EdaLink
Provides high quality translation and viewing of design and Library data.
Overview
edaLink is a program system to translate electronic design data from a source to a target EDA workstation.
Translation includes the options:
• logic libraries and physical description
• logic schematics
• layout libraries
• board layout.
edaLink products are based on the EDA Vendor’s access routines to the design databases which are included in the standard suite of the application. edaLink products maintain complete compatibility with documented interfaces of the EDA workstation Vendor. Translated schematics, layouts, and libraries are visually the same and ready for use in the target environment.
Applications:
• transfer of libraries between EDA stations
• transfer of schematics between EDA stations
• transfer of PCB layouts between EDA stations
• schematic entry on PC, further processing of the design on the workstation
• archiving of designs in condensed Edif 200 format.
1. SNX and BNX Extractor
This software program is based on the source workstation’s design database extraction utilities. The Neutral Exchange Format (NX) is basically an ASCII dump of the source database which includes all logic design data of the source. Wherever possible, SNX and BNX extraction routines directly read the source EDA station’s design database.
2. edifwriter
The program writes an Edif file with library data, with schematic data and with physical component data. The file meets the standard Edif 2.0.0, level 0, keyword level 0.
3. edifreader
The program reads any Edif file with graphic and connectivity view. The file may be generated by edifwriter or by another approved Edif source.
4. SCH-Import
The import utility for logic designs builds the complete design environment for the translated libraries and schematics in the target system. SNX extractor and edifwriter maintain design data as they were extracted. SCH-Import performs the mapping of design objects of the source EDA station into design objects in the target schematics. This requires conscious decisions which may vary with the customer’s design methodology. For this purpose, the rules file technology has been provided which controls the import process. The SCH-import utility is available for all renown EDA systems.
5. PCB-Import
The import utility for layout libraries and board layout data builds the complete padstack and package libraries, optionally synchronized with logic component descriptions and a pcb description. PCB-Import is rules controlled to map source design objects into target design objects corresponding to the customer’s design methodology. pcb-import is available for all renown EDA systems.
Rules
Overview
Workstation constructs differ largely. For instance in logic designs, busses, connectors, and bus taps are all handled differently between workstations. Properties have different names and are placed in a different context.
Examples
The rules file SCH-Import.rls is hand-edited and includes conversion rules which control the translation process and design object mapping.
The file is structured similarly to the sch-import rules file but includes rules for the mapping of layout objects.
Governing Script
Translation is governed by a procedure which executes the translation programs. The procedure is adapted to requirements of the customer’s workstation system.
Translation Options
Translation
If you prefer to have designs transferred once, you may want to use our transfer service:
• Transfer is calculated based on complexity and details of design.
• The assessment of the transfer effort is based on source workstation design data on magnetic media, preferably with plots.
• Quality control including netlist comparison source - target is part of the translation service.
• Our shipment includes the complete design directory with all control files and plots of the design.
Or you prefer to perform the translation yourself. edaLink licenses are issued per site and come in two variants:
• take-as-is
• full translation guarantee.
Take-as-is
Mature edaLink products have been used in at least three different customer environments. It is likely that most of your requirements will be covered by the existing product.
Pre-requisites for the transfer of logic libraries and logic schematics are:
• schematic database of a sophisticated design
• plots of schematics
• library database with physical description.
Pre-requisites for the transfer of layout libraries and pcb layout are:
• layout library database
• pcb layout database
• layer function document
• plots of layers.
The product is shipped within four weeks and includes your translated libraries and design in the tutorial directory of the release. The release includes: translation program on tape with script for “push-button” operation, user’s guide with tutorial, installation instruction, and release note.
Full Translation Guarantee
The design methodology varies with every customer site. cae consulting offers a special adaptation to customer requirements and a half year’s guarantee to meet the complete scope of translation requirements as specified.
Pre-requisites for the transfer of logic libraries and schematics:
• complete libraries with physical description
• at least five schematic databases covering the scope of the customer’s usage of design objects
• corresponding plots Pre-requisites for the transfer of layout libraries and pcb layout data are:
• complete layout libraries
• at least five board layout databases [which fit to the schematic databases]
• layer mapping document
• preferred: plots of all layers of the layout databases
• films and assembly plots for all layouts. Steps of the translation process:
• Analysis and specification of translation. Approval of customer.
• Shipment and installation of program prototype in customer site.
• Quality assurance covering complete functionality and physical netlist comparison Source-Expert.
• Specification and synchronization of logic translation with layout translation if the source was synchronized.
• Option: Advance shipment of translated libraries.
• Shipment of edaLink logic translator within eight weeks, shipment of edaLink layout translator within ten weeks. Shipment includes all translated libraries and designs, translator programs on tape with tutorial, user’s guide and installation instruction, installation in customer site and training of customer’s expert.
Questions and Answers
1 - Can I use the design without rework in the target system?
You can use the design immediately. Rework is generally not required.
2 - How long does the translation of a well-filled A3 schematic page take?
Translation takes between 1 and 5 min depending on database access routines. The process requires 5 Mbytes of swap space per A3 page.
3 - How long does the translation of a multi-layer Double-Eurocard PCB take?
Typically 15 minutes.
4 - Can I use the same sequence of edaLink modules to translate from various EDA environments into one target system?
Yes - the only difference is the extraction routine.
5 - Can I translate libraries of schematics and layouts separately?
Yes - note that translated libraries need to fit to translated schematics and board layouts and therefore should not be modified.
6 - Do logic library descriptions include physical assignments like part number, package name, pin swap, pin sets, power pins?
Yes - all objects of the source are represented.
Conventions
