Design Manager and Flow Engine Menu Commands

This section describes all of the menu commands for the Design Manager and Flow Engine combined. The commands are presented in alphabetical order.

1, 2, 3, 4 (File Menu)

The File menu display up to four of the most recently accessed projects. To open a project, click on the appropriate file listed in the menu.

Abort (Flow Menu)

WARNING

The Abort command is an immediate abort. When you select this command, all data produced by the currently running process is lost.

Use this command to terminate the current Flow Engine execution.

NOTE

To set a run target, use the Setup Stop After command.

About Design Manager (Help Menu)

Use this command to display the version number of your copy of the Design Manager and the copyright notice. A dialog box displays this information.

About Flow Engine (Help Menu)

Use this command to display the version number of your copy of the Flow Engine and the copyright notice. A dialog box displays this information.

Advanced (Setup Menu)

Use this command to open the Advanced dialog box, shown in following figure. Set the options in this dialog box to configure the implementation flow and control aspects of the Flow Engine interface.

Figure 4.1 Advanced Dialog Box

Advanced Dialog Box Options

The following options are available in this dialog box.

• Implementation State
  
  Use this option to update the Flow Engine to which implementation state was last completed. Most users will not need to modify this setting.
  
  In normal Flow Engine use, do not use this setting to change the implementation state. This setting is typically used if some processing on the design was performed outside of the Design Manager or Flow Engine framework. For example, if the design was routed using the EPIC Design Editor, the Implementation State option should be set to Routed to inform the Design Manager and Flow Engine that this implementation state is complete.
  
  
• Use Flashing to Indicate Heartbeat
  
  Use this option to show flashing process icons that indicate processing activity in the Flow Engine. This option is useful for providing feedback that the Flow Engine is running. However, using this option may slow the implementation process. This option is off by default.
  
  

Close (Flow Menu)

Use this command to close the Flow Engine window. Use this command when you are finished implementing the design or no longer need the Flow Engine.

Command History (Utilities Menu)

Use this command to open the Command History utility and display the commands and options that have been run in the flow for the current implementation revision. This utility is useful for reviewing the commands and options that were used while executing the flow.

Choose a view mode in this utility from the Mode area. The Command History Utility displays the appropriate information. This utility is shown in the following figure.

Figure 4.2 Command History Utility

Command History Utility Options

The following options are available.

• Mode
  
  Select a view mode.
  
  
  • Process
    
    This mode displays high level flow information about the executed commands, such as optimize, map, place, and route.
    
    
  • Command Line
    
    This mode displays the executed operating system commands and command line options.
    
    
  • Show Date and Time
    
    This mode displays the date and time that the commands were run on the selected implementation revision.
    
    
• Close
  
  Click Close to exit the utility.
  
  

Command Preview (Utilities Menu)

Use this command to open the Command Preview utility and display the commands and options that remain to be run in the flow for the current implementation revision. This utility is useful for determining which commands will be executed in the flow and whether the correct options have been set.

Choose a view mode in this utility from the Mode area. The Command Preview utility displays the appropriate information. This utility is shown in the following figure.

Figure 4.3 Command Preview Utility

Command Preview Utility Options

The following options are available.

• Mode
  
  Select a view mode.
  
  
  • Process
    
    This mode displays high level flow information about the commands, such as optimize, map, place, and route, that will be executed.
    
    
  • Command Line
    
    This mode displays the operating system commands and command line options that will be executed.
    
    
• Update View
  
  Click this button to update the command preview information to reflect any changes made in Flow Engine option settings since opening the Command Preview window.
  
  
• Close
  
  Click Close to exit the utility.
  
  

Copy Revision (Design Menu)

Use this command to make a copy of the currently selected implementation revision. The new implementation revision contains the same data as the selected implementation revision. When you use the Copy Revision command, the Copy As dialog box appears, as shown in the following figure. After the Design Manager creates the copy, it displays a new implementation revision icon in the project view.

Figure 4.4 Copy As Dialog Box

Copy Revision Dialog Box Options

Type a name for the implementation revision copy in the Copy As field.

Delete (Design Menu)

WARNING

When deleting an item from the project view, the Design Manager deletes the item and all accompanying data. Deleted data cannot be recovered.

Use this command to delete the currently selected project, design version, or implementation revision. To delete a project, design version, or implementation revision, select the appropriate icon and select Design Delete.

You can also select the appropriate icon and press the Delete key on your keyboard.

You are prompted to confirm that you really want to delete the selected data.

Delete Project (File Menu)

WARNING

When deleting a project, the Design Manager deletes the project and all accompanying data. Deleted data cannot be recovered.

Use this command to delete a project along with all its associated files in the project directory. This command opens the Delete Project dialog box, shown in the following figure. You are presented with a list of projects from which you can select a project to delete.

Figure 4.5 Delete Project Dialog Box

To delete a project, select a project and click Delete.

Delete Project Dialog Box Options

The following options are available in this dialog box.

• Xilinx Projects
  
  Select a project to delete.
  
  
• Delete
  
  Click Delete to exit the dialog box and delete the selected project.
  
  
• Remove From List
  
  Click Remove From List to exit the dialog box and remove the project from the most recently accessed project list in the File menu. This option removes the project from the list but does not delete the project and all accompanying data.
  
  

EPIC Design Editor (Tools Menu)

Use this command to launch the EPIC Design Editor from the Design Manager. The EPIC Design Editor is a graphical tool that allows you to display and configure FPGAs. You can use the EPIC Design Editor to edit design logic, logic placement, and signal routing.

For online help for this tool, obtain Help from within the EPIC Design Editor.

NOTE

The EPIC Design Editor is supported for the FPGA device families only.

Exit (File Menu)

Use this command to close the current project and exit the Design Manager. All data is saved automatically upon exit. You are prompted to confirm that you really want to quit.

Export (Design Menu)

Use this command to export your design data. It opens the Design Export dialog box, shown in the following figure. This command is useful for transferring design data created in the Design Manager to other environments.

Figure 4.6 Export Dialog Box

NOTE

The Flow Engine automatically exports certain files to your design directory based on the targets selected in the Options dialog box.

Export Dialog Box Options

The following options are available in this dialog box.

• Export Options
  
  Choose the types of data to export.
  
  
  • Physical Design Data
    
    Select this option to export physical design data (design_name.ncd file for FPGAs and design_name.vm6 or design_name.gyd file for CPLDs).
    
    
  • Timing Simulation Data
    
    Select this option to export timing simulation data (time_sim.edn, time_sim.sdf, time_sim.v, time_sim.vhd, and time_sim.xmm).
    
    
  • Configuration Data
    
    Select this option to export configuration data (design_name.bit or design_name.ll file for FPGAs and design_name.jed file for CPLDs).
    
    
• Files To Export
  
  This list box shows the files to be exported based on the selections made in the Export Options area.
  
  
• Export To
  
  Type the directory path and name in which to save the exported data. Click the Browse button to open a directory selection dialog box in which you can select a directory for the exported data.
  
  

Floorplanner (Tools Menu)

Use this command to launch the Floorplanner from the Design Manager. The Floorplanner is a graphical placement tool that gives you control over placing a design into a target FPGA using a “drag and drop” paradigm with the mouse pointer.

The Floorplanner displays a hierarchical representation of the design in the Design window using hierarchy structure lines and colors to distinguish the different hierarchical levels. The Floorplan window displays the floorplan of the target device into which you place logic from the hierarchy.

For online help for this tool, obtain Help from within the Floorplanner.

NOTE

The Floorplanner is supported for the XC4000 and Spartan device families only.

Flow Engine (Tools Menu)

Use this command to launch the Flow Engine. You can use the Flow Engine to implement a design. You can set compile and flow options from within the Flow Engine.

For additional online help for this tool, obtain Help from within the Flow Engine.

Flow Log File (Utilities Menu)

Use this command to view the Flow Engine log file in a separate window. The log file contains all of the messages displayed for the programs run during the implementation process.

Font (View Menu)

Use this command to specify the font type and font size for the text displayed in the Flow Engine message log window. This command opens a standard font dialog box in which you can make these settings.

FPGA Multi-Pass Place & Route (Design Menu)

Use this command to run multiple place and route passes on a selected design version. You can indicate the number of place and route iteration attempts that the software should run and the number of passes that you want to save. Each pass you save is added as an implementation revision in the Design Manager project view.

When you use this command, the FPGA Multi-Pass Place & Route dialog box appears, shown in the following figure, in which you can make these settings.

Figure 4.7 FPGA Multi-Pass Place & Route Dialog Box

After you run the place and route passes, the FPGA Multi-Pass Place & Route Status dialog box appears. This dialog box shows the design version name and the status of your placed and routed design, as shown in the following figure.

Figure 4.8 FPGA Multi-Pass Place & Route Status Dialog Box

For more information on cost tables, best iteration attempts, and on generating a nodelist file and setting up environment variables, see the “Turns Engine (PAR Multi-Tasking Option)” section of the Development System Reference Guide.

NOTE

This command is supported for the FPGA device families only.

FPGA Multi-Pass Place & Route Dialog Box Options

The following options are available in this dialog box.

• FPGA Part
  
  Click the Select button to the right of the FPGA Part field to select a part type from the Part Selector, shown in the “Part Selector Dialog Box” figure. The Part Selector and its options are described in the “Part Selector Dialog Box Options” section of this chapter.
  
  
• Initial Placement Seed (Cost Table)
  
  Specify a placement initialization value with which to begin the place and route attempts. Each subsequent attempt is assigned an incremental value based on the placement initialization value.
  
  The number you choose corresponds to a cost table index and results in different place and route strategies. Cost tables assign weighted values to relevant factors such as constraints specified in the input file (for example, certain components must be in certain locations), the length of connections, and the available routing resources. Choose a number from 1 to 100. The default is 1.
  
  

  ---

  NOTE

  Cost tables are fixed from one run to the next; however, cost tables are not an ordered set. There is no correlation between a cost table's number and its relative value.

  ---

• Place & Route Passes to Execute
  
  Specify the number of place and route passes to attempt. Choose a number from 1 to 100. The default is 1.
  
  
• Save N Best Passes
  
  Specify the number of place and route passes to save. The software saves the specified number of iteration attempts. Choose a number from 1 to 100. The default is 1.
  
  This option compares every result to every other result and leaves you with the best iteration attempts. The best outputs are determined by a score assigned to each output design. This score takes into account such factors as the number of unrouted nets, the delays on nets, and conformance to your timing constraints. The lower the score, the better the design.
  
  
• Nodelist File
  
  Click the Browse button to the right of this field to choose a nodelist file that you have generated. Choosing a nodelist file allows you to use multiple machines (nodes) that are networked together for a multi-run place and route job, significantly reducing the total amount of elapsed time to completion. The nodelist file contains a list of the node names, one per line.
  
  

  ---

  NOTE

  The Nodelist File option is only available on the UNIX workstation.

  ---

• Run
  
  Click Run to exit the dialog box and launch the FPGA Multi-Pass Place & Route Flow Engine.
  
  
• Options
  
  Click Options to open the Options dialog box and set options that affect the implementation flow.
  
  The Options dialog box contains several options, which differ for each device family type. This dialog box and its options are described in the “Options Dialog Box” section of the “Implementation Options” chapter.
  
  

FPGA Multi-Pass Place & Route Status Dialog Box Options

The following options are available in this dialog box.

• OK
  
  Click OK to exit the dialog box.
  
  
• View Log File
  
  Click this button to view the log file.
  
  
• View Summary Report
  
  Click this button to launch the Report Browser and view the summary report generated by the FPGA Multi-Pass Place & Route Flow Engine.
  
  

FPGA Re-entrant Route (Setup Menu)

Use this command to reroute a previously routed design. This command opens the Re-entrant Route dialog box, shown in the following figure, which allows you to set up the conditions for your re-entrant routing. You can set the number of re-entrant routing and cleanup passes and set whether to use timing constraints for the re-entrant route process.

NOTE

This command is supported for the FPGA device families only.

Figure 4.9 FPGA Re-entrant Route Dialog Box

Re-entrant Route Dialog Box Options

The following options are available in this dialog box.

• Allow Re-entrant Routing
  
  Use this option to further route an already routed design. The router reroutes some connections to improve the timing score or to finish routing unrouted nets. This option is useful if you want to manually route a portion of the design and then automatically route the design or if you want to run additional delay reduction passes.
  
  
• Re-entrant Route Options
  
  You can set the number of re-entrant routing and cleanup passes. If you run both cost-based and delay-based cleanup passes, the cost-based passes will run before the delay-based passes. Running more than two cleanup passes rarely provides improved results. You can also specify whether you want to use timing constraints during the re-entrant routing process.
  
  
  • Run _ Cost-Based Cleanup Passes
    
    Cost-based cleanup makes rerouting decisions by assigning weighted values to the factors affecting delay times between sources and nets. Set the number of cost-based cleanup passes you want to run by choosing a number from 1 to 5. The default is 1.
    
    
  • Run _ Delay-Based Cleanup Passes
    
    Delay-based cleanup makes rerouting decisions based on computed delay times between sources and loads on the routed nets, and reroutes to minimize the delays. Set the number of delay-based cleanup passes you want to run by choosing a number from 1 to 5. The default is 0.
    
    
  • Run _ Re-entrant Route Passes
    
    Re-entrant routing runs additional timing driven or non-timing driven routing passes, depending on whether you specified timing constraints. Placement and routing from previous place and route runs are preserved. Set the number of re-entrant route passes by choosing a number from 1 to 2000. The default is Auto.
    
    
  • Use Timespecs During Re-entrant Route
    
    The Flow Engine uses timing constraints in the design file to route the design within the specified constraints. By default, this option is on.
    
    

Hardware Debugger (Tools Menu)

Use this command to launch the Hardware Debugger. Use the Hardware Debugger to download a design to a device, verify the downloaded configuration, and display the internal states of the programmed device.

For online help for this tool, obtain help from within the Hardware Debugger.

NOTE

The Hardware Debugger is supported for the FPGA device families only.

Help Topics (Help Menu)

Use this command to display the opening screen of Design Manager or Flow Engine Help. From the opening screen, you can jump to step-by-step instructions for using the Design Manager or Flow Engine and to various types of reference information.

After you open help, you can click the Help Topics button in the Help window whenever you want to return to the opening screen of Help.

For more information about online help, see the “Obtaining Online Help” section of the “Getting Started” chapter.

Implement (Design Menu)

Use this command to start the implementation process. This command opens the Implement dialog box, shown in the following figure. In this dialog box, specify the design version and implementation revision name and select a part type.

Figure 4.10 Implement Dialog Box

After you implement a design, the Implement Status dialog box appears. This dialog box shows the implementation revision name and the status of your implemented design, as shown in the following figure.

Figure 4.11 Implement Status Dialog Box

NOTE

This command always creates a new implementation revision for the newest design version, independent of any selected icon.

Implement Dialog Box Options

The following options are available in this dialog box.

• Part
  
  Click the Select button to the right of the Part field to select a part type from the Part Selector, shown in the “Part Selector Dialog Box” figure. The Part Selector and its options are described in the “Part Selector Dialog Box Options” section of this chapter.
  
  
• Copy guide data to project clipboard
  
  Use this option to copy the guide data from the most recently implemented implementation revision to the project clipboard. The project clipboard allows you to store the guide data from the implemented revision for use in guiding the implementation. You can use the project clipboard to preserve the guide data of an implementation revision you want to overwrite.
  
  
• Copy floorplan data to project clipboard
  
  Use this option to copy the floorplan data from the most recently implemented implementation revision to the project clipboard. The project clipboard allows you to store the floorplan data from the implemented revision for use in guiding the implementation. You can use the project clipboard to preserve the floorplan data of an implementation revision you want to overwrite.
  
  
• Overwrite last version/revision
  
  Select this option to overwrite the previous design version or implementation revision of your design. This option varies depending on whether you are working with a design version or an implementation revision. If the design has changed since the last implementation, a new design version is created. If the design has not changed, a new implementation revision is created in the newest design version.
  
  
• New version name
  
  Enter the version name for your design version.
  
  
• New revision name
  
  Enter the revision name for your implementation revision.
  
  
• Run
  
  Click Run to launch the Flow Engine and implement the design.
  
  
• Options
  
  Click Options to open the Options dialog box and set options that affect the implementation flow.
  
  The Options dialog box contains several options, which differ for each device family type. This dialog box and its options are described in the “Options Dialog Box” section of the “Implementation Options” chapter.
  
  

Implement Status Dialog Box Options

The following options are available in this dialog box.

• OK
  
  Click OK to exit the dialog box.
  
  
• View Log File
  
  Click this button to view the log file for this implementation.
  
  
• Reports
  
  Click this button to launch the Report Browser and view reports generated by the Flow Engine.
  
  

JTAG Programmer (Tools Menu)

Use this command to launch the JTAG Programmer. Use the JTAG Programmer to download your design and configure an XC9500 or XC9500XL device.

For online help for this tool, obtain help from within the JTAG Programmer.

NOTE

The JTAG Programmer is supported for CPLD families only.

Lock Pins (Design Menu)

Use this command to perform pin locking by placing pinout information in the user constraints file (UCF). This command allows you to use pinout information with other Xilinx implementation tools. For FPGAs, pin locations and logical pad names are read from a placed NCD file. For CPLDs, this information is read from a fitted GYD file.

This command creates a UCF file if one does not exist. If one exists, the existing user constraints are maintained, but additional pin locking constraints are added to the file. All pin locking constraints created by this command are written in a PINLOCK section within the UCF file.

After the constraints are generated, you can review the Lock Pins report by clicking View Report in the status dialog box, shown in the following figure, or by using the Utilities Lock Pins Report command.

Figure 4.12 Lock Pins Status Dialog Box

Lock Pins Status Dialog Box Options

The following options are available in this dialog box.

• OK
  
  Click OK to exit the dialog box.
  
  
• View Lock Pins Report
  
  Click this button to view the report generated during the creation of pin locking constraints in your UCF file.
  
  

Lock Pins Report (Utilities Menu)

Use this command to open the report file generated during the execution of the Design Lock Pins command. This report contains information on the constraint conflicts between the pin locking constraints in the UCF file and the design file.

New Project (File Menu)

Use this command to create a new project. This command opens the New Project dialog box, shown in the following figure. In this dialog box, you can specify the design file for creating your new project.

Figure 4.13 New Project Dialog Box

NOTE

To open an existing project, use the File Open Project command.

New Project Dialog Box Options

The following options are available in this dialog box.

• Input Design
  
  Specify the name of the design file you want to open. You can either type the name or click the Browse button to the right of the Design field. Clicking the Browse button opens a file selection dialog box in which you can select a design file to open. See the “Inputs and Outputs” section of the “Introduction” chapter for information on the input design file types accepted by the Design Manager.
  
  
• Work Directory
  
  Specify the name of the directory in which to put the project data files. To modify the work directory, type the path or click the Browse button to open a directory selection dialog box. The software automatically appends the subdirectory xproj to the selection made in the directory selection dialog box. The xproj subdirectory stores all of the data files for the project.
  
  If you want to change the name of the work directory, type over the name using the characters A through Z, a through z, 0 through 9, period (.), underscore (_), or hyphen (-) only.
  
  

  ---

  NOTE

  When you browse for the input design, the software automatically fills the Work Directory field with the input design directory followed by the xproj subdirectory.

  ---

• Comment
  
  Type any comments, including options and strategies. Comments appear in the main window next to the project icon.
  
  

New Revision (Design Menu)

Use this command to create a new implementation revision. A new implementation revision allows you to attempt a new implementation of the design using different compile options or a different target part. After the new implementation revision is created, a new implementation revision icon is displayed in the Design Manager project view.

When you use the New Revision command, the New Revision dialog box appears, as shown in the following figure. In the New Revision dialog box, specify the name and target part for the new implementation revision.

Figure 4.14 New Revision Dialog Box

New Revision Dialog Box Options

The following options are available in this dialog box.

• Name
  
  Enter the revision name for your design revision. Use the characters A through Z, a through z, 0 through 9, period (.), underscore (_), or hyphen (-) only.
  
  
• Comment
  
  Type any comments, including options and strategies. Comments appear in the main window next to the implementation revision icon.
  
  
• Part
  
  Click the Select button to the right of the Part field to select a part type from the Part Selector, shown in the following figure.
  
  

  Figure 4.15 Part Selector Dialog Box

Part Selector Dialog Box Options

Set the following options in the Part Selector.

• Family
  
  Specify the family type.
  
  
• Device
  
  Specify the device type. Only the devices that are in the family that you specify in the Family field are displayed in the Devices field.
  
  
• Package
  
  Specify the package type such as PC84, PQ100, or BGA225.
  
  
• Speed Grade
  
  Specify the speed grade of the device.
  
  

New Version (Design Menu)

Use this command to create a new design version. A new design version allows you to manage changes to the input design or logic of your design. For instance, any time that your netlist data or schematic changes, you should generate a new design version.

When you use the New Version command, the New Version dialog box appears, as shown in the following figure. In the New Version dialog box, enter the information necessary to define the new design version. After the new design version is created, a new design version icon is immediately added and displayed in the Design Manager project view.

Figure 4.16 New Version Dialog Box

New Version Dialog Box Options

The following options are available in this dialog box.

• Name
  
  Enter the design version name. Use the characters A through Z, a through z, 0 through 9, period (.), underscore (_), or hyphen (-) only.
  
  
• Comment
  
  Type any comments, including options and strategies. Comments appear in the main window next to the design version icon.
  
  

Online Documentation (Help Menu)

Use this command to start the DynaText browser, which allows you to view the online documentation.

NOTE

You must install the online browser and documentation to your hard drive before you can use this command.

Open Project (File Menu)

Use this command to open an existing project. The project consists of several files but is represented in the Xilinx Project dialog box as a single file with the .xpj extension. The Open Project command opens the Open Project dialog box, as shown in the following figure. Select a project from this dialog box.

Figure 4.17 Open Project Dialog Box

To open one of the four most recently used projects, select a project from the project name list in the Design Manager File menu.

NOTE

To create a new project, use the File New Project command.

Open Project Dialog Box

The following options are available in this dialog box.

• Xilinx Projects
  
  Select the project file that you want to open.
  
  
• Open
  
  Click Open to exit the dialog box and open the selected project file.
  
  
• Browse
  
  Click Browse to search for a project file. The project file you choose is appended to the Xilinx Projects list.
  
  

Options (Setup Menu)

Use this command to specify the implementation settings and options for the Flow Engine to use for a particular implementation. This command opens the Options dialog box. This dialog box and its options are described in the “Options Dialog Box” section of the “Implementation Options” chapter.

Preferences (File Menu)

Use this command to customize program settings. For instance, use the Preferences command to specify the text editor you want to use for viewing reports. This command opens the Preferences dialog box, as shown in the following figure.

Figure 4.18 Preferences Dialog Box

NOTE

This command sets the text editor for all tools in the Xilinx tool suite. The text that specifies the editor is not validated and is sent directly to the operating system. Verify the text before sending it.

Preferences Dialog Box Options

The following options are available in this dialog box.

• Editor for viewing files
  
  Specify the text editor you want to use. Click Browse to search for an executable to use as your text editor.
  
  
• Default
  
  Click Default to select the default text editor.
  
  

Project Notes (Utilities Menu)

Use this command to open a standard text editor window in which to make notes for the current project. You can specify the text editor of your choice by using the File Preferences command.

PROM File Formatter (Tools Menu)

Use this command to launch the PROM File Formatter. Use the PROM File Formatter to format BIT files into a PROM file compatible with Xilinx and third party PROM programmers. You can also use it to concatenate multiple bitstreams into a single PROM file for daisy chain applications.

For online help for this tool, obtain Help from within the PROM File Formatter.

NOTE

The PROM File Formatter is supported for the FPGA device families only.

Properties (Design Menu)

Use this command to display information about a selected project, design version, or implementation revision. This command opens a dialog box containing information that varies depending on the selected object.

All dialog boxes contain the object name and directory, and a comment field with noted options and strategies. In addition, the Project Properties dialog box contains the input design name and path. The Revision Properties dialog box contains the part type used.

The Project Properties dialog box also contains two buttons, Version List or Revision List. If you click one of these buttons, the Files List dialog box opens, as shown in the following figure. From this dialog box, you can specify files you want to copy to your version or revision directory or a specified subdirectory.

Figure 4.19 Files List Dialog Box

Files List Dialog Box Options

• File
  
  This area lists the files you specify in the Filename field.
  
  
• Subdirectory
  
  This area lists the subdirectories you specify in the Subdirectory field.
  
  
• Filename
  
  Specify the file or files you want to copy to the version or revision directory or subdirectory you specify. Use wildcard characters to specify a multiple file names. Click Browse to search for a file.
  
  
• Subdirectory (optional)
  
  Specify the subdirectory into which you want to copy files. The subdirectory is created under the version or revision directory.
  
  
• Set
  
  Click Set to set the files and subdirectories you specify.
  
  
• Delete
  
  Click Delete to remove the selected file or subdirectory.
  
  

Report Browser (Utilities Menu)

Use this command to view reports. The Report Browser command opens the Report Browser utility. This utility contains icons that represent the reports that have been generated by the Flow Engine.

The icons change appearance to indicate whether or not you have read a report. A yellow mark in the upper left corner of the report icon indicates that the report has been generated but not read. A report icon without this mark indicates that the report has been generated and read.

To read a report, double-click the report icon. The report opens in the text editor that you have specified with the File Preferences command.

Run (Flow Menu)

Use this command to start the Flow Engine. The Flow Engine processes until it completes the target process or reaches the end of the flow.

Save Project (File Menu)

Use this command to save the current project. Using this command ensures that all comments and the state of the project and design version icons are saved.

NOTE

The Design Manager saves frequently so that data is almost always up to date.

Set Floorplan File(s) (Design Menu)

Use this command to instruct the Design Manager to use information generated by the Floorplanner as a guide for mapping. The Design Manager obtains this information from the Floorplanner MFP file. For information on how to create the MFP file, refer to the Floorplanner Reference/User Guide. The Set Floorplan File(s) command opens the Set Floorplan File(s) dialog box, shown in the following figure, in which you can specify the MFP file.

NOTE

This command is available for the XC4000 and Spartan device families only. If you use this command, you cannot guide mapping using the Design Set Guide File(s) command Custom option.

Figure 4.20 Set Floorplan File(s) Dialog Box

Set Floorplan File(s) Dialog Box Options

Select a file to use as a guide for this implementation from the Floorplan Design field.

• Named Revision
  
  Select an implemented implementation revision to guide the design.
  
  
• None
  
  Select None if you do not want to guide the design.
  
  
• Project Clipboard
  
  Select Project Clipboard to guide from the revision data contained in the project clipboard. If no data exists in the clipboard or if you want to copy new data to the clipboard, use the Copy Guide Data to Project Clipboard option in the Implement dialog box.
  
  
• Custom
  
  Select Custom to guide from any mapped file in your file system. This option invokes the Custom dialog box, shown in the following figure, in which you can specify your floorplan guide files.
  
  

  Figure 4.21 Custom Dialog Box (Floorplan Files)

Custom Dialog Box Options

The following options are available in this dialog box.

• Floorplanning File
  
  Select an FNF file. Click Browse to search for a file.
  
  
• Floorplanned Guide File
  
  Select an MFP file. Click Browse to search for a file.
  
  

Set Guide File(s) (Design Menu)

Use this command to control the guiding of your design. You can guide from an implementation revision, from the revision data in the project clipboard, or from a custom guide file. This command opens the Set Guide File(s) dialog box, shown in the following figure, in which you can specify the guide file.

Figure 4.22 Set Guide File(s) Dialog Box

A guide file is created each time you implement your design and you can reuse this data to maintain mapping, placing, and routing consistency for FPGAs and fitting consistency for CPLDs. Guiding your design can reduce the amount of time taken for implementation. For more information, see the “Guiding a Design” section of the “Using the Design Manager” chapter.

Set Guide File(s) Dialog Box Options

The following options are available in this dialog box.

• Guide Design
  
  Select a file to use as a guide for this implementation.
  
  
  • Named Revision
    
    Select an implemented implementation revision to guide the design.
    
    
  • None
    
    Select None if you do not want to guide the design.
    
    
  • Project Clipboard
    
    Select Project Clipboard to guide from the revision data contained in the project clipboard. If no data exists in the clipboard or if you want to copy new data to the clipboard, use the Copy Guide Data to Project Clipboard option in the Implement dialog box.
    
    
  • Custom
    
    Select Custom to guide from any mapped, routed, or fitted file in your file system. Choose an NCD file for FPGAs or a GYD file for CPLDs. This option invokes the Custom dialog box, shown in the following figure, in which you can specify your guide files.
    
    

    Figure 4.23 Custom Dialog Box (Guide Files)

    ---

    NOTE

    The implementation revision or revision data must be based on a placed and routed design. If you want to guide from a mapped file, you must use the Custom option.

    ---

• Match Guide Design Exactly (FPGA only)
  
  Select this option to lock the placement and routing of the matching logic. This option is useful when you have made minor changes to the design and want to ensure that matching logic is not changed to accommodate additional logic.
  
  If you do not select this option, the guide files are used as a starting point only. This allows the mapper, placer, and router greater flexibility in accommodating design modifications.
  
  This option is not recommended for synthesis based designs.
  
  

  ---

  NOTE

  This option is supported for the FPGA device families only.

  ---

Custom Dialog Box Options

• Guide File
  
  Specify a file to guide placing and routing for FPGAs. Specify a file to guide fitting for CPLDs. Click Browse to search for a file.
  
  
• Mapping Guide File
  
  Specify a file to guide mapping for FPGAs. This option is not supported for CPLDs. Click Browse to search for a file.
  
  

  ---

  NOTE

  If you use this option, you cannot guide mapping using the Design Set Floorplan File(s) command.

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Status Bar (View Menu)

Use this command to show or hide the status bar.

In the Design Manager, the status bar shows the project name, the part name if an implementation revision is selected, and the name of the selected item.

In the Flow Engine, the status bar shows the target part name for the current implementation revision, the name of the user specified constraints file, and the name of the user specified guide file.

Step (Flow Menu)

Use this command to run the next operation in the processing flow. This command allows you to single-step through the implementation process.

NOTE

You can use the Implementation State option in the Advanced dialog box to restore an implementation state when you have stepped forward too far.

Step Back (Flow Menu)

Use this command to go back one step in the processing flow. You can use this command to back up and rerun a step using different options. The data is not deleted until you overwrite it by rerunning the step.

NOTE

You can use the Implementation State option in the Advanced dialog box to restore an implementation state when you have stepped back too far.

Stop After (Setup Menu)

Use this command to specify a target break point where the Flow Engine will stop processing. Choose a process from the Stop After dialog box, as shown in the following figure. For instance, if you want to map, place, and route your design but not create a timing simulation file or device programming file, select Stop After Place and Route.

Figure 4.24 Stop After Dialog Box

Stop After Dialog Box Options

Select a target break point from the Stop After list box. When working with an FPGA the available targets are Translate, Map, Place & Route, Timing, and Configure. When working with a CPLD the available targets are Translate, Fit, Timing, and Bitstream. The selected target appears in the Stop After field.

Template Manager (Utilities Menu)

Use this command to create or modify option templates. The three types of templates available are implementation, simulation, and configuration templates. These templates are used to set various implementation options.

Implementation and simulation templates are supported for the Spartan, Virtex, XC3000, XC4000, XC5200, and XC9500 device families. Configuration templates are supported for the Spartan, Virtex, XC3000, XC4000, and XC5200 device families.

The Template Manager command opens the Template Manager dialog box, as shown in the following figure. You can set several options from this dialog box. For more information on how to use the Template Manager, see the “Creating a New Template” section and the “Setting Custom Template Options” section of the “Using the Design Manager” chapter.

Figure 4.25 Template Manager Dialog Box

Template Manager Dialog Box Options

The following options are available in this dialog box.

• Family
  
  Select the device family of the templates you want to create or modify.
  
  
• Implementation Templates
  
  Select this option to work with implementation templates. Implementation templates control how an FPGA design is mapped, optimized, placed, and routed and how a CPLD design is fitted.
  
  
• Simulation Templates
  
  Select this option to work with simulation templates. Simulation templates control the creation of netlists for front and back-end simulation. Simulation can be performed on both pre- and post-routed designs.
  
  
• Configuration Templates
  
  Select this option to work with configuration templates. Configuration templates control the configuration startup, readback, and parameters for the device.
  
  

  ---

  NOTE

  Configuration templates are available for FPGA devices only.

  ---

• Template List
  
  Select a template with which to work.
  
  
• Close
  
  Click Close to close the Template Manager.
  
  
• New
  
  Click New to add a new option template. This allows you to create multiple templates with different settings.
  
  
• Edit
  
  Click Edit to open the Implementation, Simulation, or Configuration Template dialog box to allow you to view and modify the settings for a particular template.
  
  
• Copy
  
  Click Copy to make a copy of the selected option template.
  
  
• Rename
  
  Click Rename to rename the selected option template. You cannot rename the default template.
  
  
• Delete
  
  Click Delete to delete the selected option template. You cannot delete the default template.
  
  
• Import
  
  Click Import to import a template file. A template file contains one or more option templates. Clicking Import opens a standard file selection dialog box in which you can choose a template file to import. The templates read from the file appear in the Template List area of the Template Manager. You can transfer a template from one Design Manager project to another by using the Export option followed by the Import option.
  
  
• Export
  
  Click Export to export option templates to a template file. A template file contains one or more option templates. You can select the templates you want to export from the Template List area of the Template Manager. Clicking Export opens a standard file selection dialog box in which you can specify the template file name. You can transfer a template from one Design Manager project to another by using the Export option followed by the Import option.
  
  
• Customize
  
  Click Customize to open the Customize dialog box, shown in the following figure. Use this dialog box to specify custom template options that are provided by other programs but are not supported by the standard options provided in the Design Manager. You can use any options that the programs support. For more information on the commands and options for the programs, refer to their user manuals.
  
  

  Figure 4.26 Customize Dialog Box

  To use this dialog box, type the program name and the option in the Customize dialog box. You can enter any number of programs and options in this box.
  
  

Customize Dialog Box Options

The following options are available in this dialog box.

• Template Custom Options
  
  This area lists the programs and options you specify in the Program Name and Program Options fields.
  
  
• Program Name
  
  Specify the name of the program or programs that you want to use.
  
  
• Program Options
  
  Specify the program options that you want to use. Enter the options as they would appear on the command line.
  
  
• Set
  
  Click Set to set the programs and options that you specify.
  
  
• Delete
  
  Click Delete to remove the selected program or option.
  
  

NOTE

It is possible to enter options in the Customize dialog box that can conflict with normal Flow Engine options. It is beyond the scope of this manual to explain all the possible conflicts.

Timing Analyzer (Tools Menu)

Use this command to launch the Timing Analyzer. Use the Timing Analyzer after a design has been mapped, routed, or fitted. The Timing Analyzer performs a static timing analysis of a mapped or routed FPGA or fitted CPLD design. A static timing analysis is a point-to-point analysis of a design network. It does not include insertion of stimulus vectors.

The Timing Analyzer verifies that the delay along a given path or paths meets your specified timing requirements. It organizes and displays data that indicate the critical paths in your circuit, the cycle time of the circuit, the delay along any specified paths, and the paths with the greatest delay. It also provides a quick analysis of the effect of different speed grades on the design.

The Timing Analyzer works with synchronous systems composed of flip-flops and combinatorial logic. In a synchronous design, signals must be stable long enough to allow the clocks to change so that setup and hold violations are avoided.

For online help for the this tool, obtain Help from within the Timing Analyzer.

Toolbar (View Menu)

Use this command to show or hide the toolbar.

Toolbox (View Menu)

Use this command to show or hide the toolbox.