• Skip to main content
  • Skip to search
  • Skip to footer
Cadence Home
  • This search text may be transcribed, used, stored, or accessed by our third-party service providers per our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.

  1. Community Forums
  2. Custom IC Design
  3. Layout XL: power router problems

Stats

  • Locked Locked
  • Replies 2
  • Subscribers 125
  • Views 13078
  • Members are here 0
This discussion has been locked.
You can no longer post new replies to this discussion. If you have a question you can start a new discussion

Layout XL: power router problems

PNadeau
PNadeau over 10 years ago

Dear Cadence experts,

I am trying to use the power router in "block ring" mode in Layout XL (Route -> Power Routing -> Block Ring (tab)), but after selecting the desired nets and a block and clicking "Route" I am receiving an error.

*WARNING* (RTE-2008): Missing instance option for Block Ring power routing operation.Select at least one block instance from the Navigator or Search Assistant window.

I tried selecting an instance from the Navigator (eg. I0...), tried clicking on an instance in the layout itself, tried selecting one from a search in the Search Assistant, tried selecting multiple blocks using all of the above techniques. All with no luck.

Has anyone seen this before? Is a block a different construct from an instance?

Appreciate any insight.

I am using IC 6.1.6 on RHEL 6.

Cheers,

Phil

  • Cancel
Parents
  • ColinSutlieff
    ColinSutlieff over 10 years ago

    Hi Phil,

    the error message seems clear but there may be earlier problems that may be causing this.

    This can happen if your tech file is not setup for the router.

    Check if you have the routing directions setup in the techfile (setting directions in the Wire Assistant won't work).

    The nets to route should also be defined as Power/Ground with the property editor (but I think you may have done that already).

    If that fails, try entering the command directly in the CIW:

    (rtePowerRouteBlockRing ?cv geGetEditCellView(hiGetCurrentWindow()) ?nets list("VDD" "VSS") ?instances list("MY_INSTANCE_NAME") ?channels nil ?contour nil ?blockClearance 0.0 ?layers list("Metal1" "Metal2") ?lattice nil ?netClearance 0.14 ?netWidth 0.14)

     

    I can reproduce your problem when I have an incorrect techfile setup.

     

    Hope this helps

     

    Colin

    • Cancel
    • Vote Up 0 Vote Down
    • Cancel
Reply
  • ColinSutlieff
    ColinSutlieff over 10 years ago

    Hi Phil,

    the error message seems clear but there may be earlier problems that may be causing this.

    This can happen if your tech file is not setup for the router.

    Check if you have the routing directions setup in the techfile (setting directions in the Wire Assistant won't work).

    The nets to route should also be defined as Power/Ground with the property editor (but I think you may have done that already).

    If that fails, try entering the command directly in the CIW:

    (rtePowerRouteBlockRing ?cv geGetEditCellView(hiGetCurrentWindow()) ?nets list("VDD" "VSS") ?instances list("MY_INSTANCE_NAME") ?channels nil ?contour nil ?blockClearance 0.0 ?layers list("Metal1" "Metal2") ?lattice nil ?netClearance 0.14 ?netWidth 0.14)

     

    I can reproduce your problem when I have an incorrect techfile setup.

     

    Hope this helps

     

    Colin

    • Cancel
    • Vote Up 0 Vote Down
    • Cancel
Children
No Data

Community Guidelines

The Cadence Design Communities support Cadence users and technologists interacting to exchange ideas, news, technical information, and best practices to solve problems and get the most from Cadence technology. The community is open to everyone, and to provide the most value, we require participants to follow our Community Guidelines that facilitate a quality exchange of ideas and information. By accessing, contributing, using or downloading any materials from the site, you agree to be bound by the full Community Guidelines.

© 2025 Cadence Design Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy
  • Cookie Policy
  • US Trademarks
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information