Engineering DataXpress, Inc.

DXL800™ Mentor Graphics / EDIF Schematic Translator

Design Entry

Product Description
The DXL800 Schematic Translator allows Mentor Graphics Design Architect users to translate their schematic design data to and from most other major EDA systems. This is accomplished by using a high speed data integration hub called the DXE300 which enables direct transfer of data between Mentor Graphics and other EDA vendors. In addition, it is possible to output Mentor Graphics data from the DXE300 database as an EDIF 2 0 0/3 0 0 / 4 0 0 data file. EDIF schematic files can also be read into the DXE300 database and translated into the Mentor Graphics database.

Schematics and cell libraries can be transferred independently, or a schematic and its library of subcomponents can be transferred at the same time. The full design hierarchy can be transferred or it can be limited in various ways. Also, when reading an EDIF file, schematics are allowed to reference symbols which are defined externally. Options for the Translator are specified in a set of commands located in a configuration file.

The DXL800 Schematic Translator is fully supported by Engineering DataXpress, a worldwide leader in data interoperability solutions! This ensures that the translator will continue to be enhanced with the new features and options. It will also remain current with each new release of Mentor Graphics software. DataXpress also supports Mentor Graphics V 7 schematic translation solutions with their DXL400 product.

Benefits to End User of Product and Interface to MGC

• Bidirectional translation of Mentor Graphics Design Architect schematics, symbols and symbol libraries.
• Handles Comment Graphics, Figures and Text.
• User control over whether components are translated or referenced in external libraries.
• Translates all EDIF level 0 constructs.
• Handles hierarchy in Mentor Graphics sheets, symbols and in EDIF cells.

Company Background
Engineering DataXpress develops, markets and supports, software tools and products that are used for data integration in the electronic design environment. Within this context, it provides optimized data links between various EDA vendor systems and also provides a standard library of software routines which are generic enough to assist customers with their own development of all format data translators.

Description of Integration
The DXL800 Schematic Translator transfers schematic information both into and out of a Mentor Graphics Design Architect. All data into and out of the Mentor Graphics pass through the DXE300 database. It can then be transferred either directly to other EDA vendors who are also linked to the DXE300 database or to any EDA vendor that has an EDIF schematic interface.

The DXL800 Translator is comprised of two modules. The mda2edi module takes as its schematics created with the Design Architect and creates as its output either a DXE300 database or an EDIF file describing the schematics. Any schematic design data file can be translated into an EDIF file. The edi2mda module takes an EDIF input file or DXE300 database, and creates Mentor Graphics 8.x schematics. The schematics can then be edited for simulation.

Mentor Graphics specific elements such as connectivity objects, properties, and graphics are all translated to the equivalent EDIF representations. The translator uses configuration files to determine user options and to locate files in a design hierarchy. Using a configuration file, the user can specify globally for the entire translation what properties should be named after translation and units of numerical quantities, e.g., time in nanoseconds. The user can also specify which property values in a design will be translated and the data type into which property values will be translated, such as character strings or real numbers. In addition, it is possible to define libraries, map EDIF cell declarations to Mentor Graphics component, specify which properties map to EDIF attributes, filter certain properties out of an EDIF file, and store component definitions into a library.

Platforms Supported

Distribution and Contact Information
The DXL800™ is available through direct sales, OEMs and manufacturer's representatives in North America, Europe, Japan, Asia and Israel.