---

Contents

---

1

Overview

What Is a Parameterized Cell?

Pcell Super and Submaster Cells

Advantages of Using Pcells

Components of Pcell

How can Pcell Source be Represented

Using SKILL

Using SKILL++

Using Graphical Entry

2

Safety Rules for Creating SKILL Pcells

SKILL Procedures Called in Pcells

Macros in Pcell SKILL Code

Physical Limits for Functions

Recommended and Supported SKILL Functions for Pcells

Using Print Functions in a Pcell

Enclosing the Body of Code in a let or prog for Local Variables

What to Avoid When Creating Pcells

3

How to Package a Pcell

Loading of Pcell Support Files

Delivery of a Pcell Library

Specifying Source Code for Stream In

4

Creating SKILL Parameterized Cells

The pcDefinePCell Function

Using the pcCellView Variable

Using the SKILL Operator ~> with Pcells

Defining Parameter Values

Building Geometries

Creating Instances within Pcells

Building Nets, Terminals, and Pins

Accessing Technology File Data

Example 1

Example 2

Example 3

Variable Scoping

Schematic Symbol Pcells

Advantages of ROD Functions in Pcell

Using a Variable Number of Terminals

5

Creating SKILL++ Parameterized Cells

Advantages of SKILL++ Pcells

Recommended and Supported SKILL++ Functions for Pcells

Steps to Create SKILL++ Pcell

SKILL++ Pcell Samples

6

Creating Graphical Parameterized Cells

Adding the Pcell Menu

Stretch Commands

Drawing Stretch Control Lines

Defining Stretch Parameters

Specifying Stretch Directions

Specifying a Reference Dimension

Setting Minimum and Maximum Values

Applying Default, Minimum, and Maximum Values

Stretching Paths

Using Stretch with Repetition

Using Stretch with Conditional Inclusion

Stretch Menu

Conditional Inclusion Commands

Including or Excluding Objects

Using Conditional Stretch Control Lines

Using Conditional Inclusion with Repetition

Conditional Inclusion Menu

Repetition Commands

Specifying the Direction in which Objects Repeat

Specifying the Number of Repeated Objects

Specifying the Stepping Distance

Specifying Parameter Definitions

Repeating Pins and Terminals

Using Repetition with Stretch

Using Repetition with Conditional Inclusion

Repetition Menu

Parameterized Shapes Commands

Creating Parameterized Shapes

Defining a Margin

Parameterized Shapes Menu

Repetition Along Shape Commands

Using Control Path Segments

Specifying Start and End Offsets

Repetition Along Shape Menu

Reference Point Commands

Using a Reference Point Defined by Path Endpoint

Using a Reference Point Defined by Parameter

Reference Point Menu

Inherited Parameters Commands

Creating a Pcell with Inherited Parameters

Inherited Parameters Menu

Parameterized Layer Commands

Assigning a Parameterized Layer to Objects

Parameterized Layer Menu

Parameterized Label Commands

Assigning Parameterized Labels

Parameterized Label Menu

Parameterized Property Commands

Using Parameterized Properties

Parameterized Property Menu

Parameters Commands

Using Parameter Commands

Parameters Menu

Compile Commands

Using Compile

Creating a Pcell from a Cellview

Creating a SKILL File from a Cellview

Recognizing Error Conditions

Compile Menu

Recompile Pcells

Make Ultra Pcell Command

What Are Ultra Pcells?

Ultra Pcell Example

Ultra Pcell Requirements

Make Ultra Pcell

Customizing the Pcell Compiler

Background

How Customization Works

Variables

Restrictions on SKILL Functions

Example

Pcell Compiler Customization SKILL Functions

Creating Complex Pcells

Using Technology File Information

Specifying Values from the Technology File

Using Technology File Functions

Using the Component Description Format

Using Callbacks

Example of Pcell with CDF

Converting Graphical Pcells to SKILL Code

Examples of Converting Pcells to SKILL Code

7

Debugging SKILL Pcells

Working with Pcell IDE

Open the Pcell IDE Window

Pcell IDE Window Toolbar

Description

Debugging Pcell Supermaster

Debugging CDF

Debugging Pcell Instances

Publish Command

Debug Hier Mode Command

Pcell Evaluation Message

Supported and Not Supported Pcell Instances

Viewing Pcell Connectivity Model

Checking Pcell Parameters

Correcting and Updating Pcell Source

Restarting a Debugging Process

Debugging Pcells Abutment

Debug Abutment Form

Debugging Pcell Abutment using Pcell IDE

Check Abutment Command

Bindkey Editor

8

Express Pcells

Overview of Express Pcells

Express Pcell Plug-In for Non-Virtuoso and Third Party Applications

Requirements for Using the Express Pcell Feature

Virtuoso Design Environment Application

Non-Virtuoso Cadence Application

Third Party Application

Use Model of Express Pcell Management

Inside the Virtuoso Design Environment

Outside the Virtuoso Design Environment

Managing the Express Pcell Cache

Using Environment Variables

Using the Express Pcell Manager GUI in a Virtuoso Session

Maintaining the PDK Version in the Express Pcell Cache

Enabling Express Pcells for Specific Libraries

Installing the Express Pcell Plug-In for Non-Virtuoso or Third Party Applications

Cache Merge Utility

Preventing Data Inconsistencies

xpcmerge Command Line Utility

Sample Log File Format

Environment Variable to Control Express Pcell Proliferation Message

Exclude Specified Pcells from the Express Pcell Save or Read Operation

A

Graphical Pcells Form Descriptions

Compile To Pcell Form

Compile To Skill Form

Conditional Inclusion Form

Define Parameterized Label Form

Define Parameterized Layer Form

Define Parameterized Path Form

Define Parameterized Polygon Form

Define Parameterized Rectangle Form

Define/Modify Inherited Parameters Form

Delete Conditional Inclusion Form

Delete Parameterized Layer Form

Delete Parameterized Path Form

Delete Parameterized Polygon Form

Delete Parameterized Property Form

Delete Parameterized Rectangle Form

Delete Reference Point Form

Delete Reference Point by Path Form

Edit Parameters Form

Modify Conditional Inclusion Form

Modify Parameterized Label Form

Modify Parameterized Layer Form

Modify Repeat in X Form

Modify Repeat in X and Y Form

Modify Repeat in Y Form

Modify Repetition Along Shape Form

Parameterized Property Form

Reference Point by Path Endpoint Form

Reference Point by Parameter Form

Repeat in X Form

Repeat in X and Y Form

Repeat in Y Form

Repetition Along Shape Form

Stretch in X Form

Stretch in Y Form

Ultra Pcell Form

B

Express Pcell Manager

Return to top