Import Options dialog box

GDSII Translator & DXF Translator & Gerber Translator & ODB++ Translator

The Import Options dialog box is opened during a GDSII, DXF, Gerber or ODB++ import. When you are done entering the desired settings, you click on the Next button to apply the changes and continue the import process. When you are done entering the desired settings, you click on the Next button to apply the changes and continue the import process.

Imported Circuit Units (DXF Only): Select the length units used in the DXF file from the drop list. Choices are inches (default), mils, microns, mm, cm and m. Note that the size of the imported circuit in the chosen length units is displayed directly below this drop list.

Box Size

This section of the Import Options dialog box controls the Box Size in the resulting Sonnet project. The box size can be based on the size of the circuit which is being imported or if you are using a template for the import, may be read from the template project.

Imported Circuit Size: Click on this radio button if you wish to base the box size on the physical size of the imported circuit. A bounding box is placed around the circuit polygons and the size of the bounding box is used as the base size of the box. If you wish to expand the box to be bigger than the size of the circuit you may add margins to the box size. There are two methods for defining the size of the margins, as a percentage of the circuit size or by directly entering the desired length. Click on the appropriate radio button to determine which method you wish to use.

You may add a margin to any of the four box walls: top, bottom, left or right. The margins do not have to be equal for different box walls. To enter a margin for a box wall, select the checkbox for that box wall and enter the desired value in the enabled text entry box. If the % Circuit Size radio button is selected, then this value should be the desired percentage of the circuit size. For example, if your circuit is 50 microns by 50 microns and you enter 10, then the box size will be increased by 10% (5 microns) in the direction of the selected box wall. If the Measurement radio button (this radio button is labeled with the present length units for the project) is selected then this value should be the desired length by which you wish to increase the box size in the direction of the selected box wall.

The defined box size is displayed below the Cell Size section of the dialog box.

Template Box Size: Click on this radio button if you wish to use the box size of the template project as the box size for your translated project. This radio button is only enabled if you are using a project as a template for the import. You have three choices as to where to place your translated circuit in the box:

• Center Circuit radio button: Places the center point of the circuit in the center of the box.

• Move to lower left radio button: Places the lower left hand corner of the circuit in the lower left hand corner of the box.

• Do not change coordinates radio button: Uses the same location as the source file with the lower left hand corner of the Sonnet box defined as (0,0).

Cell Size

This section of the Import Options dialog box controls the cell size in the resulting Sonnet project. The cell size can be automatically determined by the software or directly entered by the user. Select the Auto radio button to have the software inspect your circuit and attempt to choose an appropriate cell size. The values used are displayed to the right. Select the Manual radio button if you wish to enter the cell size. The x and y text entry boxes to the right are enabled; enter the desired lengths in the text entry boxes.

The number of cells used is displayed below this section of the dialog box.

Via Properties

This section of the dialog box controls the default settings for the vias created in the translated project.

Meshing Fill: Select the type of meshing fill you wish to use for the translated vias from this drop list. For more information about the meshing fill, see the Via Mesh Fill dialog box.

Create Via Pads: Select this option if you wish to have a metal polygon of the same size and shape as the via placed at the top and bottom of the via.

Simplify Vias to Be Rectangular: This option converts vias to rectangular cross-section vias. The width and height of the new rectangular via are set to the width and height of the bounding box which encompasses the original via.

Simplify via Arrays: This option simplifies via arrays using an algorithm during translation. In general, via arrays with many individual vias (contacts) are converted to single, large equivalent via polygons to improve the model efficiency.   

Auto Height Vias: This setting causes a via to terminate when it encounters planar metal in its path.  For more information, see Auto Height Vias.

Identify Bar Vias: This option identifies bar vias when the L/W ratio requirement is met. Each via identified as a bar via has it's via fill type set to the Bar via fill type during translation. Bar vias are sorted in bar via groups and merged into one wider via during the analysis. Enter the desired minimum length to width ratio a via polygon must possess to be considered a bar via. The default ratio is 2.5.

Array Options: The default settings provide for array via simplification behavior in the majority of cases. However, you may click on the Array Options button to open the Simplify Via Arrays Options dialog box to override the default settings for how the array vias are simplified.

For a detailed discussion of Via Array and Bar Via simplification, please see the Via Simplification appendix in any of the translator or interface manuals. For a detailed explanation of how bar vias are simplified and modeled during simulation, please see "Simplifying Bar Vias in the Analysis Engine" in the Vias chapter in the Sonnet User's Guide. Manuals are available in PDF format through the Sonnet task bar or by selecting Help => Manuals from the menu of any Sonnet application.

Advanced: Click on this button to open the Import Advanced Options dialog box which allows you to set advanced options for your import. Click on the appropriate link for more information: DXF Import Advanced Options dialog box or GDSII Import Advanced Options dialog box or Gerber/ODB++  Import Advanced Options dialog box.

Remember Settings: Clicking on this checkbox saves any selections you make for the next time this dialog box is accessed.

Factory Defaults: Clicking on this button changes all the settings in this dialog box to the defaults used upon installation of the software.

Next: Click on the Next button to continue the import process.

For a detailed discussion of the GDSII, DXF, Gerber and ODB++ Translators and their usage, please see the GDSII Translator manual, the DXF Translator manual and the Gerber/ODB++ Translator manual, respectively, available through the Sonnet task bar or by selecting Help => Manuals in any Sonnet application.