WorkspaceManager_Dlg-ERCReportSetup_FormElectrical Rules Check Setup_AD
The Columns, Error Reporting, and Connection Matrix tabs of the Electrical Rules Check Setup dialog
Summary
The Electrical Rules Check Setup dialog allows you to configure the ERC.
Access
The dialog is accessed using the following steps:
- Open an OutJob file.
- Click Add New Validation Output under Validation Outputs.
- Select Electrical Rules Check from the drop-down.
- Select desired schematic document from the resulting drop-down.
- Right-click in the newly-added Electrical Rules Check entry then click Configure.
Options/Controls
Columns Tab
- Validation - use the drop-down to define the maximum tolerated error level when using the ERC output generator as part of validation during the board design release process. The validation stage of the release process flow (in either Design or Release modes) uses the checking defined in the Output Job only and not the project-level ERC checking. In this way, you can define an even more restrictive/rigid set of checks to be passed, in turn ensuring even higher integrity of the design data. Options include:
,
,
.
- Suppressed Errors - enable this option to report any suppressed errors.
- Show Columns - choose which columns are to be displayed in ERC report. Options include Class, Document, and Message. As selections are made, the Preview region is updated to show column settings.
- Preview - shows the current errors detected for the design, based on validation using the error checking defined on the tabs within the dialog. Change a checking level and the design is re-validated (recompiled) dynamically, and the preview region is updated. Use the options in the Show Columns region to toggle display of the corresponding columns within the preview area.
Error Reporting Tab
This tab enables you to define the reporting levels for each of the possible violations that can exist on source schematic documents when compiling the project. When the project is compiled, these violation settings will be used in conjunction with the Connection Matrix tab to test the source documents for violations. Any violations that are found that have a report level of Warning, Error, or Fatal Error will be displayed as violation messages in the Messages panel. In addition, if compiler errors and warnings are enabled for display on the schematic (enabled on the Schematic - Compiler Preferences page of the Preferences dialog), an offending object will display a colored squiggle beneath it.
Violations Grid
This region presents all possible violations that can exist on the source documents of the project. Violations themselves are gathered into the following categories:
- Violations Associated with Buses
- Violations Associated with Code Symbols
- Violations Associated with Components
- Violations Associated with Configuration Constraints
- Violations Associated with Documents
- Violations Associated with Finite State Machines
- Violations Associated with Harnesses
- Violations Associated with Nets
- Violations Associated with Others
- Violations Associated with Parameters
Each specific violation type is presented with the following fields:
- Violation Type Description - a short description of the type of violation.
- Report Mode - use this field to specify the severity level associated with violating the check. Use the drop-down to choose from the following reporting levels:
-
Right-Click Menu
The following commands are available from the right-click menu:
- All Off - set the Report Mode for all violation types to No Report.
- All Warning - set the Report Mode for all violation types to Warning.
- All Error - set the Report Mode for all violation types to Error.
- All Fatal - set the Report Mode for all violation types to Fatal Error.
- Default - set the Report Mode for all violation types back to their default settings.
Notes
- Use the Connection Matrix tab to specify reporting levels associated with electrical violations concerning pins, ports and sheet entries specifically.
- There may be points in the design that you know will be flagged as electrical violations that you do not want to be flagged. To suppress these, place a No ERC schematic design directive object at those points.
- Generally, it is better to first compile the design and examine the warnings with the default settings. For those warnings that are not an issue for the current design, the reporting level can be changed.
Connection Matrix Tab
This tab displays a matrix that provides a mechanism to establish connectivity rules between component pins and net identifiers, such as Ports and Sheet Entries. It defines the logical or electrical conditions that are to be reported as warnings or errors. For example, an output pin connected to another output pin would normally be regarded as an error condition, but two connected passive pins would not.
When the project is compiled, these violation settings will be used in conjunction with the defined settings on the Error Reporting tab to test the source documents for violations. Any violations that are found and have a report level of Warning, Error, or Fatal Error will be displayed as violation messages in the Messages panel. In addition, if compiler 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.
Matrix
The matrix presents all possible wiring connection checks, between combinations of pins, ports, and sheet entries, as well as testing for unconnected entities. The matrix is read in an across/down fashion and the color of the matrix element at the row-column intersection specifies how the compiler will respond when testing for that particular condition.
To change the reporting mode for a violation check in the matrix, simply click on the colored square where the row and column of two entities intersect. Each time you click, the mode will move to the next report level. The following levels are supported:
Right-Click Menu
The following commands are available from the right-click menu:
- All Off - set all entries in the matrix to No Report.
- All Warning - set all entries in the matrix to Warning.
- All Error - set all entries in the matrix to Error.
- All Fatal - set all entries in the matrix to Fatal Error.
- Default - set all entries in the matrix back to their default settings.
Notes
- Use the Error Reporting tab to specify reporting levels associated with further electrical and drafting violations.
- There may be points in the design that you know will be flagged as electrical violations that you do not want to be flagged. To suppress these, place a No ERC schematic design directive object at those points.
Additional Controls
- Set To Project Default - click to return all settings to the same as your Project Options.