Tracing a net connection from M1 to the top most metal in layout using SKILL script

Hi Mallikarjun,

most likely your 'markNetOptions' is not set up to include either the vias or both the vias and the other metals. You can adjust this graphically in a Layout window by starting the Mark Net command and then modifying the command options (typically the F3 bindkey) - look at the Via Layers and Connected Layers tabs. You may also need to modify the Stop Layers in case the probing goes too far. You can save your settings to a markNetOptions file and this can be the default when you next start the Mark Net tool - look at the documentation for more detail on this.

Hopefully this helps you.

Best regards,

Lawrence.

Hi Lawrence,

Thanks for your reply.

The mark net options are already enabled in the GUI as shown in the snap below. But, the 'leMarkNet' is not highlighting above M1 layer.

Please let me know if there are any other options that I need to set.

Mallikarjun.

Hi,

The connectivity is working fine, when I give some other point on the M1 metal.

But it is highlighting the entire layout due to some shorts during highlighting as there are some MIM caps in the layout.

My requirement is to trace the connectivity of the M1 metal to the topmost metal in layout it is connected to, while avoiding the shorts during highlight due to the MIM caps, and identify the net name of that top metal using labels.

Please let me know what method would be best for this.

Thanks,

Mallikarjun.

Hi Mallikarjun,

You can use the Net Tracer option, and the equivalent SKILL API to click on a point and get the netName. This would require proper Layout XL binding, and you need to setup the Net Tracer options similar to the Mark Net Options (You can save markNet options to a file, and then load the same in the netTracer custom options). 

Thanks
Baig

Hi Mallikarjun,

You can use the Net Tracer option, and the equivalent SKILL API to click on a point and get the netName. This would require proper Layout XL binding, and you need to setup the Net Tracer options similar to the Mark Net Options (You can save markNet options to a file, and then load the same in the netTracer custom options). 

Thanks
Baig

Sure. I know to use the Net Tracer from Connectivity->Net Tracer. Please let me know the corresponding SKILL functions for the same.

Thanks.

lntAddTrace() would appear to be the function to add a new trace - there are many other "lnt" prefix functions which you might need to use in conjunction with this function. Also note that lntAddTrace is not a drop-in replacement for leMarkNet

Best regards,
Lawrence.

Hi, 

Thanks for providing the SKILL API for it. Started using it.

I noticed one thing.

When I highlight a net using "lntAddTrace" in a SKILL script by providing a net name, it doesn't highlight all of it.

I mean, there will be many shapes belonging to that net name, which aren't yet highlighted by it.

But, when I just open and hide the net tracer options GUI(Connectivity->net tracer->add/remove->F3) in layout window, and run my above SKILL script, it now highlights all the shapes belonging to that net.

Please let me know what I might be missing.

Thanks,

Mallikarjun.