Create xSignals Between Components

The Create xSignals Between Components dialog

Summary

The Create xSignals Between Components 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 two nodes - they can be two nodes within a net or they can be two 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.

Access

Click Design » xSignals » Create xSignals from the main menus. 

Options/Controls

• Filter fields - use the filter fields at the top of the dialog and the filter field below the Source Component region to quickly locate an item. Wild cards are supported.
• Source Component - lists all components present in the design. Select a single component as the source component to be used for the analysis of potential xSignals. All nets that connect to that component will be listed in the Source Component Nets field.
• Net Class - use the drop-down to select the desired net class.
• Source Component Nets - lists all nets that connect to the currently selected Source Component. Select the required net(s).
• 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.
• xSignals - 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 to be created. Right-click to toggle multiple checkboxes.
• Include created xSignals into class - use the drop-down to select the required target xSignal Class. Using classes can greatly simplify the creation and configuration of design rules. xSignals can also be added to a class in the Object Class Explorer dialog at a later stage if required.
• Analyze - when clicked, the software attempts to identify potential xSignals that exist between the chosen source and destination components for the selected nets. All possible xSignals that include the chosen nets and run between the chosen source and destination components will be listed in the xSignals field. It can also search through series components, if required, by selecting the appropriate option in the Analyze drop-down:
  • Search for direct connections
  • Through 1 series component
  • Through 2 series components
  • Multipath coupled nets