naming the nets, and as long as all net stubs are identically named, connectivity will exist.

2 In addition to establishing connectivity, net names also help identify signals in very complex designs. Some designers will name their nets with a convention that represents the source and destination of the net (such as FPGA_A\S3_A_MEM_A_ADDR0). This makes it easy to identify the purpose and connectivity of a net just by examining the name.

3 Which properties you choose to make visible is primarily a decision based upon the intent of the document. Most designers choose to have reference designators (Ref Designator) visible along with component values, tolerances, wattages and component names. This is a very individual decision and each company may find it necessary to set their own standard. Xpedition xDX Designer allows you to set visibility of properties down to the individual component level.

4 If your design contains a quantity of identical components, it may save a lot of time if you select the group of components (either in the workspace or through the Navigator) and then assign/change the properties for all of the components simultaneously. This helps to promote uniformity and continuity across the design. Remember to verify the components with Xpedition xDX Databook when you have finished the design.

5 You can accomplish connectivity by using individual nets to connect each point, or by naming each of the nets. Showing all of the connections on a schematic can make the schematic difficult to read and add unnecessary visual clutter. An alternative is to use a bus to represent a group of nets (such as an address or data bus) that connect to a number of points (or sheets). This allows you to show the connections at the components but represent the group across the design with a single (wide) net line. The bus is identified with a label that shows all of the signals represented by the bus (such as ADDR_BUS_0:15).


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Xpedition has a built-in constraint management system. The Constraint Manager gives you the capabilities to create and manage constraint-based designs in a synchronized front-end and back-end environment. Constraint Manager is a spreadsheet interface common to both Xpedition xDX Designer and Xpedition xPCB Layout linked through the iCDB database. This system allows you to develop and maintain all of your design constraints between the schematic and PCB layout. The constraint information can consist of clearance constraints, placement and routing constraints, and high speed constraints.You can also define and manage advanced rules for differential pairs, components and net classes directly from Constraint Manager. When you select an object in the schematic, you can cross probe directly with Constraint Manager to view the constraints that are assigned. Constraints are synchronized between the schematic and PCB layout during the Forward and Backward Annotation process.

Lesson 7: Creating Rules and Constraints with Constraint Manager

Entering Constraints

❶ From the Start Page in Xpedition xDX Designer, click Recent, and select Lesson1, C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\Lesson1\Lesson1.prj.

❷ Double-click on Corporate to open the first sheet of the schematic.❸ Select the [+] next to Corporate to see all the schematic sheets.❹ Double-click on the PCI_Connection sheet to open the schematic

sheet.❺ To open the Constraint Manager Spreadsheet Editor, select the

Constraint Manager icon from the Main toolbar, then select Constraint Manager.Note: All Constraints within the spreadsheet editor are maintained within the iCDB for both the Xpedition xDX Designer and Xpedition layout tools.

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Introduction to the Constraint Manager Spreadsheet Interface

Menus

Toolbars

Navigator Pane

Spreadsheet Workspace

Status BarConstraint

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Toolbars

The General Toolbar

The Filters ToolbarEnable/Disable

Filters

Filter Levels

Constraint Group Filters List

Undo

Paste

Copy

Cut

Exit

Stackup Editor

Cross Probing

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The Views Toolbar The Topology Toolbar

Show/Hide Navigator

Show/Hide Output

Minimum Spanning Tree Topology

Netline Order

Custom Topology

Chained Topology

The Export Toolbar The Sort ToolbarExport

Encrypted CSV

Sort Descending

Sort Ascending

The Tools Toolbar The Comment ToolbarDelete

CommentInsert Comment

Next Comment

Constraint Template Editor

CES Diagnostics

Execute iCDB Project Backup

Execute iCDB Server Manager

The Clearances Toolbar The Pairs ToolbarGeneral

Clearances

Class-to-Class Clearance Rules

Auto Pin Pair

Remove Diff Pair

Auto Assign Diff Pair

Selected Nets Diff Pair

The Find Toolbar

Find

Find Text Box

Find Phrase

The Help Toolbar

Help Text Box

Find in Manual

Online Table of Contents

Edit Comment

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Opening Constraint Manager and Cross Probing

❶ In Xpedition xDX Designer, select Setup > Settings > Cross Probing and set the options as shown. Click OK to save changes.

❷ Select the Zoom Area button and generate a zoom box around the upper left hand corner of the screen.

❸ In the Constraint Manager window, on the Main toolbar, select the Cross Probe icon. You can also turn on Cross Probing using Setup > Cross Probing. This allows you to dynamically highlight nets and pins within the spreadsheet editor, or on the schematic, depending on where you select the items.

❹ Click the CLK_IN net from within the working area of the schematic.Note: If you are not able to select the net, you may need to modify your Selection Filter settings. Click the Selection Filter button.

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Opening Constraint Manager and Cross Probing (continued)

❺ With the net selected, the spreadsheet window shows the constraints associated with this net.

❻ In Constraint Manager, find the net BSYNC+ and click on the Box to the left of the net. Notice that the net is selected and viewed in the schemat-ic working area. In Constraint Manager, cross probing is bi-directional between the spreadsheet and the schematic and/or the PCB Layout.

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Filtering FromTo, Pin Pair, and Pin in Constraint Manager

You can cross probe to nets in your design, but often you may need to cross probe deeper within the net hierarchy – down to the pins.❶ From the Constraint Manager menu, select Filters > Levels > All. The full

hierarchy of the nets becomes available within your design, including: from-tos, pin pairs, and pins.

❷ Notice that the nets now have a “+” next to each of them. Click the “+” to expand the net BSYNC+ and see all of the pins within the net.

❸ Click the box to the left of the pin P1-1 below the BSYNC+ net and note in the schematic window that you have cross probed to the pin level within the net.

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Constraint Manager General Clearances

In Constraint Manager, General Clearances allow you to define clearance values between design objects that you do not specify in the Constraint Manager Spreadsheet Clearances page. These are global clearance rules that are specified when no Net Class relationship is required.❶ In Constraint Manager, select the Clearances spreadsheet tab.❷ Click the General Clearances toolbar button to open the General

Clearance Rules dialog box.❸ Look over the different General Clearances that can be adjusted in your

design. Since all of these current clearances are used within the PCB Layout phase, we will leave them as is for now.

❹ Click Cancel.

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Constraint Manager Schemes

Schemes in Constraint Manager define categories of physical design rules that will be used during PCB Layout. When you open Constraint Manager, there are two Default schemes.The Master Scheme represents the Default constraints for Clearances and Trace and Via Properties for the entire design. These values will be used if no unique constraints or rule areas are applied.The Minimum Scheme is read-only. It represents an overview of the minimum values entered for Clearances and Trace and Via Properties across all of the schemes within the design. It provides the user with an easy method to review any entered constraints that may be unacceptable.❶ In the Navigator window within Constraint Manager, click

the “+” next to Schemes to expand and view the Master scheme.

❷ Expand Trace &Via Properties, click on Default clearances to see the Master Trace & Via properties that will be used in the design.

❸ Expand Trace & Via Properties and review the different settings that will be used for specific Net Classes within your design. You can create as many Schemes, or Groups of clearances within schemes, as you need for your design.

❹ Click Default Rule under the Clearances within the Master scheme. These are the default clearances that will be used in the design. You may need to scroll to the right in the spreadsheet to see all of the clearance rules that you can set within a design.Now, let’s create and assign a new Clearance rule that we will use later in the design.

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Creating Clearances

In this exercise, we will create a High Speed clearance used for Clock signals. In PCB layout, this rule is often referred to as a “3W” rule. It is used on signals to reduce crosstalk between other signals in a design. The “3W” means 3 times the width of the signal trace, spacing from center to center. Often, a PCB designer may enter these rules in the board, but with Constraint Manager we can create them in the schematic and pass them to the PCB designer.First, let’s look at the Trace & Via Properties for the CLOCKS…❶ In the Navigator, expand Trace & Via properties and click CLOCKS.

Note that the Typical Trace Width is set to 6 for all Clock signals. Now that we know the trace width, we can build a 3W rule for the clock signals with a Trace to Trace Spacing of 12.

❷ Right-click on Clearances in the Navigator and select New Clearance Rule .

❸ Name the rule HS_3W, then click on the HS_3W rule. ❹ In the spreadsheet, find the Trace To Trace column, then in the

Top box set the default to 12 and press Enter.❺ Click OK in the dialog box that appears. Note that all layers of the

design now have a Trace to Trace spacing set to 12.

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Assigning Clearances

Now that we have created the rule for the Clock signals, we need to assign it so that it will maintain the specific clearances to other Net Class clearances within the design.❶ Click the Class to Class Clearance Rule icon in the

Clearances toolbar.❷ The Class to Class Clearances dialog box opens and is set

to the Master Scheme.❸ Under the (ALL) column, choose HS_3W from the

CLOCKS Net Class dropdown list. This assigns the HS_3W rule to all nets within the Net Class CLOCKS, and applies it against ALL other nets within the design.

❹ Click OK. Your Clock signal spacing rule has been completed and saved to the database.Note: If you do not assign a Class to Class Clearance rule to a Net Class, then the Default rules will be used.

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Creating Net Classes

Net Classes are used to create Physical Constraints for nets or groups of nets within your design.❶ In the Navigator, click the “+” next to Net Classes, then

right-click on Net Classes and select New Net Class.❷ Name the New Net Class CLOCK2 and click the CLOCK2

Net Class.❸ Right-click on CLOCK2, and select Assign Nets… ❹ In the Assign Physical Nets to Net Class dialog box, make

sure the Source Net Class is Default and the Target Net Class is CLOCK2.

❺ In the Search Bar, enter CLK_IN, then click on the Search icon.

❻ Click “>” to move the net CLK_IN to the CLOCK2 Net Class, then click OK.

❼ Repeat steps 3 through 6 to add CLK_3584MEG to the CLOCK2 Net Class you created.

❽ Create a New Net Class called PWR_020_MIL using the previous methods. This prepares you for the next lesson where you will learn a different method for adding nets to a Net Class.

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Assigning Nets Using Constraint Editor

Constraint Editor is an embedded constraint editor that you can use directly within Xpedition xDX Designer or Xpedition xPCB Layout. Constraint Editor improves your design productivity through context-driven operations that allow you to view and edit constraint data while editing your design.❶ In the PCI_Connection schematic sheet, Zoom into the area shown.❷ Select the nets GND and VDD.❸ While hovering over one of the selected nets, right-click and select Edit

Constraints. Constraint Editor opens both of the nets shown.Note: Since these are Power Nets, you may need to show the Power Nets Bar. Select Bars > Configure and make sure Power Nets is selected.

❹ In Constraint Editor, change the Net Class for all of the selected nets to PWR_020_MIL by right-clicking on the Netclass row in the first column and clicking Apply Value to All Columns.

❺ Using Constraint Editor, find the nets VDDQ3.3V and V2.7 and assign them to Net Class PWR_020_MIL using Constraint Editor.

❻ Close Constraint Editor.

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Creating a Differential Pair

❶ On the PCI_Connection sheet, use the Home key or the Fit All icon to zoom full.

❷ Click Zoom Area and window the area in the upper left hand corner of the page near the USER I/F CONNECTOR.

❸ Select the signal BSYNC-, then while pressing the CTRL key select the signal BSYNC+ .

❹ In the Constraint Manager Spreadsheet (which should still be open), the nets BSYNC- and BSYNC+ are selected.

❺ Create a New Net Class called BSYNC.❻ While hovering over the BSYNC+ net in Constraint Manager,

right-click and choose Assign Net(s) to Net Class from the popup menu.

❼ In the Select Net Class dialog box, select BSYNC and then click OK.

❽ In Constraint Manager, select BSYNC+ and BSYNC-, then right-click and choose Create Differential Pair from the popup menu. Notice that the nets are now linked as a Diff Pair and their Net Class is set to BSYNC.

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Ordering Nets and Diff Pairs for Routing

You may be required to route nets or diff pairs in a specific ordering topology. Constraint Manager allows you to create Custom Routing Topologies that can be passed to layout in Xpedition. When ordering diff pair signals, Constraint Manager handles both nets at the same time.❺ Right-click in the toolbar area and select the Topology toolbar, if not

already visible.❻ Select the BSYNC+, BSYNC- diff pair if it is not still selected, then click

the Netline Order button on the Topology toolbar.Note: Currently, the Diff Pair is shown as a Custom Topology with No Ordering in Constraint Manager.

Creating a Constraint Class

Constraint Classes are used to create Electrical Constraints for nets or groups of nets.❶ In the Navigator, select the “+” next to Constraint Classes to expand the

list, then right-click on Constraint Classes and select New Constraint Class.❷ Name the New Constraint Class BSYNC.❸ Select the Diff Pair Row in Constraint Manager for BSYNC+, BSYNC-, then

right-click and choose Assign Differential Pair(s) to Constraint Class from the popup menu.

❹ In the Select Constraint Class dialog box, select the BSYNC constraint class, then click OK. The Diff Pair is added to the Constraint Class.Note: You may need to sort Constraint Class/Net column to see the Constraint Class. You can also select the BSYNC constraint class in the Navigator to filter out everything except the assigned nets.

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Ordering Nets and Diff Pairs for Routing (continued)

❶ The Netline Order dialog box appears.❷ Select the connection on the net P2-B2 and note that the first

From pin is populated.❸ Select the connection on the net U8-26 and the first To pin is

populated.❹ Click the Add from-to arrow to set the first from-to order in the

topology.❺ Using the method in steps 2 through 4, complete the Ordering

Topology as shown, then click OK to update Constraint Manager with the ordering.

❻ A message appears warning that the second net of the diff pair was reordered also. You can view the report if needed. Click No to close the message.

❼ The Constraint Template Matching dialog box opens when diff pairs are reordered. You can make changes here, but since we want the ordering on the diff pairs to be the same, click Cancel to close the dialog box.The BSYNC+, BSYNC- diff pair is now an Ordered Topology in Constraint Manager.

❽ Close the Constraint Manager application.

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Adding Placement Constraints in Xpedition xDX Designer

In Xpedition xDX Designer, you can add properties to your schematic symbols that will be used as constraints during component placement in the Xpedition xPCB layout database. These constraints can be for grouping of special circuitry or used to confine the placement location of specific components.

Grouping Components for Placement❶ Navigate to the PCI_Connection schematic page and select the

P1 connector, the P2 Connector and the resistors and capacitor associated with it, as shown.Note: You may wish to set your selection filter to only select symbols during this exercise.

❷ At the bottom of the Properties window, add the Property “Cluster”, and enter the Value as CONNECTORS.

❸ Navigate to the control_buffers schematic sheet and select the LEDs and associated Resistors, as shown. Add these parts to the CONNECTORS component group using the Cluster property as in Step 2.Note: The component group called CONNECTORS is available for placement as a group of components in Xpedition xPCB layout.

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Constraining Components to an Area in PCB Layout

❶ Navigate to the Analog schematic sheet, then to the Analog_Switch, Inst_Amp block.

❷ Select all of the Symbols on the sheet, except the power and ground symbols as shown.

❸ Add the Cluster property to these symbols with a Value of ANALOG_SW.

❹ Add a second property, Room and set the Value to ANALOG.Note: These components are now available for placement as a group in Xpedition xPCB layout, and they will be constrained to a Room called ANALOG which we will need to create within the PCB database.

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Adding and Editing Graphical Text

When creating your schematic, you may need to add engineering or instructional notes as additional information. You will add some text to the Analog schematic sheet to describe the room you just created.❶ The schematic sheet Analog > Analog_Switch > Inst_amp should be open.❷ Select Add > Text, and click a location for the text above the title block.❸ Enter some text, for example: “Place components in the room Analog”❹ Right-click the entered text and change the size to .250 in.❺ To easily edit the text, double-click it and highlight text to be edited as

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Review Questions

1 Why would I want to use rules and constraints?2 If constraints are added in the schematic, can they be edited during the layout process?3 When would I want to use a Constraint Class?4 Can I assign different constraints to individual differential pairs in my design?

Review Answers

1 Rules and constraints help establish structure in the design. Not all signals in a design can be routed together without introducing interference and/or crosstalk. Rules and constraints allow you to create specific routing conditions for each signal (or signal type) in the design, each with its own set of spacing and layer assignment rules. The more complex the design, the more helpful these rules and constraints will be.

2 Constraints created in the schematic within Constraint Manager are passed to the Layout environment. Once the design is in Layout, changes can be made within Constraint Manager and can be back annotated to the schematic. Constraint Manager and the iCDB keep the design constraint data synchronized.

3 Sometimes you will want to assign the same constraint (spacing, net length, etc.) to a group of similar nets. Rather than do this individually, you can group these nets into a Constraint Class. Any constraints assigned to the Constraint Class will be automatically assigned to all of the nets in that class. This also simplifies the process of making edits or changes.

4 The Constraint Manager Spreadsheet is extremely flexible and allows you to assign rules and constraints to a large variety of design elements. This includes: groups of nets, individual nets, differential pairs (including at the individual pair level) and individual pin pairs. The ability to exercise this level of control over the design helps you meet the most demanding requirements.


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Variant Manager is a utility that manages PCB subassemblies at the schematic level. The bill of materials is typically generated here and can represent the entire schematic or any variant defined by Variant Manager. Variant modifications can include Placed (Populated) Components, Replaced (Substituted) Components and Unplaced (Depopulated) Components. Multiple variants can exist in a single design with the ability to automatically generate schematics and BOMs for each.Variants defined in Xpedition xDX Designer can be integrated with Xpedition xPCB Layout. The Variant Manager utility inside Xpedition xPCB Layout can generate the necessary assembly drawings based on each variant passed from Xpedition xDX Designer. This capability accommodates the passing of variants from the front end tool all the way through to the backend tools.

Lesson 8: Variant Manager

Creating New Variants

Variant Manager is used to create a unique BOM for schematic variants. For example, you may need to produce designs which are basically the same, except for an extra memory bank. Variant Manager allows you to create a unique schematic, BOM, and set of reports for the design variant.

Launching Variant Manager❶ Start Xpedition xDX Designer, and in the Recent section of the Start Page

select Lesson1 C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\Lesson1\Lesson1.prj.❷ Launch Variant Manager using View > Other Windows > Variants.

❸ A new window opens for Variant Manager. If it shows “No Project Loaded” simply Click on Corporate in the Navigator to open a schematic sheet.

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The CAE Interaction Tab

❸ The CAE Interaction tab provides display options for variant schematics. You can Delete, Markup or assign a Color to the unplaced symbols in each variant.When a variant view is generated, these settings will be applied to the symbols within the schematic according to the symbol’s variant status.

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Reviewing the Variant Manager Settings

Before creating new variants, review the current settings and familiarize yourself with the available options.

The General Tab

❶ Review the Settings for the Variant Manager by clicking the Settings icon.❷ There are three tabs in the Settings dialog box. The General Tab

includes settings for naming unplaced parts as well as report options. The Unplaced keyword appears in the appropriate cell for parts that you choose to not be installed during the PCB Assembly process. You can specify any string as the keyword.


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The Library Query Setup Tab

❶ The Library Query Setup tab allows you to define and edit how the project interacts with the Library database. The Data source configuration file specified in the first field of the dialog box indicates the Xpedition xDX Databook database that you use when creating your design variant.

❷ The Define Libraries button allows you to edit your Xpedition xDX Databook configuration. For this lesson the setup is done for you but you can refer to the Appendix: Configuring Variant Manager at the end of this guide if you are using your own database.

❸ The Query settings section controls the database search when using the Replace function. Allow sufficient results to be returned from each library by setting the Results/library value appropriately. If you want to use replacement parts from more than one library, you must set the Results total number to be larger than the number of results returned from each individual library. Verify the Part number attribute is set to Part Number.

❹ The Output format controls your database query results. The Part number feedback line allows you to display more information about a particular part. This will be shown later.

❺ The Query results format controls the results shown for the Replace function. This determines the columns displayed and the filter options to help you choose a replacement part.Note: Because you have associated the Part number attribute to Part Number, we also want to be sure that it is included in the Query results format.

❻ Click Cancel to close the Settings dialog box.

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Creating Variants

❶ Select the Variant Definition Icon.❷ From the Variant Definition dialog box, create two variants by clicking

on the Create New Variant button twice.❸ Name the two variants Variant1 and Variant2 respectively.

Note: Click the cell to edit the values.

❹ Enter the Number and Descriptions as shown.For Variant 1: Number = VAR1, Description = New Var1For Variant2: Number = VAR2, Description = New Var2

❺ The Variant Groups tab is helpful for sorting or filtering for specific variants when there are many in a single project. Any groups setup on the Variant Groups tab will be available from the drop-down list shown below in the main window.

❻ Click OK to save and exit.

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Defining Variants

Now that you have configured Variant Manager and created two variants, you will define the specific variant parameters.

Unplacing Parts

❶ Be sure the Transmit and Receive mode buttons are both depressed to enable cross-probing.

❷ Click in the cell under the Variant1 column, next to C9. Variant Manager allows cross probing from the schematic into a variant and vise-versa.

❸ Click [-] next to the schematic sheet Analog_Switch to compress the view.Note: If you don't see the Analog_Switch [+] icon, make sure that Flat Design View is unchecked.

❹ Find IO_Port1 and Unplace all of the components in that block by selecting the cell next to the IO_Port1 definition in Variant1.

❺ Right-click and choose Unplaced to unplace all parts on this hierarchical block.

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Change Multiple Parts Simultaneously

❶ To change a few select parts simultaneously, click C3 in the Variant1 column.

❷ Ctrl + Click to select C4 and C35.❸ Right-click over one of the reference designators and choose Reset.

Only the 3 selected parts are reset and their cells in the Variant1 column are cleared.

Replacing (Substituting) Parts

❹ In Variant2 you will replace (substitute) parts. Select the cell for C5 in IO_Port2, then right-click and choose Replace.

❺ A new window appears that lists the possible replacement parts.Note: The columns come from the settings in a previous lesson. All of the replacement parts have the same PKG_TYPE as the original part because we set the VM Match to PKG_TYPE = in our .dbc configuration as shown in the Appendix at the end of this Evaluation Guide.

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Sorting Parts

❶ The columns in this window not only provide additional information but they also act as filters. Select one of the column headers and notice you can either sort (ascending or descending) or filter (on available values) based upon the part you are looking for.

❷ Replace C5 with the smallest value available for a capacitor, by selecting the Value column and then sort Ascending, then double-click the first part available, 12308-CAP.

Flatten the Design View

❸ Check Flat Design View check box to flatten the schematic Ref Des list.❹ In the design view, find and select R29 on the PCI_Connection sheet in the

upper right corner of the sheet. When you select the part in the design view, it will also select in Variant Manager.

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Replacing Parts Across Library Partitions

❶ We are going to replace the R29 resistor with a capacitor in Variant2. With R29 highlighted, right-click over the cell in the Variant2 column and then click Replace.Notice that you also have the option to replace parts across library partitions.

❷ Double-click the first capacitor in the list to apply it.Note: Don’t forget that you can also filter on Library if you know what Library your replacement part is in.

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Generating Variant OutputsNow that you have created two variants we will need to generate schematics, pass the information to Xpedition for layout, and create BOMs.

Create Variant/Function Schematics

❶ Select File > Close to close all schematic sheets except one so the Variant Manager remains active.Note: You can also use the [X] on the schematic sheet tab to close any sheet.

❷ To create the variant schematics, select the title header for the Variant1 column and then click Create Variant/ Function Schematics.

❸ A message appears in the design view informing you that “Xpedition xDX Designer is in Variant Manager Mode (All schematics are read only). Variant name: Variant1 ”.

❹ Using the navigator, select the BlockReUse sheet and select IO_Port1.

❺ Click Push .

❻ The parts represented in blue are the ones we unplaced in Variant1. In a previous lesson, we set a particular color (teal) for all unplaced variant parts.

❼ We also had the option to Markup rather than color unplaced parts which would have resulted as shown.

❽ Or, we could have configured the Variant Manager to delete unplaced parts as shown.

❾ Click Reset Schematics to Master.

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Generating the Variant BOM Reports

❶ To generate the BOMs, right-click in the Variant window and choose Report > BOM Reports.

❷ Choose the desired output file type: Microsoft Excel.❸ Select Variant1 and 2 and define an output location. In

this case we will output to C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\Lesson1 and name it Variant_BOM.xls.

❹ Generate a BOM report for the Master and both Variants using the settings shown.

❺ After clicking OK, all three reports are generated in the C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\Lesson1 directory as shown.

❻ Open each report in Excel and observe the differences. In this graphic notice the file names at the top show master on the left, then Variant1 middle, and Variant2 on the right. A few differences have been highlighted so you can see that Variant Manager has generated the BOMs correctly.

❼ From the Report menu you can also generate spreadsheet views of your variants for documentation. Experiment by creating a report for your variant and then view the output file. For example, select HTML Document.

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Review Questions

1 When would I want to use variants?2 Is Xpedition xPCB Layout aware of variants to the BOM that are created in Xpedition xDX Designer?3 Can I have more than two variants in a design?4 How do I get the variant data to Manufacturing and Purchasing?

Review Answers

1 Many products are built around the concept of a core product design and a number of optional features. Xpedition xDX Designer supports this type of design through the use of variants. Each variant design can have specific components placed, unplaced or replaced. Use Variant Manager to specify and track separate BOMs.

2 The variant data is also forwarded to Xpedition xPCB Layout so you can create individualized Assembly Drawings for each design variant.

3 Variant Manager allows you to create as many variants of the design as you need.4 Variant Manager supports a wide variety of output formats so that you can deliver the information to downstream users

in a suitable configuration. You can generate output in HTML, text, Excel spreadsheet, CSV files, and BOM formats so that Engineering, Manufacturing, Purchasing and others can all share the same design data.

Variant Manager

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This exercise shows how to export BOMs from Xpedition xDX Designer. There are several optional output formats. For this exercise, we will focus on creating a text file format.During this lesson, all of the settings you create are saved within a Part Lister configuration file or .IPL file. You can create and save as many IPL files as you need for separate versions or output types. You can recall them later for use in future design projects.

Lesson 9: Generating the BOM (Bill of Materials) using Part Lister

Opening the Part Lister

❶ If not already open, select File > Open > Project to Open C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\ Lesson1\Lesson1.prj.

❷ Select Tools > Part Lister... .

❸ A new PartsLister dialog box appears. These options affect the part list content.

❹ For the Config Name, browse and select CORPORATE from the dropdown list.Note: This is a customizable Part Lister configuration. Any changes you make are saved in this file for future use.

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Generating the BOM (Bill of Materials) Using Part Lister

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Part Lister Property Selection

❶ Select Columns.❷ The list on the left side of the dialog box contains some of the properties

currently in the design. Using the four buttons above the list, you can add, remove and modify the order of the property columns included in the output. Each of the properties in the Columns list will become a separate column in the output file.

Adding A Property

❸ Click New to add a new property at the end of the list.Note: To add a property in the middle of the list, click on the list item directly above the location where you wish to add the new property. You can also use the Up and Down Arrow buttons to reposition the order of the properties in the list.

❹ Enter the Column Label Name DESCRIPTION.

❺ Verify that Property is selected for the Type, and for the Property, select Description from the dropdown list to specify the content of the column.

❻ Enter a Column Width of 50.

❼ Enter 0 for the decimal places.

The new property is now complete.

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Editing A Property

❶ Double-click the cursor over the Column Label Name C0ST. This allows you to edit the name.

❷ Change the Column Label Name from C0ST to COST.Note: COST is spelled with a Zero (0) and it should be an O.

❸ You can rename any of the Column Label Names as your reporting needs change.

Increasing the Page Size

❹ If you add additional properties, you may have to increase the page size.

❺ Select Advanced.❻ Verify that Split into pages is enabled.❼ Enter the appropriate values for the number of lines each.

(For this lesson set it to 150.)

Specifying the Output Type

❽ Define the desired output type (Text File, HTML or EXCEL) by choosing Text File from the Output Format dropdown list.

❾ Click Run to generate the report.

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Viewing the Part Lister Output

❶ In Windows Explorer, browse to and open C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\Lesson1\CORPORATE.txt in any text editor.

❷ Expand the view of the BOM to fit the full screen.Note: This is just one example of a BOM. You can create different formats including an HTML version that can be opened inside a web browser or an Excel version that can be viewed and edited within Microsoft Excel.

❸ Select File > Exit to close the Notepad file.❹ Select File > Exit to exit Xpedition xDX Designer. ❷


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Review Questions

1 Is a BOM a printed report or a data file?2 How much detail can be contained in a BOM?3 Will a BOM show detail for each part or condense the list of identical

parts?4 Can I save a BOM setup for use in a future design?

Review Answers

1 You can generate a BOM in different formats to suit the needs of the target audience, including Excel spreadsheets, PDFs, text files, CSV files and others.

2 A BOM can contain as much or as little detail as you require. During the setup of the BOM, you are offered a number of options to fully customize the report.

3 You can configure the BOM to show both. Typically, you show a condensed listing that has one entry for each different component and a field that indicates all of the Reference Designators that use that particular component. Alternately, you can also include a listing that includes one entry for each component in the design.

4 You can save specific BOM configurations in the Reports dialog box. These are stored with the Xpedition xDX Designer application configuration and are available in future design project sessions.


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Using LineSim Link and SimulationThis exercise will instruct you how to select a net for simulation and easily create a virtual prototype for signal integrity(SI) analysis. Run an interactive SI simulation. Determine the optimal termination value, apply that termination then rerun the simulation to validate the solution and save the results for future use.

Lesson 10: Xpedition xDX Designer Integration with HyperLynx LineSim

Xpedition xDX Designer LineSim Link

Xpedition xDX Designer LineSim Link enables you to export a net to HyperLynx LineSim for pre-layout simulation.

❶ From the Xpedition xDX Designer start page, select Open, then browse and select C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\LessonFinal\LessonFinal.prj.

❷ Double-click the CORPORATE schematic in the Project Navigator.

❸ Double-click on the memory schematic sheet in the Project Navigator.

❹ Zoom to the upper left IC shown on the memory sheet. Select the IC U15.Note: Set the Selection Filter to Symbol if necessary.

❺ In the Properties window, review the assigned Simulation IBIS models: SIM_MODEL and SIM_MODEL_FILE. (You may need to scroll down to see them). Note: If the Properties Window is not visible, click the Properties button on the View toolbar.

HyperLynx LineSim is a pre-layout PCB design simulation and analysis tool that enables you to evaluate the signal-integrity performance of signal nets.

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Xpedition xDX Designer LineSim Link (continued)

❻ Select the net DATA_BUS0 starting from U15.13. Right-click and choose LineSim Link.

❼ Enable Complete schematic (export including interconnections) in the Schematic Contents section, then click Load Data from xDX Designer.Note: You can change parameters to the Transmission Line Properties. We will not make any changes and use the default settings.

❽ In the Schematic Topology tab, review the drivers and receivers for this net. Expand both Electrical Net 1 and DATABUS0. Note: U13 is set as a driver, and U15 and U26 are receivers.

❾ On the Options tab, select Export to HyperLynx. Click Yes to overwrite existing files, if needed.

HyperLynx LineSim

❿ HyperLynx LineSim will open with the Free-Form schematic. The DATABUS0 net is loaded for simulation using the models assigned in Xpedition xDX Designer.

⓫ In HyperLynx, select the Edit Stackup icon. Review the cross section of the 6 layer board, then close the Stackup Editor.

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HyperLynx LineSim (continued)

⓬ You need to assign a missing model to U13. Select U13, right-click, and select Assign Models.

⓭ In Assign Models, click Select.

⓮ In Select IC Model, choose xc9500.ibs from the Libraries list, and then choose XC95216_BGA352[SLW=0;VIO=0] from the Devices list, then click OK.

⓯ In Assign Models, select U13.io pins and change the Buffer settings to Output.

⓰ Click OK. All of the models are assigned and are ready for simulation.

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⓱ Click Run Interactive Simulation, the Digital Oscilloscope window opens. Select Rising Edge. Make sure different colors are assigned to the probes, and select Start Simulation.

⓲ In the Digital Oscilloscope window, on the waveform, select the top and bottom of the overshoot of the waveform to review the span of the voltage overshoot. (For Example, Receivers have over-shoot of about 2.1V.).

⓳ Save the results of the simulation for future use with the routed board. Click Save/Load, select HyperLynx .LIS and then click Save As. Save the file to the location C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\ LessonFinal with name DATA_BUS0_no_termination.lis. Click Yes to replace the existing file.

⓴ Close the Load/Save Waveforms dialog box.

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21 To fix the Signal Integrity problems, add RC Termination to the U15.13 receiver. Click Add RC Terminator to the schematic and position the top of the resistor so that it touches the left blue dot at the output of TL2 .

22 To assign values to the terminators, click the Run Terminator Wizard icon. Choose 5% from the Apply Tolerance dropdown list.

23 Click Apply Values, then click OK. The value is assigned to the terminators.

24 In the Digital Oscilloscope window, click Erase and rerun the simulation with RC Termination and the values assigned. You will notice that we cut down the overshoot by more than double (about 1.25V). We can continue to refine if necessary.

25 Save the results as we did in Step 19 with file name: DATA_BUS0_terminated.lis. Click Yes to replace the existing file.

26 Close Digital Oscilloscope and exit HyperLynx LineSim. Click Yes to save changes, then select File > Close Project.

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Review Questions

1 When would I want to use HyperLynx LineSim?2 How does HyperLynx LineSim know how the signal will perform on the

printed circuit board?3 How does HyperLynx LineSim fix signals that don’t perform as expected?4 Does HyperLynx LineSim select the actual components for terminators?

Review Answers

1 HyperLynx LineSim lets you model critical signals in your design and attempts to predict their expected behavior in the final board design. You can model a signal, use the tool to experiment with corrective measures, and save the simulations for future results comparisons.

2 HyperLynx LineSim uses industry standard component models to predict signal behaviors along with sophisticated internal algorithms and proprietary technologies.

3 HyperLynx LineSim features Wizards that can suggest possible modifications to your signal chain to correct aberrations and performance issues. Simply run the Wizard and the system presents you with suggestions to correct signal integrity issues.

4 HyperLynx LineSim offers suggested values for terminators, not specific part numbers. You must determine which manufacturer’s part number will meet the required specifications for the design.


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HyperLynx Analog is a board-level simulation analysis and verification tool that is integrated into Xpedition xDX Designer. HyperLynx Analog extends Xpedition xDX Designer to add analog and mixed-signal simulation to the Xpedition flow. This provides a complete design process from schematic capture to simulation to layout and back-annotation.This exercise will instruct you how to run circuit simulations with HyperLynx Analog, which includes: assigning simulation models to components, running DC, conducting transient, and AC simulations. Running simulation tests on circuits prior to, or concurrently with the PCB design helps eliminate wiring and polarity errors to ensure that the circuit works right the first time.HyperLynx Analog is easy to use, fast to setup and no longer requires library preparation. For a video demo, using a similar circuit for the features in this lesson and more, see: http://www.mentor.com/products/pcb-system-design /multimedia/better-pcb-analog-design-webinar.

Lesson 11: Xpedition xDX Designer Integration with HyperLynx Analog

HyperLynx Analog Setup

This section will demonstrate how to use the simulation capabilities of HyperLynx Analog.

❶ In Xpedition xDX Designer, select Recent and select C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\LessonFinal\LessonFinal.prj.

❷ Enable licensing for HyperLynx Analog:a. Setup > Settings > Licensing, check HyperLynx Analog and Press OK.b. If the HyperLynx Analog toolbar does not appear, select View > Toolbars > HLA Simulation to make it visible.

❸ Double-click the Inst_Amp block in the Project Navigator Blocks section.

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HyperLynx Analog Setup (continued)

❹ Click the Testbench Options button on the HyperLynx Analog toolbar to open the Testbench Options: Inst_Amp dialog box. Verify that HyperLynx Analog is enabled and click OK.

❺ Note: Steps 5 and 6 are optional for a demo, if you have time constraints, it has been completed.The passive components have had SPICE properties added, but if the properties are not in a library, it is easy to add the SPICE properties to the capacitors C1 and C2. Select C1, right-click on the symbol and select Simulation Model Properties to view that a model is assigned as Built In (Spice).

❻ While C1 is still selected, verify in the Properties Window that Order=VALUE$ ELDO_PARAMS$ and VALUE=.22uF.

❼ Close Simulation Model Properties.

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Adding SPICE Properties

Note: Steps 1 through 8 are optional for the evaluation and have been completed for you, if you have time constraints.

❶ Add the SPICE properties to the Op Amp. Go to www.analog.com, search for ad8638 spice and download the SPICE model (a copy AD8638.cir is in the project directory).

❷ In Xpedition xDX Designer, select Tools > Convert PSPICE libraries, and select the downloaded file. The file AD8638.cir has been saved in the project directory.This converts the file to one with an HLA prefix, and .lib suffix.

❸ Select the 4 OPAMPs (U1 and U2), then select Simulation Model Properties from the popup menu.

❹ Add the SPICE properties to the op amp...• Select SPICE from the dropdown. This opens the Model Properties dialog box• Select Model File • Browse to the converted model file, HLA_AD8638.lib• Select AD8638

❺ Press OK to close Model Properties, but stay in the Simulation Model Properties dialog box.

❻ Continue adding SPICE properties to the op amp…On the Pin Mapping tab, click View Model, and update the Model Ports pin information per the Model View information as shown. Hint: Select Reset All and in the Symbol Pins column use the dropdown list to assign the correct names for each Model Port.Click OK when finished.

❼ Verify in the Properties window that the Order property is Order=Model$ ELDO_PARAMS$

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Setting Up the Signal Sources

Note: Steps 1 through 7 are optional for the evaluation and have been completed for you, if you have time constraints.

❶ Set up the signal sources by activating the Sources button.

❷ Add 2 DC sources. Click New… in the Sources window.

❸ Add VDD as a DC source at 10V with input nodes of PWR and 0, 0 is the GND node.

❹ Add Offset as a DC source at 5V with input nodes of NEG_INPUT and 0.

❺ The results appear as shown in the Sources dialog.

❻ Add a third source, this will be a combination source with DC, AC and Transient properties, Time Type: Pulse. Click Define…

❼ The completed New Source and Pulse dialogs appear. Click OK to save the Sources.

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Editing the Simulation Dialog

❶ Click Simulate Design to open the Simulation Control dialog box.

❷ Review the Simulations information.❸ Review the DC Analysis information.❹ Review the Time Domain Analysis information.❺ Review the Frequency Analysis information.❻ Review the Operating Point Values information.❼ Click Simulate.❽ Review the results in the output window.

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Back Annotation to the Schematic

Show the Back Annotation on the schematic by:❶ Click the schematic window to make it active.❷ Click the Show Back Annotation button to see the

values on the schematic.❸ Click the schematic again.

Viewing the Results in EZwave

❹ When simulation completes, EZWave opens automati-cally. You can also open EZwave from the toolbar.

❺ Expand Inst_Amp and select AC to show the wave-form names in the lower left window pane, then drag V(amp_out) onto the workspace to view the AC results.

❻ Select TRAN to show the transient waveform results and drag V(amp_out) next to Workspace1 to create a new Transient waveform window.

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Using the Measurement Tool

Use the measurement tool to find peak-to-peak voltage and the frequency.❶ In EZwave, select Tools > Measurement Tool.❷ Select the Measurement type and click Apply.

Hints: � For peak-to-peak measurement select General > Peak to Peak � For frequency measurement select Time Domain > Frequency

❸ The measurement annotation can be selected and moved within the view.For more information, see Help >Tutorial!.

❹ Close the Measurement Tool and EZwave, then select File > Close Project.

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Review Questions

1 What models can be used for HyperLynx Analog simulation?2 Can HyperLynx Analog simulation results be back annotated to the

schematic?3 Can measurements be performed in EZwave window?

Review Answers

1 Spice models can be used for HyperLynx Analog simulation.2 Yes, by selecting the Show Back Annotation button, the schematic will

be updated.3 Yes, in the EZwave window you can measure different parameters of

the wave form. For example, Peak-to-Peak voltage or Frequency.


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This exercise walks you through the process of Packaging and integrating your Xpedition xDX Designer schematic to Xpedition xPCB Layout. Once completed, you will have a single integrated database that can exchange information easily through Forward and Backward Annotation.

Database IntegrationThis lesson will highlight the basic tasks utilized in Packaging, Integration through a Layout Template, Forward Annotation, and setting up embedded and cross probable views of the schematic and PCB databases for use in completing the design.

Lesson 12: Xpedition xDX Designer and Xpedition xPCB Layout Integration

Xpedition xDX Designer and Xpedition xPCB Layout Integration

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Packaging the Schematic

The Packager in Xpedition xDX Designer prepares the schematic database for integration with the PCB layout by mapping each logical component to a physical component in your Library. It also automatically assigns reference designators to components, if you have not already manually assigned them.The Packager flattens hierarchical designs and checks the design for pin and property mismatches with components in the library. For each error found during packaging, a hyperlink appears in the Output Window that helps you find and resolve these errors easily.

Running the Packager

❶ If not already open, open the C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\Lesson1\Lesson1.prj, and open the CORPORATE schematic.Note: If you have not done so, first run an Xpedition xDX Databook Verification on your design and make sure you have ALL Green Lights.Review the Xpedition xDX Databook lesson if you need to.

❷ Click Tools > Package… to open the Packager setup dialog box. Take a moment to look over the available settings. We will leave the settings as shown for this exercise.

❸ Click OK to run the Packager.❹ Success! Your schematic has been Packaged for integration without

errors. Review the output in the Packager tab in the Output Window, if you did have errors, you would need to correct them and would then re-run the Packager.Note: Successful Packaging is very important to you as a designer. It means that all of the parts on your schematic match pin for pin and property for property with the Library. This is a key element that saves you time with the “Correct by Construction” methodology in Xpedition.

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Layout Template Editor

❶ In Xpedition xDX Designer, select Tools > Library Manager to open your Library. The Library Manager opens.

❷ In Library Manager, select Tools > Layout Template Editor….❸ Select the Template_6Layer_Formatted template and open it in the

Xpedition xPCB layout editor by selecting the Edit Template icon.❹ In the Xpedition xPCB Editor window, choose the

Loc: Min Contents display scheme from the dropdown list, then select View > Fit All.

Library - PCB Layout Templates

PCB Layout Templates are used to construct a new PCB design. They can be completely blank PCB databases, or they can have pre-configured information like: fabrication and assembly drawing information, pre-defined layer stackup information, notes, library components, and even Constraint Manager baseline constraints. Xpedition provides you with a few examples in the Sample Library provided with the installation.You can make a new PCB Layout Template from any pre-existing PCB Layout. You can have as many templates as you need in your own Library.

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❺ Notice the Template has Formats, Fabrication Notes, and a Layer Stackup Drawing already placed. These items could be adjusted as needed within the template for future re-use. We will use this one as is, so once you have finished reviewing the template, click File > Exit.

❻ Close the Templates selection dialog box, then click File > Exit to close the Xpedition xDM Library Manager and return to your design.


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Connecting the Schematic and Layout

Now you have an error free and packaged schematic database. You also have a set of Layout Templates in your Library you can use to create new PCB layout databases.All we need to do now is integrate them…

Create the PCB Database

❶ Click Tools > Xpedition xPCB.Note: This command opens the Xpedition xDX Designer to Xpedition xPCB, Create New PCB Design dialog box. When a PCB database is currently linked to a schematic, Xpedition xPCB will open the layout.

❷ In the Xpedition xDX Designer to Xpedition xPCB dialog box, under Create New PCB design, choose Template_6Layer_Formatted from the "Select template" dropdown list.

❸ The PCB design database is created in the directory: C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\Lesson1\PCB, as shown.Note: The Central Library path is already set because it is in the Project File.

❹ Click OK, then click Yes to answer the PCB Directory message.❺ Click OK to close the Import Layout Template warning.

Note: When Importing a PCB Template into your design project, any previous layer stackup settings will be overwritten by the imported template.

❻ Click OK to close the back annotation message received the first time you integrate your design to a PCB template.

❼ Xpedition xPCB Layout loads, click No and do not start the Forward Annotation. The PCB database will load.Note: Typically you will answer Yes and Project Integration will load automatically to start Forward Annotation. In this lesson, we will walk you through the individual steps.

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PCB IntegrationNow that the schematic database is integrated with the PCB database, we have to Forward Annotate to load the netlist and constraint information into the PCB. You can run Forward Annotation in several ways within Xpedition xPCB Layout, but since this is a brand new design, we will use the Project Integration method.

Project Integration

❶ Xpedition has opened the CORPORATE PCB design, and you will see the template we chose from the Library.Notice the Traffic Signal lights in the lower right corner of the Status Bar. The First Amber Light signifies that there are schematic changes ready to be Forward Annotated to the PCB.

❷ Click Setup > Project Integration...❸ The Project Integration dialog box opens, showing the same

Traffic Signal lights.❹ Click the Additional Options… button and make sure all three

check boxes are checked. These create some files that we will use later.

❺ Click Close.❻ Review the settings in the Project Integration dialog box so

they are set as shown.❼ Click on the TOP Amber Light to start Forward Annotation. You

will see several message windows as the process completes.❽ Click OK to close the Forward Annotation Warning.

Note: Follow good design practice and always view any Log files for errors that may need to be corrected. Click the File Viewer… icon to open a list of files to view.

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Project Integration (continued)

❾ The schematic netlist and constraint information are loaded into the PCB database. Notice the Traffic Lights have updated to Green.

❿ If a Back Annotation is required, there will be an Amber Traffic Light for Back Annotation Required. Click Back Annotation Required to run a Back Annotation and complete the schematic to PCB integration process.Note: Whenever you introduce new design changes, you should always perform a complete Round Trip of the Forward and Backward Annotation process. This will guarantee that your schematic and PCB databases remain in sync.

⓫ If needed, click OK to close the Back Annotation message window. All of the Traffic Lights will now be Green.

⓬ Click Close to exit the Project Integration dialog box.⓭ Now is a good time to save your new PCB database by clicking

File > Save.

Your PCB database is ready to start the layout process!

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Embedded Xpedition xDX Designer or eDxD

This embedded view is a snapshot of the Xpedition xDX Designer schematic at the moment of Forward Annotation. Use this view for viewing and cross probing within Xpedition xPCB Layout without the need to open Xpedition xDX Designer.

❶ In pedition xPCB Layout, click Window > Add eDxD View.❷ Click on the 2:CORPORATE tab to view the schematic.

❸ To view additional sheets of the schematic, right-click Sheet and choose the sheet you want to view.

Embedded Schematic and PCB ViewsPrior to running Forward Annotation, you used the Additional Options button in the Project Integration dialog box to create files for later use. These files are the Embedded Xpedition xDX Designer and Xpedition xPCB Layout views.

Embedded Xpedition or eExp

Like the eDxD view, the eExp view is a snapshot of the Xpedition xPCB Layout PCB database at the moment of Backward Annotation. Use this view within Xpedition xDX Designer to view and cross probe to the PCB without having to open Xpedition.

❹ In Xpedition xDX Designer, click the eExp View icon or select View > eExp View. The new eExp window opens.

❺ Right-click inside the eExp window and select Show/Hide Toolbar to open the eExp window display controls.

We will learn more about these views and how to use them effectively in your design process in upcoming lessons.

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Review Questions

1 Why do I need to package the design?2 Why use Xpedition xDX Designer to Xpedition and Project Integration?3 Do I need to create a PCB Layout Template?

Review Answers

1 Packaging your design is an essential step in making sure that all of the symbols placed in your schematic match the physical component land patterns within the library. It also checks the logical pin information between the symbols and the components. It is a key element in making your design “Correct by Construction”.

2 When you have finished your schematic, you need to forward annotate the design to Xpedition xPCB Layout for physical design. Instead of manually sending files back and forth, Project Integration lets you establish a seamless bidirectional link between the applications and automatically pass design data from one application to the other. This simplifies the process and eliminates any possible problems that might be encountered in a manual data exchange.

3 Several PCB Layout Templates are included with the installation of Xpedition xPCB. You can use these for your designs, edit them for your requirements, or create new ones that are specific to your company’s requirements. In order to integrate your schematics with a PCB layout database, you must have at least one PCB Layout Template in your Library.


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In this section:

PCB Design with Xpedition xPCB Layout

� Xpedition xPCB Layout Environment � Setting Up a New Board Design � Placement � Creating Rules and Constraints with Constraint Manager � Variant Management � AutoActive Interactive Routing � Final Layout Considerations � Design Verification

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Lesson 13: Xpedition xPCB Layout Environment

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Xpedition xPCB Layout Environment

Opening Xpedition xPCB Layout

❶ From your Desktop, click pedition xPCB Layout or select Start > Mentor Graphics SDD EEVX.1 (32 or 64-bit) > Layout > pedition xPCB Layout.

❷ From the pedition xPCB Layout Start Page click Open, then browse and choose: C:\pedition_Evaluation\LessonFinal\PCB\CORPORATE.pcb.

Xpedition xPCB Layout is fully integrated with Xpedition xDX Designer and follows the same Windows navigation standards. It supports pulldown menus, hot keys, customizable toolbars, toolboxes, and enhanced tooltips. Context sensitive menus are supported; when you right-click, the popup menus options vary depending on the object you select or the operation you are entering.As with Xpedition xDX Designer, the interface is fully customizable. Xpedition xPCB Layout also includes the Advanced Windows navigation features of Tear-off Menus, Dockable and Auto-hideable Windows.Maintaining the interface features across all of the pedition tools minimizes the transition between them.


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Introduction to the User Interface (Main Window)Menus Toolbars Workspace

Status Bar Action Keys Toolbar



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ToolbarsAll of the Toolbars in Xpedition xPCB Layout are Dockable/Undockable in different locations within the Editor Window. They are fully customizable, so you can add or remove buttons that you commonly use in your designs.

❶ Add Toolbars by selecting View > Toolbars, and choose the toolbar you want to add. The example shows the Route toolbar.

❷ You can Order and Dock Toolbars along any edge of the Editor Window simply by dragging them to a new location.

❸ You can Undock Toolbars by dragging them away from the edge. Re-Dock them by dragging them back to the edge.

❹ To customize toolbars, select View > Toolbars > Customize.❺ To add or remove buttons from any toolbar, click Toolbar Options,

then click Add or Remove Buttons, and choose the buttons you want to add or remove.

❻ To reset a toolbar, click Toolbar Options and click Reset Toolbar.

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Toolbars

The Standard Toolbar

The Place Toolbar The Snap Toolbar

Previous View

Fit Board

Unhighlight All

Highlight Selected

Redo

Undo

Find

Save

iCES Constraints

Editor Control

Review Hazards

DRC Visualization

Batch DRC

File Viewer

Design Status

Selection List

Properties

Next View

Display Control

Constraints

Display Scheme Dropdown List

Component Explorer

Align Left

Dissolve Group

Add to Group

Push

Rotate 180

Rotate 90

Align Top

Align Right

Align Bottom

Place Tentative Snap

Remove Snap Pt

Use Snap Point

Place Static Snap

Previous Snap Keypoint

Next Snap Keypoint

Toggle Hover Snap

The X-Y Readout Toolbar

The Route ToolbarNetwork Explorer

Fanout Manual Saw Tune

Plow/ Multiplow

Sketch Router

Manual Tune

Remove Hangars

Gloss

Sketch Route Style

Copy Trace

Netline Manipulation

Modify Corner

Change Width

Add Trace Drops

Add Teardrops

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The Draw Edit Toolbar

The Draw Create Toolbar

Toolbars (continued)

The Utilities Toolbar

Add PCB View

Add eDxD View

Print Preview

Tile Window Vertically

Cascade Window

PrintProject Integration

Tile Window

Horizontally

Gerber Plot Setup

Properties

Circle

Rectangle

Polygon

Polyline

Arc by Radius\3 Pt

Line

Text

Snap To Grid

Active Arc

Drawing Angle Lock

Draw Object Snap Grid

Place Tangent

Arc

Trim

Delete Endpoint

Handle

Create Polygon or

Polyline

Join

Copy

Send Back

Bring Forward

Select Object Handles

RotateFlip Horizontal

Flip Vertically

Copy Parallel

Copy Perpendicular

Dissolve Polygon or

Polyline

Extend Subtract

Merge

Scale

Segment Line


3D View

Extended Print

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Toolbars (continued)

The Edit Toolbar

Delete

Unlock

Lock

Unfix

Semi Fix

Fix

Change Layer

Cut

Copy to

Clipboard

Move

Paste

Rotate 90

Rotate 180

The Dimension Toolbar

Place Stacked

Dimension

Dimension Params

Radius or Diameter Dimension

Ordinate Dimension

Angle Dim Between 2 Linear

Elements

Ang From X Axis of

Linear Element

Place Dim Between

2 Elements

Place Dimension Along a

Linear Element

Set Selection Area Shape to Rectangle

Set Selection Area Shape

to Line

Reset Selection

Split Traces at Area Extents

Inside Area Selection

Segment Based

Selection

Shape Properties

Set Selection Area Shape

to Circle

Set Selection Area Shape to Polygon

The Select By Area Toolbar

Measure Minimum Distance

Cumulative Mode

Measure Readout

Segment Mode

Centerline Mode

Edge Mode

Measure Distance

Center Mode

The Measure Toolbar

The Active Group Toolbar



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Action Keys ToolbarIn Xpedition xPCB Layout there are many ways to use the same commands. The Action Keys are a context and command sensitive toolbar that changes dynamically depending on the command you are using.

❹ To use an Action Key, either click with your mouse or press the corresponding Function key on your keyboard.

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Extended TooltipsAll of the toolbar icons contain tooltips to help you understand the commands you select. Xpedition xPCB Layout also contains extended tooltip animation for most of the commands on the toolbars. These animations provide you with a brief video of how to use the command. Quick-key commands are also provided within the tooltips.

❶ Select View > Toolbars > Route. This adds the Route toolbar to the toolbars section of the interface.

❷ Hover over the Plow or Multi-Plow selected nets icon. The normal tooltip is shown along with the Quick-key command.

❸ Hover over the Plow icon again, but leave your cursor over the icon for brief time (about 3 seconds). The animation for the command begins playing and shows additional information about the command usage.

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Modeless Commands and Mouse UsageJust like Xpedition xDX Designer, Xpedition xPCB Layout has command line shortcuts and Mouse Strokes.

Keyin CommandsKeyins are two-character modeless action-object commands.

❶ In the Editor Window, type the characters “pr”. The Keyin Command dialog box opens showing the command syntax for Place Ref-des.Note: The keyin command example shown (pr -dist r*) will Place all of the R* reference designator components in a Distributed pattern.

❷ Entering “?” in the Keyin Command dialog box will open Help for Keyin commands.

Mouse Usage and Strokes

❸ Use the left mouse button for selection and deselection of objects under the cursor.

❹ Use the middle mouse button or scroll wheel for Zoom In and Out. Pan by holding down the middle mouse button and moving the cursor in the direction of pan. Use the Shift + middle mouse button to create a zoom window in and out of an area and use the CTRL + middle mouse button to fit the board to the screen.

❺ Use the right mouse button for context sensitive popup menus.❻ Drag the right mouse button for Strokes.

Dragging a “?” in the Editor Window will view Help for Strokes.Note: View Help for more information about Keyins, Mouse Mappings and Strokes.

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Net ExplorerThis spreadsheet interface provides methods to organize and view nets. You can create netline Planning Groups to display only the netlines you want to view.You can also apply Filtering and Marking to netlines, and can use the same Display Control Marking capabilities used in Component Explorer. Common features between these two navigation tools means you do not have to learn different interfaces.Net Explorer helps you view the nets you need to route and reduces your overall routing schedule.

During the layout of your PCB, when users need to perform Placement and Routing, Xpedition xPCB Layout offers several new navigation tools that can be used throughout the layout process.

Additional PCB Layout Navigation Tools

Component ExplorerThis spreadsheet interface allows you to create Component Planning Groups, Filter and Mark components. You can use this with Display Control features to view Netlines for Marked Components, Nets Between Marked Components, and Nets From Marked Components functions to show only the netlines of interest.Component Explorer helps you navigate to the components in your layout and reduce the time required to complete placement.


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Editor Control In Xpedition xPCB Layout, there are many option settings that you can use while placing and routing your layout. These settings are controlled with Editor Control. You can save groups of settings in Editor Control as schemes for recalling later in a design or share withother designs.

❶ Select Setup > Editor Control or click the Editor Control icon on the Standard Toolbar.

❷ Editor Control contains three tabs: Place, Route and Grids.

❸ Placement settings are available on the Place tab.

❹ Routing controls are available on the Route tab.

❺ Grid settings for Placement, Routing, Vias, and Draw items are on the Grids tab.

❻ The Common Settings section allows you to disable Online DRC, receive warnings when moving fixed objects, change the time between Autosaves, and save Schemes.Note: Disabling Online DRC is NOT recommended.

❼ Tip: Since you use Editor Control often during your layout, you may want to Autohide the dialog box so that when hovering over the collapse tab it will allow the dialog to slide open automatically for usage.

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Display Control Display Control provides access to the commands and options that define the display view characteristics and selection filtering in your design. Each of the Display Control tabs shares a common set of elements: color boxes, radio buttons, item check boxes and group check boxes. These provide an intuitive and consistent environment.The Display Control interface is also customizable. You can Hide sections that you do not use often to increase the screen area for the sections that you do use. A Favorites section is also available to place items that you use often during a design to increase productivity. You can save all of these customizations to a Local, System, or a User Defined location Scheme for use with other designs. As with Editor Control, Display Control is a primary navigation tool used during your design process.

❶ Click Fit Board.❷ Select View > Display Control or click the Display Control icon. Review

the options available in each tab.Note: Since Display Control is used often during a design, you may wish to Auto-Hide it.

❸ In Display Control, click the Scheme dropdown list and choose All Off.❹ In the Global View & Interactive Selection section of the Edit tab,

expand Board Objects and enable Visibility for all of the objects.❺ Zoom to the lower left of the board and hover your mouse cursor over

the Board Outline and note that nothing highlights.❻ In the Global View & Interactive Selection section, enable Selection

for all of the objects.❼ Repeat step 5 and note the Board Outline now highlights and can be

selected.

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Display Control Search The Display Control dialog contains a vast amount of information for viewing and selecting objects within your layout. If you add User Draft Layers to your designs, the amount of objects will increase. Display Control Search makes it easy to find objects within the dialog when needed.

❶ Click the Edit tab in Display Control.❷ Click the Display Control title bar and start typing the text “Net”.❸ The Search Bar appears, and the first instance of the text “Net” in

Display Control appears highlighted.❹ Click the Find next button in the Search Bar to find the next instance of

the text “Net” in Display Control.Note: You can also use Find previous for your searches.

❺ Once you have found the object you were searching for, click Finish search.



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Select Mode, Intelligent Cursors, and Context Sensitive Menus When designing in Xpedition xPCB Layout, you are in Select Mode. This mode uses the Selection Filters in Display Control to provide intelligent cursor feedback and context sensitive right mouse button menus based on the objects you select.

❶ Hover the cursor over the Fiducial. Note the Locked Cursor.Note: The Status Bar also provides information on the object.

❷ Right-click on the fiducial and click Fix/Lock > Unlock.❸ Repeat step 1, but note the Move Cursor showing that this fiducial can

be moved.❹ Repeat step 2 and click Fix/Lock > Fix. Note the Fixed Cursor.

Selection List In Xpedition xPCB Layout, selected objects are placed in the Selection List. You can easily access this list to verify or refine a selection set.

❺ Drag a frame select to define a selection area around the Board Outline, Fiducial and Mounting Hole as shown. The objects are selected.

❻ Right-click and click Selection > Selection List.❼ The Selection List shows four objects selected.❽ You can select any object in the list to: Fit It in the view, Blink It so it

can be easily dectected, Define the Sort Order, or Remove it from the Selection set.

❾ Close the Selection List.

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Creating a Scheme There are many schemes already provided with Xpedition xPCB Layout. You can edit any of them to your personal requirements, or you can easily create new ones.

❶ Click Fit Board.❷ In Display Control, choose the Placement_Create scheme. The scheme

has been started for you, but a few items should be added to make it more effective. Note the layers currently viewed.

❸ In the Display Control > Objects tab, expand Place and enable both Top and Bottom Facement: Group Outlines, Part Ref Des, and Place Outlines.

❹ Expand Part Items and enable Part Hazards and Rooms for Top and Bottom Facement.

❺ Right-click on Part Ref Des and Add to Favorites so you can easily access it from the Edit tab.

❻ Enable Place Obstructs for the Top and Bottom Facement.

❼ Expand Netlines > Netline Types and add Non-Ordered Open and Ordered Open to your Favorites.

❽ Click the Edit tab and review the Favorites you added.

❾ Save the scheme and name it Placement_FirstLast then enable Save locally with design and click OK.

❿ Note the new display objects now available in the view and thus saved in the newly created Display Scheme for recall at any time.

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Adding Views Xpedition xPCB Layout allows you to add view windows to create multiple work areas that can be set for different graphical settings and areas within a design. These views are used individually but updated simultaneously.

❶ Select Window > Add PCB View.❷ The view is added as a second tab, 2: CORPORATE.❸ Select Window > Tile Vertically.❹ Click the 2:CORPORATE view to make it active.❺ Click Display Control and choose the Routing scheme.

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❻ In the 1:CORPORATE view, zoom to and select U25. Notice that U25 is also selected in the 2:CORPORATE view.

❼ Right-click the Tab for 2:CORPORATE and click Floating. The view is undocked and can be re-sized and moved where you want it.

❽ Close the 2:CORPORATE view and Maximize the 1:CORPORATE view.

❾ Click Fit Board and Exit Xpedition xPCB Layout without saving.


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Review Questions

1 Do I need to have all of the Toolbars visible?2 Can I create my own menus and toolbars?3 Are my Favorites and Hidden Rows saved with my schemes?4 Can I view multiple schemes at the same time?

Review Answers

1 Some designers like to have all of the toolbars visible, but this is your choice. In Xpedition xPCB Layout, all of the commands needed during a design session are available on the Standard Menu. Additional commands are also on right mouse button context sensitive menus and the Action Keys.

2 Using the menu and toolbar Customize menus, you can create menus and toolbars that contain only the commands you wish to use. These are saved into your local configuration.

3 Anything you change in Display Control that you save into a scheme is saved. This includes Favorites, Hidden Rows, and also anything in the Color by Net, Class, or Group sections.

4 Only one scheme per Editor Window view is allowed, but by using Multiple PCB view windows, you can use different schemes in each window, and move easily between the windows as you design.


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Lesson 14: Setting Up a New Board Design

Setup Parameters General Settings

❶ Open Xpedition xPCB Layout. ❷ Select File > Open, then browse to

C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\Lesson2\PCB , then double-click CORPORATE.pcb.

❸ Select Setup > Setup Parameters...❹ Click the General tab and review the settings shown in the figure.

Verify that they match.Your PCB layout will have 6 physical layers.The Units you will design in will be Thousandths or Mils.Note: The General tab is also where you:

� Remap Layers to add or reduce the PCB stackup layer count � Add or remove User Defined Layers � Change Padstack Technology files � Modify Test Point settings.

(Note: All of these settings in Setup Parameters were preset in your Layout Template. This is an easy way to be consistent and more efficient with your layouts.)

Now that you have integrated your PCB database, you are ready to start your PCB layout. First, setup the PCB database for any specific design requirements. This includes the Board Outline, Mounting Holes, Fiducials, and Keepouts. Settings for Database Units, Layer Stackup, and Vias will also be needed to prepare your database for layout. ❷

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Setting Up a New Board Design

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Setup Parameters (continued) Via Definition

❶ Click the Via Definitions tab. There is currently a Through Via setup in this design. In Via Definitions, there can be only one Through via defined. If you need additional Through via sizes in your design, they are added in Constraint Manager. You will add one for Power and Ground signals prior to routing the layout.

Creating HDI Vias (Blind and Buried)Xpedition xPCB Layout makes it easy to set up HDI vias. When used during routing, Xpedition xPCB Layout will automatically recognize the HDI via layer structure for you.

❷ You need to change the outer layers of the design to Buildup layers. Click the dropdown list for Laminate 1-2 and change to Buildup 1-2. Repeat the steps for Laminate 5-6 and change it to Buildup 5-6.

❸ Click the New icon to add a via. A new column appears in the dialog box.❹ In the new via column, for the Padstack row, click the dropdown list and

select the VC025D010P_UVIA_NSM via padstack. This via padstack is a Micro Via, typically laser drilled during PCB fabrication.

❺ In the new via column, click in the green box for the Buildup 1-2 row. This establishes the via padstack to be used when routing between layers 1 and 2.

❻ Using the previous steps 3 through 5, create a new Micro via that will be used to route between Buildup layers 5 and 6.

❼ Again, use the previous steps 3 through 5, select the padstack VC060D030P from the dropdown list to create the Buried via padstack on Laminate layers 2 through 5 that will connect the 2 Micro vias, creating a 1-4-1 HDI via structure.

❽ Click the Sort icon and review the Via Definitions you created. They should match the figure shown. You may need to click the sort icon a second time to match the screenshot.

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Setup Parameters (continued) Via Clearances

❶ Click the Via Clearances tab. The Via Clearances tab is used to override same net Via to Via clearance rules between different via stack definitions. Take a moment to review the dialog box.

❷ Click OK to save the settings and close Setup Parameters.The board will reload with the new settings.

Layer StackupYou can define the conductive and dielectric materials that make up the structure of the board. Layer stackup structures are modified in Constraint Manager with the Stackup Editor.You will need to adjust the thickness of the outer layers of the board since we modified these as Buildup layers for the HDI vias.

❸ Open Constraint Manager by selecting Setup > CES..., or by clicking the Constraint Manager toolbar icon. Select Setup > Stackup Editor.

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Setup Parameters Layer Stackup (continued)

❺ Select the text entry field in the Thickness column for Layer Name SIGNAL_1, enter the value 0.7.

❻ Repeat step 5 for Layer Name SIGNAL_6.❼ Select the text entry field in the Thickness column for the Dielectric

layer between SIGNAL_1 and SIGNAL_2, and change the value to 2.❽ Change the Thickness of the Dielectric between SIGNAL_5 and

SIGNAL_6 to the value 2.❾ Review the figure shown for the Layer Stackup settings you will use

in your board.You can also change the Layer Name in the Stackup Editor, but the names must be unique.

❿ Select the text entry field in the Layer Name column for SIGNAL_3 and enter the name change to PLANE_3.

⓫ Repeat step 10 for Layer Name SIGNAL_4, and change it to PLANE_4.⓬ Click OK, to close the

Stackup Editor and save the changes.

⓭ The New Layer Names are reflected in Display Control.

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Drawing the Board OutlineYour PCB design must have a Board Outline which defines the physical border of the PCB board. Xpedition allows only one. If you define a new outline, it replaces the existing outline. Your board will also need a Route Border to define the route and plane area of your board.

❶ Click Fit Board to fit the Board Outline to the view.❷ Select Draw > Board Outline.❸ In the Properties dialog box, the Type is set to Board Outline. Type 5 in the

Line width text entry field .❹ Click in the Vertices 1 X text box, type 0, then press the Tab key.❺ In the Vertices 1 Y text box, type 0, then press the Tab key. A line now

extends from the 0,0 coordinates to your cursor and the Properties dialog box is ready to accept more coordinate entries.

❻ Use steps 4 and 5 and starting from the Vertices X text box for coordinate #2, enter the rest of the coordinates from the table shown. Your cursor will show the coordinates as they are entered.

❼ When you enter the last coordinate from the table, the polygon will complete and a warning message will appear. Click OK and your Board Outline is completed.NOTE: Check the box in the warning dialog to not display the warning message again.

❽ Close the Properties dialog box.❾ Save your design, but do not close it.

Note: All shapes (including the Board Outline), can be created using coordinates entered manually in the Properties dialog box, or by digitizing the coordinates with the mouse.You can also use the File > Import DXF or IDF commands to import any shape coordinate files created on 3rd party mechanical EDA systems.

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Modifying Shapes (Board Outline)You can easily edit all shapes, including the Board Outline. In order to edit shapes, you must first have the proper selection filters enabled. You can also easily Add Corners, Chamfers and Radii to any shape.

❶ Click Display Control, or click the Display Control Auto Hide tab.❷ Click the Edit tab, and in the Global View and Interactive Selection

section, expand the Board Objects and make sure they are checked for Visibility and Selection.

❸ From the menubar, select View > Toolbars > X-Y Readout.❹ Zoom into the Board Outline in the area shown, and select the outline.❺ Select the White Corner Handle at 590,324 and right-click Properties,

change the Vertex Type to Round. The handle box should appear filled.❻ Select the White Corner Handle at 590,0 and in Properties, change the

Vertex Type to Chamfer.❼ Select any Red Center Handle and Drag to move the segment. Click

Undo to put the segment back.❽ Select any Red Center Handle, press the CTRL key and Drag to add a

new Corner Handle. Click Undo to remove the new handle.Note: You can Select and Drag any Corner Handle to move it.

❾ Using step 4 and 5, change the vertices in the edge connector area as shown, then Save your board.

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Drawing the Route Border using Copy ShapeYou could redraw the Route Border for this board, but you can also use Copy to duplicate any shape. When a new Route Border is defined, it replaces the existing one.

❶ Select the Board Outline.❷ Hold the CTRL key and double-click on the Board Outline. It copies the

shape and highlights the newly-created copy.❸ Right-click and open Properties. The new shape is shown as a Draw

Object on the Assembly Top layer.❹ Change the Type to Route Border.❺ To make sure that all routed copper is pulled back from the edge of the

Board Outline by 20th, in the Grow/Shrink text entry field enter -20 to Shrink the Route Border. Press <Enter>. Your Route Border is now completed.

❻ Close the Properties dialog box.

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Plane Classes and ParametersBefore you assign planes, you need to define the settings for generated plane copper. Plane Classes and Parameters define Thermal definitions, General clearances, and Hatching options for planes. You can also create Plane Classes when differences are required between plane structures.

❶ Select Planes > Plane Classes and Parameters…❷ Click New Plane Class, and enter POWER for the Plane Class.❸ Click the Thermal Definition tab, and choose Buried from the Default

via connections > Tie legs dropdown list.All vias in your board will be directly connected to the planes.

❹ Click the Clearances/Discard/Negative tab, and select All untied areas from the Discard plane area options.This setting allows the planes automation to remove any small or large plane area that is not directly connected to a pad or via.

❺ Click the Hatch Options tab, and verify that the Width and Distance are 6(th), and the Metal is 100%.These settings create a Solid plane with no hatch pattern.

❻ Click OK to save the settings.

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Planes SetupSet up planes for your main power rail signals at the beginning of the design so they can be used as a reference during placement and routing.Plane generation is dynamic and WYSIWYG. You can have Positive, Negative and Split-Mixed planes in your board.

❶ Select Planes > Plane Assignments…❷ Click the dropdown box for Layer Usage on Layers 3 and 4, and choose

Plane.❸ Click the dropdown box for Plane Data State on Layers 3 and 4, and choose

Dynamic.Note: There are other states for plane data: Draft and Static, but to use true WYSIWYG, set your planes to Dynamic.

❹ Click the Assign Nets icon for Layer 3, Add/remove nets from plane layer.

❺ Find netname GND in the Excluded column and move it to the Included column. Click OK.HINT: Select the first entry in the list and type "G" on the keyboard to quickly locate the GND net.

❻ Using steps 4 and 5 for Layer 4, and add netname VDD.❼ Click the option button for Layers 3 and 4, Use route border as plane

shape. Since you added a Route Border, for these planes you will not need to add a separate shape.

❽ Setup and verify your Plane Assignments to the figure shown.Note: The Plane Class is POWER. The Plane Data State is Inherited for these two planes. They will adopt the Dynamic state and POWER class.

❾ Click OK to save and close the Plane Assignments.

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Defining Routeable LayersOnce you have defined planes, you must change the Layer Settings to Enable or Disable layers for routing. You must also set the routable layer pairing and direction bias.

❶ Click the Editor Control button or the Editor Control Auto Hide tab, and then click the Route tab in Editor Control.

❷ Expand the Dialogs section and click Layer Settings...❸ Change the settings for Layers 3 and 4 (Note the ”P” signifying that this is a

Plane layer)by unchecking the box for Enable Layer. Since these are planes, disabling this options prevents routing on these layers from occuring.

❹ The Bias column sets the direction for routed traces.❺ In the Layer Pair column, click the dropdown box in the Layer 1 row,

and choose Layer 6 to pair these layers.❻ Repeat step 5 for the Layer 2 row, and choose Layer 5 to pair these

layers.Note: Layer Pairing defines the complement layer for routing when an automatic layer change method is used.

❼ Click OK to save and close the Layer Settings.❽ Click the Display Control tab, and then click the Edit tab.

In the Layer Display section verify: � the Active Layer and its pair are highlighted � the Planes are disabled (shown dimmed) � the Bias directions are shown

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Adding Mechanical FeaturesWhen setting up a new board you may need to add mechanical features like Mounting Holes, Fiducials, and Keep Out Areas.

Placing Origins

❶ Click Fit Board to see the entire board.❷ Select Place > Origin…❸ Click the Type dropdown, and choose Board, and for the Location enter

X: 295.28 and Y: 190.16.❹ Click Apply, then click Fit Board to see that the Board Origin has moved.

Note the warning dialog and dismiss it by clicking Yes.❺ Repeat steps 3 and 4 again, but choose NC Drill as the origin to move,

and for the Location enter X: 0 and Y: 0.❻ Close Place Origin.

Placing Mounting Holes

❼ Select Place > Mounting Hole…❽ Choose the Padstack MC100D380N dropdown box.❾ Enter X: 0 and Y: 0 for the first Location.❿ Choose Locked from the Lock Status dropdown to keep the mounting

hole from being moved after placement.⓫ Click Apply to place the first mounting hole.⓬ Repeat steps 9 through 11 using the coordinates in the chart to place

the last 3 mounting holes.⓭ Close Place Mounting Hole.

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Placing Fiducials

❶ Zoom in on the lower left mounting hole. ❷ Select Place > Fiducial...❸ Choose the Padstack Fiducial Round Cell 100.❹ Click Apply, the Fiducial attaches to the cursor.❺ Place the first Fiducial as shown.

Note: The Fiducial is placed on the Top (Layer 1), which is the active layer.

❻ Right-click and select Push to switch the active placement layer to the Bottom of the board.

❼ Place the Bottom Fiducial in the same location as the previous one you placed on the Top.

❽ Repeat steps 2 through 7 to place 2 more sets of fiducials as shown.

❾ Right-click and select Cancel Place to end placement mode.

❿ Close the Place Fiducial dialog box.

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Placing Obstructs (Keepouts)

❶ Zoom in on the lower left mounting hole.❷ Click Display Control > Objects and expand Route Obstructs.❸ Check the Obstructs as shown to make them visible.

Note: The mounting holes and fiducials have routed trace and via obstructs built into the library components.

❹ Click Editor Control > Grids > Other Grids, then enter 25 for the Drawing grid.

❺ Select Fit Board, then zoom in on the right hand board edge.❻ Select Draw > Placement Obstruct.❼ In Properties, choose Top from the Layer dropdown.❽ Draw the Placement Obstruct approximately as shown to protect

placement of components too close to the board edge.❾ Save and Close your design.

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Review Questions

1 Why do I want to create a Board Outline and Route Border?2 Does the Board Outline need to be a single continuous polygon?3 Can I add cutouts to the board outline?4 Can additional planes be added to the board at any time?5 What types of Mounting Holes can I use?

Review Answers

1 The Board Outline acts as the design boundary. Components and routing can be setup to maintain specific clearances from the Board Outline and Route Border. The Board Outline is used as a reference point for offsetting plane edges, and also represents the routing (milling) path for producing the final board shape extents.

2 The Board outline is constructed as a continuous closed polygon to maintain the integrity of the design object.

3 Yes, Contours can be used to add Cutouts and Slots to the interior of the Board Outline to accommodate any mechanical requirements.

4 Planes can be setup at the beginning of the design, but you may add additional planes during the placement, routing, or any phase of your design.

5 Mounting Hole types are defined within your Library. They can be Plated or Non-Plated. They can be any shape, including slots. They can also in-clude Routing and Placement Obstructs as needed.


168 Placement

Lesson 15: Placement

Open the Design File for Placement

❶ Open Xpedition xPCB Layout and from the Start Page select Open, then browse to and choose: C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\Lesson3\PCB\CORPORATE.pcb

❷ Select Display Control, then choose the Placement scheme from the dropdown list.

❸ Select Editor Control > Place and verify that Online 2D Placement DRC is set to Warning.

❹ Select Editor Control > Grids.❺ Expand the Part Grids section, then enter 25 for the Primary and 5 for

the Secondary grid values.Note: Components with more than 14 pins will use the Primary Grid.

❻ Click the Constraint Manager toolbar icon, then click the Clearances within the Navigator.

❼ Click General Clearances, (or select Edit > Clearances > General Clearances from the Constraint Manager toolbar) and change the Placement Outline to Placement Outline value to 10.Note: This will allow component packages bodies to be placed at a minimum distance of 10 without DRC violations.

❽ Click OK to save your changes, then close Constraint Manager.

When designing a PCB, the actual percentage of route completion depends on your placement strategy. Careful placement will minimize issues later in the design cycle.You can place parts in pedition with multiple methods. The most common method is with Component Explorer, but you can also place by schematic or the embedded schematic file created during forward annotation. Component Explorer allows you to Group, Filter, Search, Sort and Mark components for ease of use during the placement phase.

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169Placement


The Component Explorer Spreadsheet and Toolbar

❶ Select Place > Component Explorer...❷ Click the Ref Des header in the first column to sort the column.❸ Click Toggle Filters. These panes allow you to use the drop-down filter

or enter your own search criteria for the column.❹ The Navigator lists all of the Components, Planning Groups, Spares,

Mechanical and Drawing Cells available for placement. ❺ The Components tab lists all electrical components. The Other tab

lists Mechanical and Drawing items.❻ Review and Scroll through the available column information. Move the

column locations by selecting and dragging them to a new location.❼ Right-click on any column to choose which columns to display. ❽ Select any component and click Component Preview for a preview of

the Cell.❾ Based on your selection criteria, Connection Options provides

netlist information in the Connections column about components. Connection options drive the connection count in the connections column of the spreadsheet.Explore the spreadsheet interface, and when you are ready, you can start placement.

Component ExplorerComponent Explorer is a spreadsheet interface used during component placement. It allows you to place individual components or Planning Groups of components. Search and Sort features will also allow you to find and mark components easily.

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170 Placement

Placing Planning GroupsComponent Explorer helps you to quickly floor plan your layout. Placing these Top level groups first, then extracting components from within the groups will allow you to place your design with more efficiency.

❶ Click Fit Board.❷ In the Component Explorer Navigator, select the planning group

CONNECTORS and drag it into the board.❸ Inside of the bubble, right-click on the reference designator and choose

P1 from the list of available parts, then drag it to the location shown.❹ Click on each new Ref Des within the bubble and drag it to the

placement locations shown. The bubble disappears when the group has been completely placed and the Group Outline now represents all of the placed items in that group.

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171Placement


Placing Planning Groups (continued)

❺ Repeat step 2 to place the remaining Planning Groups as shown.Note: The Navigator shows the CONNECTORS group Placed, (notice the icon next to the name has changed) and the other groups Unplaced. You may right-click the group name for a status report. Also, the LOGIC_REUSE group has Unplaced sub-groups which will be placed later. The State column provides information if the components are: Placed, Unplaced, or Dispersed outside of the board outline.

Connectivity relationships are also shown between the Planning Groups.

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172 Placement

Placing Components Individually or Sequentially

❶ Enter U2 in the Filter pane of the Ref Des column and press enter to search for the component (be sure the top level of the Navigator pane is selected).

❷ Select U2 and drag it into the board. Zoom into the area if needed.❸ Using the dropdown list in the Filter pane of the Ref Des column,

choose U*.❹ Select U3 thru U5, and drag them into the board. Each

component will attach to the cursor and be placed sequentially in the order selected in Component Explorer (you may need to sort the Ref Des column to make this task easier).

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173Placement


Create a New Planning GroupYou can easily create New Planning Groups or add to existing groups within Component Explorer and these group changes will be back annotated to your schematic.

❶ Right-click the Root Navigator group and select New.❷ Rename Newgroup1 to DIFFRECV.❸ Select and right-click the group DIFFRECV, and select Set to Active

Group.❹ From the Ref Des column select the components U2 thru U5 that you

just placed. ❺ Right-click and select Add to Active Group to complete the group (you

may also add components directly from the layout view right-click Selection>Add Selected to Active group).Note: Making any existing group the Active group will allow you to add more components to that group.

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174 Placement

Add New Components to Room

❼ Select the Root level in Navigator and find Ref Des U101.❽ Scroll right to the Assigned Area column, and choose RM-ANALOG from

the drop-down list.❾ Right-click on the ANALOG_SW group and Set to Active Group.❿ Right-click on U101 and Add to Active Group.

Creating Placement RoomsIn the Xpedition xDX Designer lesson Adding Rules and Constraints Using Constraint Manager, you created a placement rule to constrain components to a specific area of your board. This is called a Room. You will now add the Room to your board.

❶ Click the Fit Selected and Toggle Cross Probe icons in the Component Explorer toolbar.

❷ Select the ANALOG_SW group in the Navigator and scroll the spreadsheet to the last column. The Assigned Area (Room) is named RM-ANALOG for this group.Note: The Group has been selected and fitted in the editor window

❸ Zoom out slightly.❹ Select Draw > Room, in the Properties dialog box Layer drop-down list

choose Both. In the Name drop-down list, choose ANALOG.❺ Draw the Room as shown (use the F9 Action key to create a rectangle).❻ Close Properties.

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175Placement


Placing Components from the SchematicIf you choose not to use Component Explorer for placement, you can always cross probe and place from the Xpedition xDX Designer schematic.

❶ Click Fit Board.❷ Click Setup > Design Entry to open Xpedition xDX Designer, then

double-click on the control_buffers schematic sheet.❸ Zoom into the area of U15 and U16.

Note: The symbols for U15 and U16 are highlighted Gray, denoting that the components are not placed on the PCB.

❹ In the Layout, click Place by Schematic in the Component Explorer toolbar.

❺ Select U15 in the schematic, then move the cursor into the board area. U15 is attached to the cursor. Place the component as shown.

❻ Repeat step 5 for U16.Note: U15 and U16 are now highlighted Blue denoting that the components are now placed in the PCB.

❼ Close Xpedition xDX Designer.

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176 Placement

Placing Components from the Embedded Schematic ViewThe Embedded Xpedition xDX Designer schematic view can be used for cross probing and placement, without having to open Xpedition xDX Designer.

❶ Click Fit Board.❷ Select Window > Add eDXD View, then select Window > Tile Vertically

to show both windows side by side.Note: You can also Undock the embedded view by right-clicking on the window tab and choosing Floating.

❸ In the Layout, click Place by Schematic in the Component Explorer toolbar.

❹ Right-click anywhere inside the embedded view and click Sheet > CORPORATE(control_buffers).

❺ Select U23 in the embedded view, then move the cursor into the board area. U23 will be attached to the cursor. Place the component as shown.

❻ Repeat step 5 for U17 and place it above U23 as shown.❼ Close the eDXD view and maximize the editor window.❽ Close Component Explorer.

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177Placement

Placement EditingXpedition xPCB Layout has multiple methods in which to edit the component placement in your board. Context sensitive selection and menus make it easy to Move, Rotate, Align, Fix and Lock, or Push components to the bottom side of the board. The editing commands also can be used during placement of components.

Moving Components

❶ Zoom into the lower left of the board near L1 thru L4.❷ In the Display Control > Edit tab > Global View and Interactive

Selection, expand Place. Disable the Selection of both the Top and Bottom Facement Group Outlines.

❸ Select L1, then drag and drop L1 outside the board edge.❹ Select L2, then CTRL+Click to add L3 and L4. Right-click and click

Move. Move the 3 components outside the board edge, then click to place them under L1.Note: You just used two different methods to Move components. You could have also used the Move Action Key or Place > Move Part from the Main menu.

All of the Xpedition xPCB Layout editing commands work with any of these methods. It’s your choice how you want to use them.

Rotating Components

❺ Frame select L1-L4 by dragging a window over the components.❻ Right-click and choose Individual Movement > Rotate 90.

Note: You can easily Rotate individual or groups of components to any angle needed in your board.

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178 Placement

Aligning Components

❶ Select L4 and move it to the location shown.❷ With L4 still selected, CTRL+ Drag Frame select L1-L3.

❸ Right-click and choose Align > Align Right.Note: Components can be aligned to the Top, Bottom, Right or Left according to the Editor Control > Place > Part Alignment setting.

Pushing Components to the Opposite Side of the Board

❹ Zoom out to the area of the board shown.❺ Select the two groups of resistors near L1 through L4 and near the

connector P2.❻ Right-click and choose Individual Movement > Push. The

components are moved from the Top side to the Bottom side of the board. Individual Movement will ‘Push’ the components to the back side and maintain their current rotation when more than one component is selected.

Fixing/Locking Components

❼ Click Fit Board.❽ Select component P2.❾ Right-click and choose Fix/Lock > Fix to keep this component from

moving during other placement editing.Note: The pads on P2 have a stipple pattern denoting the component is Fixed. This pattern can be changed in Display Control > Graphic > Fixed and Locked Patterns.

❿ Practice using the placement editing methods you have learned, and clean up the placement of the L1-L4 area of your board as shown.

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179Placement

Copying and Moving CircuitsIn this design, there are four matching circuits, IO_Ports 1 through 4. The Placement features in Xpedition xPCB Layout easily allow you to place these circuits individually, but there is an easier method. Copy and Move Circuits allows you to Place, and even Route, like type circuits. Then, you can replicate the other circuits on your host design or even a different design containing the same circuit.

Placing Hierarchical GroupsPlanning Groups in Xpedition xPCB Layout can have multiple levels to separate individual circuits within a main group.

❶ Click Fit Board, then click Display Control > Edit > Global View and Interactive Selection, and enable Visibility and Selection for Top and Bottom Facement Group Outlines.

❷ Zoom into the area of the LOGIC_REUSE group bubble.

❸ Select IO_Port1 inside of the LOGIC_REUSE bubble, then drag the IO_Port1 bubble onto the board.

❹ Repeat step 3 for IO_Ports 2 through 4 and place as shown.

Auto Arrange a Group

❺ Zoom into IO_Port1, then select the Group Outline. ❻ Right-click Arrange > Arrange One Level, then place the group.

Note: All of the components within the Planning Group are dispersed within the Group Outline.

❼ Using the placement editing commands from this lesson, place the group as shown.

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180 Placement

Copying and Moving Circuits (continued)

Deleting or Unplacing Placed ComponentsTo make room for our Circuit Copy, you will delete a few placed components. These components are not deleted from the database; they are just put back into Component Explorer as Unplaced.

❶ Select just the resistors placed near P2.❷ Right-click Delete, the components are Unplaced.

Copying Circuits

❸ Select the IO_Port1 group that you arranged and placed, then right-click Copy, or press CTRL+C.Note: The next available duplicate circuit, IO_Port2, is attached to the cursor for placement.

❹ Place the IO_Port2 group, and watch the next circuit attach to the cursor.

❺ Place the last two circuits as shown. You can easily Move the groups by selecting the Group Outline.

❻ Cancel out of the Paste Map dialog box.That was easy!Note: Copy Circuit can also be used between two board layouts by Copying the Circuit, then opening another board with the duplicate or similar circuit; then Pasting the circuit into the new board.

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181Placement

Placement Optimization When placing components, your task as a designer is to shorten and untangle routing paths. Placement of the components alone may not accomplish this, so you may need to optimize the placement by swapping components or gates and pins within the individual components. You may also need to use an alternate package due to component availability, or even just to create space.Note: Your library components will need to be created with swapping capability or alternate cell definitions to use these features.

Swapping Components

❶ Zoom to the area around U15 and U16 on the board.❷ Select Place > Swap Parts.❸ Select U15 as the first component to swap, then select U16 as the

component to swap it with.❹ Click anywhere in the Editor window to Confirm the swap.❺ Click Undo or press CTRL+Z to undo the swap.

Swapping Pins and Gates

❻ Select Route > Swap > Gates, then select pin 1 on U16. The Gates available to swap with will highlight.

❼ Select the highlighted Gate on pin 4, then click again to confirm the swap. Note the netlines have changed with the swap.

❽ Select Route > Swap > Pins, and select pin 1 again on U16. The Pins available to swap with will highlight.

❾ Select the highlighted Pin, then click again to confirm the swap.❿ This swap caused the netlines to cross, so Undo the pin swap.

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182 Placement

Using Alternate Cells

❶ Select Place > Component Explorer.❷ Select U15.❸ Within Component Explorer select the dropdown box in the Cell

column and choose the Alternate Cell, SOIC16 from the dropdown list in the Cell column.

❹ Move the modified footprint to the location shown.❺ Repeat steps 2 through 4 for components U16 and U17, and change

them to the Alternate Cells.

Finishing PlacementNow it’s your turn! Finish placing the board using the methods in this lesson. For hints on placement, the finished placement is shown on the next page. If you do not want to finish the placement at this time, you can continue to the next lesson – the board will be placed for you.Note: When you are finished, Save your design and close pedition xPCB Layout.

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The Finished Placement


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Review Answers

1 Although Component Explorer is the most powerful method for grouping and selecting components for placement, you can disperse components outside the board edge in Xpedition xPCB layout and then use the placement editing methods to complete your placement. The place and disperse Keyins are listed in the Help menu.

2 Xpedition xPCB layout supports checking of spacing violations during placement and routing operations. In Editor Control, on the Place tab you can set Place Online DRC to Prevent mode. Also, you can allow components to be shoved when a spacing violation occurs.

3 During placement and move operations you have many options that allow you to rotate and push components. The options can be accomplished using the Toolbars, Menus, Action Keys, Right Mouse Button Context Sensitive Menus, and modeless Keyin Commands.

4 Many designers partition a design into functional blocks before final placement, which can be done in the schematic or in the PCB. Rather than placing each component individually directly onto the board, you can create planning groups of the parts in a particular circuit. You then move them to a clear area in the workspace for placement arrangement. Once you have the planning group optimally arranged, you can move the entire planning group to the desired location on the board. As the layout matures, you can also use the group selection capability to move clusters of components around the design as required. You can even rotate, push, and freeze groups during move operations.

5 Radial placement is useful when you have components that you want to place on an arc or in a radial array. An IC test fixture board is a common example of a design requiring radial placement. There are also many modern products that have form-fitting smooth curves in their design that would require you to place parts in a radial pattern.

Review Questions

1 Can I place components directly in Xpedition xPCB layout?2 How do I place components without creating spacing violations?3 Can I rotate a component while moving it?4 How would I utilize Group Planning and Placement?5 When would I use Radial Placement?

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Creating Rules and Constraints with Constraint Manager in the PCB Layout

Lesson 16: Creating Rules and Constraints with Constraint Manager in the PCB Layout

Entering Constraints

❶ Open Xpedition xPCB Layout. ❷ From the Start Page, select Open and browse to:

C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\Lesson4\PCB\CORPORATE.pcb.❸ Select Setup > CES, or click the toolbar button to open the Constraint

Manager spreadsheet interface.The Spreadsheet interface is exactly the same as the one you used with Xpedition xDX Designer. You do not need to learn a new interface.

In the Xpedition xDX Designer lessons you learned that pedition has a built-in constraint management system. This lesson will review some of the features within Constraint Manager. You will add constraints using the same graphical spreadsheet interface you used in Xpedition xDX Designer, and see how Xpedition xPCB Layout is linked through the iCDB database to your schematic to keep the design constraints synchronized. You will discover that constraints are easily maintained in Xpedition xPCB Layout and you do not have to learn a new tool or interface for constraint management.To review the Constraint Manager interface and toolbars, refer to Lesson 7: Adding Rules and Constraints with Constraint Manager.

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Constraint Manager Cross Probing to the PCBIn Xpedition xPCB Layout, cross probing is bi-directional to Constraint Manager and works the same as in Xpediton xDX Designer.

❶ Look at your Constraint Manager Interface. On the Main toolbar, the Cross Probe toggle icon should be enabled. If not, enable it. You can also turn on Cross Probing using Setup > Cross Probing.

❷ In the Xpedition xPCB Layout Editor window, click Display Control and choose the Routing scheme.

❸ In the layout, select Setup > Cross Probe > Setup and enable the settings for Select, Highlight, and Fit view in PCB, then click OK.

❹ Select Edit > Find or the Find button and choose the Net Tab.❺ Enter CLK_IN in the search text box, then click Apply.❻ Double-click the CLK_IN netline highlighted in the Find dialog box.

Notice the CLK_IN net is Selected, Highlighted, and Fit within the Editor window, and the net is also highlighted in Constraint Manager.Note: In Display Control > Graphic Tab > Graphic Options you may need to expand the Selection & Highlights section and adjust Dim Mode to better view highlighted objects.

❼ Close the Find dialog box.

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Constraint Manager Cross Probing to the PCB (continued)

❶ In Constraint Manager, on the Nets tab, scroll down to the Constraint Class/Net BSYNC and click on the Box to the left of the Constraint Class. Notice that both of the nets in the Constraint Class BSYNC are selected and viewed in the PCB Editor window.

❷ Select Filters > Level > Pin to filter down to the pins level of a net.

❸ Expand the BSYNC+ net and select the box next to the P1-1 pin within the net. Notice that the P1-1 pin is now selected and highlighted in the PCB Editor window.

❹ In Display Control, choose the Placement scheme.

❺ In Constraint Manager, select the Parts tab, then expand the 101-RES part type.

❻ Select the box next to R24. R24 is selected and highlighted in the Editor window.

Constraint Manager can Cross Probe to Constraint Classes, Nets, Pins, and Parts in Xpedition xPCB Layout as well as in Xpedition xDX Designer.All at the same time!

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Updating Constraints and ClearancesAlthough constraints were entered into the schematic in Xpedition xDX Designer and passed to Xpedition xPCB Layout during Forward Annotation, often a PCB designer needs to modify those constraints. Constraint Manager allows you to easily update constraints in the PCB layout and keep the schematic design synchronized.

Updating Powers and Grounds

❶ In Constraint Manager, select the Nets tab. ❷ From the Group Box drop-down list, select Power Nets.❸ Scroll and find the Physical Net PWR and check the Power Net box and

enter 0 for the Supply Voltage (V).❹ Repeat Step 3 for Physical Net V2.7. and enter Supply Voltage (V) value

of 2.7.❺ Note the Power Net icon on the net names in the Constraint Class/Net

column.❻ Update the Net Class dropdown list for Net Name PWR to

PWR_020_MIL.❼ Sort by the Net Class column to easily view the net names in the

PWR_020_MIL Net Class.

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Updating Constraint Manager SchemesSchemes in Constraint Manager define categories of physical design rules that will be used during PCB Layout. The Master and Minimum schemes are the default schemes.In this lesson we will update the Master scheme and create a new scheme that will be used for a Rule Area on the PCB.

❶ In the Navigator window, expand the Master scheme and expand Trace & Via Properties tab.

❷ Select the Filters – Group dropdown and choose All.❸ Click on the Master Scheme to see the trace and via properties

currently set for the design.❹ Follow the illustration at the right to update the Trace Widths for

Minimum, Typical, and Expansion, and the Differential Spacing for all of the Net Classes in the Master scheme.

❺ Click OK when the dialog box appears, or check the box if you do not want to be warned about further changes being made.

❻ Expand the BSYNC Net Class to see that your updates were propagated to all layers in the Net Class.

Creating a New Scheme

❼ In the Navigator, right-click Schemes and choose New Scheme.❽ Right-click on the new scheme and Rename it to FPGA.❾ Expand the FPGA scheme and change the values for the Default Net

Class to match the picture.❿ Click the AMBER indicator to update the Pending CES Changes.

You will now create a Rule Area on your PCB to use this scheme when routing.

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Creating a PCB Rule AreaRule Areas are used on PCB Layouts to create an area where specific routing constraints may need to be overridden due to density, circuit impedance, or other engineering requirements.The New Scheme that you just created contains reduced trace widths that will be used during routing of a smaller pitch FPGA device.

❶ In the Editor Window, Zoom to U12, the FPGA device on the right side of the board.

❷ In Display Control > Objects > Route Areas, verify that Route Border and Rule Areas are enabled.

❸ Select Draw > Rule Area.❹ In the Properties dialog box, select the dropdown list for Layer and choose

(All).❺ In the Properties dialog box, select the dropdown list for Name and choose

the FPGA scheme that you just created in Constraint Manager.❻ Select View > Toolbars > Draw Create and choose Add Rectangle.❼ Select a coordinate at the upper left of the FPGA, then drag the

rectangle and select a second coordinate at the lower right of the FPGA.❽ Close Properties.

This new Rule area reduces all traces that pass through it to 4(th) for All layers. You can also use Rule Areas to change the required Via within the area if needed. Note: You created this Rule Area in the PCB database. Rule Areas can also be created inside your Cells using the Cell Editor in Xpedition xDM Librarian.

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Updating Clearances

❶ In the Constraint Manater Navigator, expand Clearances under the Master scheme.

❷ Select the HS_3W Clearance rule.❸ In the spreadsheet, find the Trace To Pad column, then in the

HS_3W row update the parent entry to 8 and press Enter.❹ Repeat step 3 and update the columns: Trace To Via,

Trace To Plane, and Trace To SMD Pad to 8.Note: You may also paint the number across any spreadsheet entry by selecting the entry box and dragging the small + indicator across the spreadsheet.

Assigning Clearances

❺ Click the Class to Class Clearance Rule icon in the Clearances toolbar.

❻ The Class to Class Clearances dialog box opens and is set to the Master Scheme.

❼ Under the (ALL) column, choose the dropdown list for the CLOCK2 Net Class and choose HS_3W. This assigns the HS_3W rule to all nets within the Net Class CLOCKS2, and applies it against ALL other nets within the design.

❽ Click OK. Your Clock signal spacing rule has been completed and saved to the database.

Note: If you do not assign a Class to Class Clearance rule to a Net Class, then the Default rules will be used.

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Creating Net Classes

❶ In the Navigator, right-click on Net Classes and select New Net Class.❷ Name the New Net Class FADDR and click on the FADDR Net Class.❸ Right-click on FADDR, and select Assign Nets….❹ In the Assign Physical Nets to Net Class dialog box, make sure the

Source Net Class is Default and the Target Net Class is FADDR.❺ In the Search Bar, search for FADDR* nets, then click on the Search icon.❻ Click “>” to move the FADDR* nets to the FADDR Net Class, then click OK.❼ Create a New Net Class called FDATA.❽ Repeat steps 1 to 6 and add the FDATA* nets to the FDATA Net Class.

Deleting Net ClassesWhen you create constraints you may find that you no longer need some Net Classes. You can easily delete them. Warning: Any constraint information you entered into a Net Class will be deleted also.

❾ Right-click on the Net Class ANALOG and choose Delete.❿ Verify that you want to delete the Net Class by clicking Yes.

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Automatically Creating Differential PairsIn the Constraint Manager lesson for Xpedition xDX Designer, you created a differential pair manually. For this lesson, you will learn how to automatically assign multiple nets as differential pairs to help speed up constraint entry.

❶ In Constraint Manager, select Edit > Differential Pairs > Auto Assign Dif-ferential Pairs…

❷ Select Assign by Net Name, then choose *_P from the Net Name dropdown list.

❸ Choose *_N from the Pair net name dropdown list.

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Automatically Creating Differential Pairs (continued)

❹ Click Assign Matches. The Diff Pairs matching the search criteria appear in the Proposed differential pairs list.

❺ Click Apply to create the differential pairs.❻ Close the Auto Assign Differential Pairs dialog box.❼ On the Nets tab, sort the net column so the new Diff Pairs appear at the

top of the listing. Right-click and select Sort > Ascending.❽ Select the box for the first Diff Pair, then press and hold the Shift key to

select the last of the four Diff Pairs.❾ Now press the Ctrl key and click the Net Class dropdown list, then choose

DP_ 100_OHM to add all of the diff pairs to the Net Class.

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Customizing Constraint GroupsThere are several preset Constraint Groups within Constraint Manager, but you have the ability to customize them or create your own based on the needs of your design.

❶ Click the Constraint Group dropdown list and select Edit Constraint Groups.

❷ Click the Select constraint group dropdown list and select the Lengths group.

❸ In the All constraints: section scroll down and select Stub Length Actual and Stub Length Max.

❹ Click the Move selected right button to move these constraints to the Constraints assigned to group section.

❺ Click Apply to save the changes, and the Stub Lengths columns will now be available from within the Lengths group.

❻ Click Close to exit Edit Constraint Groups.

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Creating a Constraint Class

❶ In the Navigator, right-click on Constraint Classes and select New Constraint Class.

❷ Name the New Constraint Class MATCHTRACK.❸ Right-click on MATCHTRACK and choose Assign Nets…❹ In the Assign Nets to Constraint Class dialog box, make sure the Source

Constraint Class is All and the Target Constraint Class is MATCHTRACK.❺ In the Search Bar, search for ASYNC* nets, then click on the Search icon. ❻ Click “>” to move the ASYNC* nets to the MATCHTRACK Constraint Class,

then click OK.

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Creating a Constraint Class (continued)

❼ Select the Nets tab, then select the Group box drop-down list and select Delays & Lengths to set the columns for length constraints.

❽ While on the Nets tab, select the MATCHTRACK Constraint Class in the navigator to isolate it in the spreadsheet, then scroll to the Length Columns.

❾ In the Length > Match column for nets ASYNC+ and ASYNC-, enter the text ASYNC.

❿ In the Length > Tolerance column 'Tol(th)' for MATCHTRACK, ASYNC+ and ASYNC-, enter a value of 200. You will NOT need to re-add the 200th tolerance as it’s assumed for the match group ‘ASYNC’.

⓫ Repeat steps 8 and 9 to add Length Matching Constraints to the Diff Pairs you auto-assigned. (Click on ‘All’ in the navigator and sort to see the other nets). Note: Follow the illustration to set the correct Min Length and Max Length.

⓬ Update the Stub Length for the Diff Pairs to a Max of 300. Note: Normally you would need to change the Group box back to ALL to view these columns, but since you added these columns through Edit Constraint Groups, they appear in the Length group.

⓭ Close Constraint Manager and save your layout in Xpedition to save the updates to the iCDB.

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Ordering Nets with Netline ManipulationIn the Constraint Manager lesson for Xpedition xDX Designer, you created Ordered Nets within Constraint Manager. You can also set up Net Ordering graphically in Xpedition xPCB Layout using Netline Manipulation. Any netline topologies that you graphically order are automatically updated in Constraint Manager.Using Color by Nets or Net ClassIn Xpedition xPCB Layout, you can easily change the color of individual Netlines, Net Classes, and Constraint Classes to make them more visible.

❶ Click Fit Board. ❷ So you can identify the nets to be ordered, select Display Control >

Graphic > Color By Net or Class and enable Constraint Classes.❸ Click Add… and enable the MATCHTRACK Constraint Class, then click OK.❹ Click on the MATCHTRACK color selector and change it to a color that is

easy for you to see, then click Close.❺ The MATCHTRACK Constraint Class is highlighted. These are the two nets

you will re-order.

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Ordering Nets with Netline Manipulation (continued)

Using Net Filter to Control Netline Visibility and SelectionEven though you have highlighted your nets to make them easier to see, you may want to turn off the visibility of the other netlines that you are not currently editing. Do this using Net Filter.

❶ Select Editor Control > Route > Dialogs, and enable Net Filter. ❷ Click Net Filter.❸ Choose Constraint from the Display Class Type dropdown list,

and sort the Included Constraint Class column so that MATCHTRACK is at the top of the list.

❹ Select the nets in the MATCHTRACK Constraint Class and click the “<” button to move the nets to the Excluded list.

❺ Select (Net0) and click the “>” button to move it to the Included list.

❻ Click the Swap Included and Excluded Nets button and enable Apply filter to Netlines.

❼ Click Apply to view your changes in the Editor window.❽ In Net Filter, save the Selection Scheme as Matchtrack and choose Save

locally with the job, then click OK.Note: You can save as many Net Filtering schemes as you need in your design and recall them later for easy net handling. Schemes are saved to the PCB/ Config directory locally but may be saved at other locations.

❾ Close Net Filter. Be sure that the net filter is enabled as shown.

200 Creating Rules and Constraints with Constraint Manager in the PCB Layout

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Ordering Nets with Netline Manipulation (continued)

Netline ManipulationThe nets ASYNC+ and ASYNC- are currently ordered from components P2 to P1 to U11. You will adjust the ordering and make it: P2 to U11 to P1.

❶ Select Display Control > Objects > Place and enable Top Facement. ❷ Zoom into the area near P1 and U11.❸ Select Route > Netline Manipulation. The highlighting changes while

you are in this command.❹ Select the ASYNC- netline between P2 and P1.❺ Drag the netline to the pin location on U11.❻ Repeat steps 4 and 5 for net ASYNC+.❼ Right-click and choose Save Changes and Exit.❽ Open Constraint Manager, and the ASYNC+ and ASYNC- nets are

ordered.❾ Close Constraint Manager.❿ Save your PCB layout and close Xpedition xPCB Layout.

201Creating Rules and Constraints with Constraint Manager in the PCB Layout

Review Questions

1 Why would I want to change the rules and constraints entered by the engineer in the schematic?2 If the schematic and PCB are both open, will Constraint Manager Cross Probe to both at the same

time?3 When would I want to use a Net Class?4 Do Diff Pair nets need to be named to a specific naming convention?

Review Answers

1 The rules and constraints you entered during the schematic design are very helpful to a PCB layout engineer, but often an engineer can over-constrain a design, making the layout impossible to complete. Constraint Manager allows the PCB layout engineer to adjust the constraints to make the design easier to manufacture but still maintain the intent of the engineer.

2 Constraint Manager cross probes to Xpedition xDX Designer and pedition simultaneously if you have the cross probe settings enabled in both applications. Cross Probing is linked through different dialog boxes and features throughout Xpedition.

3 Use Net Classes to group nets that require the same physical constraints in the board. By grouping them in a Net Class, if the physical constraints require changing, you can change them for all of the nets within the class.

4 There are no standard naming conventions for Differential Pairs, but following a few good practices can make it much easier to assign constraints to them. If you use the suffixes “_P” and “_N” or “_HI” and “_LOW”, or something similar, you can take advantage of the Auto Assign Diff Pairs command. This command allows you to assign multiple differential pairs at one time.

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Variant Manager in Xpedition xPCB Layout

Lesson 17: Variant Manager in Xpedition xPCB Layout In the Xpedition xDX Designer lesson Variant Manager, you learned how multiple variants can exist in a single design. You can generate separate schematics and BOMs for each variant of your design, and can integrate them with Xpedition xPCB layout to create the necessary assembly drawings based on each variant. Please review the Xpedition xDX Designer Variant Manager lesson, if needed.In Xpedition xPCB layout, you can also use Variant Manager to create a unique BOM for assembly variants. This information is integrated with Xpedition xDX Designer and you can back annotate it to the schematic.

Launching Variant Manager

❶ Start Xpedition xPCB layout, and from the Start Page select Open and browse to and open C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\Lesson5\PCB\CORPORATE.pcb.

❷ Launch Variant Manager by selecting Output > Variants. Variant Manager opens with the same familiar interface, and the two variants you created in Xpedition xDX Designer.

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The PCB Interaction Tab

❸ The PCB Interaction tab lets you determine which items you want to display for the Assembly and Silkscreen layers when creating PCB Variant views. Disable Reference Designators and Outlines for these layers so they will be removed from your variant views.

❹ You can also remove the Soldermask and/or Solderpaste padstacks from Unplaced parts. (This is not typical for most designs).

❺ Enable Display Nested Mechanical Cells so they appear in the grid when you have them in your designs.

Reviewing the Variant Manager Settings

The General Tab❶ In Variant Manager, click Settings.❷ Use the General tab to name unplaced parts and to set report options.

Any parts that you choose not to install in the PCB Assembly process are labeled with the Unplaced keyword. You can also use keywords such as; DNI, DoNotInstall, or DEPOP.Note: This tab contains the information you entered in Xpediton xDX Designer. You do not need to be change it for this lesson.

204 Variant Manager in Xpedition xPCB Layout

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The Library Query Setup Tab

The settings for the Library Query Setup tab were setup during the schematic design and were transferred to Xpedition xPCB Layout. Below is a review of the tab settings.

❶ The Library Query Setup tab allows you to define and edit how the project interacts with the Xpedition xDX Databook database. The Data source configuration file indicates the Xpedition xDX Databook file you access when creating your design variant.

❷ The Define Libraries button allows you to edit your Xpedition xDX Databook configuration. The data source configuration is required when you make Part Number replacements (overrides) in your variants. For this lesson, the setup is done for you but you can refer to the Appendix: Configuring Variant Manager if you are using your own database.

❸ The Query settings section controls the database search when using the Replace function. Allow sufficient results to be returned from each library by setting the Results/library value appropriately. If you want to use replacement parts from more than one library, you must set the Results total number to be larger than the number of results returned from each individual library. Verify that the Part number attribute dropdown list is set to Part Number.

❹ The Output format controls your database query results. The Part number feedback line allows you to display more information about a particular part. This will be shown later.

❺ The Query results format controls the results shown for the Replace function. This determines the columns displayed and the filter options to help you choose a replacement part.Note: Because you have associated the Part number attribute to Part Number, we also want to be sure that it is included in the Query results format.

❻ Click Cancel to close the Settings dialog box.

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Adding a Variant

❶ Select Variant Definition.❷ From the Variant Definition dialog box, click Create New Variant to add a

third variant to this database.❸ Name the variant Variant3.❹ Enter the Number and Description as shown.

For Variant3: Number = VAR3, Description = New Var3❺ The Variant Groups tab is helpful for sorting or filtering for specific variants

when there are many in a single project. Note: Any groups setup on the Variant Groups tab will be available from the dropdown list in the main window.

❻ Click OK to save the new variant and exit.❼ In the Variant Manager window you can see the added variant.❽ Disable Flat Design View so you can see the Blocks containing variant

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Defining VariantsNow that you have added a new variant, make some modifications to the current variant parameters and define some new ones.

❶ Enable the Transmit and Receive buttons to allow cross probing.❷ In Display Control, select the Loc:Placement scheme.❸ Click the cell under the Variant1 column, next to C9. Variant Manager

cross probes from the PCB layout to the variant and vice-versa.❹ In the Analog Switch block Variant3 column, select R5 and drag select to

R7.❺ Right-click Unplaced or click Unplace Selected Cells in the Variant

Manager toolbar.❻ Repeat steps 4 and 5 for the Variant1 column.

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Change Multiple Parts Simultaneously

❶ To change several parts at the same time, select R7 in the Variant1 column.❷ CTRL + Click and select R7 in the Variant3 column.❸ Right-click on one of the selected reference designators and click Reset,

or click Reset on the toolbar. The selected parts are reset and the variant cells are cleared.

Replacing (Substituting) Parts

❹ Select the cell for C5 in IO_Port2 in Variant3, then right-click and choose Replace. You can also select Replace Part from the toolbar.

❺ A new window appears that lists the possible replacement parts.Note: The columns in the list are based on the settings you created. All of the replacement parts have the same PKG_TYPE property as the original part. Also, the VM Match is set to PKG_TYPE in the .dbc configuration as shown in the Appendix at the end of this Evaluation Guide.


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❶❷Sorting Parts

❶ Select the Column Header for the Value column.❷ From the dropdown Filter list, select Ascending.❸ Replace C5 with the smallest value capacitor by double-clicking the first

part available, 12308-CAP.

Flatten the Design View

❹ Enable the Flat Design View checkbox to flatten the Variant Manager grid to a Ref Des list.

❺ In the layout Editor window, find and select R29 near U11 in the middle of the layout. The part is also selected in Variant Manager. Hint: You may need to choose the Placement display scheme to select the component.

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Replacing Parts Across Library Partitions

❶ Replace the R29 resistor with a capacitor in Variant3. With R29 selected, right-click over the cell in the Variant3 column and click Replace.

❷ Sort the Library column by Capacitor and double-click the first capacitor in the list. Note: Since the PKG_TYPE property is the same for both the resistor and capacitor, you are able to replace these parts.


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Mutually Exclusive VariantsIn Xpedition xPCB layout, you can overlap two components provided they do not exist in the same variant. These components can share a pin location if they are tied to the same net, use the same padstack, and the pin is placed at the same X-Y coordinate.

❶ Select R2 from the upper right corner of the layout in the Analog Switch group.

❷ Unplace R2 in Variant3.❸ Select C9 and Unplace it in Variants 1 and 2.❹ Move C9 so that it is placed directly on top of R2.

Note: You do not get a placement DRC for the two components because C9 only exists in Variant3, and R2 does not.

Once you have created the variant view, you will see how pedition places the correct markings on your PCB layout.

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Generating PCB Variant OutputsYour design now has three variants and you will need to Generate PCB Variant Views for Assembly Drawings, create BOMs, and Back Annotate the new variant information to your schematic.

Back Annotating the Variant Manager Changes

❶ In Xpedition xPCB, select ECO > Back Annotate to update your schematic with your Variant Manager changes.

Unplaced Cell Graphics in Variants

You can define the graphics that appear in your variant views for the Silkscreen and Assembly Layers. The graphics are defined in the Cell using the Cell Editor in Xpedition xDM Librarian. We have already created some graphics for you in this design.

❷ Your design has No Graphics displayed for Unplaced components on the Silkscreen layers.

❸ Your design has an “X” and Outline graphics displayed for the Assembly layers.


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❶Generating PCB Variant Views

❶ In Variant Manager, select the Variant3 column and then click Generate PCB Variant View.

❷ In Display Control, select the scheme SILK_TOP.

❸ Notice that the Unplaced components R5 and R6 have no silkscreen, and the mutually placed C9 has silkscreen, but R2 does not.

❹ In Display Control, select the scheme ASSEMBLY_TOP to see the variant view for the assembly layer.Note: After generating a variant view, you can use the view to create printed documents or fabrication outputs.

❺ In Variant Manager, select Reset PCB Variant View to Master.Note: To create views for the other variants in the design, select the Variant column and re-generate the variant view.

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Generating a Variant BOM Report

❶ To generate Variant PCB BOMs, right-click in the Variant window and choose Report > BOM Reports.

❷ Choose HTML Document for the output file type.

❸ Select all three variants and define the Output location: C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\Lesson5 and name it VariantPCB.

❹ Click OK to create the BOM reports.❺ You may review the HTML documents in any browser.❻ Close Variant Manager and Save your PCB layout.


Review Questions

1 When creating library component land patterns, do I need to add special graphics in order for variants to display correctly?

2 Does Xpedition xDX Designer see the changes made in the Variant Manager in Xpedition xPCB Layout?

3 Can I generate Gerber outputs from my PCB variants?

Review Answers

1 No, it is not a requirement. Variant Manager will automatically remove silkscreen and assembly graphics from your components when variant views are generated. If you do add special graphics in your land patterns, Variant Manager will use them in your variant views.

2 Xpedition xDX Designer will see any changes or additions made while you are working in the layout tools when you run a Back Annotation.

3 Once you have generated a PCB variant view, you can create PDF prints or Gerber output files from that view.

215AutoActive Interactive Routing


Lesson 18: AutoActive Interactive Routing In this lesson you will learn about the award winning Auto-Active Routing Technology in Xpedition xPCB Layout. The routing capabilities allow you to quickly and easily Fanout, Plow (Route), and Multiplow (Multi Trace Route) nets. You can also easily route differential Pairs and tune high speed nets. Sketch Router helps you to Auto-Actively route bundled netlines. While you route your design, Online DRC (Design Rule Checking) funtionality keeps you from introducing errors. You can customize your routing style to help you route your designs more efficiently.

Open the Design File for Routing

❶ Open Xpedition xPCB Layout.❷ From the Start Page select Open and browse to and choose:

C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\Lesson5\PCB\CORPORATE.pcb.

Routing with Online DRCIn Xpedition xPCB Layout the default for Interactive Place and Route DRC is ON. While routing, Online DRC maintains all of the spacing constraints and does not allow for copper to copper errors within your design. The preferred routing method is to leave DRC on, but you can turn it off when needed.INTERACTIVE DRC OFF

❸ Select Editor Control > Common Settings, then disable Interactive Place/Route DRC.

❹ Click Yes to turn off Online DRC checking. The DRC Off Warning dialog box remains open until you turn DRC back On.

❺ Close the DRC Off Warning dialog box, then click No for the Batch DRC message. You will run Batch DRC in an upcoming lesson.

Note: If you do any Placement or Route edits with Interactive DRC Off, you should always run Batch DRC on your design prior to releasing it to manufacturing.

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216 AutoActive Interactive Routing

The Net Explorer Spreadsheet and Toolbar

The Net Explorer interface is similar to Component Explorer that you used for placement, and contains many of the same features.

❶ Select Route > Net Explorer…❷ Click the Net column to sort the column.❸ Expand CORPORATE, then expand Planning Groups. This is where any

User Groups you create appear.❹ Click Toggle Filter. These panes allow you use the dropdown filter or enter

your own search criteria for the column. ❺ The Navigator lists all of the User Planning Groups, and pre-defined groups

created from the constraints you entered in Constraint Manager.❻ Review and Scroll through the available column information. ❼ Click Fit Selected and Toggle Cross Probe on the Net Explorer

toolbar so that Net Explorer cross probes to the Editor window. Explore the spreadsheet interface, and when you are ready, you can move on to the next section to prepare for routing.

Netline Display with Net ExplorerRouting a PCB requires the selection of Netlines. Boards that have thousands of nets can present a problem. Netlines can completely fill a viewing area, making it impossible to select the one you want to route. The best way to avoid this problem is to organize netlines into groups and then display them as you route them.Net Explorer is a spreadsheet interface that provides many methods of organizing and displaying nets. You can create User Planning Groups of netlines, then Filter and Mark them so that you only display those groups. Net Classes, Constraint Classes, Diff Pairs, Tuned/Matched Nets, and Ordered Nets, also appear as groups within Net Explorer. Once you have your groups created, you can save Net Explorer schemes, similar to Net Filter in the previous lesson.

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Fit Selected

Mark/Unmark Selected

Toggle Cross Probe

Unmark All

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Creating Net Planning User GroupsYou can create user Planning Groups by selecting nets within the spreadsheet, or by selecting Netlines within the Editor window.

❶ Select CORPORATE, and using the Filter Pane dropdown in the Net column choose DATA*.

❷ Select the DATA_BUS* nets, right-click and click Create User Group.❸ Name the new User Group MemData.❹ Repeat Steps 1 through 3 to select the ADDR* nets and Create the User

Group MemAddr.❺ Fit the board, then select the MemAddr User Group. The Memory

Address nets are selected and highlighted in the Editor window.❻ If you ever need to remove a User Group, select the group then

right-click Dissolve. Do not remove any User Groups at this time.❼ Expand Net Class.❽ Select the Net Class FDATA that you created in Constraint Manager.❾ The nets in the FDATA Net Class are selected and highlighted.

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Marking Nets and Creating SchemesSimilar to using the Net Filter, you can use Net Explorer to mark nets or groups of nets so that they are the only nets displayed in the Editor window. Also, just like Net Filter, you can save these settings as Schemes for future routing.Marking nets in the Net Explorer works in conjunction with the Netlines Settings in Display Control.

❶ Select Display Control > Objects > Netlines and expand the Netlines for Marked Comps and Nets section.

❷ Enable From Marked Nets.❸ Right-click From Marked Nets and choose Add to Favorites.❹ From Marked Nets now appears on the Display Control > Edit tab in

the Favorite section making access easy.❺ Select the MemData User Group, then click Mark/Unmark.❻ The MemData User Group nets are now the only nets displayed in

the Editor window.❼ Click Mark/Unmark again, and all of the nets in the design are displayed.❽ Select the MemAddr User Group, then click Mark/Unmark.

❾ Save a Scheme called MemAddr, then Unmark the MemAddr User Group.❿ Select the scheme you just created and notice that the marking of the

User Group MemAddr has been restored.⓫ Select Display Control > Edit > Favorites section and disable

From Marked Nets.You can create as many different Net Explorer schemes as you want when designing your PCB.

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Routing OptionsWhile routing in Xpedition xPCB Layout, there are several methods of specifying the way traces are edited, plow styles, and glossing. Editor Control is used to specify these settings, as you route, you can change these settings using the right-click context sensitive menus. You will use these settings throughout the lesson.Editor Control

❶ Click the Editor Control > Grids tab and expand the Route Grids section.❷ Ensure that 5 is entered for the Via Grid value.

Note: You will route the design with no Routing grid. This is the optimal setting for dense designs. In HDI layer buildup designs it may also be beneficial to use a Via grid of None.

❸ Click the Editor Control > Route tab and expand the Dialogs section. This section controls the settings for nets and route handling. You have used some of these settings in previous lessons.

❹ Click Tuning.... Tuning Patterns specifies the patterns used when you Manual Tune nets with a length constraint requirement. Close Tuning Patterns.

❺ Click Diff Pairs…. Diff Pairs specifies how Diff Pairs are coupled during routing and editing: Coplanar (same layer) or Broadside (adjacent layer). Close Diff Pairs.

❻ Click Pad Entry…. Pad Entry specifies how you would like traces to enter or exit a pad when you route.

❼ You can specify settings for groups of pads or individual pads.❽ You can specify the trace entry angle and location, including Extended Pad

Entry which allows Odd Angle entry.❾ For surface pads, you can specify if Vias are allowed within the surface pad

area. Close Pad Entry.

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Editor Control (continued)

❶ Click Expand Traces…. Expand Traces defines the minimum distance rules for increasing or decreasing the trace widths defined in Constraint Manager during interactive routing.

❷ Click OK to close Expand Traces.

Plow Styles and Edit & Route Controls

❸ Expand the Plow section. This section specifies the Mouse Up and Mouse Drag plow styles you are using, and how DRCs, Vias, Loops and Angles will be defined when routing.

� Mouse Up Styles add traces by clicking to place distinct Anchor Points for trace segments.

� Mouse Drag Styles use a click and drag method for adding traces.❹ Expand the Edit & Route Controls section. This section defines the

Glossing method you use when routing or editing traces and vias.❺ Enable Via Move to allow vias to be shoved when Plowing, and

Remove excess meanders to provide additional cleanup to routed traces upon completion.

❻ Expand Angles, Corners. This section provides settings to allow Any Angle Routing and Curved trace routing.

❼ Expand Vias & Fanouts. This section provides settings for Via and Fanout controls during plowing and editing.

❽ Expand Net Rule Overrides. This section allows you to override settings placed in your constraint in Constraint Manager.

❾ Disable all of the Overrides.❿ As with other dialog boxes in Xpedition xPCB, you can save your

Editor Control settings as a Scheme. In Common Settings, save the Editor Control scheme locally as Route.

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Plowing with Active Clearances and DRC VisualizationWhen you are routing or editing, Xpedition xPCB Layout can help you to visualize both Clearances and DRCs. Let’s practice plowing a few traces with the settings you have learned so far…

❶ Zoom into the Area of U2 through U5.❷ Click the Display Control > Graphics tab and expand the Graphics

Options section.

❸ Expand the General options and change the color of Active Clearance to a color of your choice.Note: To be able to use Active Clearances your system will require an OpenGL capable video graphics card.

❹ Click the Editor Control > Route tab, and in the Plow section set your Mouse Up style to Hockey Stick/On Click.

❺ Select U5 pin 8 as shown and click the F3 Action Key Plow/Multi to route the trace as shown. Notice that you must click multiple trace anchor points to get the trace to pass through the pins.

❻ In Editor Control, set your Gloss to Local, or use the F10 Action Key Toggle Gloss. Local Glossing minimizes the area of the trace that is glossed during routing or editing.Note: Practice using the different Gloss Modes throughout this lesson to become comfortable with the differences between them.

❼ Select U5 pin 7 as shown, right-click and choose Mouse Up Style > Real Trace Delayed, then route the trace as shown. Notice as you route, the shoving of the previously routed trace is Delayed until you click a new anchor point.

❽ Continue to add anchor points for the trace. Notice you do not have to enter as many and the Active Clearance circle displays all of the spacing clearances per your design constraints as you route.

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Plowing with Active Clearances and DRC Visualization (continued)

❶ Select U5 pin 6 as shown, right-click and choose Mouse Up Plow Style > Real Trace Dynamic, then route the trace as shown. Notice that your trace will immediately shove other traces as you route.

❷ Select U5 pin 5 as shown, then right-click and choose Mouse Up Plow Style > Segment/On Click.

❸ Right-click and click Angle Mode and choose Any, then route the trace as shown. Notice that each Segment requires an anchor point, and you can route at Any Angle in this plow mode.

❹ Reset your Angle Mode back to 45.❺ Route U4 pins 7 and 8 using Mouse Drag Plow Styles. These work exactly like

their Mouse Up counterparts, but you use a click and drag method. The drag method is very helpful when a trace you are routing travels off screen because these plow styles will auto pan as you route.

❻ Click Editor Control, and in the Common Settings section disable Interactive Place/Route DRC and answer Yes to the warning.

❼ Using any plow style, route the connection from U4 pin 5 as shown.❽ Zoom in on the trace and notice the DRC Visualization patterns showing

trace to trace DRCs.❾ Enable Interactive Place/Route DRC and click No. We will not run Batch

DRC at this time.❿ Right-click to Cancel Plow, or press Esc.⓫ Select Route > Edit Routes > Delete all Traces and Vias to remove your

practice routing.⓬ Click Yes for the Delete all traces and vias warning.

Now let’s move on to Routing the rest of the layout…

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Fanouts and Fanout PatternsWhen there are Surface Mount components in a layout, fanout vias must be created to allow connections to other layers. While routing you can place vias to complete connections, but it is best to place all fanouts initially to keep routing from blocking future fanout locations.

Interactive Fanout

❶ Click Display Control > Graphic and expand the Color By Net or Class section.

❷ In the Nets section, click Add, then enable netnames GND, VDD, and VDDQ3.3V from the list of nets.

❸ Change the Color Fill so that each net has a different color.❹ Zoom to U5 and select the VDD net pin, then click the action key F3

Plow/Multi.❺ Use plow to add a fanout via at a location just inside U5 pin 1 as shown.

Double-click to add a via.❻ Cancel out of the Plow command.❼ Select the GND net pin on U5, then click the action key F2 Fanout.

The fanout via is added close to the pin and on the via grid you set previously.

❽ Triple-click the VDD net pin on U4, the entire VDD net will be selected in the layout.

❾ Click the action key F2 Fanout and all of the selected VDD pins in the layout will be routed with a fanout vias.

❿ Repeat steps 8 and 9 for the GND net.

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Fanout Patterns Wizard In Xpedition xPCB Layout you can also use the Fanout Patterns Wizard to create specific fanout patterns in commonly used surface mount device packages.

❶ Click Display Control > Edit, and enable selection of Place in the Global View and Interactive Selection section.

❷ Zoom to U7 in the upper left section of the layout, then select the U7 reference designator text to select the component.

❸ Select Route > Fanout Patterns.❹ Click the SOIC/QUAD package tab and set the dropdown box settings as

shown.❺ Click Fanout Selected and U7 will be routed with fanout vias with the

pattern you selected.Note: Patterns can be created for SOICs, Quad Flat Packs, BGAs, and Staggered BGAs.

❻ Click OK to close the Fanout Pattern Results.❼ Close Fanout Patterns.

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Creating Split/Mixed Dynamic PlanesIn Lesson 14: Setting Up a New Design, you learned how to create plane layers. Please review the lesson if needed. In this lesson you will create a Split Voltage Plane and a Mixed Plane. Xpedition xPCB Layout Dynamic Planes Engine maintains the spacing clearances you created in Constraint Manager between planes and other copper objects in your design.

❶ Click Fit Board.❷ Select Planes > Plane Assignments.❸ On Layer 4, Add the net VDDQ3.3V, then click OK to close

Nets and Plane Assignments.❹ Click Net Explorer and click PWR_020_MIL in the Net Class section. If

needed, reset the Net column filter to (ALL).❺ Click net VDDQ 3.3V to select the net.❻ Click F2 Fanout to route fanout vias for the entire net.❼ Click Display Control and enable the PLANE_4 layer.❽ Select Planes > Plane Shape and set the Properties as shown.

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Creating Split/Mixed Planes (continued)

❶ Draw the plane shape as shown to include the connections for net VDDQ3.3V. Close the Properties dialog box when completed.Note: The net automatically connects to the plane, and the plane shape is also automatically Split from the existing VDD plane.



Creating Split/Mixed Planes (continued)

Now you will create a Mixed Plane on layer SIGNAL_1 for the Analog_SW group.❶ Click Display Control and disable the Plane_4 layer.❷ Select Place > Component Explorer, then click Fit Selected and Toggle

Cross Probe.

❸ Select the ANALOG_SW group, then Auto Hide Component Explorer.❹ Select Planes > Plane Shape and use the Action Key F9 Add Rectangle

to draw a shape with the specified Properties around the ANALOG_SW group as shown. Close the Properties dialog box when completed.

Hint: Try copying the Room shape you created for this group in the Placement lesson to create the new plane shape. In the Setting Up a New Board Design - Drawing the Route Border Using Copy Shape, you learned how to copy existing shapes to create additional objects.Note: The plane shape automatically connects to the GND connections and clears objects per your assigned Constraint Manager clearances.

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Plowing and Plow Editing FeaturesLet’s take a look at a few more Plowing (Routing) and Plow Editing features in Xpedition xPCB Layout.In this section you may use the Plow Style of your choice.

Multi-PlowMulti-Plow allows you to route multiple traces at one time.

❶ Zoom to the area of U2 through U5.❷ Frame select the four pins for the four nets on U5 as shown, then click

F3 Plow/Multi.

❸ Route the traces to U3 as shown.❹ Click near one of the pin connection points on U3 to complete the

routes. ❺ Right-click then Cancel Multi-Plow.

Plow Auto Finish

❻ Select the pin on U4 as shown, then click F3 Plow/Multi.❼ Route the trace towards U2, pausing near U3 as shown.❽ Click F5 Auto Finish to automatically complete the route.❾ Route the additional connections on U4 using Auto Finish.❿ Cancel Plow.

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Deleting Traces or Trace Segments

❶ Select the trace segment from U5.❷ Press Delete, to delete the segment.

❸ Click Undo or use Alt+Backspace to undo the delete.❹ Select two points within a trace segment from U5.❺ Press Delete to remove the portion of the segment,

then click Undo.❻ Double-click on the trace from U5, and the entire

connection is selected.❼ Press Delete to delete the entire connection, then click

Undo.Note: Previously in this lesson, you used a Triple-click to select the entire net within the design.

Re-Routing a TraceYou can easily re-route any trace using the Plow command.

❽ Click F3 Plow/Multi, and select the U5 trace. Re-route begins.

Suspending a Route If you need to move off screen while routing to change settings, you can suspend routing for the currently selected trace.

❾ While re-routing the trace, press the Shift key and trace routing is Suspended.

❿ Click in the Editor window to Unsuspend the route.

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Context Sensitive Right Mouse Button MenusWhile you route in Xpedition xPCB Layout the right mouse button menus can save you time by placing the most common editing features at your fingertips.

❶ While re-routing the trace, right-click to review the available editing features.

❷ You can Change Layers by selecting the new layer.

❸ You can Change Widths or Add Width to a trace.❹ You can override and change the Via Type for the trace.

❺ Complete the re-route of the trace to U3 and cancel Plow.

Moving Traces and ViasOnce you have completed routing, you can easily Move traces and vias or groups of traces. There are also context sensitive menus available with additional edit features.

❻ Select the VDD net via on U5.❼ Drag the via to the opposite side of the pad on U5.

❽ Drag all of the voltage and ground vias to the new locations as shown. Notice that the vias will shove the traces as needed.

❾ You will need to drag the voltage vias on U2 and U3 farther to maintain plane connectivity.

Hint: Enable the PLANE_4 layer to see the plane shape location.

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Moving Traces and Vias (continued)

Now use Move to clean up the routes in the U2 through U5 area.❶ Click the action key F10 Toggle Gloss and set to Gloss Local.❷ Select a pad on U5, then click Editor Control > Route tab > Pad Entry.

The Oblong 24x74 pad is selected.

❸ In the Rules for selected pads section, enable diagonal pad entry.❹ Click OK.❺ Zoom to U3 and select the trace segment as shown.❻ Drag the trace segment towards the inside of the U3 pattern.❼ Repeat step 6 to clean up the additional segments on U3 as shown.

Glossing TracesUse Gloss to quickly cleanup and remove unnecessary segments.

❽ Frame select the traces between U2 and U5, then right-click Selection > Add Partially Selected Nets. All of the net segments are selected.

❾ Click the action key F11 Gloss to clean up the trace segments.❿ Press Esc to end the command.⓫ Save your layout.

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Routing Critical NetsAfter fanout, route your critical nets. Critical nets are any nets whose performance must be managed to achieve a working design. These nets include Differential Pairs and Length-constrained nets that require tuning. These nets should be routed first and then fixed before starting other routing.

Routing Diff Pairs

❶ Click Fit Board.❷ Select Display Control > Edit > Favorites section and enable

Netlines - From Marked Nets.❸ Click Route>Net Explorer and select Differential Pairs, then Mark.

Only the Diff Pairs are shown in the Editor Window.

❹ Zoom into U5 and select the two pins for the Diff Pair. ❺ Click F2 Fanout and notice the pins fanout symmetrically for the diff

pair spacing.❻ Select one of the vias and click F3 Plow/Multi. Notice that both traces

of the diff pair are attached to the cursor.❼ Right-click Layers > 2 HS or press “2” to switch to layer SIGNAL_2 for

routing.❽ Route the traces as shown and zoom to the connection location.❾ Click F9 Toggle Via to change the diff vias to a horizontal pattern prior

to placing them.❿ Switch to Layer SIGNAL_1 and complete the routes by selecting near

one of the connection pins.⓫ Cancel Plow.

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Routing Matched Length TracesIn the previous lesson you added length and matching constraints to nets within this design. When you route these traces, they may not fall within the requirements you provided. Xpedition xPCB Layout determines which traces are not within constraint tolerances and allows you to interactively tune them to the required lengths.

Interactive Tuning The tuning patterns used during interactive tuning are set in Editor Control.

❶ Click Editor Control > Route > Tuning.❷ Review the settings in Tuning Patterns, then click OK.

❸ Click Constraint Manager and expand Constraint Classes , then set the Group dropdown list to Delays and Lengths.

❹ In Constraint Manager, expand the DIFF1 and DIFF2 diff pairs and scroll right to the Length columns.

❺ In Constraint Manager, Select Data > Actuals > Update All. Notice that the diff pair you just completed is shorter than the required length constraints.

You will now tune the diff pair you routed to add length. To help you know when the length is within tolerance you can use the Tuning Meter.

❻ Click Display Control > Graphic and expand the Graphics Options > General section.

❼ Enable the Tuning Meter, if needed.

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Interactive Tuning (continued)

❶ Zoom to the DIFF2 diff pairs connections near U8.❷ Select one of the diff pair traces.

❸ Select Route > Tune Routes > Manual Tune. A tuning box appears with one full cycle completed.

❹ Select a Tuning Box handle and drag it to add tuning cycles.❺ When the Tuning Meter reads GREEN, your net lengths are tuned to the

proper constraint lengths.❻ You can adjust the size of the tuning window to fit the traces into an

area.❼ Right-click and choose Cancel Tuning.❽ Select both diff pair traces and click Selection > Add Partially Selected

Nets, then right-click Fix/Lock > Fix to protect the traces from additional editing.

❾ To verify your length constraints, in Constraint Manager click Data > Actuals > Update All.

❿ Close Constraint Manager.

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Sketch RouterThe Sketch Router is an important development in the long quest to provide effective and productive routing tools. It is a revolutionary approach for interactively routing groups of netlines. It is easy to setup, use and control; has quality that rivals that of any designer; is 10 to 40 times faster than manual routing.This lesson covers the basic use of the Sketch Router. If you would like more in-depth information after you complete the lesson, ask to see the Sketch Router Quick Design Guide.

Netline Selection The Sketch Router routes netlines, not entire nets. It automatically selects the netlines based on proximity to the start and end points of the sketch path. Or, you can select specific netlines. If you select route objects such as pins, vias or traces, the Sketch Router attempts to route the net-selected netlines if no other netlines are selected.

❶ Click Fit Board.❷ Select View > Message Window to allow you to see Sketch Route status

messages.

❸ Click Route>Net Explorer and Unmark All nets.❹ In Net Explorer, expand Net Class, then select and Mark Net Class FDATA.

Note: Organize Netlines into groups with one of the numerous methods in Xpedition xPCB Layout: Net Classes, Constraint Classes, Net Explorer, Net Filter, and Display Control. This will enable you to easily view and select netlines for routing.

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Drawing a Sketch Path Sketch Router routes netlines based on a path and direction that you define. The path that the routes follow is called the Sketch path.

❶ Select Route > Draw Sketch, then press “2” to begin the path on layer SIGNAL_2.

❷ Click to start the path near P2 and draw the free-form path as shown. Notice the netlines become selected automatically.

❸ When the path is near U12 press “5” to change the path layer to SIGNAL_5.❹ Right-click and choose Via Pattern > Reverse Single.❺ Continue the path on SIGNAL_5 into U12 as shown, then right-click

Finish Drawing.❻ Click the action key F9 Sketch Route and watch as your netlines are routed.

That was easy! Get ready to do another one…

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Understanding Sketch Paths and Via Patterns

SKETCH PATHS❶ By default, the sketch path is free-form.❷ You can choose a hockey stick sketch path by clicking F10 Toggle

Sketch Style or by using the right mouse menu while drawing the sketch path.

❸ If you start a new sketch path on the endpoint of another sketch path, it will extend the sketch path.

❹ If a sketch path exists, starting a new one deletes the previous one.VIA PATTERNS

❺ There are six different via patterns available for sketch paths. The color of the via symbol indicates the starting layer.

❻ You can choose a via pattern by clicking F2 Add Via Pattern or by using the right mouse menu while drawing the sketch path.

❼ (A) The arrow indicates the direction the traces will exit a via pattern.

❽ (B) The via symbol indicates a single or double row via pattern.❾ (C) The traces symbol indicate the direction the traces will enter

the symbol.❿ Rotate via Patterns using F4 Rotate 45 or F5 Rotate 90 or by using

the right mouse menu while drawing a sketch path.⓫ In some cases, an “X” appears on the via pattern to show that the

rotation is invalid.

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Unpacked Sketch RoutingThe first sketch route you completed was routed as Packed. The second method of sketch routing is Unpacked.

❶ Click Route > Net Explorer and Unmark All nets, then select and Mark Net Class FADDR.

❷ Start your sketch path on SIGNAL_2 near P2, then click F10 Toggle Sketch Style to change to an angled path.

❸ Click F11 Toggle Route Style to change to Unpacked.❹ Switch layers to SIGNAL_5 and finish the sketch path near U12 as

shown. You will use the default Automatic Via Pattern.❺ Click F9 Sketch Route to start the routing.

❻ Right-click and choose Close, then Save your layout.❼ You can Auto-Hide or Close the Message Window.

❽ Click Fit Board and Unmark All nets in Net Explorer.

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Copying CircuitsIn the Placement lesson you were able to create the four Logic IO circuit placements from one placed circuit using Copy Circuit. In this section you will copy the routing from one of those same circuits to the other three using Copy Trace. Copying traces can save time when used to copy similar circuits or fanout patterns on similar device packages.Note: In this section you will copy routed traces and vias, but you could copy the entire placement and routing of a circuit using Copy Circuit.

❶ In Place > Component Explorer, select the IO_Port1 group.❷ Frame select the routing in the IO_Port1 circuit then right-click and choose

Copy Trace. The routes are copied to the cursor.

❸ Place the routing over the pad locations on IO_Port2 and click to place the routes.

❹ Continue to place the routes on IO_Port3 and IO_Port4 as shown.❺ Right-click and choose Cancel to end Copy Trace.

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Placing Via PatternsIn Mixed Signal PCB layouts, you may need to add stitching or shield vias to a shape. Xpedition xPCB Layout allows you to create interactive via patterns easily within shapes and around traces using Add Via.

❶ In Component Explorer, select the ANALOG_SW group.❷ Select Route > Add Via.❸ Click the Array tab and adjust the Padstack, Span, Netname and

Placement Control settings as shown.❹ Click Pick Reference, then click the location at the lower left corner of

the GND plane shape.❺ Click Apply to place the via pattern within the plane shape.❻ Close Add Via and Save your layout.❼ Click Fit Board and Unmark All groups in Component Explorer.

Now it is your turn! Using the training in this lesson, continue routing your PCB layout. An example of the completed routing is on the next page. If you do not have time to complete the routing, that's OK. The next lesson will start with the routed board.

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The Finished PCB Layout Routing




Review Questions

1 What is DRC?2 Will routing with DRC ON keep me from creating routing errors?3 When would I want to route with DRC OFF?4 What is the advantage of using Sketch Router?

Review Answers

1 DRC is an acronym for Design Rule Checking. When DRC is ON, it is constantly monitoring and enforcing your design rules. This is powerful technology that helps you to maintain the integrity of your design during placement and routing operations.

2 During Placement there are three modes of operation: Warning, Prevent with Shove Parts, and Interactive DRC Off. If you attempt to create placement violation in Prevent mode with DRC On, the system does not allow you to complete the operation. Similarly, in Warn mode, the system presents a message warning you of the potential violation and asks permission to complete the task. While Routing with Interactive DRC On you cannot create copper to copper errors. This saves you time by preventing errors you must clean up later.

3 During routing, you may have a rule that specifies a particular clearance for your traces as they transition across the board. At times when you near the end of the route, the signal must attach to a high density component such as a connector or BGA and there may not be enough room to get the trace to its destination pin without creating a spacing violation. You can set up a component rule to allow the trace through at a smaller spacing, or you can turn off DRC temporarily so that you can complete the traces. The DRC errors created by turning off DRC will be given a Visualization Pattern are reported during Batch DRC Verification.

4 When you have a group of signals that follow a similar routing path, you can route them as a Packed or Unpacked group (or bus). You can select a group of nets and draw a sketch path for the routing to follow. The traces route as a group, maintaining proper clearances. This is a quick and easy way to route multiple traces with a quality that is very similar to your own hand routing.

243Final Layout Considerations


Adding Test PointsIn Xpedition xPCB Layout, you can place test points manually on Through Pins, SMD pins, Vias, Traces, and open areas on the Top or Bottom sides of the layout. Define Test Point settings with the Setup Parameters dialog box.

❶ In Xpedition xPCB Layout, from the Start Page, select Open and browse to and choose: C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\Lesson6\PCB\CORPORATE.pcb.

❷ Select Setup > Setup Parameters > General tab and review the Test point settings section.

❸ When you routed the layout, the Via Grid was set to 5. Change the Test Point Grid setting to 5 to match the via grid setting in Editor Control.

❹ Click OK to update the database settings.❺ Zoom to U5 and select the via from one of the diff pair traces.

Note: You must select a net item prior to placing a test point.

❻ Select Place > Test Points > Place and place the test point directly on the via on the bottom side of the layout.

❼ Repeat steps 5 and 6 to add a test point to the other via from the diff pair traces.

Lesson 19: Final Layout Considerations After completing the routing of your layout, you may still be required to make a few additions or changes to it. These changes, or ECOs (Engineering Change Orders), for example, may require you to add Test Points, Teardrops on pads, or Component updates. Xpedition xPCB Layout can easily manage these additions and changes for you.

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244 Final Layout Considerations

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Teardrops and TracedropsTeardrops and Tracedrops are used to add filleting to pads and/or vias in a PCB layout. They provide additional stability at the trace entry point, or provide additional copper for annular ring requirements. You can also add Teardrops at the junction of two traces or between pads and Multi-Via objects.

❶ Zoom to P1 on the top edge of the layout.❷ Select Route > Teardrops & Tracedrops > Teardrops.❸ On the Pad Teardrops tab, enable Pad to Trace and Include

fixed/locked traces.❹ Enable Ratio and enter a value of 1 for the Pad and Via pad ratio.❺ Select the four routed pads on P1 as shown. (Select individually with

<CTRL> key depressed or frame select and then remove the middle pin from selection).

❻ On the Process dropdown list, choose Selected Padstacks.❼ In the Teardrops dialog box, click Apply.

Note: No Teardrops were added to traces where clearance violation would be created.

❽ Review the Trace Teardrops and Multiple Via Teardrops tabs showing the many types of teardrops that can be created.

❾ Close the Teardrops dialog box.



ECOs (Engineering Change Orders)A few more changes may be required prior to releasing your layout for fabrication. Reference Designator Renumbering will allow the engineers to easily find components on the board once it is manufactured.You may also need to replace or reset cells and update the cells and padstacks from the library to make sure your layout is synchronized.

Renumber Reference DesignatorsYou can renumber Reference Designators by Selection, Individually, or for the entire layout.

❶ Click Fit Board.❷ Select ECO > Renumber Ref Des.❸ In Renumber Reference Designators, enable Test Points and Exclude

“P” Prefixes.Note: The connectors P1 and P2 will not be renumbered.

❹ Click Auto Renumber. ❺ The reference designators will be renumbered according to the

Direction listed in the Top and Bottom tabs.❻ The Starting Number is 1, click OK. The Process list is completed.❼ Click OK in the Renumber Reference Designators dialog box to apply

the changes to the layout.❽ Review the renumbering changes, then Save your layout.

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Replacing and Resetting CellsIn the Placement lesson, you used Component Explorer to replace a cell with a provided alternate. You can replace or completely reset cells using ECO also.

❶ Select ECO > Replace Cell.❷ Click Process type Replace.❸ Replacement Cell allows you to select individual or all cells for

Alternate Cell replacement.❹ Click Process type Reset.❺ Reset allows you to select individual components or component part

numbers to reset from the Local library.Note: Resetting cells does not update cells from the Central Library.

❻ Enable Keep text attributes during replace/reset if you have made changes to cell silkscreen text items in your layout. Otherwise, the locations will also be updated from the original placement.

❼ Close Replace Cell.

Update Cells and PadstacksIt is good practice to update all of the components on your layouts from the Central Library before verifying the design for fabrication. This verifies that the components and padstacks on your layout are the most up-to-date with any library changes that may have taken place during the layout schedule.

❽ Select ECO > Update Cells and Padstacks, then click Yes to update the layout.Note: Running a Forward Annotation using the Update local libraries with newer Central Library data option performs the same process.

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Pending Forward/Back Annotation ReportAt any time during your layout, you can view a report of the changes that will take place during the next Forward or Backward Annotation cycle.

❶ Select ECO > Pending FA/BA Report.❷ The File Viewer opens showing the report.❸ Note the differences you created in the Reference Designators

between the Layout and the Schematic.❹ Close File Viewer.❺ Select ECO > Back Annotate to synchronize the layout and schematic

databases.❻ Save your layout.

Back Annotation of ECO ChangesOnce you have completed any required ECO changes, they need to be Back Annotated to update the schematic database.

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Review Questions

1 Do I need to add Test Points to my layout?2 Should I add Teardrops to every pad in my layout?3 Why do I need to renumber reference designators?4 Why should I update my cells and padstacks?

Review Answers

1 Depending on the testing requirements for your layout, you may not need to add test points. If the board will be mass produced, engineering will usually require test points so the fabricated and assembled boards can be tested prior to packaging for customer use.

2 Teardrops on pads in your layout should be discussed with your PCB fabrication vendors. Dense designs with minimal annular ring on pads, or fine line technology, may require teardrops on all vias and most pads in your design.

3 Renumber reference designators to make the components easier for assemblers and testers to find by creating a sequential pattern. You do not have to search through hundreds, or even thousands of components to find a part on the board.

4 If your library components are maintained and edited by someone else, you may not be aware of changes taking place to library components that could affect your layout. Updating the cells and padstacks verifies that you have the most up-to-date library information in your layout.

249Design Verification


Status ReportingWhen verifying the completeness of your PCB layout, you should check two reports: Design Status and Dynamic Plane Status.

❶ In Xpedition xPCB Layout, from the Start Page, select Open and browse to and choose: C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\Lesson6\PCB\CORPORATE.pcb.

❷ Select Output > Design Status, or click Design Status.❸ Review the information in the Design Status report.❹ Look for the following key information in this report when you are

verifying your layout. � Open Connections should read 0. � Percent Routed should read 100% � Parts not Placed should read 0

Note: There is one part that you did not place earlier. You need to correct this error when you run Batch DRC during the verification process.

Lesson 20: Design Verification In Xpedition xPCB Layout, the Online DRC capabilities significantly reduce the errors you may create during PCB layout. In order to completely verify your design prior to fabrication, you should always complete a Batch DRC and Review cycle. Verification of all constraints, connectivity, and high speed requirements are accomplished using Batch DRC. Status reports and Review Hazards will help you to easily identify and correct any errors.

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250 Design Verification

Batch DRCYou can set up Batch DRC for any number of checking scenarios, and save each scenario as a scheme for use on other designs. You can also run Batch DRC on the full layout or a selected section of a layout using a DRC Window.

❹ Select Analysis > Batch DRC, or click Batch DRC.❺ Batch DRC is set to use the Final DRC scheme to check

the entire design.❻ You will be checking for Proximity (Clearance) errors on

all layers of the design according to the constraints you created in Constraint Manager.

❼ In Batch DRC, click Advanced Element to Element Rules.

Status Reporting (continued)

❶ Select Output > Dynamic Plane Status. ❷ Review the information in the Dynamic Planes Status report.❸ Look for the following information in this report for each plane layer and

shape when verifying your layout: � Pads Unconnected to Plane for each shape should be 0.

Note: Any error found in these reports will also be reported in Batch DRC. You can use these reports to quickly review the completeness of your layout at any phase during the layout.

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Batch DRC (continued)

Advanced Element to Element Rules allows you to create new DRC checks between specific element types within your layout or override current Net Class rules between elements.

❶ You can change the DRC checking between elements by clicking the matrix box for checking Generated Silkscreen to Soldermask and enter a value of 2. This check will make sure there is no Silkscreen in areas without Soldermask coverage.

❷ Repeat step 1 to check Generated Silkscreen to Generated Silkscreen to make sure no Silkscreen is on top of another. You may need to scroll right to see the other matrix element.

❸ Note that you can add Layer Specific elements and User Layer elements to the matrix.

❹ Click OK to save your matrix changes. ❺ In Batch DRC, click the Connectivity and Special Rules tab.❻ Review the sections and elements that you will be checking on your

layout.Note: Any combination of checks can be created specific to the requirements of your layout type.

❼ Click OK to run Batch DRC and see the results. Overwrite the current scheme if asked.

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DRC Visualization UpdateBefore you review hazards, you will update the DRC Visualization status so that you can easily see copper to copper errors that may have been created in your layout if you disabled Online DRC.

❶ Click DRC Visualization to update the status.Note: This can be done at anytime during the layout, but should always be done prior to reviewing hazards.

❷ Select Analysis > Review Hazards or click Review Hazards.❸ Click Update Hazards Count.❹ Note the Type dropdown list is set to Show All hazards.❺ Note the Graphic options are set to Select, Highlight and Fit view any

selected hazard.

Understanding Verification Hazards

❻ Select Online, these errors were found by Online DRC during the layout.❼ Select Batch, these errors were found when you ran Batch DRC.

These are the errors you will be correcting.

Reviewing DRC Errors You can easily review the DRC errors found with Batch DRC using Review Hazards. Review Hazards allows you to select and cross probe directly to an error and then correct it, or accept it.

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Accepting Verification HazardsSometimes in a PCB Layout, errors need to be created intentionally. Although this is not a good layout practice, it may be unavoidable. When this is the case, you will need to tell the DRC checking to Accept these errors but mark them for future reference.

❶ Select Online, then click (9) Components errors.❷ In Display Control, choose the Placement scheme.❸ In the Review Hazards Components dialog box, click the Violation for L1,

then double-click the first L1 violation in the Description section.❹ L1 is highlighted and the Description shows that the violation is due to the

component overhanging the Board Outline. This violation is intentional.❺ Click Accept, the violation is highlighted and the Accepted count is

updated.Note: This Hazard can also be corrected in your Library by marking the Allow Cell Overhang switch in Package Cell Properties. This library change will keep the error from occurring in future designs.

❻ Continue to review the other Component and Online violations, updating them to Accepted as needed.Note: You will need to switch back to the Display Control > Routing scheme to see some of the errors.

Understanding Verification Hazards (continued)

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❶ In the Review Hazards dialog box, click Batch and choose (1) Unplaced Parts.

❷ This is the Unplaced Part found in the Design Status report you ran earlier in this lesson.

❸ Placing this Part on the layout will remove the error.Note: You can correct this at a later time. C34_1 should be placed on the bottom side of the layout between U3 and U4 found on the top side of the layout.

Understanding Verification Hazards (continued)

Using DRC Visualization and Repair DRC

❹ Select Batch, and click (xx) Proximity.❺ Double-click Hazard #1. The error is a Trace to

Trace violation.❻ You can see the DRC Visualization pattern where

the error has occurred.❼ Select the trace containing the pattern.❽ Right-click and choose Repair Selected and the

trace to trace violation is corrected.❾ Continue to correct or accept the other listed

Proximity violations.❿ When completed, Close Review Hazards then

rerun Batch DRC and Review Hazards to see how well you corrected the DRC errors.Note: It is always a good idea to rerun the DRC Verification process after correcting DRC errors, or if any changes are made to the layout.

⓫ Save your layout and close Xpedition xPCB.

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Review Questions

1 Why should I verify my layout?2 Which Batch DRC checks should I run?3 What fabrication checks are available with Batch DRC?4 Do I need to correct every error found in Review Hazards?

Review Answers

1 A PCB layout is a very complex project that requires thousands of design details to be accomplished to complete a finished product. Managing these details can be a large task, and it is possible for unexpected errors to occur. Verification allows you to analyze the details of your layout and correct errors prior to generating manufacturing outputs.

2 You should always run checks for the entire design, Connectivity and Special rules, and all of the Proximity options to check clearances on all layers. Additionally, you can add checks in Connectivity and Special rules based on the requirements of your design.

3 While routing in Xpedition xPCB, the system tries to maintain good DFM rules to reduce trace slivers and acid traps. Batch DRC does provide checking for some manufacturing errors like Missing Pads, Plane Islands, and padstacks with Minimum Annular Ring.

4 It is a good idea to review every error listed in Review Hazards before sending your design to manufacturing. Some designs may require you to correct every error found in Review Hazards. In some cases, the errors listed may be considered by engineering as warnings and are allowed within the design. These errors can be Accepted as intentional and not required to fix, but logged for future reference.

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In this section:

Simulation with HyperLynx BoardSim & HyperLynx Thermal

� Simulation with HyperLynx BoardSim � Thermal Analysis with HyperLynx Thermal

258 HyperLynx BoardSim Simulation

Lesson 21: HyperLynx BoardSim Simulation This exercise walks you through the process of sending a finished design from Xpedition xPCB Layout to HyperLynx BoardSim and selecting a net for simulation. You will run a post route simulation to validate the simulation results from LineSim completed in the pre-layout stage. HyperLynx BoardSim simulation validates the signal quality and will help you to determine if the routing topology, board stackup, trace lengths, widths, and termination are suitable for a given interface.

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HyperLynx BoardSim

❶ From the Xpedition xPCB Layout Start Page, click Open and browse to and select: C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\LessonFinal\PCB\CORPORATE.pcb.

❷ Select Analysis > Export to HyperLynx SI/PI/Thermal. HyperLynx BoardSim opens with your PCB database loaded.Note: HyperLynx Power Integrity analysis requires additional HyperLynx licensing.

❸ In HyperLynx BoardSim, click NET.❹ In the Select Net by Name dialog box, scroll down, select the

DATA_BUS0 net and then click OK. This shows only that specific net routed on the board.

259HyperLynx BoardSim Simulation


HyperLynx BoardSim (continued)

❺ Select COMP.

❻ In the Assign Models dialog box, double-click on pin U13.M26.Hint: These are the same steps used in the HyperLynx LineSim lesson (Lesson 10).

❼ In Select IC Model, choose xc9500.ibs from the Libraries list, and then choose XC95216_BGA352[SLW=0;VIO=0] from the Devices list, then click OK.

❽ In Assign Models select U13.M26 pin and change the Buffer settings to Output.

❾ Repeat steps 6 and 7 for U15.13 and U26.13 and choose mc74lcx125.ibs from the Libraries list, and then choose MC74LCX125 from the Devices list, then click OK.

❿ Close Assign Models.

⓫ Select Run Simulation.

⓬ In the Digital Oscilloscope dialog box, select the Rising edge radio button. Make sure you have a probe color assigned to pins and click Start Simulation.

⓭ Click two points in the Oscilloscope window on the top and bottom of the overshoot of the waveform to review the span of the voltage overshoot.Note: Receivers have a lot of voltage overshoot (about 1.95V, in LineSim we had 2.1V).

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260 HyperLynx BoardSim Simulation


Now we want to compare the pre-layout simulation results from LineSim with the BoardSim results that we just observed.

⓮ In the Digital Oscilloscope dialog box, click Save/Load and then select the HyperLynx.LIS radio button.

⓯ Click Load and browse to C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\LessonFinal. ⓰ Select the file DATA_BUS0_no_termination.lis, then close

Load/Save Waveforms.⓱ You can toggle to see both the pre-layout and post layout simulation

results by checking the Loaded results check box.Note: Differences between pre- and post-layout simulation results for receiver propagation delay (Green and Cyan color wave forms) are due to topology and trace length differences. However, the overshoot is almost the same (1.95V versa 2.10V).

⓲ To fix the Signal Integrity problem, click Termination Wizard.The Termination Wizard dialog suggests using AC termination at the U15.13 receiver pin.

⓳ From the Apply tolerance dropdown list, choose Exact value.⓴ Click Apply Values. This assigns the terminator and its value.

Click OK.

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261HyperLynx BoardSim Simulation



Click Erase, then Start Simulation to rerun the simulation with the AC Termination in place.Notice that we removed almost all of the Signal Integrity problems related to overshoot.

Now we want to compare pre-layout simulation results from LineSim with BoardSim results after termination.

In the Digital Oscilloscope dialogbox, click Save/Load, then select the HyperLynx .LIS radio button.Click Load and browse to and select the file C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\LessonFinal\DATA_BUS0 _terminated.lisCheck the Loaded results check box so you can toggle to see both the pre- and post-layout results of the simulation.Note: Differences between pre- and post-layout simulation results with Termination in place for receiver propagation delay are due to topology and trace length differences.

Close Digital Oscilloscope, then close HyperLynx BoardSim.

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Review Questions

1 When would I want to use HyperLynx BoardSim?2 Can I compare HyperLynx BoardSim results with those from HyperLynx

LineSim?3 What do I do with the results?

Review Answers

1 Early in the design process, you can use HyperLynx LineSim to model the behavior of specific signals and/or specify terminations that might be required. HyperLynx BoardSim then lets you model the actual physical trace on the board to see if the physical implementation of the signal performs as expected against the earlier simulation.

2 HyperLynx BoardSim lets you run simulations on specific signals and also lets you compare the simulation results with previous simulations created in HyperLynx LineSim. This capability lets you carefully examine the projected performance against the actual layout to determine if any tweaking is required.

3 The results provided by HyperLynx BoardSim help you determine if any additional components need to be added to the design or if values of current components need to be adjusted. Any changes can be incorporated into the design at the schematic level and forwarded to Layout.

HyperLynx BoardSim Simulation

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Lesson 22: HyperLynx Thermal Analysis This exercise walks you through the process of sending a finished design from Xpedition xPCB Layout to HyperLynx Thermal to evaluate possible heat problems and corresponding solutions for eliminating areas of excessive heat. This exercise does not cover all of the aspects of the HyperLynx Thermal software but highlights a few important features.


HyperLynx Thermal AnalysisThis section demonstrates how to perform a HyperLynx Thermal simulation.

❶ From the Xpedition xPCB Layout Start Page, select Open, then browse and select C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\LessonFinal\PCB\LessonFinal.pcb.

❷ Select Analysis > Export to HyperLynx SI/PI/Thermal. BoardSim will open.

❸ In BoardSim, click Run Thermal Simulation. The simulation is displayed along with the Components dialog box.Note: Some components are running as hot as 67degC. We will try to resolve some component problems.

❹ You can view the simulation results in 2D or 3D by selecting View > Toggle 2D/3D mode.

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HyperLynx Thermal Analysis

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HyperLynx Thermal Analysis (continued)

❺ Create a screw component in the Master Library by selecting Library > Master.

❻ In the Edit Master Library dialog box, highlight the first component and click Copy Part.

❼ Enter the name Screw_#6 for the new part.❽ Click OK.❾ In the Edit Master Library dialog box, scroll down and, select the Screw_#6

part then click Edit part.

❿ In the Edit part dialog box, change the parameters for this screw as shown and click OK.

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HyperLynx Thermal Analysis264

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⓫ In the Edit Master Library dialog box, select Save to disk and click Close.

⓬ Copy the ‘Screw_#6’ part from the Master Library to the Working Library to be used in this design by Selecting Library > Working.

⓭ In the Edit Working Library dialog box (in the left-hand window) Master library: scroll down and select Screw_#6.

⓮ Click >> to copy it to Working Library: window.⓯ Click Close.⓰ Select Placement > Screw and the part attaches to your cursor.


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⓱ Place the part in the location as shown, then click OK in the Component properties dialog box.

⓲ Repeat step 17 and place the remaining 3 screws at the locations shown.⓳ Rerun the analysis by clicking Run Thermal Simulation.

Note: After adding screws around the upper left IC component, the temperature decreased from 67degC to 51degC. Overall temperature for the board decreased to 52degC.

⓴ Save and exit HyperLynx, then save and close Xpedition xPCB Layout.

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Review Questions

1 When would I use HyperLynx Thermal? 2 How does HyperLynx Thermal compute the temperature of areas of the board?3 Can I add my own custom heat sinks and mechanical components to HyperLynx Thermal?4 How do I utilize the results?

Review Answers

1 Many designs can be temperature sensitive depending upon their application. You can use HyperLynx Thermal to create a thermal model of your design and determine if you will need to add heat sinking components or adjust your system cooling and air flow specifications to guarantee proper performance.

2 HyperLynx Thermal uses an extensive library of thermally modeled components and air velocity statistics to create a sophisticated model of the thermal behavior of your design. Through careful monitoring and adjustment of these parameters, you can discover what changes you need to consider in order to bring your design into an acceptable window of thermal performance.

3 You can add additional models to HyperLynx Thermal to represent specific components that you might add to your design to improve thermal performance. You must give careful attention to the creation of these models so that the application can properly interpret their thermal characteristics.

4 Once you identify problem areas and possible solutions, you can incorporate the necessary changes into your design and rerun additional simulations to confirm the adjusted behavior of your design.



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269

In this section: � Adding Drawing Documentation � Generating Manufacturing Outputs � Data Archiving and Transfer � Library Component Creation � Conclusion

Completing the Design

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Lesson 23: Adding Drawing DocumentationOnce you have completed your design, you will need to prepare documentation for releasing it to manufacturing. Xpedition xPCB Layout has built-in functionality to add drawing details, formats, notes, and dimensioning. You can add Drawing Details from your Personal Library, or import them using DXF drawings from third party design tools. Dimensioning in Xpedition xPCB Layout is associative, and can be created using both Linear and Ordinate methods.In this exercise, you will learn how to update your fabrication drawing to prepare it for release output for manufacturing.

Dimensioning SetupBefore you dimension your design, you need to prepare the dimensioning environment. You must set the layer display or set up display schemes for repeated use. You must also determine which type of dimensioning method is most appropriate.

❶ In Xpedition xPCB Layout, from the Start Page, select Recent and choose: C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\Lesson6\PCB\CORPORATE.pcb.

❷ Click Fit Board, then open Display Control and select the FAB_DWG_SH2 display scheme.

❸ Select View > Toolbars > Dimension to add the Dimensioning Toolbar.❹ On the Dimensioning toolbar, click Dimension Parameters and select the

Local: Default dimension scheme.❺ Review the settings in the scheme on the General tab of the Dimension

Parameters dialog box.Note: You create the Dimension Style, Layer, and Font settings here.

❻ Review the settings on the Placement tab then click OK.Note: You create the Dimension Leader Terminations, Line Styles, and Placement here. You can save all of the Dimension Parameters as multiple schemes for your designs.

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Adding Drawing Documentation

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Associative DimensioningXpedition supports two types of associative dimensioning; Linear and Ordinate. Linear measures the distance between one feature of an object to another. Ordinate measures all dimensions from a common origin point (0,0) for the entire board. Once you have dimensioned an object with either method, if you edit the object location, the dimensions will update automatically for that object. Placing Ordinate Dimensions

❶ Zoom to the lower left area of the board, near the Board Origin.❷ From the Dimension toolbar, click Place An Ordinate Dimension.❸ Select the mounting hole and place the dimension as shown.❹ Select the Board Outline locations and the dimensions are placed in

alignment with the first dimension.Note: The added dimension values are measured from the (0,0) Board Origin.

Automatically Updating Dimensions❺ Zoom to the lower right area of the board and place a dimension for the

mounting hole. Note: Right-click and select Cancel to exit Placement mode.

❻ Select the mounting hole, then right-click and select Fix/Lock > Unlock from the menu.

❼ Right-click the mounting hole and click Properties > Padstack Properties.❽ Change the X: Location of the mounting hole to 5,500 and click OK.

Note the dimension changes automatically.❾ Click Undo to move the mounting hole to the original location and Lock it.

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Associative Dimensioning (continued)

Placing Linear Dimensions❶ Click Dimension Parameters on the Dimensioning Toolbar to launch the

Dimension Parameters dialog. Then, on the Dimension Parameters General tab change the Dimension Method to Associative and click OK.

❷ Click Place Dimension Between Two Elements.❸ Select the two Board Outline locations to place a dimension for the overall

length of the board as shown.❹ Using both Ordinate and Associative dimensioning, complete the

dimensioning of your board as shown.

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Adding and Editing TextYou can add and edit text in your documentation using WYSIWYG True Type fonts. You have full control over the size, justification, and rotation. You can even create Mirrored text if needed for the bottom side of your layout. You can also edit multiple text items simultaneously to save time. Adding Text

❶ Zoom to the area around the Film Title Block below the Board Outline.❷ Select Draw > Text.❸ In the Properties dialog box, setup the Layer, Font, Size, and Justification as

shown.❹ Enter My Design Inc. for the String value, and place the text as shown by

clicking the location.Editing Text

❺ Double-click on the text string First Last.

❻ In the Properties dialog box edit the String value and enter your name.❼ Close the Properties dialog box.

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Adding and Editing Text (continued)

Editing Multiple Text ItemsIn this design, the Drawing Number is a text item that appears in several places and is identical in all locations. You do not have to edit these individually; you can change them all with one edit. Hint: In most designs, text strings like the Drawing Number can be in multiple places on multiple pages. So editing them all at the same time can reduce the chance for errors.

❶ Select the Drawing Number text string in the Film Title Block.❷ Select View > Fit All to see the entire Title Block.❸ Using CNTL + Select, select the other two text strings on the title block for

the Drawing Number.❹ Right-click Properties and edit the String with the value 12345-000.❺ Close Properties and note that all of the text strings you selected are edited.

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Placing Drawing CellsYou can create Drawing Cells in your Personal Library to use as drawing details, formats, and notes. You place Drawing Cells using Component Explorer.

❶ Select Place > Component Explorer.❷ In the Component Explorer Navigator, click Drawing Cells.❸ Select the Drawing Cell Fab_PCI_EdgeConnDetail, then right-click Place.❹ Place the Drawing Cell as shown.

Note: Once you place a Drawing Cell, you can move it or edit it like any other cell item by selecting it and using the Move and editing commands.

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Copying Data for External DocumentationSometimes the documentation for a PCB Design may be completed in other tools; for example word processor or spreadsheet programs. Xpedition provides an easy method for grabbing screen shot data to supply to other tools. Copy Bitmap

❶ Select Edit > Copy Bitmap to Clipboard.❷ Frame Select the area of the design that you want to capture for use

externally.Note: The area is captured to the clipboard using the current Display settings.

❸ Open a word processor or spreadsheet document of your choice, and Paste the contents from the clip board into the document.

❹ Save your design and Exit Xpedition xPCB Layout.

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Review Questions

1 How do I set the Tolerance for Dimensions in my design?2 Can I change the Dimension units to be different than the design units?3 Can I add text on trace and plane layers?4 How are Drawing Cells created?

Review Answers

1 You set the tolerances for your dimensions using the Dimension Parameters dialog box. You can set the decimal Precision, Tolerance Style, and Plus and Minus tolerance values for your dimensions.

2 The units for your dimensions need not be the same as the design units. You can dimension in Inch, Thousands, Millimeter, and Micron units. You also have the capability to dimension in two different units using the Dual Dimensioning feature.

3 You can add Free Text on any layers within the design, including Trace and Plane copper layers. Text added on copper layers is subject to all of the spacing DRC checks used for traces, vias, pads, and planes.

4 You create Drawing Cells using the Cell Editor in xDM Librarian for your Personal Library. Once created, you can import them into your local design cache.


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Lesson 24: Generating Manufacturing Outputs This section will step you through the process of creating Manufacturing outputs. Xpedition xPCB layout supports many different file formats to facilitate automated manufacturing and design operations. ODB++ or Gerber outputs are usually required to fabricate a PCB. ODB++ and Gerber files contain design information for each layer. There are also other critical outputs such as NC Drill Files, PDF Drawings, Bill of Materials, and other interface report files for manufacturing of Pick and Place and Testing.

Creating NC Drill FilesWhen creating manufacturing outputs, create NC Drill files first to make sure that the output files created afterwards contain the correct drill data.

❶ In Xpedition xPCB Layout, from the Start Page, select Recent and choose: C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\Lesson6\PCB\CORPORATE.pcb.

❷ From the Output menu, select NC Drill… to open the NC Drill Generation dialog box for defining the Drill Options, Chart Options, Symbols, Custom Columns, and Feature Control Frames.

❸ Select the Drill Scheme Loc: Default. You can save all of the drill options to a scheme for use in future layouts.

❹ Review all of the tabs in the dialog box for the features available.❺ Click OK to create the NC Drill files and Drill Chart for the drawing. Drill files

are placed in the \PCB\Output\NCDrill project directory.

❻ Once the drill is completed, select the Drill Chart in the editor window and Move it to the location as shown.Note: If your design has multiple via layer spans, a drill chart for each span will be created.

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Generating SilkscreenAlthough the Silkscreen layers in Xpedition xPCB Layout can be used for your silkscreen output, fabrication vendors prefer to generate silkscreen based on the native layers. Silkscreen generation extracts reference designators and component outlines from each cell in the design and uses a process known as “clipping” to ensure that no silkscreen data touches pads or solder mask areas. As shown in the previous verification lesson, you can also check generated silkscreen using the Batch DRC process.

❶ Click Fit Board, and in Display Control select the scheme SILK_TOP.❷ In Display Control > Edit tab, enable the Top Fabrication Objects – Solder

Mask and the Route Objects as shown.❸ Select Output > Silkscreen Generator, and setup the dialog box as shown.

� Process Both sides of the board on All Package Groups using the Silkscreen Reference Designators and Outlines design layers.

� Break silkscreen with Soldermask Pads using a Pad Clearance of 2(th). � Set Graphics Lines and Text widths to 5(th).

❹ Click OK to generate silkscreen, then click OK to close the results message.❺ In Display Control > Fab tab > Fabrication Objects, expand the Silkscreen

Items and disable Outlines and Ref Des to see only the Generated Silkscreen.

Hint: You can make a Display Scheme for the Generated Silkscreen layers.❻ Select any Reference Designator. Note that the generated silkscreen is just a

graphic line.Note: If you make changes to your design that require you to update the silkscreen layers, you will need to re-process the Generated Silkscreen prior to output for fabrication.

❼ Deselect the silkscreen and Save your layout.

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Creating Gerber OutputGerber format is still used in the industry for PCB manufacturing outputs. There are two typical format standards: RS-274X and RS-274D, and both are unintelligent vector and raster data for plotting trace, via, and pad circuitry. In the next section you will use a more intelligent form of data output. Xpedition xPCB Layout can provide both. It is a good idea to set up Gerber output in your design, although you may not use it.

❶ Select Output > Gerber. Note the \Output\Gerber project directory. This is where any files will be saved.

❷ The Loc:GerberMachineFile1.gmf has set the format to use the RS-274X Data type.

❸ On the Parameters tab, select GeneratedSilkscreenBottom.gdo and Copy it to create a new Gerber file to process.

❹ Rename the new file to Generated SilkscreenTop.gdo.❺ Click the Contents tab with the new Gerber file selected.

❻ In the Board items section, select Generated Silkscreen – Top. Note the other sections and the selected items that will be processed to create this Gerber layer output.

❼ Click OK and then click Yes to save the GerberPlot setup. All of the selected Gerber layers will be processed.

❽ It is good practice to check the GerbPlot.txt log in the File Viewer to verify that there are no Gerber processing errors on any layers.

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ODB++ Fabrication OutputIn the PCB Manufacturing and Assembly industry, vendors prefer to receive a complete and intelligent database output from PCB designers. ODB++ is an open format that captures the CAD/EDA, assembly, and PCB fabrication data in a single, unified, and intelligent database. ODB++ interfaces directly with Valor assembly and manufacturing software which is the most widely used tool by PCB manufacturing vendors worldwide. ODB++ also interfaces with many third party applications.Providing ODB++ data format to your fabrication vendors offers a time-to-market advantage that gerber data cannot provide.

❶ Select Output > ODB++.❷ Enter the Output job name 12345-000. The file 12345-000.tgz will be

saved in the \Output project directory. This is the file you send to your PCB fabrication vendor.

❸ Enable Generated Silkscreen data.❹ Note the other options available for output, and the selected layers that will be

included in the ODB++ data output.❺ Enable Launch ODB++ Inside to automatically start the Cam Compare

process.

❻ Click OK and then click Yes to save the ODBSetup and start the ODB++ output processing.

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ODB++ Inside Cam CompareODB++ Inside creates a temporary copy of the NC Drill and Gerber output based on your settings in those dialog boxes. Then, it runs a Valor Cam Compare, which compares the ODB++ output with the temporary NC Drill and Gerber versions.

❶ When ODB++ Inside launches, the Cam Compare has been completed.❷ You can select layers to display the compare results. Note the two colors for

the layer: one for the ODB++ data and one for the Gerber data. This allows you to see the miss-matches in the data.

❸ Note the traffic light columns. Green lights are shown for matching data. Red lights are shown for data miss-matches.

❹ You can browse and verify the miss-matches using Show Next result.❺ Explore the different layers using the Pan and Zoom features.

❻ Once you are satisfied with the compare results, click Continue to close ODB++ Inside.

❼ Save your design.

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Creating PDFs with Extended PrintYou can output your designs and drawings in Portable Document Format (PDF), making them easily viewed by almost any application on any computer system. Extended Print will print the layers and types of design elements shown on each sheet, and you can save multiple printing setup schemes for use in future designs.Extended Print

❶ From Display Control, select the scheme FAB_DWG_SH2 then select View > Fit All.

❷ Select File > Printing > Extended Print.❸ On the Extended Print Sheets Setup tab, add a new sheet for the fab drawing

by selecting New Sheet.❹ Rename the New Sheet to Fab Sheet 2.❺ Select Fab Sheet 2 and click the Contents tab.

❻ Enable Assign Current View to create a PDF sheet for the displayed screen data. Note: You can also choose the Layers and Board Items that you would like printed from the Contents tab.

❼ Click OK to print a PDF containing all of the selected sheets on the Sheets Setup Tab.

❽ When your print is completed you can click OK to exit the Extended Print dialog box and review your PDF.

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Generating a PCB Layout Bill of Materials (BOM)In Xpedition xDX Designer, you created a custom Bill of Materials using Part Lister. Xpedition xPCB Layout can also create a custom Bill of Materials. The Bill of Materials output in Xpedition xPCB Layout allows you to generate a BOM based on the Part Number or the Reference Designators as a key sorting field, or you can choose to output both. You can customize the outputs to include Variant information, Mechanical Cells, and User Properties. You can also save all of your custom BOM setups as schemes.Bill of Materials

❶ Select Output > Bill of Materials.❷ In the Settings section, enable Part Number and Reference Designator to create

both sorted BOMs.Note: You may change the column Titles and ordering when needed.

❸ Enable Include user properties and Include Mechanical cells.❹ In the Description section, enable Description to place this property information

in the DESCRIPTION column on the BOMs. This is the property information contained in Xpedition xDX Databook.Note: You can use CTRL+Select to choose more than one property to add to the DESCRIPTION column.

❺ Click OK and then click Yes to save the scheme changes.

❻ Close the Bill of Materials dialog box and review your generated BOM in the \PCB\Output directory. You can use any text editor to open the file. Note the two different sorting sections in the BOM.

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Additional Manufacturing Reports and Outputs In order to complete the fabrication, assembly, and testing of your layout, your vendor will require other information. Pick and Place files and Bare Board testing files will be needed to help program vendor equipment. You may also need to send files to third parties for review in a format that is neutral and can be used by many third party applications. Xpedition xPCB Layout can generate all of the file outputs you need to complete your layout release.Pick and Place and Bare Board Testing

❶ Select File > Export > General Interfaces.❷ Select the Generic AIS report and Identify parts by Part Number, and click OK to

run the report. Click OK to close the results message.❸ Using any text editor, open the vb_ais.txt file created in your project

\PCB\Output directory. This is a generic format Auto Insertion file that vendors can use to program Pick and Place Assembly machines. Close the report after reviewing.

❹ Repeat step 1 and select the Generic ATE report and Identify parts by Part Number, then click OK to run the report. Click OK to close the results message.

❺ Using any text editor, open the vb_ate.txt file created in your project \PCB\Output directory. This is a generic format Automated Testing file that vendors can use to program Bare Board Testing equipment and create test fixture data for your layout. Close the report after reviewing.Note: You can also create a Mitron GenCad testing file if your vendor prefers the GenCad format.

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Export CCZ and the Free visECAD Viewer Xpedition has the ability to export a format from the schematic and PCB layout that you can use with the Mentor Graphics free visECAD viewer. Your customers or vendors can use this free viewer to review the schematic and layout databases if they do not have Xpedition software.The free visECAD Viewer is a fully functional application for viewing designs in the neutral CCZ format. The visECAD viewer includes many features such as Print with Preview, Queries, Measuring, as well as many others.To Download the free visECAD Viewer, use this link:http://www.mentor.com/products/pcb-system-design/fabrication-assembly-test/visecad/visecad-evaluation

❶ Select File > Export > CCZ, and set the Export units to Thousand.❷ Click OK to export the data, and click YES to save the settings when asked.❸ When the Save Scheme dialog box appears, check the option checkbox labelled

Save locally with design and select OK.❹ Once you have visECAD installed, you can double-click on the files to open them

in the viewer. The files will be located here:

� Schematic will be in the project \PCB\Logic directory – Filename.cce. � PCB layout will be in the project \PCB\Output directory – Filename.cce.

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Export and Import DXF and IDF While designing your PCB layout, you may need to interface with other engineers that are designing the chassis or enclosures for your board. Xpedition xPCB Layout allows you to provide the most common neutral formats used in the industry. Also, Xpedition xPCB Layout allows you to import mechanical data from your engineers using these formats.Export DXF

❶ Select File > Export > DXF.❷ Click Browse and name the DXF output file TopAssembly.❸ Enable the ExpPCB Elements: Assembly Outlines Top, Assembly Ref Des Top,

Board Outline, Fiducial Pads Top, Mounting Holes Layer 1, Placement Keepouts Layer 1.

❹ Click OK to export the file, and click Yes when asked to save the settings. Your file will exported to the project \PCB\Output directory.Note: You can create schemes for different DXF outputs that you can use in future designs

Export IDF❺ Select File > Export > IDF.❻ Click Browse for the Board and Library Output files and name the files

CORPORATE.❼ Enable Use Board thickness from layer stackup and Export Component

placement outline with height.❽ Click OK to export the files, and click Yes when asked to save the settings.

Your files will be exported to the project \PCB\Output directory.❾ Save your layout and Exit Xpedition xPCBLayout.

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Review Questions

1 How do I output multiple drill files when my layout has blind and buried vias?

2 What is ODB++?3 If I use ODB++ Output, do I have to output NC Drill and Gerber?4 Can I output Variant BOMs?

Review Answers

1 The NC Drill Output automatically handles blind and buried vias. It will output each via span into a different drill file named per the via span. It will also create different NC Drill Charts for each via span on separate layers.

2 ODB++ is an object oriented database format developed by the Mentor Graphics Valor. The format contains all of the information required to fabricate and assemble your board layout. It is an intelligent format that provides vendors with much more valuable information that allows them to quickly verify, test, and create Tools. ODB++ is widely recognized as the leading format used by PCB fabrication and assembly vendors.

3 No, it is not necessary as the ODB++ files contain all of the required fabrication information. If you want to use the Cam Compare tool in Xpedition, you will have to set up your NC Drill and Gerber outputs.

4 Yes, the PCB layout Bill of Materials output will allow you to generate separate BOMs for as many variants that you have in your design. Each BOM will be suffixed per your setup.


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Lesson 25: Data Archiving and Transfer The DxArchiver provides a quick and easy method for automatically creating archives for backup or transfer of your Xpedition Projects. The DxArchiver utility collects and stores schematics, PCB layout and library information, and other data associated with a specific design or project in Xpedition. It provides a self-contained design that is ready to be checked into DMS or other data management tools. You can also use this self-contained file to transfer the database to another user or location to continue work on the design. You can choose to add additional files that are not related to the Xpedition database, but that you would like to keep with the other project files.

ArchivingDxArchiver

❶ Start Xpedition xDX Designer.❷ Click File>Open>Project then browse to and open

C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\Lesson6\Lesson6.prj.❸ From the Tools menu, select Archiver… to open the wizard.

Take a moment to look at the options available in the DxArchiver Wizard.❹ For the Target Directory, click the Browse button and navigate to

C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\Lesson6.This is the location where your archive file will be saved.

❺ Enable Compress using zip format, then select Next.

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Archiving (continued)

The DxArchiver will archive your complete project database, and it will condense the files that are no longer needed. The Additional Files portion of the dialog box allows you to select files or entire folders that are not automatically added to the project archive.

❻ Click Add Files, and browse to the C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\Lesson6 directory.

❼ Select the PDF datasheet file FCT16244.pdf.This file will be added to the archive output.

❽ Click Finish. The archive is created and results are shown.

❾ Click Close.Your archive file Lesson620120120160010.zip is created. Note that the file is suffixed automatically with a date and time code.

❿ Close your project and Xpedition xDX Designer.

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Data Archiving and Transfer

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Lesson 26: Creating Components in your LibraryThe key to successful PCB design is ensuring that the physical design data matches the logical intent of the design. Managing this relationship ensures the design is correct by construction. Xpedition xDM Librarian provides a common interface to the various elements that make up the library objects like symbols, cells and padstacks, and parts. Xpedition xDM Librarian is where you create and maintain the relationships between these objects. Objects in your Library may be partitioned into related groups. Changes made to one object affecting another object are propagated automatically. For example, if you modify a padstack object, all cells that use the padstack update automatically in the Library. Built-in data checking ensures the relationships between objects are valid and that objects cannot be deleted if used by other objects. This tight integration ensures data reliability throughout the library development and design processes.This lesson will give you the basics of what xDM Librarian can do for you. If you would like more in-depth information, please use this link for the Xpedition xDM Librarian Process Guide.Library Manager Process Guide

Opening xDM LibrarianYou can open Xpedition xDM Librarian from within Xpedition xDX Designer or Xpedition xPCB Layout.

❶ Double-click the Xpedition xDX Designer icon on your desktop to open Xpedition xDX Designer to the Start Page.

❷ Click Open on the Start Page and browse to and select C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\LessonFinal\LessonFinal.prj.

❸ Select Tools > Library Manager.❹ Xpedition xDM Librarian opens, and is connected to the current project

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The Xpedition xDM Librarian WorkspaceThe Xpedition xDM Librarian interface is used for library management and editing. It contains utilities that are specific to Xpedition xDM Librarian and access to editing tools for library component creation.

Library Navigator TreeUse the Library Navigator to explore the different partitions for each of the library entities: Parts, Cells, Symbols, Padstacks, and Models.

❶ Expand and Review the library sections.

The xDM Librarian Toolbar

NewPart

Editor

Reusable Blocks Editor

Padstack Editor

Material/ Process Editor

Help Contents

Visual IBIS

EditorLibrary

Services

Partition Search

PathsUnits

DisplaySetup

ParametersFile

Viewer

Open Refresh Property Verification

Parts Manager

Symbol Editor

Simulation Model

Properties

Partition Editor

Unreserve Partitions

Property Definition

Editor

Cell Editor

Layout Templates

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Creating a Symbol with the Symbol EditorThe symbol editor allows you to create new symbols very quickly. You can use a spreadsheet to copy and paste pin information into the symbol or you can enter the data manually. The editor provides a basic symbol automatically and allows you to modify the symbol in any way you desire.

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❶ Select Tools > Symbol Editor.❷ Select File > New to create a new symbol.❸ Prior to adding pins, open the Symbol Editor Preferences with

File > Preferences to review the settings.❹ In the General Section set the following:

Grid step: 0.050, Show grid every: 1 grid points, Large dot every: 4 displayed grid, Default length: 4 grid points, Default Spacing: 4 grid points and Pin property position: Above Pin Click OK.

Adding Pins to a Symbol

❺ To add pins click Add-Pin & Edit.

❻ Place the pin on the upper left corner of the symbol body as shown below. Then type the Pin Name CLK and press Enter. Use the ESC key to exit pin placement mode after placed.

❼ Now define this pin to be pin 1. Select View > Windows > Properties if the Properties window is not visible. Select the pin and then click <new_property> in the PCB Properties section Properties window. Note: If you have difficulty selecting the pin, make sure that the Select Pins button on the toolbar is selected.

❽ Click in the dropdown list and select the property Pin Number.❾ Enter a value of 1 in the Value field and the pin number is placed on the

pin.

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Adding Pins to a Symbol (continued)

❿ Using the previous steps, add 2 Power pins to the Top of the symbol as shown. The Pin Names are VDD_1 and VDD_2 and will be assigned the pin numbers 19 and 20.Note: Pin Names cannot be duplicated on symbols, so use suffixes for multiple pin names.Hint: Right-click when placing the pins to change the Pin Type and Location.

⓫ Add a Ground pin to the Bottom of the symbol with a Pin Name of GND and a Pin Number of 10 as shown.

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Add an Array of Pins

❶ Add an array of input and output pins by clicking Add Pin Array.

❷ Use the following settings for the input pin array: � Pin Name = IN � Range 7 to 0 � Step = 1 � Pin type = IN � Pin location = Left � Pin spacing = 4

❸ Click OK to create the array of pins.

❹ Place on the left side approximately 4 grids down from the CLK pin.Note: You can use View > Show Port Type to toggle the port type graphical indicators On and Off.

❺ Add another array for the output pins using the following settings: � Pin Name = OUT � Range 7 to 0 � Step = 1 � Pin type = OUT � Pin location = Right � Pin spacing = 4

❻ Place the array on the right side of the symbol so that the output pins align with the input pins as shown.

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Adding Pin Numbers

❶ Select the IN pins (other than CLK) from the Pins window.Note: The pins highlight in all windows (including the working area).

❷ Click Add Properties to update the pins.❸ Set the values as shown below. Make sure Type = Pin Property, Name =

Pin Number, Prefix is Empty, Value = 2, Delta = 1, Suffix is Empty and Position and Visibility are set to Above Pin and Value.

❹ Click OK. This automatically adds and increments the Pin Numbers. Position them as shown.

❺ Repeat steps 1 through 4 for the OUT pins. Use Value = 18 as the starting value and Delta = -1 to decrement the Pin Numbers down to 11. Position them as shown.

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Adjusting the Symbol OutlineNote: You need to shrink to symbol shape and the outline to create a complete symbol.

❶ To shrink the outline, enable Select Graphics.❷ Select the symbol shape and notice pick points appear on the shape.

Note: Use View > Symbol Outline if you don't see the outline.

❸ Select the Middle pick point and drag the bottom segment of the symbol closer to the lowest pins. Place it four grid points below the lowest pins.

❹ Do not forget to move the GND Pin after adjusting the symbol outline. Select and drag the pin to the new location shown.

❺ Automatically update the bounding box by selecting Symbol > Update Symbol Outline.Note: The symbol outline helps with avoidance rules when connecting nets in the schematic.Note: The symbol outline may be set to update automatically as you adjust the symbol shape. If it is and you wish to manually adjust it, you may need to turn off the automatic adjustment mode first. Do this by selecting File > Preferences > General > Symbol and disabling Automatic Outline Update.

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Moving the Symbol Origin

❻ To complete the graphical modifications you need to move the origin to the appropriate location.

❼ Select the Origin marker and drag the marker to the lowest left pin on the new symbol.

❽ Your symbol should appear as shown.

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Saving the Symbol

❶ Select File > Save As… and choose the Sample library partition.❷ Name the symbol, Symbol_YourName.1 and click Save.❸ In the Properties window, notice that the Symbol Name has been updated to

match the name you used. ❹ The symbol is now complete and ready for use.

Verifying the Symbol Availability

❺ Select File > Exit to exit the Symbol editor.

❻ In xDX Designer select Tools > Update Libraries. ❼ In xDX Designer click DxDataBook to open xDX Databook. ❽ In xDX Databook, select the CL View tab and the Symbol View tab.❾ Select the [+] symbol to expand the Sample partition and scroll down to find

your new symbol.❿ Notice the Symbol_YourName.1 symbol has been saved and is ready for use.

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Creating a Symbol from a Spreadsheet Entering all of the pins manually on large pin count devices can be tedious and error prone.By entering all your pins into a spreadsheet, you can quickly and easily import them into the Symbol Editor for placement on a symbol.


Start a New Symbol and Load the Pin Data

❶ Open the Symbol Editor and start a new symbol by selecting File>New.❷ Right-click in the Pins window and click Import Pins.❸ Browse to C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\LessonFinal and select

SerialIO.csv to import all of the pins from this file.❹ All unplaced pins are marked with an *. You can add pins to the symbol by

selecting them from this list.

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Adding Pins to the Symbol

❶ You can select pins from the pins list and drag them into the Symbol window to place them on the symbol body. As you place each pin the * is removed.

❷ Select the ~RST_N pin name in the pins list.❸ Drag the pin into the Symbol view. Notice the pin attaches itself to the cursor so

that it can be placed in the Symbols working pane.❹ Release the mouse button when the pin is in the desired location on the symbol

body.❺ Notice there is in invert bubble on the pin and a strike over the name. This is an

indication that in the CSV file, the pin was set as inverted. The Pin Label began with ~ which results in the strike over.

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Adding Multiple Pins to the Symbol

❶ You can also add multiple pins simultaneously from the Pins list. Click on the Pin Type column in the Pins list to sort the pins by type (IN or OUT).

❷ Left-click on the first OUT pin. Hold the Shift key and select all the OUT-type pins.

❸ Drag the highlighted pins (blue area) to a desired destination on the right side of the symbol body.

❹ Experiment with adding other pins and modifying the symbol graphics. Notice that as you place pins the * is removed so that it’s easy to sort and/or visually scan for unplaced pins.

❺ When you are done, exit Symbol Editor without saving.

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Creating Land Pattern InformationThis lesson will walk you through creating a PCB Land Pattern. In Xpedition, land patterns are called Cells. Cells can be Package cells, Mechanical cells, or Drawing cells. You will use wizards to create both the padstack information and the physical representation for the PCB layout.

The Padstack EditorThe Padstack Editor allows you to create many different types of padstacks: Through Pins, SMD Pins, Fiducials, Mounting holes, Vias, and others. Once defined and named, you can assign different pads to padstack layers, specify pad filters, define pads to use within stacks, define holes and define any custom pads or drill symbols. Tip: The standard method to create a new pad is to click the New icon and rename the pad to your own naming convention. In this lesson, the method shown in the following steps accelerates pad creation by naming the pad automatically per the size information entered.

❶ In Xpedition xDM Librarian, select Tools > Padstack Editor. Review the tabs and information in each section.

❷ Click the Pads tab and set the Filter pad list to Rectangle.❸ In the Properties section, set the Units to th (mils).❹ In Pad parameters, enter 25 for the height and 75 for the width of the pad.

Note the graphic in the Preview window adjusts to display your modifications.❺ Click New to create your newly defined pad.

The new pad is automatically named Rectangle 75x25.❻ Repeat steps 1 through 5 and create a Rectangle pad with a height of 29 and

a width of 79. You will use this pad as the Oversize pad for Solder Mask layers.

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The Padstack Editor

❶ Click the Padstacks tab and set the Filter padstack list to Pin – SMD.❷ In the Properties section, set the Pad filter to Rectangle.❸ Click New Padstack and name it Pad Rectangle 75x25.❹ From the Available pads list, select Rectangle 75x25.❺ Click in the box next to Top mount, then click the Assign Pad arrow to

move the pad into the assignment list.

❻ Assign the Rectangle 75x25 pad to the Bottom mount and Top and Bottom Solderpaste layers.

❼ Repeat steps 4 and 5 to assign the Oversize Rectangle 79x29 pad to the Top and Bottom Solder Mask layers of the padstack. Note: When creating padstacks, you can have different pads for a Top Mounted land pattern or Bottom Mounted land pattern.

❽ Select File > Save to save your new pads and padstack, then Exit the Padstack Editor.

❾ You can view and edit the new padstacks by double-clicking them in the Library Navigator Tree.

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Creating a New CellCreating components for Xpedition is quick and easy. You can create them with wizards or manually depending on the complexity of the land pattern.

The Cell Editor❶ In xDM Librarian, select Tools > Cell Editor.❷ Set the Partition to Sample.❸ On the Package tab click New Cell.❹ Enter the Cell name SO20L and enter the information as listed:

� Total number of pins: 20 � Layers while editing cell: 2 � Package group: IC – SOIC � Mount type: Surface

❺ Click Cell Properties and set Units to th (mils).❻ Enter a Height value of 15, then click Close.❼ Click Next and the Place Pin wizard will open along with the Cell Editor

window.Note: The Menus, Toolbars and Commands are very similar to the PCB Editor.

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Creating a Cell with the Place Pins WizardThe Place Pins wizard allows you to place pins by Parameters or use pre-defined Patterns for standard industry land pattern types. You can also add, modify, and renumber pins for your cell.

❶ Select the Pattern Place tab and choose the Pattern type SOIC.❷ Enable Include Assembly outline and Include Silkscreen outline.❸ Enter the values shown:

� Body Width: 500 � Body Height: 260 � Pin Pitch: 50 � Pin Row Spacing: 380

❹ In the Pins section, select Pin 1 then press and hold the Shift key. ❺ Scroll down and select Pin 20, and while still pressing the Shift key,

select Pad Rectangle 75x25 from the Padstack Name dropdown list.❻ While still pressing the Shift key, choose 90 from the Rotation dropdown

list.❼ Click Place to create the cell pattern.❽ Save the cell, but do not exit Cell Editor.

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Modifying Cells in the Cell Editor WindowOnce you have created your pattern with the wizard, you can make any modifications necessary to your cell to fulfill your PCB layout requirements. All of the capabilities available to you in the PCB Editor are also available in the Cell Editor.

❶ Select the Ref Des placeholder for the Silkscreen layer and move it to a location that is not beneath the component when placed in a layout.

Make a few modifications on your own…❷ You can add pre-defined Fanouts or Routing.❸ Add a Ground Slug plane and stitch some vias in it.❹ Add a predefined Rule Area to your cell. A named Rule Area in your cell is

automatically added to your Constraint Manager Schemes if the cell is used in your design.

❺ If you made any modifications, Save your cell and Exit the Cell Editor.❸

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Creating a New Part in the Part EditorNow that you have created a Schematic Symbol and a Land Pattern Cell, link them together logically with a new Part Number. The Part Editor links the logical and physical pieces of the component together. It also creates Pin and Gate Swapping information for the component.

❶ In the xDM Librarian Navigator Tree, expand Symbols > Sample and select Symbol_YourName to preview the symbol and use it for reference while completing the next steps.

❷ In the xDM Librarian, select Tools > Part Editor and select the IC partition. These are all of the Parts in your current library.

❸ Click New to create a new part.❹ Assign the value Part_YourName for Number, Name, and Label. ❺ In the Component Properties section, set the Type to IC.❻ Enter a Description for the part.❼ Set the Reference des prefix to U.❽ Click Pin Mapping.

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Importing the Symbol and Cell into Pin MappingImporting your symbol and cell can help automate the pin mapping process in the Part Editor. You can also import additional alternate symbols and cells if needed. For this exercise you will import your symbol and cell, then manually define the Pin Mapping because your symbol has swappable gates.

❶ In the Assign Symbol section, click Import.❷ In the Import dialog box on the Symbols tab,

select the Sample partition and select Symbol_YourName.❸ Uncheck Create new gate information.❹ Click the Cells tab and select the Sample partition. ❺ Select the Package group IC-SOIC and the Number of pins: 20.❻ Select the cell SO20L.❼ Click OK.❽ Review the Logical and Physical tabs to see that the pin information has

been loaded into Pin Mapping.

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Assigning Gates

❶ In Pin Mapping, click the Logical tab then click New and create 8 swappable slots with 2 pins per swappable slot. Click OK.

❷ On the Logical pins list, select IN0 and OUT0 using the CTRL+Select method.❸ Click the top box of the Slot #1 column.❹ Click Paste Down to assign the pins to Slot #1 as shown.❺ Repeat steps 2 through 4 to assign the remaining

Input/Output pins into Slots 2 through 8 as shown.

❻ Repeat step 1 and create a new gate with 1 slot and 4 pins. ❼ Assign the remaining pins to the new gate as shown.

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Assigning Gates (continued)

You will now map the physical pins to the gates.❶ In Pin Mapping, click the Physical tab.❷ From the Physical pins list, select pin numbers 9 and 11.❸ Select the top box in the Pin # column for Slot #1.❹ Click Paste Down to assign the pin numbers to Slot #1 as shown. ❺ Repeat steps 2 through 4 to assign the remaining pin numbers

to the correct Slots as shown. Use the Symbol/Cell Preview as a reference guide.

❻ Select the remaining 4 pin numbers and assign them to the second gate as shown.

❼ Click OK.Note: When you click OK, the Part Editor does a verification of your entire part to make sure the symbol pins match the physical cell pins. If you cannot save the part you will need to correct the errors first.

❽ Select File > Save, and Exit the Part Editor.

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Adding Component Records for Xpedition xDX DatabookOnce you have completed your component, add a record to Xpedition xDX Databook so you can query and place it in DxDesigner.

❶ In the Xpedition xDM Librarian Navigator Tree, expand Parts, then right-click IC and click Edit Parametric Data.

❷ Click the Table: IC tab, then click Last Record.❸ Enter the record information as shown:

� Part Number: Part_YourName � Part Name: Part_YourName � Part Label: Part_YourName � Cell Name: SO20L � Description: My First Part � Symbol: Symbol_YourName

The other columns can be left blank❹ Exit the table to Save your additions.

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Adding Component Records for Xpedition xDX Databook (continued)

❶ In Xpedition xDX Designer, select Tools > Update Libraries.❷ In Xpedition xDX Designer, open Xpedition xDX Databook and select the IC

Library.❸ Scroll to the bottom of the components listing and select Part_YourName.❹ Your Symbol is in the Preview Window.❺ Your Parametric Data is listed. ❻ Select the Preview Window dropdown list and choose your cell to preview.

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The Layout Template EditorIn a previous lesson you were able to integrate your schematic using a PCB Layout Template. The layout templates are maintained in Xpedition xDM Librarian with the Layout Template Editor. Templates can contain as much information as you need for your designs. Data can include formats, notes, detail views, etc.

❶ In the Xpedition xDM Librarian, select Tools > Layout Template Editor.

❷ A list of the Templates in your library appears. Select Template_2Layer_Formatted.

❸ Click Copy and rename the copy to Template_2Layer_YourName.

❹ Click Edit Template to open the template in the Xpedition editor window.

❺ In Xpedition xPCB Layout, choose the Loc:Min Contents display scheme from the dropdown list on the Standard toolbar.

❻ Modify the Title Block to contain YourName as DRAWN.❼ Save the template and Close the Templates list. YourName will

always be filled in when you integrate to this template.

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Exporting Library Objects from your Library using EDXXpedition uses EDX to transfer library objects between your libraries from within Xpedition xDM Librarian. The library objects can be exported from a library individually, by Partition, or through a bulk selection. Some objects like Drawing or Mechanical cells, or Symbols not referenced by Parts, can also be exported as Orphans from within the bulk selection. When you export Parts from your library using EDX, all of the part, cell, symbol, and padstack information is also included.

❶ From the Library Navigator Tree, expand Library.lmc > Parts > IC.❷ Right-click the first IC listed, 500_5R5V_IC, and click Export EDX….❸ Click Save to generate the EDX file.❹ Close the EDX generation successful message window.

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Enterprise Data eXchange (EDX)EDX is a standard format for the exchange of library, component and design data between the design authoring systems and ANY consumer of the data. The EDX format is a neutral format that is independent of the internal tool database structures and ensures stability as the PCB design applications and flow continue to evolve. In addition, Mentor encrypts the data within the EDX extraction to provide security for the data objects to limit unauthorized access and edit of their files; this inherently protects the native tool data from outside edit.To learn more about EDX, see the EDX Solutions Alliance website at www.edx-sa.com or click the graphic to the right to watch a quick video.


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Exporting Multiple Library Objects using EDX

❶ From Library Manager select File > Export EDX. This opens the bulk selection dialog box.

❷ Browse to the C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\Library directory and enter PartialLibrary for the Output file name.

❸ Enable Preview items.❹ Disable the Library check box, and then select Resistor in the Parts section

and Drawings in the Orphans > Cells section. ❺ In the first column, select On from the dropdown filter to show only the

items to export.Note: All of the columns can be filtered and sorted as needed for review.

❻ You can deselect any items by disabling the check box in the first column.❼ Click OK and Close the EDX generation successful message window.

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Creating a New LibraryYou can import EDX data into any Xpedition Central Library, or you can create a completely new Library and build a library based on information exported from other libraries.

❶ From Xpedition xDM Librarian, select File > New.

❷ Browse to the C:\Xpedition_Evaluation directory and Create New Folder named MyNewLibrary.

❸ Double-click MyNewLibrary so that you are within that directory, then click OK to create the new library.

❹ Your new library will now be active in xDM Librarian.

Importing Library Objects using EDX

❺ Select File > Import EDX.Note: The Bulk mode option allows you to import the entire contents of the file in a single step.

❻ Browse to and select the EDX export file C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\Library\PartialLibrary.edx.

❼ Note the EDX file content will be imported into the open library.

❽ Click OK and Library Services will open to allow selection of individual library objects to import.

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Importing Library Objects using EDX (continued)

❾ From the Parts tab, select and import the first 5 Resistors from the Resistor partition to the Current partition Resistor.

❿ Click Include Selected and then click Apply to import the parts to your library.⓫ Click the Cells tab then select and import the Drawings cell Fab_Notes to the

Current partition Drawings using the method shown in step 3.⓬ Click Close to exit Library Services. ⓭ Note the new part, cell, symbol, and padstack information in Library

Navigator Tree of your new library.⓮ Exit Xpedition xDM Librarian and exit Xpedition xDX Designer. ❿

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Review Questions

1 Is there a right or wrong way to create a symbol?2 What is the purpose of the symbol origin?3 Do I need to assign a PKG_TYPE in my Symbol?4 What are the advantages of creating a symbol from a spreadsheet?5 Can’t I just download a symbol from the component manufacturer?6 Where do I get the data to input into the Pin Pattern Place wizard?

Review Answers

1 There is no right or wrong way to create a symbol as long as the symbol accurately represents the signals and connectivity of the device. There are formal design specifications for symbols (such as ANSI/IEEE Standard 91- 1984 Graphic Symbols for Logic Functions), but each company tends to formulate their own internal standards that meet their design requirements.

2 The symbol origin represents a predictable reference point for anchoring and placing a symbol into the design environment. It is usually placed at the end of the lowest pin on the lower left of the symbol.

3 There is no need to assign a PKG_TYPE in Xpedition. When you create your part in the Part Editor you will import the Cell that links to the Symbol. The symbol in Xpedition xDX Designer represents the electrical connectivity of the component. In order to pass the design to Xpedition xPCB Layout for physical design, each component symbol needs to have a corresponding physical package assignment so that the layout tool can properly represent the physical parts on the printed circuit board.

4 As the complexity of components increases, it is not uncommon to have symbols with hundreds of pins. Entering the data for each of these pins into the Symbol Editor can be a very time-consuming and error-prone task. Using a spreadsheet, you can copy and paste signal data from PDF data sheets into a spreadsheet and then import it directly into the Symbol Editor. This saves time and improves accuracy.

5 Unfortunately, except for the PDF of the datasheet, very few manufacturers offer any symbols that can be directly imported into an EDA application. Due to the multitude of different components and systems, this would be very difficult for the manufacturers to support. Most designers prefer to create (and check) their own symbols prior to use.

6 You can create a cell in the wizard by entering the physical dimensions of the recommended land pattern from the manufacturer’s component data sheet. You can also use the IPC Land Pattern Calculator to determine the appropriate decal dimensions and then enter that data directly into the wizard.


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Conclusion This Evaluation Guide has introduced you to some of the power and flexibility available in Xpedition, but that is just a beginning. This evaluation has only scratched the surface and presented you with an abbreviated view into the full spectrum of the design capabilities of the products. If you want to learn more about the many features and functions of these applications, there is a wealth of knowledge to experience and discover in the extensive resources that are available.

Additional resources Include:• Tutorials • Concepts Guides• Extensive Help files• User Manuals• The InfoHub• On-line video presentations

Click the icons below for additional resources:

Conclusion

320 Conclusion


In this section:

Appendix

� Appendix 1: ODBC Setup � Appendix 2: Configuring Xpedition xDX Databook � Appendix 3: Configuring Variant Manager

A-1

Appendix 1 - ODBC Setup The acronym ODBC stands for Open Database Connectivity which is an industry database standard. Most databases developed or upgraded since the 1980s support this standard. It is the technology that Xpedition xDX Databook uses to connect to databases. Xpedition xDX Databook also supports a web server connection using ODBC. In this example, you will set up an ODBC connection for a Microsoft Access Database format.

Establishing ODBC Connectivity - Windows 7 , 32bit

❶ Select the Start Menu and then select Control Panel.❷ Select System and Security > Administrative Tools, click

Administrative Tools.❸ Double click Data Sources (ODBC).❹ Under the System DSN tab click Add.❺ Select the Microsoft Access Driver (*.mdb) item from the list.❻ Click Finish.❼ Type Sample in the field called Data Source Name. ❽ Type Database for Xpedition Evaluation in the Description text box.❾ Click Select.❿ Browse to the access database called Sample.mdb which will be

located in the C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\Library\DataBookData directory.

⓫ Select the Sample.MDB file and then click OK to accept the selection. Click OK in the parent dialog boxes. Your setup is complete.

Establishing ODBC Connectivity - Windows 7 , 64bit

❶ From Windows Explorer, browse to the directory C:\Windows\SysWOW64.

❷ Double-click odbcad32.exe.❸ Follow the previous steps 4 through 11 to complete the setup.

Note: The setup steps shown here are for Microsoft Windows 7 OS, 32bit and 64bit respectively. You may also be required to download the Microsoft Access ODBC driver from Microsoft’s website. If you are using a different OS, please refer to the instructions specific to your OS for ODBC setup.

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APPENDIX 1: ODBC SetupA-2

Appendix 2 - Configure Xpedition xDX DatabookXpedition xDX Databook allows easy searching and selecting of components. It ties into your company’s purchasing database so that Engineering can make more intelligent part selections based on lead time, cost, stock availability, and so on.The Xpedition xDX Databook Configuration file (.dbc) tells Xpedition xDX Databook which properties to show in the search window, which to load and annotate onto your schematic when placing symbols, and which to verify when you use Xpedition xDX Databook Verification.NOTE: To use Xpedition xDX Databook, you must create an ODBC data source that points to the database, then Xpedition xDX Databook must be attached to this data source. If Configuration: None is displayed in the lower section of the Xpedition xDX Databook ap-plication window, this indicates that no database is attached. See Appendix1: ODBC Setup for details on performing the ODBC setup if steps in this exercise do not work.

Configuring Xpedition xDX Databook

❶ Select File > Open > Project and select C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\FirstLast\FirstLast.prj.

❷ In the Navigator Pane, double-click Board1 to enable Sheet1.❸ Click xDX Databook to open the Xpedition xDX Databook search

window.❹ Right-click anywhere within the Xpedition xDX Databook and select

Configure > Open.❺ Click Browse... and navigate to the

C:\Xpedition_Evaluation\Library\DatabookData directory.

❻ Select the Sample.DBC file and click Open to activate the Xpedition xDX Databook configuration settings.

❼ Right-click anywhere within the Xpedition xDX Databook pane and select Configure > Edit Configuration….

❽ Take a moment to look over the settings in the Configure dialog box for the Sample.dbc. Click Cancel to exit without changes and click No if asked to save the configuration.

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Appendix

APPENDIX 2: Configure Xpedition xDX Databook A-3

Appendix 3 - Configuring Variant Manager This appendix shows some of the errors you might see if Variant Manager is not configured properly.

Configuration

❶ Before creating a variant, you will need to set the Variant Match condition in your Xpedition xDX Databook .dbc file. In Variant Manager click the Settings icon, then select the Library Query Setup tab and click the Define Libraries button. The Configure dialog box opens.Note: This VM Match column is only visible from within Variant Manager. If you try to edit the configuration from Xpedition xDX Databook you will not see this column.

Be sure you have the VM Match column in each library set as: PKG_TYPE is =.

❷ If you fail to configure the VM Match condition correctly, you will see multiple package types available for replacement as shown.

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APPENDIX 3: Configuring Variant ManagerA-4

Configuration (continued)

❸ Add Part Number to the Query results. If you fail to do this, you may see an error message when choosing a replacement part.

❹ Property values are case sensitive. Check your database configuration for property cases. For example, a configuration might show the value PART NUMBER rather than Part Number.If you have a case sensitivity problem then you may see an error message when replacing a part.

Appendix

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APPENDIX 3: Configuring Variant Manager A-5

Mentor Graphics Corporation8005 S.W. Boeckman Road, Wilsonville, Oregon 97070-7777.

Telephone: 503.685.7000Toll-Free Telephone: 800.592.2210

Website: www.mentor.com

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