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Schematic Accelerators: Ensuring Design Intent & Reliability FAQ

Published Date
Author Cadence PCB Solutions

Here are some comprehensive answers to the questions asked during the webinar.  

System Capture | Pulse | Licensing | General

    System Capture

    How does the reuse module functionality work if I want to place multiple modules? Will all the nets end up tying together and break the net name connection automation?

    You can use a unique value such as a suffix for each block instance to differentiate between the block instances. Each of the instances would then get the suffix attached to the RefDes and Net Names to make them unique. No shorting would happen.

    How would I edit the existing decaps and add more capacitors to the bypass block without losing the refdes of the existing capacitors?

    To edit the existing decaps and add more capacitors, simply right-click to select the whole rail. A menu pops up and you can select ‘Change Capacitor Quantity’ to make any adjustments necessary.

    What about adding a different value of capacitor?

    A new rail can be created, and multiple rails can be attached to the same IC.

    Can we export the list of bypass blocks from the whole design, e.g. into csv for documentation (such as rail, part number, quantity)?

    When you use the bypass capacitor wizard, there is an option related to what refdes you want to use and how to increment them as they are placed, and yes, a custom report can be created for generating this information.

    I want to edit/modify an existing bypass block but keep placed capacitors/refdes in the PCB, is that possible?

    Yes, this is possible. You can select the bypass rail and change the quantity of capacitors in the rail. This would keep the existing RefDes intact and a new RefDes would get assigned to newly added caps.

    In the Variant Editor spreadsheet, can I add a page number, user attribute or sub-design suffix column like I can in DEHDL Variant Editor?

    Yes, this functionality is available within System Capture as well.

    Pulse

    Does Pulse allow offline local repositories?

    Yes, it does. All designs that are opened are stored on the local machine in the user’s work area. A user can make a copy of the design and specify a folder where the copy should be made.

    Does the "Pulse data management" tool replace CIP and does it work across both Allegro X and OrCAD X?

    Pulse is a functionality that is specific to the Allegro X Design Platform, so it is not available within the OrCAD X Platform. CIP is a 3rd party extension provided by one of our partners and integrates with OrCAD X Capture. While CIP has some functional overlaps with Pulse, Pulse as a data platform is far more comprehensive and tightly integrated within Allegro X.

    Licensing

    Do we need to have an Allegro X Venture license to use the design reuse capability? Why would I want to use the Venture license instead of the regular Allegro Design Authoring System Capture license?

    No, you do not, the reuse capability is available starting in the base license. There is a difference in capability in each of the license tiers. The Venture tier has most advanced capabilities.

    Does the variant functionality and design re-use capability exist only within the Venture license?

    No, it is not specific to the Venture license, the variant editor functionality and design re-use capabilities exist in the base license as well.

    General

    Is Allegro X schematic capture the same thing as System Capture?

    Yes, System Capture is the schematic capture application within the Allegro X Design Platform.

    Will this reuse functionality be able to cross over EDM projects?

    EDM projects are DE-HDL based projects. They need to be migrated to System Capture first, and then they would be managed by Pulse and available for reuse.

    I am currently using Altium software for design, can I import my design files to OrCAD X?

    You can easily import your Altium designs into OrCAD X. We have a guide that will help walk you through migrating your designs from Altium to OrCAD X . Once you’ve converted your schematic design into an OrCAD X file format, if you’re interested you can easily convert them to open up in System Capture as well.

    Where can I find and get caught up on last month’s webinar?

    You can catch up on last month’s webinar here, with this on-demand link.