Create xSignals Between Components

The Create xSignals Between Components dialog.

Summary

This dialog is used to help define xSignals, which can then be used to scope suitable Length and Matched Length design rules. An xSignal is essentially a designer-defined signal path between 2 nodes - they can be 2 nodes within a net, or they can be 2 nodes in associated nets separated by a series component. The xSignal can then be used to scope relevant design rules such as Length and Matched Length, which will then be obeyed during design tasks, such as interactive length tuning.

To use the dialog:

1. Select a single source component in the Source Components field. All nets that connect to that component will be listed in the Source Component Nets field.
2. Select the required target components in the Destination Components field.
3. Select the Nets in the Source Component Nets field.
4. Click the Analyze button - all possible xSignals that include the chosen nets and run between the chosen source and destination components, will be listed in the Signals field.
5. Use the checkboxes next to each proposed xSignal to indicate which xSignals you want created.
6. Select the required target xSignal Class in the Include created xSignals Into Class drop-down. They can also be added to a class in the Object Class Explorer dialog later, if required.
7. Click OK to create the xSignals and return to the PCB workspace.
8. Enable the xSignals mode of the PCB panel to examine the created xSignals.

Access

Select Design » xSignals » Create xSignals from the toolbar. 

Options/Controls

Source Component

Lists all components present in the design. Select a single component as the source component to be used for analysis of potential xSignals.

Destination Components

Lists all components present in the design, except the one that is currently selected in the Source Component field. Select the required destination component(s). Standard Windows multi-select features are supported.

Source Component Nets

Lists all nets that connect to the currently selected Source Component. Select the required net(s).

Signals

After clicking Analyze, this field will list potential xSignals that can be added to the design. Use the checkboxes to enable only those xSignals you want created. Right-click to toggle multiple checkboxes.

Include created xSignals Into Class

Using classes can greatly simplify the creation and configuration of design rules. Select the target xSignals class from this drop-down. xSignals can also be added to a class in the Object Class Explorer dialog at a later stage if required.

Analyze

When you click the Analyze button, the software attempts to identify potential xSignals that exist between the chosen source and destination components for the selected nets. It can also search through series components if required, by selecting the appropriate option in the Analyze drop-down.

The Analyze button has 4 distinct modes:

• Search for Direct Connections
• Through 1 Series Component
• Through 2 Series Components
• Multipath Coupled Nets

Tips

The filter fields can be used to help quickly locate an item of interest. Wildcards are supported.