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Is it possible to add properties to a layout pcell?

Sheppy

Hi,

This is what I would like to do:

The p-cell code to generate a layout instance must store certain values computed in the code as a property to that instance.

This is simular to someting I have done before: added properties of computed values for a group in layout.

In the code for generating shapes in a layout, I group all the generated shapes together and then add properties to this group. I use the command:

dbCreateProp( topGroupID fieldName fieldType fieldValue )

I want to do the same with a p-cell. The values I want to report are not parameters (I don't want them to be that either), so they should be stored as properties. When an instance is instantiated, upon selecting that instance and hitting the "q" key, I wnat properties to show-up under the properties tab. I tried to do it with the same command like so:

dbCreateProp( pcCellView fieldName fieldType fieldValue )

but this did not work.

Is there any way to get the p-cell code to store certain values as properties to the instance it is creating?

With kind regards,

Sjoerd

Parents
  • Sheppy

    Hi Andrew,

    Thank you very much for the very detailed response.

    And it is actually what I expected it to be, so no big surprise. And I agree with you that solution/backdoor you propose shouldn't be used (keep that door closed!).

    What was needed: a colleague wants to automatically (using SKILL script part of a validation toolbox) place pins on all pins of a transistor pcell (in an other layout). I developed this pcell, and all pins have labels, each label has its origin exactly in the middle of the pin. This information is easily retrievable from the instance master (just do a foreach of all shapes and look for object-type "label" and that is has the correct value in "theLabel") so I suggested to just use that. I understand it would be easier for him if there would be a property with a list of all pin locations, but I think this is the best way to do it. (looking for terminals and than locating the pins/shapes and determine the centre is a solution as well, many roads lead to...) Now I can tell him that a property can't (reliably) be created.

    With kind regards,

    Sjoerd

Reply
  • Sheppy

    Hi Andrew,

    Thank you very much for the very detailed response.

    And it is actually what I expected it to be, so no big surprise. And I agree with you that solution/backdoor you propose shouldn't be used (keep that door closed!).

    What was needed: a colleague wants to automatically (using SKILL script part of a validation toolbox) place pins on all pins of a transistor pcell (in an other layout). I developed this pcell, and all pins have labels, each label has its origin exactly in the middle of the pin. This information is easily retrievable from the instance master (just do a foreach of all shapes and look for object-type "label" and that is has the correct value in "theLabel") so I suggested to just use that. I understand it would be easier for him if there would be a property with a list of all pin locations, but I think this is the best way to do it. (looking for terminals and than locating the pins/shapes and determine the centre is a solution as well, many roads lead to...) Now I can tell him that a property can't (reliably) be created.

    With kind regards,

    Sjoerd

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