Violations Associated with Nets when Validating a Design in Altium Designer

Default report mode:

Summary

This violation occurs when there are two or more hidden pins within the project that have the same value entered into their Hidden Net Name property. Hidden pins are sometimes used to define the power pins in a multi-part component. Typically this warning occurs when a library component with hidden pins has been used and the designer was not aware of those hidden pins.

Notification

If validation errors and warnings are enabled for display on the schematic (enabled on the Schematic – Compiler page of the Preferences dialog), an offending object will display a colored squiggle beneath it. Hovering over the object will display a pop-up hint that summarizes the violation. A notification is also displayed in the Messages panel in the following format:

Adding hidden net

Recommendation for Resolution

The problem arises when the following properties for the offending pin(s) occur:

• The Hide option is enabled
• The Hidden Net Name field contains the specific power net name

If it is by design then the warning can be ignored. Alternatively, you can enable the display of the pin(s) in the design space. This option may prove to be less than desirable, especially if you have many hidden pins connected to power nets. Revealing these pins in the design space can cause clutter as each pin would need to be wired to the appropriate power port object – making the design schematic(s) less easy to read.

If you choose to display the hidden pins and those pins are assigned to Part Zero, they will appear on every part placed in the project. For multi-part component power pins that are not hidden, it can be better to create a separate part in the component just for the power pins.

Notes

• Only one instance of this violation type will be listed in the Messages panel. When investigating the error using the Details region of the panel, a single entry will be listed reflecting the net that is being added. There may be multiple nets added – such as GND and VCC – but only one will be listed, determined by alphabetical order. If you clear the violation for a particular net, the next net (in order) will appear under this violation type.
• Use the controls associated with the Object Hints entry in the Connectivity Insight Options region (the System – Design Insight page of the Preferences dialog) to determine the launch style for object hints (Mouse Hover and/or Alt+Double Click).

Default report mode:

Summary

This violation is related to components and occurs when you have specified one or more pins to be hidden and connected to an existing net within the design – typically a power pin connected to VCC or GND for example.

Notification

If validation errors and warnings are enabled for display on the schematic (enabled on the Schematic – Compiler page of the Preferences dialog), an offending object will display a colored squiggle beneath it. Hovering over the object will display a pop-up hint that summarizes the violation. A notification is also displayed in the Messages panel in the following format:

Adding items to hidden net <NetName>

where:

• NetName is the name of the target net.

Recommendation for Resolution

The problem arises when the following property for the offending pin(s) is evident in the associated Component Pin Editor dialog:

• The Show option is disabled.

The resolution of this issue is on a per-component basis and also depends on whether a component contains multiple sub-parts.

For a non-multi-part component, enable the display of the pin(s) in the design space (enable the Show option). You will need to wire each pin to the appropriate power port for the net to which you want to connect.

The previous solution can also be applied to multi-part components, but a far better solution is to set the Part Number field to 0. Leave the Show option for the pin disabled. Repeat for each pin that has been connected to a power net in this way. Ideally, the power net connections should be assigned through use of part 0 in the source library component.

Note

Use the controls associated with the Object Hints entry in the Connectivity Insight Options region (the System – Design Insight page of the Preferences dialog) to determine the launch style for object hints (Mouse Hover and/or Alt+Double Click).

Default report mode:

Summary

This violation occurs when a Port, Sheet Entry, or Net Label within a Signal Harness has a name in the form [X..Y] indicating a bus object.

Notification

If validation errors and warnings are enabled for display on the schematic (enabled on the Schematic – Compiler page of the Preferences dialog), an offending object will display a colored squiggle beneath it. Hovering over the object will display a pop-up hint that summarizes the violation. A notification is also displayed in the Messages panel in the following format:

Bus <Object> <ObjectName> at <Location> placed on a harness

where:

• Object is the offending port, sheet entry, or net label.
• ObjectName is the name of the offending object.
• Location is the X, Y coordinates for the offending object.

Recommendation for Resolution

Use the Details region of the Messages panel to quickly cross probe to the offending object and modify the name so that it does not use bus syntax.

Note

Use the controls associated with the Object Hints entry in the Connectivity Insight Options region (the System – Design Insight page of the Preferences dialog) to determine the launch style for object hints (Mouse Hover and/or Alt+Double Click).

Default report mode:

Summary

This violation appears when the polarity of a differential pair net is not the same as that of the differential pair pin to which it is connected. For example, the positive net is connected to the negative pin, or vice versa.

Notification

If validation errors and warnings are enabled for display on the schematic (enabled on the Schematic – Compiler page of the Preferences dialog), an offending object will display a colored squiggle beneath it. Hovering over the object will display a pop-up hint that summarizes the violation. A notification is also displayed in the Messages panel in the following format:

Inversed connection on differential pair <PairName>: net <NetName> is connected to pin <PinDesignator> (<Polarity>)

where:

• PairName is the name of the differential pair (e.g. V_TX1).
• NetName is the name of the offending net (e.g. V_TX1_P).
• PinDesignator is the designator of the device pin to which the offending net is connected (e.g. E6).
• Polarity is the polarity of the pin (e.g. negative).

Recommendation for Resolution

Use the Details region of the Messages panel to quickly cross probe to the differential pair pin to which the connection has been made. Ensure that the net label attached to the connected wire is the same polarity as that of the pin. For example, if the pin name is IO_L02N_0 and the net label is V_TX1_P, change the net label to V_TX1_N.

If a pair of violation messages of this type appears – one for the positive net of the pair attached to the negative pin of the device and one for the negative net of the same pair attached to the positive pin – simply swap the attached net labels around.

Note

Use the controls associated with the Object Hints entry in the Connectivity Insight Options region (the System – Design Insight page of the Preferences dialog) to determine the launch style for object hints (Mouse Hover and/or Alt+Double Click).

Default report mode:

Summary

This violation appears when a differential pair net is not connected to a differential pair pin of a physical device.

Notification

If validation errors and warnings are enabled for display on the schematic (enabled on the Schematic – Compiler page of the Preferences dialog), an offending object will display a colored squiggle beneath it. Hovering over the object will display a pop-up hint that summarizes the violation. A notification is also displayed in the Messages panel in the following format:

Net <NetName> of differential pair <PairName> is not connected to a differential pair pin

where:

• NetName is the name of the positive or negative polarity net in the pair (e.g. V_RX1_N or V_RX1_P).
• PairName is the name of the differential pair (e.g. V_RX1).

Recommendation for Resolution

A true differential pair pin is hard-wired for a physical device (e.g., a Xilinx Virtex-II Pro FPGA device). Although such a pin may appear with the identifier N (for negative) or P (for positive) as part of its name, you cannot make a pin differential simply by changing its name.

Use the Details region of the Messages panel to quickly cross probe to the pin to which the differential pair net is currently connected. Consider the following when resolving a violation of this type:

• If the net is correct but has been attached/wired to the wrong pin of the device, determine the correct pin and move the net label accordingly.
• If the net has been erroneously specified as a differential pair net, change the associated net label to the correct (non-differential) naming and remove the attached differential pair directive from the connecting wire.
• If the pin is, in fact, not to be used at all in the design, ensure that net label, wire, and differential pair directive are removed and place a No ERC marker on it.

Note

Use the controls associated with the Object Hints entry in the Connectivity Insight Options region (the System – Design Insight page of the Preferences dialog) to determine the launch style for object hints (Mouse Hover and/or Alt+Double Click).

Default report mode:

Summary

This violation appears when a differential pair net is not properly connected to a differential pair pin of a physical device.

Notification

If validation errors and warnings are enabled for display on the schematic (enabled on the Schematic – Compiler page of the Preferences dialog), an offending object will display a colored squiggle beneath it. Hovering over the object will display a pop-up hint that summarizes the violation. A notification is also displayed in the Messages panel in the following format:

Misconnected differential pair <PairName>: net <NetName> should be connected to pin <PinDesignator>

where:

• PairName is the name of the differential pair (e.g., V_TX1).
• NetName is the name of the positive or negative polarity net in the pair (e.g., V_TX1_N or V_TX1_P).
• PinDesignator is the designator of the device pin to which the offending net should be connecting (e.g., E6).

Recommendation for Resolution

This type of violation typically arises when the wire object for the differential pair net is not making an electrical connection with the target pin of the device. Use the Details region of the Messages panel to quickly cross probe to the device pin and ensure proper connection between the wire of the net and the pin itself.

Note

Use the controls associated with the Object Hints entry in the Connectivity Insight Options region (the System – Design Insight page of the Preferences dialog) to determine the launch style for object hints (Mouse Hover and/or Alt+Double Click).

Default report mode:

Summary

This violation occurs when two nets with the same name have been detected within the design.

Notification

If validation errors and warnings are enabled for display on the schematic (enabled on the Schematic – Compiler page of the Preferences dialog) an offending object will display a colored squiggle beneath it. Hovering over the object will display a pop-up hint that summarizes the violation. A notification is also displayed in the Messages panel in the following format:

Duplicate Net Names <Object> <NetName>

where:

• Object is either Wire or Bus Slice or Element[n] (for a bus element).
• NetName is the name of the affected net.

Recommendation for Resolution

This violation can arise when, for example:

• The design is flat and ports have been used within the design. The Net Identifier Scope is automatically (or manually) set to Flat (Only ports global). The violation will occur if the same net label has been used between sheets. This is because net labels defined on each sheet, even with the same name, remain local to those sheets. The resolution, in this case, is to ensure unique net labeling is used between sheets.
• The net continuity between flattened schematic sheets is broken by the inadvertent use of ports or off sheet connectors with different names. Use the Details region of the Messages panel to quickly cross probe to the duplicate net naming. Trace the net back to the incoming/outgoing port on each sheet and ensure the names for the ports are made the same.
• You may have the same net used in two different branches of a hierarchical design – i.e. different sheet symbols are used to reference different child sheets, but the same name is used for the top-level sheet entries and descendent ports, and the two symbols are connected by a physical wire or bus. The net continuity between these branches can be broken by the inadvertent use of sheet entries with different names or the omission of a physical bus/wire connecting the sheet entries. Ensure that the physical wire connecting the two sheet symbols is in place and wired correctly and that the sheet entries are named the same.

Notes

• Use the controls associated with the Object Hints entry in the Connectivity Insight Options region (the System – Design Insight page of the Preferences dialog) to determine the launch style for object hints (Mouse Hover and/or Alt+Double Click).
• When you need to allow a specific point in the circuit not to report a violation of this type, you can place a Specific No ERC directive directly at the error location from the Messages panel – you can do this by right-clicking a message reporting the violation to suppress, then choosing the Place Specific No ERC for this violation command.

Default report mode:

Summary

This violation occurs when a Net Name of a pin of a schematic FPGA component does not match the external source file Net Name of a pin.

Notification

If validation errors and warnings are enabled for display on the schematic (enabled on the Schematic – Compiler page of the Preferences dialog) an offending object will display a colored squiggle beneath it. Hovering over the object will display a pop-up hint that summarizes the violation. A notification is also displayed in the Messages panel in the following format:

External <NetLabelName> and Schematic <NetLabelName> are Unsynchronized for Pin <xx>

where:

• NetLabelName is the name of the offending net label.
• xx is the pin number.

Recommendation for Resolution

In the Pin Mapper dialog with the offending Pin selected, in the Schematic region, access the drop-down solution options then choose Update Pin File () to transfer the net name from the schematic to the external FPGA pin file then validate the project again.

Note

Use the controls associated with the Object Hints entry in the Connectivity Insight Options region (the System – Design Insight page of the Preferences dialog) to determine the launch style for object hints (Mouse Hover and/or Alt+Double Click).

Default report mode:

Summary

This violation occurs when a net label has been detected to be floating, i.e. not attached to a wire or bus object, within the design. The message will also appear for a bus power port object that is not electrically connected to the rest of the circuit.

Notification

If validation errors and warnings are enabled for display on the schematic (enabled on the Schematic – Compiler page of the Preferences dialog), an offending object will display a colored squiggle beneath it. Hovering over the object will display a pop-up hint that summarizes the violation. A notification is also displayed in the Messages panel in the following format:

Floating Net Label <NetLabelName>

where:

• NetLabelName is the name of the offending net label.

Recommendation for Resolution

Ensure that the offending net label object is connected to the required wire or bus object. If the net label is redundant, delete it from the design.

Check also that the wire/bus object and associated net label are on the grid. An object can be moved back onto the grid manually or by using the Edit » Align » Align To Grid command.

Notes

• Use the controls associated with the Object Hints entry in the Connectivity Insight Options region (the System – Design Insight page of the Preferences dialog) to determine the launch style for object hints (Mouse Hover and/or Alt+Double Click).
• When you need to allow a specific point in the circuit not to report a violation of this type, you can place a Specific No ERC directive directly at the error location from the Messages panel – you can do this by right-clicking a message reporting the violation to suppress, then choosing the Place Specific No ERC for this violation command.

Default report mode:

Summary

This violation occurs when a power port object has been detected to be floating – not electrically connected to a component – within the design. For example, the power port may have been placed but is not yet wired up to the rest of the circuit.

Notification

If validation errors and warnings are enabled for display on the schematic (enabled on the Schematic – Compiler page of the Preferences dialog), an offending object will display a colored squiggle beneath it. Hovering over the object will display a pop-up hint that summarizes the violation. A notification is also displayed in the Messages panel in the following format:

Floating Power Object <NetName>

where:

• NetName is the name of the net associated with the floating power port object.

Recommendation for Resolution

Ensure that the offending power port object is connected to the circuit as required. If the power port is redundant, delete it from the design.

Notes

• This message is related to the standard, single-signal power port objects.
• Use the controls associated with the Object Hints entry in the Connectivity Insight Options region (the System – Design Insight page of the Preferences dialog) to determine the launch style for object hints (Mouse Hover and/or Alt+Double Click).
• When you need to allow a specific point in the circuit not to report a violation of this type, you can place a Specific No ERC directive directly at the error location from the Messages panel – you can do this by right-clicking a message reporting the violation to suppress, then choosing the Place Specific No ERC for this violation command.

Default report mode:

Summary

This violation occurs when a port-based object (port, off sheet connector) has been connected to a power port object. The power object can no longer exist on a global level – connected to a global power net – and is instead changed to be a local-level power net.

Notification

If validation errors and warnings are enabled for display on the schematic (enabled on the Schematic – Compiler page of the Preferences dialog), an offending object will display a colored squiggle beneath it. Hovering over the object will display a pop-up hint that summarizes the violation. A notification is also displayed in the Messages panel in the following format:

Global Power-Object <NetName> at <Location1> has been reduced to local level by presence of port at <Location2>

where:

• NetName is the net to which the power port object is associated.
• Location1 is the X, Y coordinates for the power port object's electrical hotspot.
• Location2 is the X, Y coordinates for the port object's electrical hotspot.

Recommendation for Resolution

This violation can typically arise when a power port object is incorrectly wired to a port rather than the intended pin or sheet entry. There may, however, be cases where you want to force (and use) a scope change of this kind. With the violation selected in the Messages panel, use the Details region of the panel to quickly cross probe to the offending objects. Assess whether the connection between the port and power port is intended and, if not, remove the power port and wire the remaining port object to its intended destination as required.

Note

Use the controls associated with the Object Hints entry in the Connectivity Insight Options region (the System – Design Insight page of the Preferences dialog) to determine the launch style for object hints (Mouse Hover and/or Alt+Double Click).

Default report mode:

Summary

This violation occurs when an object such as a Port, Sheet Entry, or Harness Entry has an associated Harness Type, which represents a connection to a Signal Harness, but it is wired to a bus.

Notification

If validation errors and warnings are enabled for display on the schematic (enabled on the Schematic – Compiler page of the Preferences dialog), an offending object will display a colored squiggle beneath it. Hovering over the object will display a pop-up hint that summarizes the violation. A notification is also displayed in the Messages panel in the following format:

Harness <Object> <ObjectName> at <Location> placed on bus

where:

• Object is the offending Port, Sheet Entry, or Harness Entry.
• ObjectName is the label of the offending object.
• Location is the X, Y coordinates for the offending object.

Recommendation for Resolution

Use the Details region of the Messages panel to quickly cross probe to the offending object (Port, Sheet Entry, or Harness Entry). Ensure that the object is not connected to a bus, but rather a signal harness.

Note

Use the controls associated with the Object Hints entry in the Connectivity Insight Options region (the System – Design Insight page of the Preferences dialog) to determine the launch style for object hints (Mouse Hover and/or Alt+Double Click).

Default report mode:

Summary

This violation occurs when an object such as a Port, Sheet Entry, or Harness Entry has an associated Harness Type, which represents a connection to a Signal Harness, however, the object is connected to a wire.

Notification

If validation errors and warnings are enabled for display on the schematic (enabled on the Schematic – Compiler page of the Preferences dialog), an offending object will display a colored squiggle beneath it. Hovering over the object will display a pop-up hint that summarizes the violation. A notification is also displayed in the Messages panel in the following format:

Harness <Object> <ObjectName> at <Location> placed on wire

where:

• Object is the offending Port, Sheet Entry, or Harness Entry.
• ObjectName is the label of the offending object.
• Location is the X, Y coordinates for the offending object.

Recommendation for Resolution

Use the Details region of the Messages panel to quickly cross probe to the offending object (Port, Sheet Entry, or Harness Entry). Ensure that the object is not connected to a wire, but rather a signal harness.

Note

Use the controls associated with the Object Hints entry in the Connectivity Insight Options region (the System – Design Insight page of the Preferences dialog) to determine the launch style for object hints (Mouse Hover and/or Alt+Double Click).

Default report mode:

Summary

This violation appears when a negative polarity net has not been detected for a particular differential pair object within a design. The positive polarity net for the pair does exist.

Notification

If validation errors and warnings are enabled for display on the schematic (enabled on the Schematic – Compiler page of the Preferences dialog), an offending object will display a colored squiggle beneath it. Hovering over the object will display a pop-up hint that summarizes the violation. A notification is also displayed in the Messages panel in the following format:

Missing Negative Net for differential pair <PairName>, positive net <NetName>

where:

• PairName is the name of the differential pair for which a positive polarity net has already been defined (e.g., V_RX1).
• NetName is the name of the positive polarity net (e.g., V_RX1_P).

Recommendation for Resolution

This violation typically arises in the following situations:

• A differential pair directive has not been attached to the negative polarity wire of the signal pairing. The required net label (e.g., V_RX1_N) has been attached to the wire as required.
• An appropriately-named net label (e.g., V_RX1_N) has not been attached to the negative polarity wire of the signal pairing. The required differential pair directive has been attached to the wire as required.

To resolve this violation, locate the negative wire object for the pair and ensure that both the net label and differential pair directive are attached and that the name of the net label is specified as required. The net label for the negative wire will be essentially the same as that for the positive wire, but with an _N suffix instead of an _P. Alternatively, if the negative wire object is connected to an appropriately-named port object, the Allow Ports to Name Nets option can be enabled on the Options tab of the Project Options dialog instead of attaching a net label to the wire.

Note

Use the controls associated with the Object Hints entry in the Connectivity Insight Options region (the System – Design Insight page of the Preferences dialog) to determine the launch style for object hints (Mouse Hover and/or Alt+Double Click).

Default report mode:

Summary

This violation appears when a positive polarity net has not been detected for a particular differential pair object within a design. The negative polarity net for the pair does exist.

Notification

If validation errors and warnings are enabled for display on the schematic (enabled on the Schematic – Compiler page of the Preferences dialog), an offending object will display a colored squiggle beneath it. Hovering over the object will display a pop-up hint that summarizes the violation. A notification is also displayed in the Messages panel in the following format:

Missing Positive Net for differential pair <PairName>, negative net <NetName>

where:

• PairName is the name of the differential pair for which a positive polarity net has already been defined (e.g., V_RX1).
• NetName is the name of the negative polarity net (e.g., V_RX1_N).

Recommendation for Resolution

This violation typically arises in the following situations:

• A differential pair directive has not been attached to the positive polarity wire of the signal pairing. The required net label (e.g., V_RX1_P) has been attached to the wire as required.
• An appropriately-named net label (e.g., V_RX1_P) has not been attached to the positive polarity wire of the signal pairing. The required differential pair directive has been attached to the wire as required.

To resolve this violation, locate the positive wire object for the pair and ensure that both the net label and differential pair directive are attached and that the name of the net label is specified as required. The net label for the positive wire will be essentially the same as that for the negative wire, but with a _P suffix instead of a _N. Alternatively, if the positive wire object is connected to an appropriately-named port object, the Allow Ports to Name Nets option can be enabled on the Options tab of the Project Options dialog instead of attaching a net label to the wire.

Note

Use the controls associated with the Object Hints entry in the Connectivity Insight Options region (the System – Design Insight page of the Preferences dialog) to determine the launch style for object hints (Mouse Hover and/or Alt+Double Click).

Default report mode:

Summary

This violation occurs when a parameter set object is attached to a net object (wire or bus) and at least one of the defined parameters in the set has no name assigned to it.

Notification

If validation errors and warnings are enabled for display on the schematic (enabled on the Schematic – Compiler page of the Preferences dialog) an offending object will display a colored squiggle beneath it. A notification is also displayed in the Messages panel in the following format:

Invalid net-parameter name at <Location>

where:

• Location is the X, Y coordinates for the hotspot of the parameter set object associated with the net.

Recommendation for Resolution

Access the Parameter Set mode of the Properties panel for the offending parameter set object and ensure that all parameters defined within have a name assigned to them. If the offending constituent parameter is not required, simply remove it from the set.

Default report mode:

Summary

This violation occurs when a parameter set object is attached to a net object (wire or bus) and at least one of the defined classes in the set has no value assigned to it.

Notification

If validation errors and warnings are enabled for display on the schematic (enabled on the Schematic – Compiler page of the Preferences dialog), an offending object will display a colored squiggle beneath it. Hovering over the object will display a pop-up hint that summarizes the violation. A notification is also displayed in the Messages panel in the following format:

Invalid net-parameter value at <Location>

where:

• Location is the X, Y coordinates for the hotspot of the parameter set object associated with the net.

Recommendation for Resolution

Select the offending parameter set object in the design space to access its properties in the Properties panel. Ensure that all parameters defined in the Classes section of the panel have a value assigned to them. If the offending class parameter is not required, remove it from the set.

Note

Use the controls associated with the Object Hints entry in the Connectivity Insight Options region (the System – Design Insight page of the Preferences dialog) to determine the launch style for object hints (Mouse Hover and/or Alt+Double Click).

Default report mode:

Summary

This violation occurs when an input pin for a placed part within the design has been detected to be floating, i.e. not electrically connected to any other part of the circuit.

Notification

If validation errors and warnings are enabled for display on the schematic (enabled on the Schematic – Compiler page of the Preferences dialog), an offending object will display a colored squiggle beneath it. Hovering over the object will display a pop-up hint that summarizes the violation. A notification is also displayed in the Messages panel in the following format:

Net <NetName> contains floating input pins (<PinList>)

where:

• NetName is the name of the offending net.
• PinList is the comma-separated list of pins in that net that are floating.

Recommendation for Resolution

This violation can arise in a number of situations. Consider the following when resolving a violation of this type:

• If the pin is not to be used within the design, either tie it to the appropriate power line (e.g., GND), or place a No ERC directive on it.
• Ensure that the wiring to the pin is making electrical contact, i.e. the wire or bus connects to the pin's electrical hot spot.
• Use the Navigator panel to trace the connectivity of the parent net to which the offending pin is associated. Sometimes, a pin can be caused to 'float' when there is a break somewhere else in the net. For example, a pin might receive its signal from an input port on the sheet, which in turn is fed a signal from a linked sheet entry higher up in the design hierarchy. The input to this sheet entry may be disconnected. Fixing the connection to the sheet entry will resolve the floating input pin violation.
• Look for additional violation messages in the Messages panel that relate to the same parent net, especially those that mention unconnected objects. This can give an indication of where the break in connectivity lies.

Notes

• Use the controls associated with the Object Hints entry in the Connectivity Insight Options region (the System – Design Insight page of the Preferences dialog) to determine the launch style for object hints (Mouse Hover and/or Alt+Double Click).
• When you need to allow a specific point in the circuit not to report a violation of this type, you can place a Specific No ERC directive directly at the error location from the Messages panel – you can do this by right-clicking a message reporting the violation to suppress, then choosing the Place Specific No ERC for this violation command.

Default report mode:

Summary

This violation occurs when two or more objects of the same type (pin, port, sheet entry) and same electrical I/O specification have been detected to be connected to each other in the same parent net. For example, an Input Port connected to an Input Port.

Notification

If validation errors and warnings are enabled for display on the schematic (enabled on the Schematic – Compiler page of the Preferences dialog), an offending object will display a colored squiggle beneath it. Hovering over the object will display a pop-up hint that summarizes the violation. A notification is also displayed in the Messages panel in the following format:

Net <NetName> contains multiple <ObjectType> (<ObjectList>)

where:

• NetName is the name of the offending net.
• ObjectType is the type of object which has multiple instances found in the offending net. The entry will also reflect the object's electrical type.
• ObjectList is a comma-separated list of all instances of the object found in the offending net.

Recommendation for Resolution

With the violation selected in the Messages panel, use the Details region of the panel to cross-probe to the offending objects. Determine if the connected objects pose a real connectivity problem and, if so, change the I/O specification for one or both objects accordingly.

If an object is redundant, remove it from the design. If an object was intended to be wired into a different part of the design and has been connected to the wrong destination (therefore, becoming part of the wrong net), ensure that it is disconnected from its current net and wired up to the correct one.

Notes

• The actual report mode used for a violation of this type is dependent on the specific object types, their electrical I/O types, and the corresponding reporting level defined on the Connection Matrix tab of the Options for Project dialog (Project » Project Options).
• The Report Mode setting on the Error Reporting tab of the Options for Project dialog has no affect on the Report Mode setting that appears for a violation of this type in the Messages panel. It is, however, used by the Online (real-time) error reporting directly within the design space. Controls for the Online reporting are available on the Schematic – Compiler page of the Preferences dialog. Note that the Online error reporting for a specific object type-I/O type pairing will not be present if the individual check for that combination in the Connection Matrix has been set to No Report.
• Use the controls associated with the Object Hints entry in the Connectivity Insight Options region (the System – Design Insight page of the Preferences dialog) to determine the launch style for object hints (Mouse Hover and/or Alt+Double Click).

Default report mode:

Summary

This violation occurs when a net in the design has been detected to have multiple names associated with it.

Notification

If validation errors and warnings are enabled for display on the schematic (enabled on the Schematic – Compiler page of the Preferences dialog), an offending object will display a colored squiggle beneath it. Hovering over the object will display a pop-up hint that summarizes the violation. A notification is also displayed in the Messages panel in the following format:

Nets <Identifier> has multiple names (<NameList>)

where:

• Identifier represents the type of connection and the name of the net. The connection can be one of the following:
  • Wire – where the identifier will appear in the format Wire NetName (e.g., Wire DTSA).
  • Bus – where the identifier will appear in the format Bus Slice NetName (e.g., Bus Slice A[0..7]).
  • Bus Element – where the identifier will appear in the format Element[n]: NetPrefix (e.g., Element[0]: A).
• NameList is a comma-separated list of all names found associated with the offending net. These names can come from attached net labels, sheet entries, power ports, and off sheet connectors.

Recommendation for Resolution

This violation can be resolved by ensuring that the names of all net identifiers associated with a particular net are the same. However, in many cases, it is beneficial to use different names for a particular net – for example, when that net is present on different branches of a hierarchical design and different names better reflect the conducted signal in those branches. Similarly, you may want to describe the sheet entry of a particular sheet symbol using a different name to that of the net label attached to the incoming/outgoing wire or bus.

To freely use multiple names with nets in your design and prevent related violation messages appearing in the Messages panel, set the Report Mode for this violation type to No Report on the Error Reporting tab of the Options for Project dialog (Project » Project Options).

Notes

• Use the controls associated with the Object Hints entry in the Connectivity Insight Options region (the System – Design Insight page of the Preferences dialog) to determine the launch style for object hints (Mouse Hover and/or Alt+Double Click).
• When you need to allow a specific point in the circuit not to report a violation of this type, you can place a Specific No ERC directive directly at the error location from the Messages panel – you can do this by right-clicking a message reporting the violation to suppress, then choosing the Place Specific No ERC for this violation command.

Default report mode:

Summary

This violation occurs when a net in the design has been detected to have no driving source. That is, the net does not include at least one pin with one of the following electrical types:

• IO
• Output
• Open Collector
• HiZ
• Open Emitter
• Power

It is not uncommon for a net to not include a pin of one of these types, for example, it can happen when:

• A net connects from a connector pin to an input pin.
• A net connects from a series passive component (which have passive pins) to an input pin.

Notification

If validation errors and warnings are enabled for display on the schematic (enabled on the Schematic – Compiler page of the Preferences dialog), an offending object will display a colored squiggle beneath it. Hovering over the object will display a pop-up hint that summarizes the violation. A notification is also displayed in the Messages panel in the following format:

Net <NetName> has no driving source (<PinList>)

where:

• NetName is the name of the offending net.
• PinList is the comma-separated list of pins in that net.

Recommendation for Resolution

There are a number of different approaches to resolving this violation, including:

• Edit the connector/passive component pin so that it is one of the electrical types listed above.
• Disable the Nets with No Driving Source violation check on the Error Reporting tab of the Options for Project dialog (Project » Project Options).
• Place a No ERC marker on the net. It is recommended that the placed marker be changed from generic to specific – configured to allow this condition to exist, but that net can continue to be checked for all other possible violation conditions. This can be performed from the Suppressed Violations section of the Properties panel when viewing the properties of a currently selected No ERC object.

Notes

• Use the controls associated with the Object Hints entry in the Connectivity Insight Options region (the System – Design Insight page of the Preferences dialog) to determine the launch style for object hints (Mouse Hover and/or Alt+Double Click).
• When you need to allow a specific point in the circuit not to report a violation of this type, you can place a Specific No ERC directive directly at the error location from the Messages panel – you can do this by right-clicking a message reporting the violation to suppress, then choosing the Place Specific No ERC for this violation command.

Default report mode:

Summary

This violation occurs when a net in the design has been detected to contain only one component pin.

Notification

If validation errors and warnings are enabled for display on the schematic (enabled on the Schematic – Compiler page of the Preferences dialog), an offending object will display a colored squiggle beneath it. Hovering over the object will display a pop-up hint that summarizes the violation. A notification is also displayed in the Messages panel in the following format:

Net <NetName> has only one pin (Pin <PinName>)

where:

• NetName is the name of the parent net.
• PinName is the component designator-pin designator identifier.

Recommendation for Resolution

By default, this message will not appear in the Messages panel. If you have enabled reporting for this violation type and want to resolve the issue, ensure that the offending net is wired to at least two component pins in the design.

Notes

• Use the controls associated with the Object Hints entry in the Connectivity Insight Options region (the System – Design Insight page of the Preferences dialog) to determine the launch style for object hints (Mouse Hover and/or Alt+Double Click).
• When you need to allow a specific point in the circuit not to report a violation of this type, you can place a Specific No ERC directive directly at the error location from the Messages panel – you can do this by right-clicking a message reporting the violation to suppress, then choosing the Place Specific No ERC for this violation command.

Default report mode:

Summary

This violation occurs when two objects connected to each other on the same net have mismatched electrical types that could lead to problematic connectivity. The pair of object types considered by this error check can be any combination of pins, ports, or sheet entries. For example, an Output Port connected to a Bidirectional Port.

Notification

If validation errors and warnings are enabled for display on the schematic (enabled on the Schematic – Compiler page of the Preferences dialog), an offending object will display a colored squiggle beneath it. Hovering over the object will display a pop-up hint that summarizes the violation. A notification is also displayed in the Messages panel in the following format:

<NetName> contains <ObjectType1> and <ObjectType2> objects (<Reference>)

where:

• NetName is the name of the parent net containing the possible conflicting objects.
• ObjectType1 is the first offending object type.
• ObjectType2 is the second offending object type.
• Reference is the identifier for one or both objects (e.g., Port PortName, Pin PinName, and Sheet EntrySheetSymbolName-SheetEntryName).

Recommendation for Resolution

With the violation selected in the Messages panel, use the Details region of the panel to cross-probe to the offending objects. Determine if the connected objects pose a real connectivity problem and, if so, change the I/O specification for one or both objects accordingly.

Notes

• The actual report mode used for a violation of this type is dependent on the specific object types, their electrical I/O types, and the corresponding reporting level defined on the  Connection Matrix tab of the Options for Project dialog (Project » Project Options).
• The Report Mode setting on the Error Reporting tab of the Options for Project dialog has no affect on the Report Mode setting that appears for a violation of this type in the Messages panel. It is, however, used by the Online (real-time) error reporting, directly within the design space. Controls for the Online reporting are available on the Schematic – Compiler page of the Preferences dialog. Note that the Online error reporting for a specific object type-I/O type pairing will not be present if the individual check for that combination in the Connection Matrix has been set to No Report.
• Use the controls associated with the Object Hints entry in the Connectivity Insight Options region (the System – Design Insight page of the Preferences dialog) to determine the launch style for object hints (Mouse Hover and/or Alt+Double Click).

Default report mode:

Summary

This violation occurs when the same polarity net (positive or negative) has been detected in multiple differential pair objects within the design.

Notification

If validation errors and warnings are enabled for display on the schematic (enabled on the Schematic – Compiler page of the Preferences dialog), an offending object will display a colored squiggle beneath it. Hovering over the object will display a pop-up hint that summarizes the violation. A notification is also displayed in the Messages panel in the following format:

Net <NetName> is used in more than one differential pair objects: <ObjectList>

where:

• NetName is the name of the positive or negative polarity net being used in multiple differential pair objects (e.g., V_RX1_N or V_RX1_P).
• ObjectList is a list of the differential pair objects in which the offending net is used. As the differential pair name is taken as the root of the net name, the names in this list will be identical (e.g., V_RX1 V_RX1).

Recommendation for Resolution

This violation typically arises when the same net label has been attached to multiple wire objects upon which differential pair directives have also been attached. Locate the offending net label objects (use the Details region of the Messages panel to cross-probe to the relevant area of the source schematic document) and amend the names as required.

The positive and negative wires in a pairing should have associated net labels with the same root name for the net, along with a _P and _N suffix respectively. For example, if two wires in a particular pair have the same net label, V_RX1_N, change the positive wire's net label to V_RX1_P.

Note

Use the controls associated with the Object Hints entry in the Connectivity Insight Options region (the System – Design Insight page of the Preferences dialog) to determine the launch style for object hints (Mouse Hover and/or Alt+Double Click).

Default report mode:

Summary

This violation occurs when two ports with the same name are detected on the same schematic sheet in the design.

Notification

If validation errors and warnings are enabled for display on the schematic (enabled on the Schematic – Compiler page of the Preferences dialog), an offending object will display a colored squiggle beneath it. Hovering over the object will display a pop-up hint that summarizes the violation. A notification is also displayed in the Messages panel in the following format:

Sheet contains duplicate ports Port <Identifier> at <Location1> and <Location2>

where:

• Identifier is the name of the offending port.
• Location1 is the X, Y coordinates for the first instance of the particular port.
• Location2 is the X, Y coordinates for the second instance of the port.

Recommendation for Resolution

With the violation selected in the Messages panel, use the Details region of the panel to quickly cross probe to the duplicate port objects. Determine which port object is in error and either rename it or delete it from the design.

Notes

• Use the controls associated with the Object Hints entry in the Connectivity Insight Options region (the System – Design Insight page of the Preferences dialog) to determine the launch style for object hints (Mouse Hover and/or Alt+Double Click).
• When you need to allow a specific point in the circuit not to report a violation of this type, you can place a Specific No ERC directive directly at the error location from the Messages panel – you can do this by right-clicking a message reporting the violation to suppress, then choosing the Place Specific No ERC for this violation command.

Default report mode:

Summary

This violation occurs when a pin, port, or sheet entry object is not wired up to the rest of the circuit.

Notification

If validation errors and warnings are enabled for display on the schematic (enabled on the Schematic – Compiler page of the Preferences dialog), an offending object will display a colored squiggle beneath it. Hovering over the object will display a pop-up hint that summarizes the violation. A notification is also displayed in the Messages panel in the following format:

Unconnected <Object> at <Location>

where:

• Object is the type and name of the offending object (pin, port, or sheet entry).
• Location is the X, Y coordinates of the object on the source schematic sheet.

Recommendation for Resolution

Consider the following in order to resolve this error:

• If the pin/port/sheet entry is to be used, ensure that it is wired up to the rest of the circuit accordingly.
• If a port or sheet entry is redundant, remove it from the design.
• Tie any unused input pins to the appropriate power line.
• Place No ERC directives on unused input or output pins.

Notes

• When the unconnected object is an input pin, an additional violation message will appear alerting you to the fact that the net to which the pin is associated contains floating input pins. The identifier for the pin will be listed in that message.
• The actual report mode used for a violation of this type is dependent on the specific object type, its electrical I/O type, and the corresponding reporting level defined on the Connection Matrix tab of the Options for Project dialog (Project » Project Options).
• The Report Mode setting on the Error Reporting tab of the Options for Project dialog has no effect on the Report Mode setting that appears for a violation of this type in the Messages panel. It is, however, used by the Online (real-time) error reporting, directly within the design space. Controls for the Online reporting are available on the Schematic – Compiler page of the Preferences dialog.
• Use the controls associated with the Object Hints entry in the Connectivity Insight Options region (the System – Design Insight page of the Preferences dialog) to determine the launch style for object hints (Mouse Hover and/or Alt+Double Click).
• When you need to allow a specific point in the circuit not to report a violation of this type, you can place a Specific No ERC directive directly at the error location from the Messages panel – you can do this by right-clicking a message reporting the violation to suppress, then choosing the Place Specific No ERC for this violation command.

Default report mode:

Summary

This violation occurs when a wire object is detected to be floating, i.e. not electrically connected to any part of the circuit design.

Notification

If validation errors and warnings are enabled for display on the schematic (enabled on the Schematic – Compiler page of the Preferences dialog), an offending object will display a colored squiggle beneath it. Hovering over the object will display a pop-up hint that summarizes the violation. A notification is also displayed in the Messages panel in the following format:

Unconnected line <Location1> To <Location2>

where:

• Location1 is the X, Y coordinates for the start point of the floating wire.
• Location2 is the X, Y coordinates for the endpoint of the floating wire.

Recommendation for Resolution

Ensure that the offending wire object is connected to the circuit as required. If the wire is redundant, delete it from the design. If the wire (or any other object) is off the sheet and cannot be directly selected, use the Edit » Select » Outside Area command to select it, then delete it.

Note

Use the controls associated with the Object Hints entry in the Connectivity Insight Options region (the System – Design Insight page of the Preferences dialog) to determine the launch style for object hints (Mouse Hover and/or Alt+Double Click).