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  3. Importing a def file (made in encounter) into virtuoso.

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Importing a def file (made in encounter) into virtuoso.

Mikutine
Mikutine over 13 years ago

Dear users,

I've made a design in Encounter with the Nangate OpenCell Library. Everything is placed and routed, and I have extracted the def file.

I want to use that def file, so I can import it in Virtuoso, because I have to add some shape pins in there. The first thing I did, is make an new library, where I attached the technology file from the FreePDK45 of Nangate.

When I want to import the def file in Virtuoso, I fill in the following in the Virtuoso DEF In form:

-DEFin File Name: "the path to the def file"

-Target Library Name: "the new library that I've made with the attached technology file

-Ref. Technology Libraries: "the nangate opencell library"

-Target Cell Name: "the name of cell''

-Target View Name: "the name of layout" 

I get the following errors:

'The library "router_lib" is already attached to technology library "NCSU_TechLib_FreePDK45". Cannot replace this with a derived technology database unless the original attached technology library is part of the new references. defin translations has failed'

So it basically says that the attached technology file to the new library, and the ref. technology library are conflicting. But when I try to import it without one of these two libraries/technology file, I get some missing information about via's.

Can somebody explain me how I can fix this? Thank you in advance! 

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  • Alex Soyer
    Alex Soyer over 13 years ago

    hello,

     The 'Ref. Technology Libraries' makes sense to use in case you create a fully new library and you would like this new library to reference a library (inherit technology information from that libraries) but in your case you have already created the new library prior to import your DEF then you don't need to specify any library into the 'Ref. Technology Libraries' field.

    You have certainly missing vias due to the following reasons:

    1. your default vias (custom vias in Virtuoso techfile) are not defined in your technology library "NCSU_TechLib_FreePDK45"
      • custom vias: fixed vias defined as a lib cell view but defined in you techfile under customVias section
    2. your via generate rules (std vias in Virtuoso techfile) are not defined in your  "technology library "NCSU_TechLib_FreePDK45"
      • standard vias: parametrized vias based on technology rules defined in standarVia section of your techfile

     Basically you have missing vias information due to techfile not up to date.

    A solution would be:

    1. create your library to import DEF using as reference "NCSU_TechLib_FreePDK45" 
    2. into this new library import a the LEF technology but with only vias information both GENERATE and DEFAULT
    3. importing your DEF to see if it works

    Thanks,

    Alex

     

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  • Alex Soyer
    Alex Soyer over 13 years ago

    hello,

     The 'Ref. Technology Libraries' makes sense to use in case you create a fully new library and you would like this new library to reference a library (inherit technology information from that libraries) but in your case you have already created the new library prior to import your DEF then you don't need to specify any library into the 'Ref. Technology Libraries' field.

    You have certainly missing vias due to the following reasons:

    1. your default vias (custom vias in Virtuoso techfile) are not defined in your technology library "NCSU_TechLib_FreePDK45"
      • custom vias: fixed vias defined as a lib cell view but defined in you techfile under customVias section
    2. your via generate rules (std vias in Virtuoso techfile) are not defined in your  "technology library "NCSU_TechLib_FreePDK45"
      • standard vias: parametrized vias based on technology rules defined in standarVia section of your techfile

     Basically you have missing vias information due to techfile not up to date.

    A solution would be:

    1. create your library to import DEF using as reference "NCSU_TechLib_FreePDK45" 
    2. into this new library import a the LEF technology but with only vias information both GENERATE and DEFAULT
    3. importing your DEF to see if it works

    Thanks,

    Alex

     

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