Mentor Graphics’ Constraint Editor System delivers robust way of reusing constraint data in form of exporting and importing data stored in encrypted xml file. In recent discussion with customers, we’ve found that that mechanism is rarely used and not well known by our customers yet.
Mentor plans to promote that capability and name it Setup Templates as they quickly sets up design constraints. We would like to hear from users if this meets their needs.
Setup Templates today allow CES users to export most of data from one design and import it to other designs with the distinction that the main use case is to set up physical design rules like net classes and clearances. We have chosen .cts (constraints encrypted xml) file as an exchange file as the most secure one in terms of maintaining customers’ Intellectual Property with full data integrity on one hand and its flexibility on the other hand.
We allow users to reuse constraints but do not allow reuse of stackup definition as we believe not Setup but Layout Templates are designed to support stackup reuse needs. Note that importing Setup Template will not modify schematic data either.
During the entire process CES maintains data integrity and fills in missing relationships with needed values.
Here is the suggested way of working with Setup Templates:
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![setup templates process.png]()
• Set up desired constraints once and store them in the Setup Template (one or more Setup Template can be created inside CES)
• Before applying a Setup Template verify it and review results after applying it
• Store\Manage Setup Template(s) in Mentor design or library environment (depending on customer’s needs)
• Apply Setup Template – that is a step of importing .cts file (could be extended into preview step in future)
Setup Template import is available either from CES user interface or from command line to allow batch processing. User is able to set up more than one design using Setup Template import process, and the user is able to apply more than one Setup Template to one design.
After Setup Template import is finished CES generates a report file with data logs and eventually highlights issues for review.
If you found the Setup Templates flow useful or you have suggestions on its behavior we encourage you to post your comments into Ideas website…. Thanks!
