Overview

This page is used to document some basic things that you can do with Concept when you first start to play around with it. It assumes that you have set up your environment correctly, as specified in other pages in this tree. Keep in mind that you should always refer to the on-line documentation (type openbook &) when you need more information.

FAQ

1. How do I set up my working directory to start up cadence (using the syslab command)?
2. How do I add a part from the Concept Parts Library?
3. How to I edit an existing schematic?
4. What are some useful commands to help me view schematics more easily?
5. How do I display pin numbers for a chip?
6. How do I add a bus?
7. How do I create a VHDL template for a chip from a body file?
8. What other command strokes (besides Z and W) using the mouse are available?
9. How are the U210 numbers generated?

1. Q: How do I set up my working directory to start up cadence (using the syslab command)?
   A: Follow the directions here.
2. Q: How do I add a part from the Concept Parts Library?
   A: First, begin by either typing add in the command window, or by clicking on the Add Part button. This will bring up a window called Component Browser. Use the Library->Add menu items to select the proper library. Then, just specify the proper library from your list (to the right of the Library radio button) and select the part from that list. You may have to modify some other files (master.local, global.cmd, mylib.lib) to access user designed libraries and parts. See openbook or other web pages in this tree for more information.
3. Q: How to I edit an existing schematic?
   A: Type edit and follow similar steps documented above for the add command.
4. Q: What are some useful commands to help me view schematics more easily?
   A: Typing the self-explanatory commands zoom out, zoom in, and zoom fit in the command window is probably easiest. Using the cursor keys allow you to move around and see different sections of the schematic. You can also use the mouse to write out the letter Z over the part of your schematic you want to zoom in on, or write out the letter W to fit the design to the window.
5. Q: How do I display pin numbers for a chip?
   A: Type the section command into the command line window and click on the appropriate chip.
6. Q: How do I add a bus?
   A: First, extend the length of your pins using the wire command. This is so that you can display both the pin number and the bus bit number. Next, use the command add tap. This adds a tap to the bus you want to create. After you have added taps to all the pins of the bus, use a wire to connect them all. Next, you will want to number the pins with the appropriate bits from the bus. So, if you have a 16-bit bus, you will use the following command: bustap 15 0. After you have typed this command into the command window, use the mouse to draw a line that intersects the 16 taps (starting with the MSB in this case). The numbers will be displayed after you have drawn the line. Use the signame command to name the bus.
7. Q: How do I create a VHDL template for a chip from a body file?
   A: First, edit the body file. Next, type the following into the command window: genview vhdl. This will create a directory called entity in the directory in which the body file resides. Inside that directory, a file called vhdl.vhd will be created that contains the VHDL template.
8. Q: What other command strokes (besides Z and W) using the mouse are available?
   A: V to change the version of the device, C to copy a device, and M to move a device.
9. Q: How are the U210 numbers generated?
   A: This is either assigned during compilation, or can be done manually using the commandproperty (CR) followed by the location=U210 (CR) command. Actually, the location numbers are assigned during packaging. To add them to the schematic, first run the Packagker. The packager stores the locations in a file called 'pstback.dat'. Then, in Concept, type backannotate pstback.dat (CR) . This should load the location properties into your schematics. For general parts, the properties should be displayed automatically. For parts such as resistors and capacitors, the ATTRIBUTE form must be edited to display the value.

This is a "fix it yourself" page, located at ${CHEOPS_BASE}/WWW/cadence/index.html Garden Cadence users should feel free to add to this FAQ.