Cadence Tools

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Where can I find detailed tutorials on how to use Cadence tools? How do I start using Cadence software? Cadence software used to work for me and now it doesn't. Why? What are the common symlinks that I should know about? How can I make additional libraries available to Cadence software? Why can't I see my libraries anymore? They used to show up in with older versions of Cadence software!	Why are all my colors gone? I have no colors in my layouts anymore! What is the role of Cadence software in ECEn computing? Undergraduate Courses Research Groups General Notes about Cadence tools in the ECEn Dept.

Brigham Young University is a Cadence University Program Member.

Where can I find detailed tutorials on how to use Cadence tools?

This page contains a few tips, but for more detailed and complete instructions see "Cadence Tools Help Page."

How do I start using Cadence software?

These instructions assume you are using an ECEn Dept. "Spice" machine. Do the following:

At the command prompt, type:

source /ee2/cadence/.cshrc_cadence

If you use Cadence tools regularly, you may want to add this command to your .cshrc file, which can be found in your home directory (see the section on .cshrc files in "Customizing HP-UX and GNU/Linux" for more details). That will make this first step automatic whenever you start a shell prompt.

2	If this is your first time running Cadence, create a cadence directory by typing `mkdir cadence`

3	Change to the cadence directory.

4	Type the following: `icfb &`

5	Wait for the window to open on your screen, then enjoy your Cadence designing experience!

Note: If you use bash (rather than tcsh) for your shell, the instructions are the same as above except you replace .cshrc_cadence with .bashrc_cadence. Also, if you decide to make the first step automatic, modify the .bashrc file in your home directory instead of the .cshrc file.

Cadence software used to work for me and now it doesn't. Why?

Please make sure that all your paths are set correctly. The paths sometimes change from version to version of the Cadence tools, and if you've been relying on absolute paths instead of the symbolic links listed below, you will probably have problems. If you are having problems getting Cadence tools to run, make sure that you have the correct paths specified in your .cshrc, cds.lib, and other files.

What are the common symlinks that I should know about?

Symlink	Actual Link	Description
`ic`	`IC5033`	This symlink always points to the current installation of the ic software.
`ldv`	`LDV51`	This symlink always points to the current installation of the ldv software.
`icc`	`ICC111`	This symlink always points to the current installation of the icc software.
`spr`	`SPR50`	This symlink always points to the current installation of the spr software.
`local`	`local`	This directory is generally not a symlink (softlink), but at times can be. It points to or is the directory which contains all the BYU specific libraries.

How can I make additional libraries available to Cadence software?

To add extra libraries to the Library Manager in the ifcb executable, custom lines must be added to ever user's cds.lib file in their /home/~(username)/cadence/ directory. This can also be done by using the "Library Manager" menu from the ifcb executable window.

The cds.lib file follows the following format:

DEFINE (name by which the library is represented) (Path to the directory containing the "techfile.cds" of the desired library)

For example, to add the Microwave library, put the following line in cds.lib:

DEFINE MicrowaveLibrary $CDS_INST_DIR/tools/dfll/etc/cdslib/artist/microwave

Note: The cds.lib files are not user-locked, meaning that one particular copy of cds.lib can be distributed to an entire class/section and all of the users would have the same libraries to work with.

Note: When copying over a different cds.lib, it is always a good idea back up the old one. Or, you can combine them by concatenating one to the other.

Why can't I see my libraries anymore? They used to show up in with older versions of Cadence software!

You might have specified the actual directory names in your cds.lib file. The old Cadence tools directories are now in a different place. If you use the proper symlinks, it should work correctly.

Why are all my colors gone? I have no colors in my layouts anymore!

Color information is stored in a special .cdsenv file. Put the .cdsenv containing your color options in your home directory and it should solve the problem. If it doesn't, try running Cadence software from your home directory.

What is the role of Cadence software in ECEn computing?

Cadence design tools play an important role in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at Brigham Young University.

Undergraduate Courses

ECEn 212 -- Circuit Analysis
Students use Cadence PSpice in the lab portion of the class to aid the design and simulation of the components of a basic stereo amplifier system.

ECEn 317 -- Electronic Circuit Design Laboratory
Students use PSpice to simulate MOSFETs, BJTs and other nonlinear circuit elements in analog and digital design applications such as amplifiers and logic gates.

ECEn 445 -- Introduction to Mixed Signal VLSI
Students use Cadence tools to design and simulate AD/DA converters and other mixed signal applications

ECEn 451 -- Introduction to Digital VLSI Circuits
Students use Cadence software in CMOS IC design applications, particularly components of basic wireless communication tools.

Research Groups

Analog and Mixed Signal Circuits Group
The Analog and Mixed-Signal Circuits Lab at BYU centers its research on a wide range of IC design issues. Some of the current projects include high speed data converters, gigabit digital transceivers and low-power flash ADC architectures.

General Notes about Cadence tools in the ECEn Dept.

These classes and research groups are only a sample of how the BYU ECEn department uses Cadence tools. Senior Projects--a capstone design project for electrical and computer engineering undergraduate students--may also use Cadence tools for their design and simulation work. There are other undergraduate and graduate courses that use Cadence software.

Many of these class and research web pages provide information and tutorials about how to effectively use Cadence software. Please see the disclaimer below concerning this information.

updated: March 5, 2008

Cadence is a registered trademark of Cadence Design Systems, Inc., 2655 Seely Avenue, San Jose, CA 95134.

Information is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. No statement is made and no attempt has been made to examine the information, either with respect to operability, origin, authorship, or otherwise. Please use this information at your own risk. We recommend using it on a copy of your data to be sure you understand what it does under your conditions. Keep your master intact until you are satisfied with the use of this information within your environment.