Cadence Tutorial 1: Schematic Entry

1. Running the Cadence tools

Never run Cadence from your root directory, it creates many extra files that will clutter your root. Instead please create a directory (e.g. cadence) and start Cadence there by typing:

mkdir cadence cd cadence icds &

2. Library Creation

Next open the Library Manager window open:

Now we need to create a new library (to contain your circuits) so go to File -> New -> Library from the File menu of the Library Manager. Then fill in the name of the new library (e.g. adder8b) in the dialog window, and leave the Path empty (this will create the library in the directory where you started icfb.

Now the lab8b library should appear in the Library Manager window. Let's start our first schematic now!

3. Schematic Capture

Start by clicking on the Tutorial library in the Library Manager window once, then go to File -> New -> Cell View and fill in with Ilab2adder16 as the cell name, schematic as the view name, and Composer - Schematic as the tool, then press OK.

You should get the lab2adder16 Schematic Editing window.

Spend some time analyzing the window. On the left side you have various shortcuts to common used commands such as: placing component instances (looks like an IC), drawing wires, placing ports, stretching, copying, zooming in and out, saving, etc. If you pass the mouse pointer on top of the buttons you get short pop-up help messages. You also have access to these commands (and others) from the menu.

4. Adding Component Instances

Click on the Instance button (or go to Add -> Instance), this will pop-up two small windows, one being a Component Browser window. In this window choose xc4000 as the library.

Clicking Browse you will get the following window.

then add all your components.

Quick Usage Reference

the following are some keyboard shortcuts for commonly used commands.

Press p to add pins.
Press q to after selecting a component to edit properties.
Press w to add wires.
Press f to fit the schematic to the schematic window.
Press l to label a wire.
Press Up or Down arrow to scroll your design.
Press ESC to terminate any of the operation within the schematic window.

5. Saving your Designs

After adding and connecting all components, you need to Check and Save your design (either the top left button or Design -> Check and Save). Make sure you look at the CIW window and there are no errors or warnings, if there are any you have to go back and fix them!

Assuming there are no errors we are now ready to start simulation!

6. Printing your Design

For all of your labs, you will need to turnin printouts of the designs you created. In order to print your schematic, use the following procedure.

Select Design => Plot => Submit. You will be presented with the Submit Plot window as shown here.

2. Click on Plot Options... in the lower right hand corner of the window. You will be presented with the Plot Options window as shown here.

Select the Plotter Type as EPS.
Select the Paper Size as 8x10.5.
Select the Send Plot Only to File option and enter the desired schematic name, i.e., rlc_schematic.
Click on OK.
Back in the Submit Plot window, click the OK button.
The printed schematic, in EPS format, should now be located within your cadence directory.