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Library Manager User Guide

Version Q-2019.12-SP2, March 2020

Copyright and Proprietary Information Notice
© 2020 Synopsys, Inc. This Synopsys software and all associated documentation are proprietary to Synopsys, Inc.
and may only be used pursuant to the terms and conditions of a written license agreement with Synopsys, Inc. All
other use, reproduction, modification, or distribution of the Synopsys software or the associated documentation is
strictly prohibited.
Destination Control Statement
All technical data contained in this publication is subject to the export control laws of the United States of America.
Disclosure to nationals of other countries contrary to United States law is prohibited. It is the reader’s responsibility to
determine the applicable regulations and to comply with them.
Disclaimer
SYNOPSYS, INC., AND ITS LICENSORS MAKE NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
WITH REGARD TO THIS MATERIAL, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
Trademarks
Synopsys and certain Synopsys product names are trademarks of Synopsys, as set forth at
https://www.synopsys.com/company/legal/trademarks-brands.html.
All other product or company names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Free and Open-Source Licensing Notices
If applicable, Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS) licensing notices are available in the product installation.
Third-Party Links
Any links to third-party websites included in this document are for your convenience only. Synopsys does not endorse
and is not responsible for such websites and their practices, including privacy practices, availability, and content.
www.synopsys.com

Library Manager User Guide 2

Q-2019.12-SP2
Contents

About This Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Customer Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

1. Working With the Library Manager Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Library Preparation Terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Physical Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Logic Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Cell Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Technology Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Aggregate Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Library Workspace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Pane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Breakpoints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Scaling Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Antenna Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Library Preparation Flow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
User Interfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Starting the Command-Line Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Exiting the Library Manager Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Entering lm_shell Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Interrupting or Terminating Command Processing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Getting Information About Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Displaying Command Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Using Application Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Using Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Viewing Man Pages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Using Tcl Scripts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Setup Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Using the Command Log File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

3
Contents

2. Preparing Cell Libraries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Library Preparation Flows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Analyzing the Library Source Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Building Cell Libraries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Defining the Search Path . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Creating a Library Workspace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Specifying the Library Preparation Flow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Specifying the Scale Factor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Loading the Technology Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Completing the Technology Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Preparing Site Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Preparing Routing Layers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Loading Parasitic Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
Loading Signal Electromigration Constraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Loading the Logic Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Identifying the Process Associated With a Logic Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Filtering Logic Libraries Based on Operating Corners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Loading Extracted Timing Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Loading the Physical Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Reading LEF Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Reading GDSII or OASIS Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Loading Physical Data from an Existing Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Loading Physical Data from a Design Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Importing Milkyway FRAM Views From the IC Compiler Tool . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Specifying Which Blocks to Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Handling Duplicate Physical Blocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Block Mapping File Syntax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Physical Rules File Syntax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Horizontal Cell Spacing Rule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Vertical Abutment Rule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79
Library Cell Attributes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80
Routing Shape Geometries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Library Pin Attributes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Pin Terminal Geometries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Loading the Physical Rules File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Writing the Physical Rules File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86
Annotating Antenna Properties on Hard Macro Cells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
Automatic Antenna Property Extraction Using the IC Validator Tool . . . . . . 87
Querying the Workspace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

4
Contents

Validating the Workspace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

Library Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
PG Rail Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Cell Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Pin Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Timing Arc Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Leakage-Power Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Identifying Secondary PG Pins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Committing the Workspace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101
Generating Frame Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Generating Blockages During Frame View Generation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Converting Regular Blockages to Zero-Spacing Blockages . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Trimming Blockages Around Pins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Reducing the Physical Data by Generating a Core Blockage . . . . . . . . . . 108
Creating Zero-Spacing Blockages Around Non-Pin Shapes . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Creating Via Regions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Creating Pin Must-Connect Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Deriving Must-Join Pins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Creating Frame Views for Hierarchical Cells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Creating Colored Frame Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Mode-Based Configuration of Frame View Generation Options . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Using the Exploration Flow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Performing Automated Library Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Using a Library Preparation Script . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Using the Fast Exploration Flow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Allowing Incomplete or Inconsistent Library Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125
Creating a Mismatch Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Setting a Mismatch Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129
Reporting Mismatch Configurations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Verifying Libraries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Verifying Logical Information in a Cell Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Verifying the Frame Views Between Libraries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Modifying a Cell Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Updating Via Regions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Defining Antenna Properties on Standard Cells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135
Antenna Properties for Standard Cells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Defining Antenna Properties on Hard Macro Cells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Antenna Properties for Hard Macro Cells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Creating an Aggregate Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140

5
Contents

Setting the Search Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141

Modifying an Aggregate Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Opening a Cell Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Getting Information About Cell Libraries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143
Querying Libraries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143
Reporting Libraries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Reporting the Frame Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Querying Library Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Reporting Library Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Exporting Cell Library Content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Closing a Cell Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152

A. Library Manager Application Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154

Library Manager Application Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
LEF Input Application Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
GDSII and OASIS Input Application Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Timing View Generation Application Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Frame View Generation Application Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Antenna Extraction Application Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Command-Line Interface Application Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172
Graphical User Interface Application Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173

B. Working With the Library Manager GUI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175

Starting the Tool in the GUI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Opening the GUI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Closing the GUI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .177
Exiting the Tool From the GUI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Using the Library Preparation Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178
Creating a Cell Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Modifying a Cell Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Viewing a Cell Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .184
Working in the Main Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Using the Library Browser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186

6
Contents

Using the Message Browser Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188

C. Using Non-PG Logic Libraries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190

PG Rail Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .190
PG Pin Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192

7
Preface
This preface includes the following topics:
• About This Guide
• Customer Support

About This Guide

The Library Manager tool merges input from a variety of sources, including Liberty logic
libraries and physical data in LEF, GDSII, or OASIS® format, to create a single, unified
cell library in NDM format that contains all of the physical and logical information for a
technology and its library cells.

Audience
This user guide is for engineers who use the Library Manager tool to prepare NDM cell
libraries.
To use the Library Manager tool, you need to be familiar with the following:
• Logical and physical design principles
• The Linux operating system
• The tool command language (Tcl)

Related Publications
For additional information about the Library Manager tool, see the documentation on the
®
Synopsys SolvNet online support site at the following address:
https://solvnet.synopsys.com/DocsOnWeb
You might also want to see the documentation for the following related Synopsys products:
• Library Compiler™

Library Manager User Guide 8

Q-2019.12-SP2
Preface
About This Guide

Release Notes
Information about new features, enhancements, changes, known limitations, and resolved
Synopsys Technical Action Requests (STARs) is available in the IC Compiler II Release
Notes on the SolvNet site.
To see the IC Compiler II Release Notes,
1. Go to the SolvNet Download Center located at the following address:
https://solvnet.synopsys.com/DownloadCenter
2. Select IC Compiler II, and then select a release in the list that appears.

Library Manager User Guide 9

Q-2019.12-SP2
Preface
About This Guide

Conventions
The following conventions are used in Synopsys documentation.

Convention Description

Courier Indicates syntax, such as write_file.

Courier italic Indicates a user-defined value in syntax, such as w-

rite_file design_list.

Courier bold Indicates user input—text you type verbatim—in

examples, such as
prompt> write_file top

[] Denotes optional arguments in syntax, such as wri-

te_file [-format fmt]

... Indicates that arguments can be repeated as many

times as needed, such as pin1 pin2 ... pinN

| Indicates a choice among alternatives, such as low |

medium | high

Control-c Indicates a keyboard combination, such as holding

down the Control key and pressing c.

\ Indicates a continuation of a command line.

/ Indicates levels of directory structure.

Edit > Copy Indicates a path to a menu command, such as open-

ing the Edit menu and choosing Copy.

Library Manager User Guide 10

Q-2019.12-SP2
Preface
Customer Support

Customer Support
Customer support is available through SolvNet online customer support and through
contacting the Synopsys Technical Support Center.

Accessing SolvNet
The SolvNet site includes a knowledge base of technical articles and answers to
frequently asked questions about Synopsys tools. The SolvNet site also gives you
access to a wide range of Synopsys online services including software downloads,
documentation, and technical support.
To access the SolvNet site, go to the following address:
https://solvnet.synopsys.com
If prompted, enter your user name and password. If you do not have a Synopsys user
name and password, follow the instructions to sign up for an account.
If you need help using the SolvNet site, click HELP in the top-right menu bar.

Contacting the Synopsys Technical Support Center

If you have problems, questions, or suggestions, you can contact the Synopsys Technical
Support Center in the following ways:
• Open a support case to your local support center online by signing in to the SolvNet
site at https://solvnet.synopsys.com, clicking Support, and then clicking “Open A
Support Case.”
• Send an e-mail message to your local support center.
◦ E-mail [email protected] from within North America.
◦ Find other local support center e-mail addresses at
https://www.synopsys.com/support/global-support-centers.html
• Telephone your local support center.
◦ Call (800) 245-8005 from within North America.
◦ Find other local support center telephone numbers at
https://www.synopsys.com/support/global-support-centers.html

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Working With the Library Manager Tool
You use the Library Manager tool to build an NDM cell library. To learn how to use the
library manager, see the following topics:
• Library Preparation Terminology
• Library Preparation Flow
• User Interfaces
• Entering lm_shell Commands
• Using Application Options
• Using Variables
• Viewing Man Pages
• Using Tcl Scripts
• Setup Files
• Using the Command Log File

Library Preparation Terminology

The following terms are used to describe the library preparation process for the
IC Compiler II tool:
• Physical Library
• Logic Library
• Cell Library
• Technology Library
• Aggregate Library
• Library Workspace
• Pane

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• Breakpoints
• Scaling Group
• Antenna Properties

Physical Library
A physical library is a library that contains only physical information (frame views, and
optionally design or layout views) for the library cells. Many vendors provide the physical
information about the library cells for a technology in a physical library. In other cases,
they provide GDSII, OASIS, or LEF files that contain the physical information for the library
cells, and you must use these files to generate the physical library. This type of library is
used as an input to generate a cell library.

See Also
• Cell Library

Logic Library
A logic library is a library that contains only logical information, such as timing, power,
noise, and functionality, for the library cells. This type of library is used as an input to
generate a cell library.

See Also
• Cell Library

Cell Library
A cell library is a unified library that contains the logical and physical information for a
specific technology and one or more of its library cells. Each library cell is represented as
a single object with multiple views that contain various types of information about the cell.
Figure 1 shows a conceptual view of a cell library. The views shown in green are the views
used by the implementation tools. Table 1 describes each of the view types.

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Figure 1 Conceptual View of a Cell Library

Table 1 Description of Library Cell Views

View name Description Usage

Timing view Contains the timing, power, and functional information The implementation tools use the timing
for a cell. It should contain timing and power information view to perform static timing analysis,
for all necessary characterization points (voltage and power analysis, and optimization.
temperature) for a given process setting. The data for each
characterization point is stored in a pane.

Layout view Contains the physical shape information for a cell, not The library manager uses the layout view
including connectivity and pins. This view is created only to create the design view.
when you read GDSII or Open Artwork System Interchange The implementation tools use the layout
Standard (OASIS) source libraries. view for mask generation.

Design view Contains all of the physical shape information for a cell, The library manager uses the design view
including connectivity and pins. to create the frame view.

Frame view An abstraction of the physical layout of a cell that contains The implementation tools use the frame
only the information needed for placement and routing, view to perform placement and routing.
such as the block boundary, pins, via regions, and routing
blockages.

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Figure 2 shows the difference between a design view and a frame view of a standard cell.

Figure 2 Design and Frame Views of a Standard Cell

You create a cell library by loading information from the following sources:
• The technology file
The technology file contains information about the routing layers and routing rules for a
specific technology. For information about the technology file syntax, see the Synopsys
Technology File and Routing Rules Reference Manual.
• The logic libraries
The source files for the logic libraries are Liberty libraries in compiled (.db) format.
These files contain the timing, power, and functionality information for the library cells
(standard cells or macro cells). Each file represents a characterization point for a
specific process, voltage, and temperature.
Note:
This book assumes that the logic libraries use the power and ground (PG)
pin syntax. For information about using older logic libraries that use the
rail_connection attribute to define the PG pin connections or do not
define the PG pins, see Appendix C, Using Non-PG Logic Libraries.

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• The physical libraries

The source files for the physical libraries are Library Exchange Format (LEF) files,
GDSII files, OASIS files, existing physical libraries, or the FRAM views exported from
the IC Compiler tool. These files contain the physical shape data for the library cells.
• TLUPlus files (optional)
The TLUPlus files contain the RC coefficients for a specific technology. The TLUPlus
models enable accurate RC extraction results by including the effects of width, space,
density, and temperature on the resistance and capacitance.
You can store the TLUPlus information either in the cell library or in the design library.
For information about storing TLUPlus information in a design library, see Specifying
the Parasitic Technology Information .
A cell library contains all of the required information, both logical and physical, for a set of
cells for a technology. The implementation tools do not directly use the source files used to
generate a cell library.

See Also
• Cell Library

Aggregate Library
An aggregate library combines multiple cell libraries into a single cell library with a defined
search order for the included cell libraries. When you refer to a cell in an aggregate library,
the tool uses the defined search order to find the first occurrence of the cell. You can use
an aggregate library to group related cell libraries for easier maintenance and distribution.

See Also
• Creating an Aggregate Library

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Library Preparation Terminology

Library Workspace
A library workspace is the in-memory representation of a cell library while it is being built.
You use a library workspace to create a new cell library, modify an existing cell library,
or create an aggregate cell library. You load the source files into the library workspace,
validate the contents, and then commit the workspace to save it as a cell library.
There are two types of library workspaces:
• Root workspace
This is the main library workspace. Only a single root workspace can be open at one
time. If you are creating a single cell library, you work only with a root workspace.
• Subworkspaces
Subworkspaces are used in the exploration flow to partition source data into multiple
cell libraries. Each subworkspace generates a single cell library.

See Also
• Creating a Library Workspace

Pane
A pane is the representation of the timing and power data for a cell. In general, a pane
represents the data at a single characterization point (temperature and voltage) for a given
process setting. In some cases, the data for multiple characterization points at the same
process setting can be merged into a single pane, which is called a scaling group.
If you are not using scaling groups, the timing view of a cell contains a pane for each logic
library that contains that cell. Each pane is indexed by its voltage and temperature values.

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analysis, the tool uses interpolation to determine the timing values for points between the
specified breakpoints.

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Library Preparation Flow

See Also
• Automatic Antenna Property Extraction Using the IC Validator Tool
• Defining Antenna Properties on Standard Cells
• Defining Antenna Properties on Hard Macro Cells

Library Preparation Flow

Figure 3 shows the library preparation flow used to build a cell library.

Figure 3 Library Preparation Flow

For detailed information about the library preparation flow, see Preparing Cell Libraries.

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User Interfaces

User Interfaces
The Library Manager tool operates in the X windows environment on Linux. It provides a
flexible working environment with both a shell command-line interface and a graphical user
interface (GUI).
• The shell command-line interface, lm_shell, is a text-only environment in which you
enter commands at the command-line prompt. It is typically used for scripts, batch
mode, and push-button operations and is always available during a library manager
session.
• The GUI provides a wizard to perform library preparation, as well as tools for viewing
and editing the cells in your library. The look and feel of the library manager GUI is
consistent with the look and feel of other Synopsys GUIs.
The library manager uses the tool command language (Tcl). Using Tcl, you can extend the
lm_shell command language by writing reusable procedures and scripts (see the Using Tcl
With Synopsys Tools manual).
You can start or exit a session in either lm_shell or the GUI, and you can open or close the
GUI at any time during a session. The following topics describe how to start and exit the
tool using the command-line interface:
• Starting the Command-Line Interface
• Exiting the Library Manager Tool

See Also
• Working With the Library Manager GUI

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User Interfaces

Starting the Command-Line Interface

To start the lm_shell command-line interface,
1. Include the path to the bin directory in your $PATH variable.
2. Enter the lm_shell command in a Linux shell.
% lm_shell

You can include other options when you start lm_shell. For example,
• -file script_file_name to execute a script

• -x command to execute anlm_shell command

• -output_log_file file_name to create a log file of your session

• -h to display a list of the available options (without starting lm_shell)

At startup, lm_shell performs the following tasks:

1. Creates a command log file.
2. Reads and executes the setup files.
3. Executes any script files or commands specified by the -f and -x options, respectively,
on the command line.
4. Displays the program header and lm_shell> prompt in the shell.

See Also
• Starting the Tool in the GUI
• Using the Command Log File
• Setup Files
• Using Tcl Scripts

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Entering lm_shell Commands

Exiting the Library Manager Tool

To exit the Library Manager tool, use the exit or quit command.
Note:
When you exit the tool from the command line, the tool exits without saving the
open library workspace.

See Also
• Exiting the Tool From the GUI

Entering lm_shell Commands

You interact with the library manager by using lm_shell commands, which are based on
the tool command language (Tcl) and include certain command extensions needed to
implement specific Library Manager functionality. The library manager command language
provides capabilities similar to Linux command shells, including variables, conditional
execution of commands, and control flow commands. You can
• Enter individual commands interactively at the lm_shell> prompt
• Enter individual commands interactively on the console command line in the GUI
• Run one or more Tcl scripts, which are text files that contain lm_shell commands
When entering a command, an option, or a file name, you can minimize your typing by
pressing the Tab key. If you have typed enough characters to specify a unique name, the
IC Compiler II library manager completes the remaining characters. If the characters you
typed can be used for more than one name, the library manager lists the qualifying names,
from which you can select by using the arrow keys and the Enter key.
If you need to reuse a command from the output for a command-line interface, you can
copy and paste the portion by selecting it, moving the pointer to the lm_shell command
line, and clicking with the middle mouse button.
When you run a command, the library manager echoes the command output (including
processing messages and any warnings or error messages) in lm_shell and, if the GUI is
open, in the console log view. By default, the output scrolls. To prevent scrolling, enable
page mode by setting the sh_enable_page_mode variable to true.

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Entering lm_shell Commands

Interrupting or Terminating Command Processing

To interrupt command processing and remain in lm_shell, press Ctrl+C.
When you use Ctrl+C, keep the following points in mind:
• If a script file is being processed and you interrupt one of its commands, the script
processing is interrupted and no further script commands are processed.
• If you press Ctrl+C three times before a command responds to your interrupt,lm_shell
is interrupted and exits with this message:
Information: Process terminated by interrupt.

Some commands and processes cannot be interrupted. To stop these commands or

processes, you must terminate lm_shell at the system level. When you terminate a
process or the shell, data is not saved.

Getting Information About Commands

The following online information resources are available while you are using the library
manager:
• Command help
• Command man pages

Displaying Command Help

Command help consists of either a brief description of an lm_shell command or a list of
the options and arguments supported by an lm_shell command.
• To display a brief description of a command, enter the help command followed by the
command name. For example, to display a brief description of the read_db command,
use the following command:
lm_shell> help read_db

• To display the options supported by an lm_shell command, enter the command

name with the -help option. For example, to see the options supported by the
create_workspace command, use the following command:
lm_shell> read_db -help

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Using Application Options

Using Application Options

The Library Manager tool uses application options to control the tool behavior. Application
options use the following naming convention:
category[.subcategory].option_name

where category is the name of the tool feature affected by the application option. Some
application option categories have subcategories to further refine the area affected by the
application option.
You use the following commands to work with application options:
• set_app_options: Sets one or more application options.

• reset_app_options: Resets one or more application options so that they have no

value
• get_app_options: Lists the available application options.

• get_app_option_value: Reports the setting for a specific application option.

• report_app_options: Reports application options and their settings.

For more information about working with application options, see Application Options.

Using Variables
In general, the library manager modifies default behavior by using application options
rather than application variables; however it does support user-defined Tcl variables, as
well as a minimal number of application variables, such as the search_path variable.

See Also
• Defining the Search Path
• Using Application Options

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Viewing Man Pages

Viewing Man Pages

To display the man page for an lm_shell command or application variable, enter the man
command followed by the command or variable name. For example, to see the man page
for the read_db command, use the following command:
lm_shell> man read_db

To display the man page for an lm_shell application option, enter the man command
followed by the option name. You can also view the following types of summary pages for
application options:
• Category summaries
To view a man page the summarizes all of the application options for a specific
category, enter the man command followed by category_options. For example, to
see the man page that summarizes all library manager application options, use the
following command:
lm_shell> man lm_options

• Subcategory summaries
To view a man page the summarizes all of the application options for a specific
subcategory, enter the man command followed by category.subcategory_options.
For example, to see the man page that summarizes all signoff antenna extraction
application options, use the following command:
lm_shell> man signoff.antenna_options

• Command summaries
To view a man page the summarizes all of the application options for a specific
command, enter the man command followed by command_options. For example, to
see the man page that summarizes all application options that affect the read_db
command, use the following command:
lm_shell> man read_db_options

If you enter the man command on the lm_shell command line, the man page is displayed in
the shell and in the console log view if the GUI is open. If you enter this command on the
console command line in the GUI, the man page is displayed in the GUI man page viewer.

Using Tcl Scripts

You can use Tcl scripts to accomplish routine, repetitive, or complex tasks.

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Using Tcl Scripts

A Tcl script is a text file that contains a sequence of any lm_shell commands. It can also
include comments, which are indicated by a pound sign (#) at the beginning of a line.
# This is a comment

You can use the following methods to run a Tcl script:

• To run a script from the command line, use the source command.
• To run a script in the GUI, choose File > Execute Script.
• To run a script when you start the tool, use the -f option with the lm_shell command.
If an error occurs when running a command in the script, the library manager raises the
TCL_ERROR condition, which immediately stops the script execution. To tolerate errors
and allow the script to continue executing, either
• Check for TCL_ERROR error conditions with the Tcl catch command on the
commands that might generate errors.
• Set the sh_continue_on_error variable to true in the script file.
For information about using Tcl with Synopsys tools, see Using Tcl With Synopsys Tools.

See Also
• Starting the Command-Line Interface

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Setup Files

Setup Files
A setup file is a special Tcl script that the tool automatically executes at startup. It can
contain commands that perform basic tasks, such as initializing application options.
The setup file for the library manager is named .synopsys_lm.setup. The tool looks for this
file both in your home directory and in the project directory (the current working directory in
which you start the tool). The file is read in the following order:
1. The .synopsys_lm.setup file in your home directory
Typically the settings in this file define your working environment.
2. The .synopsys_lm.setup file in the project directory
Typically the settings in this file affect the processing of a specific library.

See Also
• User Interfaces
• Using Application Options
• Using Variables
• Using Tcl Scripts

Using the Command Log File

The command log file records the lm_shell commands processed by the library manager,
including setup file commands and application option settings. By default, the tool writes
the command log to a file named lm_command.log in the working directory.
To change the name of the command log file, set the sh_command_log_file variable in
your .synopsys_lm.setup file. If your user-defined or project-specific setup file does not
contain this variable, the tool automatically creates the lm_command.log file.
Each session overwrites the existing command log file. To save a command log file, move
it or rename it. You can use the command log file to
• Record the library preparation process
• Document any problems in the current session

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Preparing Cell Libraries
To learn how to prepare cell libraries, see the following topics:
• Library Preparation Flows
• Analyzing the Library Source Files
• Building Cell Libraries
• Generating Frame Views
• Using the Exploration Flow
• Allowing Incomplete or Inconsistent Library Data
• Verifying Libraries
• Modifying a Cell Library
• Creating an Aggregate Library
• Modifying an Aggregate Library
• Opening a Cell Library
• Getting Information About Cell Libraries
• Exporting Cell Library Content
• Closing a Cell Library

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Library Preparation Flows

Library Preparation Flows

The library manager supports the following library preparation flows:
• Normal flow
Use this flow to create a cell library if you have a single logic library file or a group of
logic library files, each of which contains the same set of cells but has timing data for a
different characterization point, and physical library source files that contain a superset
of the cells in the logic library files. Library vendors typically use this library organization
for standard cells and pad cells.
By default, the generated cell library contains the cells that exist in both the logic and
physical library source files. It contains both logical information (timing views) and
physical information (frame, design, and layout views) for these cells.
• Technology-only flow
Use this flow to create a library that contains only the information from the technology
file and TLUPlus files. This type of library is referred to as a technology library.
• Frame-only flow
Use this flow to create a library that contains only the physical information for the cells.
This type of library is referred to as a physical library. It is used as an input to the library
preparation process.
For this flow, you either read only the physical library source files or both the physical
and logic library source files. If you read both the physical and logic library source files,
the tool uses the logic libraries only to determine the port direction when conflicts occur.
The generated physical library contains the cells that exist in the physical library source
files. It contains only the physical information (frame views and optionally design and
layout views) of these cells.
• Extracted timing model (ETM) flow
Use this flow to create a cell library if you have several extracted timing models, each
of which represents a single mode and characterization point for the same design, and
a physical library source file that contains the design.
The generated cell library contains the design represented by the extracted timing
model, assuming that physical information is provided for that design. If the physical
library source files contain additional designs, they are not included in the generated
cell library.

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Library Preparation Flows

• Physical-only flow
Use this flow to create a separate physical-only cell library for the cells that exist only in
a physical library source file and do not exist in any of the logic library files. A physical-
only library typically contains cells such as filler cells, tap cells, flip-chip pad cells,
endcap cells, and decoupling capacitor cells.
The group of files used for this flow includes all of the logic and physical library source
files; however, the generated cell library includes only those cells that exist only in the
physical library source files.
Note:
You must read at least one logic library when using the physical-only flow;
otherwise, workspace validation fails and you cannot save the cell library. To
build a library of cells using only physical library source files, use the frame
flow.
• Exploration flow
Use this flow to automatically analyze the library source files and generate a script that
you can use to create a cell library.
• Edit flow
Use this flow to modify the physical data for cells in an existing cell library.
• Aggregate flow
Use this flow to combine multiple separate cell libraries into a single cell library.
Figure 4 shows the results of using the normal and physical-only flows on a library
workspace that contains two .db files, each of which contains a different characterization
point for the same set of cells, and one LEF file.

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Analyzing the Library Source Files

Figure 4 Normal and Physical-Only Example

See Also
• Cell Library
• Technology Library

Analyzing the Library Source Files

Note:
This topic describes the manual process for analyzing the library source files.
You can use the exploration flow to perform this task automatically; however,
you should read this topic to understand the analysis process. For information
about using the exploration flow to perform this task, see Using the Exploration
Flow.
Before you build the cell libraries, you must analyze your library source files to determine
which library preparation flow to use. Depending on your library source files, you might
create several cell libraries using various library preparation flows. When you build multiple
cell libraries, you need to determine which source files to use for each cell library.

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Analyzing the Library Source Files

When grouping the library source files, consider the following:

• In general, each cell should be included in both a logic library file and a physical library
file.
The logic library file provides the information for the timing view, while the physical
library file provides the information for the layout, design, and frame views.
• If you load multiple logic library files into a library workspace, they must all represent
the same process. In addition, the logic library files must meet one of the following
conditions:
◦ All the logic library files contain the same set of cells but each one provides data for
a different temperature and voltage point.
◦ Each logic library file contains only a single cell; if the files contain different cells, the
group must include a logic library file for each cell at each temperature and voltage
point.
• Each cell should exist in only one group, and that group should contain cell data for all
necessary temperature and voltage corners.
Caution:
If multiple cell libraries contain a library cell with the same name, the tool
uses the data from the first cell library in which it finds the cell, and it ignores
that cell’s data in all other cell libraries. This phenomenon is referred to as
cell shadowing.
• A physical library file might belong to several groups, because it might contain more
cells than any single logic library file.
You should ensure that all cells in the physical library files are included in a cell library.
Ideally, each cell is included in exactly one cell library; otherwise, users must be very
careful when specifying the cell library order for a design library. If a physical library file
contains cells that do not exist in any of the logic library files, these cells are considered
physical-only cells. You should create a separate cell library for these physical-only
cells.

See Also
• Cell Library

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Building Cell Libraries

Building Cell Libraries

The basic process for building a cell library is the same regardless of the library
preparation flow you choose. The only differences are the options that you use when
creating the library workspace and the library source files that you load into the
workspace. The following figure shows an overview of the library preparation process.

Figure 5 Overview of the Library Preparation Process

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Building Cell Libraries

To build a technology library, you follow the same flow, but omit steps four through eight,
which involve the source files for the library cells.
After a cell library is built, it does not need to be rebuilt unless one of the library source
files changes or a new version of the implementation tool requires an updated library.

See Also
• Using the Exploration Flow
• Modifying a Cell Library
• Creating an Aggregate Library

Defining the Search Path

The library manager uses a search path to look for files that are specified with a relative
path or no path.
To specify the search path, set the search_path application variable to the list of
directories, in order, in which to look for files. When the library manager looks for a file, it
starts searching in the leftmost directory specified in the search_path variable and uses
the first matching file it finds.

Creating a Library Workspace

To create a library workspace, use the create_workspace command. When you run this
command to create a new cell library, you must specify the following items:
• The name of the workspace
For all flows except the edit flow, specify the workspace name without a file extension.
For the edit flow, specify the path to an existing cell library.
• The library preparation flow you are using
By default, the tool creates a workspace for the normal library preparation flow. To
specify a different flow, use the -flow option, as described in Specifying the Library
Preparation Flow.
Note:
The create_workspace command fails if there are any cell libraries in
memory. Before running the create_workspace command, use the close_lib
command to close any open libraries.

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Building Cell Libraries

For example, to use the normal flow to create a cell library named mylib, use the following
command to create the library workspace:
lm_shell> create_workspace mylib

You can optionally specify the following items:

• The technology data for the library
To provide the technology data when you create the library workspace, use one of the
following methods:
◦ Load a technology file by using the -technology option. This is the preferred
method for providing the technology data.
◦ Reference a technology library by using the -use_technology_lib option.
For more information, see Loading the Technology Data.
• The scale factor for the library
The scale factor specifies the number of database units per micron. The default
scale factor is 10000, which means that each database unit represents 1 Angstrom.
However, the recommended scale factor is the technology length precision as specified
by the lengthPrecision attribute in the technology file. To use the technology
length precision as the scale factor, set the lib.setting.use_tech_scale_factor
application option to true before running the create_workspace command.
For more information about setting the scale factor, see Specifying the Scale Factor.

See Also
• Library Workspace
• Analyzing the Library Source Files
• Using the Exploration Flow
• Modifying a Cell Library
• Creating an Aggregate Library

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Building Cell Libraries

Specifying the Library Preparation Flow

By default, the create_workspace command creates a library workspace for the normal
flow. To create a library workspace for a different library preparation flow, use the -flow
option to specify the flow. Table 2 shows the options to use for the supported library
preparation flows.

Table 2 create_workspace Options To Specify the Library Preparation Flow

Library preparation flow create_workspace -flow keyword

Cell library creation flows

Normal normal

Technology-only normal

Frame-only frame

Extracted timing model etm_moded

Physical-only physical_only

Exploration exploration

Cell library verification flow

Verification verification

Cell library modification flow

Edit edit

Aggregate library creation flow

Aggregate aggregate

For example, to use the normal flow to create a cell library named mylib, use the following
command:
lm_shell> create_workspace mylib

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Building Cell Libraries

To use the physical-only flow to create a cell library named mylib_po, use the following
command:
lm_shell> create_workspace -flow physical_only mylib_po

To create a workspace for the exploration flow, use the following command:
lm_shell> create_workspace -flow exploration mylib_explore

Note:
Unless you are using the exploration flow, you can have only one library
workspace open at a time. To remove the current library workspace
from memory without committing it to a saved cell library, use the
remove_workspace command.

See Also
• Library Workspace
• Analyzing the Library Source Files
• Using the Exploration Flow
• Verifying Libraries
• Modifying a Cell Library
• Creating an Aggregate Library

Specifying the Scale Factor

The scale factor specifies the number of database units per micron. An implementation
tool uses the scale factor to convert floating point numbers into integers when storing data
in the cell libraries and design libraries. When the tool saves a floating point number, it
multiplies the number by the scale factor and then rounds the number to an integer. When
the tool retrieves the number, it divides the number by the scale factor. For example, if the
scale factor is 1000, the tool stores a value of 0.0032 as 3 (0.0032 * 1000 = 3.2, which
rounds to 3). The tool retrieves this value as 0.003 (3 / 1000).
If the scale factor is not large enough, the precision of specified coordinates might be
affected. For example, assume that you create a net shape with the following command:
prompt> create_shape -shape_type rect -layer M1 \
-boundary {{0.500 0.500} {0.5053 0.5053}}

With a scale factor of 1000, the bounding box is stored as {500 500} {505 505}, instead
of {5000 5000} {5053 5053}. With a scale factor of 10000, the bounding box is stored as
{5000 5000} {5053 5053}.

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The scale factor for a library workspace must be a multiple of both the length precision
of the technology file associated with the workspace and the scale factor of the physical
library source files loaded into the workspace.
The default scale factor is 10000, which means that each database unit represents 1
Angstrom. However, the recommended scale factor is the technology length precision as
specified by the lengthPrecision attribute in the technology file. To use the technology
length precision as the scale factor, set the lib.setting.use_tech_scale_factor
application option to true before running the create_workspace command.
lm_shell> set_app_options \
-name lib.setting.use_tech_scale_factor -value true

If neither the default scale factor nor the technology length precision is appropriate for your
library, you can explicitly specify the scale factor by using the -scale_factor option with
the create_workspace command.
To determine the scale factor for an existing cell library, query its scale_factor attribute.

Loading the Technology Data

You can load the technology data for a cell library either by reading a technology file into
the library workspace, which is the preferred method, or by associating a technology
library with the library workspace.
• To load a technology file into a library workspace when you create the workspace, use
the -technology option with the create_workspace command.
For example, to use the normal flow to create a cell library named mylib that gets its
technology data from the my.tf technology file, use the following command:
lm_shell> create_workspace -technology my.tf mylib

• To load a technology file into an existing library workspace, use the read_tech_file
command.
For example, to load the my.tf technology file into the current library workspace, use
the following command:
lm_shell> read_tech_file my.tf

• To associate a technology library with a library workspace when you create the
workspace, use the -use_technology_lib option with the create_workspace
command.
For example, to use the normal flow to create a cell library named mylib that gets its
technology data from the mytech.ndm technology library, use the following command:
lm_shell> create_workspace -use_technology_lib mytech.ndm mylib

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• To associate a technology library with an existing library workspace, use the read_ndm
command to read the technology library into the library workspace.
For example, to associate the mytech.ndm technology library with the current library
workspace, use the following command:
lm_shell> read_ndm mytech.ndm

When you read a technology file into a library workspace, the tool performs syntax and
semantic checks on the contents of the technology file. The technology file checker has
two modes:
• User mode (the default)
In this mode, the tool downgrades the message severity for suspected errors for the
general user.
• Developer mode
In this mode, the tool increases the message severity for suspected errors for
the technology file developer to correct or waive. To enable this mode, set the
file.tech.library_developer_mode application option to true.

When you load technology data into an existing library workspace,

• The new technology data overwrites any existing technology data, whether from a
previous technology file or specified with Tcl commands
• The library manager verifies that the frame views in the library workspace are
consistent with the new technology data
Caution:
The technology file does not contain all of the technology data required to
perform placement and routing. For information about specifying the missing
information, see Physical Rules File Syntax.

See Also
• Technology Data Access
• Creating a Library Workspace

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Completing the Technology Data

The technology file does not contain all of the data required for placement and routing.
The following topics describe how to add the missing technology data to a cell library:
• Preparing Site Definitions
• Preparing Routing Layers
Note:
In many cases, the LEF file defines the required attributes. You must manually
set these attributes only if you load the physical data by reading a GDSII or
OASIS file or if the LEF file does not define these attributes.

Preparing Site Definitions

The following site attributes are required for placement, but are not defined in the
technology file:
• isDefault site attribute

This attribute identifies the default site for floorplanning. It must be set only on the
default site.
For example, to set the site definition named unit as the default site for floorplanning,
use the following command:
lm_shell> set_attribute [get_site_defs unit] is_default true

• symmetry site attribute

This attribute defines the site symmetry requirement for cell placement. It must be set
on all sites defined in the technology file. The attribute value is a list that contains one
or more of the following values:
◦ X - the site can be flipped about the x-axis

◦ Y - the site can be flipped about the y-axis

◦ R90 - the site can be rotated 90 degrees

For example, to specify that the site definition named unit can be flipped about the x-
axis, set its symmetry attribute as follows:
lm_shell> set_attribute [get_site_defs unit] symmetry {X}

To specify that it can be flipped about both the x- and y-axis and can be rotated 90
degrees, use the following command:
lm_shell> set_attribute [get_site_defs unit] symmetry {X Y R90}

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In general, the LEF file defines these site attributes, and the library manager automatically
sets them when you read the LEF file. If you load the physical data by reading a GDSII
or OASIS file or if the LEF file does not define these attributes, use the set_attribute
command to set them manually.
To report the site definitions, use the report_site_defs command.
Note:
The cell library contains only single-height site definitions. The Fusion Compiler
and IC Compiler II tools use the single-height site definition for both single-
height cells and multiple-height cells.

Preparing Routing Layers

The following layer attributes are required for routing, but are not defined in the technology
file:
• routing_direction layer attribute

This attribute identifies the preferred routing direction for the layer. Valid values for this
attribute are horizontal, vertical, diagonal_45, and diagonal_135. For example,
to set the preferred routing direction for the M2 layer as horizontal, use the following
command:
lm_shell> set_attribute [get_layers M2] \
routing_direction horizontal

Note:
You can also specify the routing_direction layer attribute in the physical
rules file. For information about the syntax of the physical rules file, see
Physical Rules File Syntax. For information about loading a physical rules
file, see Loading the Physical Rules File.
• track_offset layer attribute

This attribute defines the offset in microns used to create the routing grid for the layer.
The first routing track is located at the specified distance from the placement grid
origin. For example, to set the track offset for the M2 layer as 0.1 micron, use the
following command:
lm_shell> set_attribute [get_layers M2] track_offset 0.1

In general, the LEF file defines these layer attributes, and the library manager
automatically sets them when you read the LEF file. If you load the physical data by
reading a GDSII or OASIS file or if the LEF file does not define these attributes, use the
set_attribute command to set them manually.

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Loading Parasitic Parameters

The RC coefficients for a specific technology are represented by TLUPlus models, which
are stored in a TLUPlus file or a common technology file. The TLUPlus models enable
accurate RC extraction results by including the effects of width, space, density, and
temperature on the resistance and capacitance coefficients.
To read the TLUPlus models into the library workspace, use the read_parasitic_tech
command. You must specify the files that contain the TLUPlus models by using the -tlup
option. If you specify the files with a relative path or with no path, the library manager uses
the search path defined with the search_path variable to locate the files.
If the layer names in the TLUPlus or common technology file do not match the layer
names in the technology file, you must use the -layermap option to specify the layer
mapping file. The layer mapping file uses the following format:
conducting_layers
tf_metal_layer_name1 ITF_metal_layer_name1
...
tf_metal_layer_namen ITF_metal_layer_namen

via_layers
tf_via_layer_name1 ITF_via_layer_name1
...
tf_via_layer_namen ITF_via_layer_namen

To include comments in the layer mapping file, start the line with an asterisk (*) or pound
sign (#).
After you read in a TLUPlus or common technology file, it is identified by its parasitic
technology model name. By default, the parasitic technology model name is the base
name of the specified file; however, you can specify a different name by using the -name
option.
For example, to read in a TLUPlus file named my.tlup using a layer mapping file named
my.layermap and store it in the workspace with a parasitic technology model name of
para1, use the following command:
lm_shell> read_parasitic_tech -tlup my.tlup \
-layermap my.layermap -name para1

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Loading Signal Electromigration Constraints

The signal electromigration constraints are defined in either an Interconnect Technology
Format (ITF) file or an Advanced Library Format (ALF) file. To load these constraints into
the library workspace, use the read_signal_em_constraints command.
• By default, the command assumes that the file is in ITF format.
For example, to load the electromigration constraints from an ITF file named em.itf, use
the following command:
lm_shell> read_signal_em_constraints em.itf

• To read an ALF file, use the -format ALF option.

To load the electromigration constraints from an ALF file named em.alf, use the
following command:
lm_shell> read_signal_em_constraints -format ALF em.alf

If the library workspace already contains signal electromigration constraints, they are
replaced by the constraints in the new file.

Loading the Logic Data

The logic data is stored in logic libraries, which contain the timing, power, and functionality
information for the standard cells and macro cells in the cell library. The supported timing
model formats are generic CMOS, nonlinear delay model (NLDM), and Composite Current
Source (CCS).
A cell library should contain this information for all necessary characterization points
(voltages and temperatures for a given process setting). If these characterization points
are represented in multiple logic libraries, you must load all of these logic libraries into a
single library workspace.
Caution:
If multiple cell libraries contain a library cell with the same name, the tool uses
the data from the first cell library in which it finds the cell, and it ignores that
cell’s data in all other cell libraries. This phenomenon is referred to as cell
shadowing.
Before loading logic libraries into the library workspace, ensure that they have been
validated with the Library Compiler check_library command. Note that you must have a
Library Compiler license to run this command.

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To load logic libraries into the library workspace, use the read_db command.
For example, to load the db1_pvt1.db file, use the following command:
lm_shell> read_db db1_pvt1.db

To load all the .db files in the current directory, use the following command:
lm_shell> read_db [glob *.db]

If you specify the files with a relative path or with no path, the tool uses the search path
defined with the search_path variable to locate the files.
When you load a logic library into a library workspace, the library manager performs the
following tasks:
• Creates timing views in the library workspace for each of the blocks in the library
source file
• Saves the logic library attribute settings for the library, library cells, and library cell pins
in the library workspace
If you load more than one logic library into a workspace, the first logic library that you read
is considered the base library. The tool uses the base library for many consistency checks
among the logic libraries loaded for a workspace. If an attribute is defined in more than
one logic library, the tool uses the value from the first logic library in which the attribute is
defined.
By default, the tool processes all of the cells defined in the library source file. To process a
subset of the cells, filter the cells as described in Specifying Which Blocks to Process.
By default, the generated cell library contains the timing views generated from all of the
logic libraries loaded into the library workspace. To filter the logic libraries based on your
design operating corners, use the set_pvt_configuration command, as described in
Filtering Logic Libraries Based on Operating Corners.

See Also
• Pane
• Defining the Search Path
• Identifying the Process Associated With a Logic Library

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Identifying the Process Associated With a Logic Library

When you load a logic library, the library manager uses the following information to identify
the process associated with the pane:
• The process label
The library manager uses the following order of precedence to determine the process
label:
◦ The -process_label option specified with the read_db command
◦ The process_label attribute defined in the operating_conditions group for the
default operating conditions in the logic library
• The process number
The library manager determines the process number from the nom_process attribute
for the library. If this attribute is not specified in the library, the library manager sets the
process number to 1.0.
If two or more libraries have the same process label, process number, voltage values, and
temperature values, the tool uses only the pane generated for the first library, and ignores
the rest. To prevent panes from being ignored, assign a unique process identifier to each
pane. To set the process number or process label after loading a logic library, use the
set_process command.

For example, to read the db1.db logic library and set a process label of PVT1 on the
generated pane, use the following command:
lm_shell> read_db -process_label PVT1 db1.db

To set a process label of PVT2 on the generated pane after reading the logic library, use
the following command:
lm_shell> set_process -libraries {db1} -label PVT2

Filtering Logic Libraries Based on Operating Corners

By default, the generated cell library contains the timing information from all logic libraries
loaded into the library workspace. To include only the timing information that matches the
valid operating corners (process, voltage, and temperature values) for your design, define
a PVT configuration for the cell library.
A PVT configuration is a sequence of rules, each of which specifies the process labels,
process numbers, voltages, and temperatures to match. If you want all the data that
matches a specific set of operating corners, a single rule is sufficient. If you want to match
a specific subset of many operating corners, you must specify multiple rules.

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To define a PVT configuration rule, use the set_pvt_configuration command.

• To create a new rule, use the -add option.
By default, the command uses the rule_n naming convention. To specify the rule name,
use the -name option.
• To modify an existing rule, use the -rule option to specify the rule name.
• To add filters to a rule, use one or more of the following options: -process_labels,
-process_numbers, -voltages, and -temperatures.

• To remove filters from a rule, use the -clear_filter option.

For example, to create a PVT configuration rule that allows any process setting, voltages
of 0.65 or 1.32 volts, and a temperature of 25 degrees, use the following command:
lm_shell> set_pvt_configuration -add \
-voltages {0.65 1.32} -temperatures {25}

Note that this command does not affect loading of the logic libraries. It affects only which
logic libraries are actually used by the cell library. If you change the PVT configuration, the
library manager adjusts the logic library usage appropriately.
To see the logic libraries loaded into the library workspace, use the get_libs command.
To see which logic libraries are actually used by the library workspace based on the PVT
configuration, use the report_workspace command.

Loading Extracted Timing Models

An extracted timing model (ETM) contains the timing information for a design for a single
mode and characterization point. The extracted timing model must be in .db format and
must meet the following additional requirements:
• It must be generated by the PrimeTime tool.
• It must contain a single design.
• It must not contain a mode definition.
• The dont_touch and dont_use attributes for the design must be set to true.
• The design must have at least one of the following attribute settings:
◦ The timing_model_type attribute has a value of extracted
◦ The interface_timing attribute has a value of true
To load extracted timing models into the library workspace to create timing views, use the
read_db command to load the models in .db format.

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You must use the -mode_label option with these commands to specify the mode
associated with the timing arcs and generated clocks defined in the model.
For example, to read the .db file for the model1 extracted timing model, use the following
command:
lm_shell> read_db -mode_label functional model1.db

If you specify the model files with a relative path or with no path, the tool uses the search
path defined with the search_path variable to locate the files.

Loading the Physical Data

The physical data includes the geometric shapes for the library cells (standard cells or
macro cells). The library manager uses this information to generate the place-and-route
information (frame views) for the cells.
The physical data can be in LEF, GDSII, or OASIS format. In addition, you can load the
physical data from an existing physical library or cell library, or from the FRAM views
exported from the IC Compiler tool. To learn about loading physical libraries, see the
following topics:
• Reading LEF Files
• Reading GDSII or OASIS Files
• Loading Physical Data from an Existing Library
• Importing Milkyway FRAM Views From the IC Compiler Tool
Caution:
In some cases, the physical library source files do not provide all of the physical
information required to perform placement and routing. For information about
specifying the missing information, see Physical Rules File Syntax.

Reading LEF Files

LEF files contain the shape information for blocks, including the block type, associated
site definition, pins, and connectivity. To read a LEF file into the library workspace, use
the read_lef command. This command supports all versions of LEF through version 5.8.
When the command reads a LEF file, it creates design views for all of the blocks in the file.
For example, to read the myphys.lef file, use the following command:
lm_shell> read_lef myphys.lef

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If you specify the LEF file with a relative path or with no path, the library manager uses the
search path defined with the search_path variable to locate the file.
By default, the read_lef command
• Processes all of the cells defined in the library source file
To process a subset of the cells, filter the cells, as described in Specifying Which
Blocks to Process.
• Creates a design view for each processed block
By default, if a block already has a physical representation in the library workspace,
the tool creates a design view with a new name. To change this default behavior,
either use the -merge_action option to change the behavior for all blocks or use a
block mapping file to specify the behavior for specific blocks. For details, see Handling
Duplicate Physical Blocks.
By default, the read_lef command derives the block boundary from the OVERLAP
layer in the LEF file, if it exists. If it does not exist, the command derives the rectangular
block boundary from the SIZE statement in the LEF file. To derive the rectangular
cell boundary from the SIZE statement even if the OVERLAP layer exists, use the
-cell_boundary by_cell_size option.

If a block has PROPERTY definitions in the LEF file, the read_lef command saves the
properties as user-defined attributes of the block. By default, the command saves all
the block properties; to save only specific block properties, specify the property names
with the -properties option.
When the library manager reads a LEF file, it stores certain settings as attributes on
the blocks or block objects. To use the LEF file only to update the attribute settings on
the existing blocks in the library workspace, and not to create design views, use the
-merge_action attributes_only option.

• Assigns a site definition to each processed block

By default, the read_lef command assigns the site definitions for a block by matching
the block’s size to the site definition sizes. To match, the height and width of a block
must be an integer multiple of the height and width of the site definition. The command
uses the following priority to select the site definition for a block:
1. The default site definition
2. The block’s site definition in the LEF file
3. The smallest site definition
To force the command to use the block’s site definition in the LEF file, use the
-preserve_lef_cell_site option.

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If the height and width of a block does not match the size of any site definition, the tool
issues an error message.
• Fails if the LEF file contains layer information that conflicts with the technology file

See Also
• Defining the Search Path
• Validating the LEF File
• Determining the Block Types When Reading LEF Files
• Determining the Electrical Equivalence for PG Terminals When Reading LEF Files
Validating the LEF File
To analyze an input LEF file before loading it into the workspace, enable check-only mode
by using the -syntax_only option. The check-only mode provides diagnostic information
about the correctness and integrity of the LEF file. The check-only mode does not load any
information into the workspace.
lm_shell> read_lef -syntax_only myphys.lef

Determining the Block Types When Reading LEF Files

The read_lef command uses the mapping shown in Table 3 to convert the LEF CLASS
properties to design_type attributes for the processed blocks.

Table 3 LEF CLASS Property to design_type Attribute Mapping

LEF syntax design_type attribute

CLASS property Subtype

BLOCK N/A macro

BLACKBOX black_box
SOFT module

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LEF syntax design_type attribute

CLASS property Subtype

CORE N/A lib_cell

ANTENNACELL diode
FEEDTHRU feedthrough
SPACER filler
TIEHIGH lib_cell
TIELOW lib_cell
WELLTAP well_tap

COVER N/A cover

BUMP flip_chip_pad

ENDCAP BOTTOMLEFT corner

BOTTOMRIGHT corner
POST end_cap
PRE end_cap
TOPLEFT corner
TOPRIGHT corner

PAD N/A pad

AREAIO flip_chip_driver
INOUT pad
INPUT pad
OUTPUT pad
POWER pad
SPACER pad_spacer

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LEF syntax design_type attribute

CLASS property Subtype

RING N/A macro

Determining the Electrical Equivalence for PG Terminals When Reading LEF Files
By default, the read_lef command does not calculate the electrical equivalence (EEQ)
setting for the PG terminals. To calculate the EEQ setting for the PG terminals, use the
-create_eeq_setting_for_block_and_pad option. By default, when the library manager
calculates the EEQ setting, it considers the direction of the PG port. To ignore the port
direction, use the -ignore_pg_direction_for_eeq option.
Resolving Site Definition Conflicts When Reading LEF Files
If the LEF file contains site information that differs from the site information in the
technology file loaded into the library workspace, the read_lef command fails to load the
LEF file. Use one of the following methods to resolve the conflicts so you can load the LEF
file:
• If the files contain sites with the same definitions, but different names, you can specify
the site name mapping by using the -convert_sites option with the read_lef
command. For example, to change the site name in the myphys.lef file from unit to
new_unit, use the following command:
lm_shell> read_lef -convert_sites {unit new_unit} myphys.lef

• If the files contain sites with the same names, but different definitions, you can
enable the tool to automatically rename conflicting site names by setting the
file.lef.auto_rename_conflict_sites application option to true before running
the read_lef command.
When you enable this option, the tool uses the following naming convention to rename
the conflicting site names:
lef_file_name.site_name[_n]

The numeric suffix is added only if required to make the site name unique.

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Reading GDSII or OASIS Files

GDSII and OASIS files are similar in that they contain physical shape information for the
blocks, but do not contain information about the block type, associated site definition, pins,
or connectivity.
• To read one or more GDSII files into the library workspace and perform connectivity
analysis, use the read_gds command.
• To read one or more OASIS files into the library workspace and perform connectivity
analysis, use the read_oasis command.
If you specify a library source file with a relative path or with no path, the library manager
uses the search path defined with the search_path variable to locate the file.
For example, to read the myphys.gds file, use the following command:
lm_shell> read_gds myphys.gds

When the tool reads a library source file in GDSII or OASIS format, it assumes that all of
the blocks are standard cells and all of the pins are signal pins. It generates a layout view
for each block in the file. If it finds a duplicate block, it creates a layout view with a new
name. The tool then performs connectivity analysis to determine the pins and connectivity
information and generates a design view for each block.
Caution:
GDSII and OASIS files do not provide all of the physical information required to
perform placement and routing. At a minimum, you must specify the block type
and site definition for the blocks in the GDSII or OASIS file.
The following topics describe how to modify the behavior of the read_gds and
read_oasis commands:

• Resolving Layer Differences

• Specifying Which Blocks to Process
• Handling Duplicate Physical Blocks
• Specifying the Block Types When Reading GDSII or OASIS Files
• Specifying the Site Definitions When Reading GDSII or OASIS Files
• Defining the Standard Cell Boundaries
• Identifying Power and Ground Pins
• Completing the Information for I/O Cells
• Editing Layout Views Before Performing Connectivity Analysis

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• Controlling the Connectivity Analysis of Layout Views

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Resolving Layer Differences

When you read a GDSII or OASIS file, the tool assumes that the layer names are the
same in the library source file and the technology file loaded into the library workspace.
• If the layers are the same, but have different names, you must provide a layer mapping
file, as described in Mapping Source File Layers to Technology File Layers.
• If the library source file contains layers that are not defined in the technology file, the
tool creates new layers. For information about other ways to handle this situation, see
Handling Extra Layers in the Library Source File.
Mapping Source File Layers to Technology File Layers
If the layer names differ between the library source file and the technology file, you must
provide a layer mapping file. For information about the syntax of the layer mapping file,
see Layer Mapping File Syntax.
Use one of the following methods to specify the layer mapping file:
• Use the set_layer_map_file -format gds command to load the layer mapping file
into the library workspace
lm_shell> set_layer_map_file -format gds -map_file file_name

When you load a layer mapping file into the library workspace, it is used by both the
read_gds and read_oasis commands.

• Use the -layer_map option with the read_gds or read_oasis command

lm_shell> read_gds -layer_map file_name myphys.gds

Handling Extra Layers in the Library Source File

To prevent the tool from creating new layers, use the -read_always false option with the
read_gds or read_oasis command. When you use this option, the command fails if the
library source file contains layers that are not defined in the technology file. To modify this
behavior, use one of the following options with the -read_always false option:
• -mapped_layers_only

In this case, the command loads only those layers specified in the layer mapping file
and ignores all other layers defined in the library source file.
• -ignore_missing_layers

In this case, the command loads only those layers defined in the technology file and
ignores all other layers defined in the library source file.
You can also set these options in the layer mapping file, as described in Layer Mapping
File Syntax. If you specify these options both on the command line and in the layer
mapping file, the settings in the layer mapping file override the command-line settings.

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Specifying the Block Types When Reading GDSII or OASIS Files

GDSII and OASIS files do not specify the block type for the blocks defined in the file.
When you read a GDSII or OASIS file, the tool assumes all blocks are standard cells and
sets their design_type attribute to lib_cell.
Use one of the following methods to specify the block type for the blocks in a GDSII or
OASIS file:
• Use the cell_type statement in the physical rules file
For information about the syntax of the physical rules file, see Physical Rules File
Syntax. For information about loading a physical rules file, see Loading the Physical
Rules File.
• Use a block mapping file
When you run the read_gds or read_oasis command, use the -block_map option to
specify the block mapping file. For information about the syntax of the block mapping
file, see Block Mapping File Syntax.
• Use the set_attribute command to set the design_type attribute on the library cell
Specifying the Site Definitions When Reading GDSII or OASIS Files
GDSII and OASIS files do not specify the site definition associated with the blocks defined
in the file. To enable successful placement and legalization, you must associate each
standard cell with a site definition.
Use one of the following methods to specify the site definition for the blocks in a GDSII or
OASIS file:
• Use the site statement in the physical rules file
For information about the syntax of the physical rules file, see Physical Rules File
Syntax. For information about loading a physical rules file, see Loading the Physical
Rules File.
• Use a block mapping file
When you run the read_gds or read_oasis command, use the -block_map option to
specify the block mapping file. For information about the syntax of the block mapping
file, see Block Mapping File Syntax.
• Use the set_attribute command to set the site_name attribute on the library cell.
For example, to associate the site definition named unit with all cells in the workspace,
use the following command:
lm_shell> set_attribute -objects [get_lib_cells */*/design] \
-name site_name -value unit

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Note:
Use the single-height site definition, which is often named unit, for both single-
height and multiple-height cells. The implementation tool automatically identifies
the polarity of the power and ground pins and places the single-height and the
multiple-height cells accordingly.
To report the site definitions in the technology data, use the report_site_defs command.
Defining the Standard Cell Boundaries
The height of a standard cell must be the same as the height of its site definition and the
width must be an integer multiple of the width of its site definition. When you read a GDSII
or OASIS file, the tool determines the boundary for each standard cell. If a boundary layer
is defined, the tool uses it to determine the standard cell boundary. Otherwise, the tool
generates a default boundary.
In some cases, the cell boundary determined by the tool is not correct and you must adjust
it.
• If the boundary for a cell is not specified in the library source file and the cell layout
assumes shared power and ground pins, the default boundary generated by the tool
is incorrect. You must adjust the cell boundary by reducing it to the center line of the
pin geometries. Figure 6 shows the default and adjusted boundaries for a standard cell
with shared power and ground pins.

Figure 6 Boundary for Standard Cell With Shared Power and Ground Pins

Use one of the following methods to shrink the default boundary:

◦ To automatically shrink the default boundary to the center line of the pin geometries
for all blocks, use the -centerline_boundary option with the read_gds or
read_oasis command.

◦ To shrink the default boundary for specific blocks, specify the

-centerline_boundary option in the block mapping file. For information about
the syntax of the block mapping file, see Block Mapping File Syntax. To specify the
block mapping file, use the -block_map option with the read_gds or read_oasis
command.

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• If the boundary for a cell is defined incorrectly in the library source file, manually specify
the boundary by using the set_attribute command to modify the bbox attribute of
the library cell. For example, the script shown in Example 1 reduces the boundary for a
set of library cells by 0.115 units on the left side, 0.051 units on the bottom, 0.115 units
on the right side, and 0.109 units on the top.

Example 1 Script to Resize Cell Boundaries

set cells_to_resize \
[get_lib_cells -include_subcells {libraryname/*/design } ]
set resize_parameters {-0.115 -0.051 -0.115 -0.051}
foreach_in_collection c $cells_to_resize {
set cname [get_attribute -objects [get_lib_cells $c] -name name]
puts "INFO: Resize boundary for $cname by \{$resize_parameters\}"
set existing_boundary \
[get_attribute -objects [get_lib_cells $c] -name boundary_bbox]
set new_boundary \
[get_attribute -objects \
[get_attribute [resize_polygons \
-objects [create_poly_rect -boundary $existing_boundary] \
-size "$resize_parameters"] \
-name poly_rects] \
-name point_list]
set_attribute [get_lib_cells $c] boundary $new_boundary
}

Identifying Power and Ground Pins

GDSII and OASIS files do not specify the pin types. When you read a GDSII or OASIS file,
the tool assumes that all pins in the library source file are signal pins. To identify power
and ground pins, you must map the pin name to its type. The mapping applies to all cells
in the GDSII or OASIS files.
You can specify the pin name mapping either in the physical rules file or by setting an
application option.
• To specify the pin name mapping in the physical rules file, use the following syntax:
stream_in_instructions () {
type : gds | oasis | both;
port_type_map(mapping_list);
}

• To specify the pin name mapping using an application option, use the following syntax:
lm_shell> set_app_options -name file.format.port_type_map \
-value { mapping_list }

where format is either gds or oasis.

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In either method, each item in the mapping_list argument uses the following format:
"port_type pin_name"

where
• port_type is one of power, gound, pwell, or nwell
In the physical rules file, items in the mapping_list argument are separated by a comma. In
the application option, they are separated by a space.
For example, to set all pins named VDD as power pins and all pins named VSS as ground
pins when reading GDSII files, either
• Include the following statements in the physical rules file:
stream_in_instructions () {
type : gds;
port_type_map("power VDD", "ground VSS");
}

• Use the following command:

lm_shell> set_app_options -name file.gds.port_type_map \
-value { "power VDD" "ground VSS" }

See Also
• Physical Rules File Syntax
Completing the Information for I/O Cells
GDSII and OASIS files contain only cell geometry information; therefore, if you load the
physical data by reading a GDSII or OASIS file, you must specify additional physical
information that is required for placement and routing.
I/O cells must have the following attributes to identify their physical characteristics:
• design_type library cell attribute

This attribute specifies the I/O cell type. I/O cells must have one of the following
settings for the design_type attribute: corner, pad, pad_spacer, flip_chip_driver,
or flip_chip_pad.
Use one of the following methods to set this attribute:
◦ Use the cell_type statement in the cell group in the physical rules file
◦ Use the set_attribute command

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• reference_orientation library cell attribute

This attribute specifies the orientation for proper placement of the I/O cell in the bottom
I/O guide. Modify this attribute to correct any I/O orientation issues.
• class terminal attribute

This attribute specifies the I/O pin type and is required for the flip-chip flow. Valid values
for the class attribute are bump, core, and none.
Editing Layout Views Before Performing Connectivity Analysis
In some cases, you might need to edit the layout views before performing connectivity
analysis. To do this,
1. Read the library source files without performing connectivity analysis by using the
-trace_option none option when you run the read_gds or read_oasis command.

2. Edit the layout views as described in Editing the Physical Layout.

3. Perform connectivity analysis by running the trace_connectivity command.
Controlling the Connectivity Analysis of Layout Views
The tool uses the text labels in the library source file to associate metal shapes with a
net or pin. If the text is not on the same layer as the metal shape, you must map the text
layers to the metal layers, as described in Mapping Text Layers. If certain layers are
used as exclude layers, which define geometries to remove from metal layers during
connectivity tracing, you must map the exclude layers to the metal layers, as described in
Mapping Exclude Layers.
The tool traces the connectivity of the labeled metal shapes to identify additional metal
shapes associated with that net or pin. It can trace connectivity for shapes that overlap
pin text, for shapes on the same layer as the pin text, or for shapes on all layers. By
default, the tool determines the pin tracing method based on the block type. To explicitly
specify the pin tracing method, use the -trace_option option with the read_gds or
read_oasis command or the -layer option with the trace_connectivity command.
Table 4 describes the supported methods, the keywords used to enable them, and the
default method for each block type.

Table 4 Pin Tracing Methods

Tracing method Cell types for which this is the de- -trace_option -layer Key-
fault tracing method Keyword word

Create terminal shapes only for Modules, macro cells, analog cells, pins_only pins_only
shapes that overlap pin text. and black box cells

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Tracing method Cell types for which this is the de- -trace_option -layer Key-
fault tracing method Keyword word

Trace the connectivity only on the Library cells, pad cells, corner cells, same_layer same
same layer as the pin text. pad spacer cells, cover cells, flip-
chip pads, flip-chip drivers, physical-
only cells, well tap cells, end cap
cells, diode cells, filler cells, and
metal fill

Trace the connectivity across all N/A all_layers all

1
layers.

Mapping Text Layers

If the text is not on the same layer as the metal shape, you must map the text layers to the
metal layers. When you specify a text layer mapping, you can restrict connectivity tracing
to only the mapped text layers by setting the use_only_mapped_text option.
You can specify the text layer mapping either in the physical rules file or by setting an
application option.
• To specify the text layer mapping in the physical rules file, use the following syntax:
stream_in_instructions () {
type : gds | oasis | both;
text_layer_map(mapping_list);
use_only_mapped_text : true | false;
}

• To specify the text layer mapping using application options, use the following syntax:
lm_shell> set_app_options \
-name file.format.text_layer_map -value { mapping_list }
lm_shell> set_app_options \
-name file.format.use_only_mapped_text -value true | false}

where format is either gds or oasis.

In either method, each item in the mapping_list argument uses the following format:
"metal_layer {text_layer1[:data_type1] [text_layer2[:data_type2] ...]"

where
• metal_layer and text_layer are the layer names in the technology file
• data_type, which is optional, is the data type number in the technology file
2
1. To reduce runtime, limit the number of geometries traced by setting the -trace_connectivity_limit option
or enable all-layer tracing only for specific pins by using the -trace_all_layers_for option.

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In the physical rules file, items in the mapping_list argument are separated by a comma. In
the application option, they are separated by a space.
For example, to map the M1PIN text layer to the M1 metal layer and the M2PIN text layer
to the M2 metal layer when reading GDSII files, either
• Include the following statements in the physical rules file:
stream_in_instructions () {
type : gds;
text_layer_map ("M1 M1PIN", "M2 M2PIN");
}

• Use the following command:

lm_shell> set_app_options -name file.gds.port_type_map \
-value { "M1 M1PIN" "M2 M2PIN" }

See Also
• Physical Rules File Syntax
Mapping Exclude Layers
If the GDSII or OASIS file contains layers that are used as exclude layers, which define
geometries to remove from metal layers during connectivity tracing, you must map the
exclude layers to the metal layers.
You can specify the exclude layer mapping either in the physical rules file or by setting an
application option.
• To specify the exclude layer mapping in the physical rules file, use the following syntax:
stream_in_instructions () {
type : gds | oasis | both;
exclude_layers("mapping_list");
}

• To specify the exclude layer mapping using application options, use the following
syntax:
lm_shell> set_app_options -name file.format.exclude_layers \
-value {mapping_list}

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where format is either gds or oasis.

In either method, each item in the mapping_list argument uses the following format:
"metal_layer:purpose {exclude_layer[:exclude_purpose][:mask_type]]"

where
• metal_layer and exclude_layer are the layer names in the technology file
• exclude_purpose, which is optional, is the purpose number in the technology file
• mask_type is the mask constraint of the geometries
Valid values are mask_one, mask_two, and mask_three.
In the physical rules file, items in the mapping_list argument are separated by a comma. In
the application option, they are separated by a space.
For example, to subtract the mask_one geometries on the EM1 layer from the mask_one
geometries on the M1 layer and the geometries on the EM2 layer from the geometries of
the same mask type on the M2 layer when reading GDSII files, either
• Include the following statements in the physical rules file:
stream_in_instructions () {
type : gds;
exclude_layers ("M1 EM1:mask_one", "M2 EM2");
}

• Use the following command:

lm_shell> set_app_options -name file.gds.exclude_layers \
-value { "M1 EM1:mask_one" "M2 EM2" }

See Also
• Physical Rules File Syntax
Layer Mapping File Syntax
The syntax used to specify the layer mapping in the layer mapping file is
[object_type] tf_layer[:tf_purpose][:use_type]
[:mask_type] stream_layer[:stream_data_type]

where
• object_type specifies the types of objects to which the mapping applies
Valid values are data (all non-text objects), text, and all. The default is all.

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• tf_layer is the layer number in the technology file, which is a required argument
• tf_purpose is the purpose number in the technology file
Valid values are either an integer value or the drawing keyword.
• use_type is the usage of the geometries in the design
Valid values are power, ground, signal, clock, boundary,
hard_placement_blockage, soft_placement_blockage, routing_blockage, and
area_fill.

• mask_type is the mask constraint of the geometries

Valid values for metal layers are mask_one, mask_two, mask_three, and mask_same.
Via layers have the following additional valid values: MASK_FOUR, MASK_FIVE,
MASK_SIX, MASK_SEVEN, MASK_EIGHT, MASK_NINE, MASK_TEN, MASK_ELEVEN,
MASK_TWELVE, MASK_THIRTEEN, MASK_FOURTEEN, and MASK_FIFTEEN.

• stream_layer is the layer number in the GDSII or OASIS file, which is a required
argument
• stream_data_type is the data type in the GDSII or OASIS file
To include comment lines in the layer mapping file, start the line with a semicolon (;).
The layer mapping file also supports the following optional statements to further control
how the read_gds or read_oasis command loads the library source files:
read_always true|false [-mapped_only] [-ignore_missing_layers]
blockage_as_zero_spacing true|false
cell_prop_attribute attribute_value
net_prop_attribute attribute_value
pin_prop_attribute attribute_value

Table 5 describes how these statements affect the behavior of the read_gds and
read_oasis commands. You can also specify most of these settings on the command line.
If you set an option both on the command line and in the layer mapping file, the setting in
the layer mapping file takes precedence.

Table 5 Additional Layer Mapping File Statements

Mapping file statement Command-line option Description

read_always true -read_always true The command loads all layers defined
in the library source file. If the library
source file contains layers that are
not defined in the technology file, the
command creates new layers.
This is the default behavior.

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Mapping file statement Command-line option Description

read_always false -read_always false The command issues an error message

and fails if the library source file
contains layers that are not defined in
the technology file.

read_always false -read_always false The command loads only those layers
-mapped_only -mapped_layers_only specified in the layer mapping file and
ignores all other layers defined in the
library source file.

read_always false -read_always false The command loads only those layers
-ignore_missing_layers -ignore_missing_layers defined in the technology file and
ignores all other layers defined in the
library source file.

blockage_as_zero_spacing N/A The command does not mark blockages

false read from the library source file as zero-
spacing blockages.
This is the default behavior.

blockage_as_zero_spacing N/A The command marks blockages read

true from the library source file as zero-
spacing blockages.

cell_prop_attribute -cell_property The command sets the cell instance

attribute_value attribute_value names by using the name associated
with the specified attribute value.

net_prop_attribute -net_property The command associates geometries

attribute_value attribute_value with nets by using the specified attribute
value.

pin_prop_attribute -pin_property The command associates geometries

attribute_value attribute_value with pins by using the specified attribute
value.

The following example shows a layer mapping file. The comments describe how the
statements affect the behavior of the read_gds and read_oasis commands.

Example 2 Layer Mapping File

; Disable new layer creation
read_always false

; Map GDSII or OASIS layer 10 with data type 2 to power net shapes
; on technology file layer 56 with a purpose of 4
data 56:4:power 10:2

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; Map GDSII or OASIS layers 31 and 32 with data type 0 to

; technology file layer 31 with a purpose of 0
data 31:0 31:0
data 31:0 32:0

Loading Physical Data from an Existing Library

To load the physical data from an existing physical library or cell library into the current
library workspace, use the read_ndm command. If the library contains technology data,
the command also loads this information. By default, the library manager loads all existing
physical views (design, frame, and layout) of the cells into the library workspace. To load
only specific views, use the -views option.
Note:
For the aggregate flow, the library manager ignores the -views option and
always loads all available views, including the timing views.
For example, to load the physical data from the myphys.frame physical library into the
current library workspace, use the following command:
lm_shell> read_ndm myphys.frame

When you load frame views into the library workspace, the library manager verifies that
they are consistent with any existing frame views in the library workspace and issues a
warning message if it finds inconsistencies.
Each time you run the command, you can specify only a single library; to load multiple
libraries, you must run the command multiple times. You cannot use this command to load
aggregate libraries.
You can specify the library path with an absolute path, a relative path, or no path. If you
use a relative path or no path, the library manager uses the search path to find the library.

Loading Physical Data from a Design Library

If you are using the ETM flow, you load the physical data for the extracted timing models
from the design library. To load the design library into the current library workspace, use
the read_ndm command.
Note:
You can load design libraries only when using the ETM flow; if you are using
another flow, the tool issues an error.
By default, the library manager loads all existing physical views (design, frame, and layout)
of the blocks with an empty label into the library workspace.
• To load only specific views, use the -views option.
• To load the blocks with a specific label, use the -label option.

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For example, to load the physical data for blocks with the empty label from the myblock
design library into the current library workspace, use the following command:
lm_shell> read_ndm myblock

To load the physical data for blocks with a label of mylabel from the myblock design library
into the current library workspace, use the following command:
lm_shell> read_ndm -label mylabel myblock

Note:
The generated library does not contain labels, regardless of the options used
with the read_ndm command.
When you load frame views from a design library, the library manager verifies that the
frame views in the design library are consistent with any existing frame views in the library
workspace and issues a warning message if it finds inconsistencies.
Each time you run the command, you can specify only a single library; to load multiple
libraries, you must run the command multiple times.
You can specify the library with an absolute path, a relative path, or no path. If you use a
relative path or no path, the library manager uses the search path to find the library.

Importing Milkyway FRAM Views From the IC Compiler Tool

If you do not have physical library source files, but do have Milkyway FRAM views in an
IC Compiler reference library, you can use these to create a physical library. You can then
use this physical library to create a cell library.
To create a physical library by importing Milkyway FRAM views from the IC Compiler tool,
1. In the IC Compiler tool, export the Milkyway FRAM views of a reference library by using
the export_icc2_frame command.
For example, to export all FRAM views of all reference libraries of the my_lib design
library, use the following commands:
icc_shell> open_mw_lib my_lib
icc_shell> export_icc2_frame

The IC Compiler tool writes out a set of files into a new directory named icc2_frame.
The generated files include the technology files and a tar file that contains the FRAM
views converted to LEF format.
2. In the Library Manager tool, create a library workspace by using the
create_workspace -flow frame command.

For example, to create a library workspace using the technology data exported from
the IC Compiler tool for the my_reflib reference library, use the following command:

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lm_shell> create_workspace -flow frame \

-technology /path/icc2_frame/data/TF/my_reflib.tf my_workspace

3. Import the converted FRAM views generated by the IC Compiler tool into the library
workspace by using the import_icc_fram command.
For example, to import the converted FRAM views exported from the IC Compiler tool
for the my_reflib reference library, use the following command:
lm_shell> import_icc_fram \
/path/icc2_frame/data/LEF/my_reflib.tar.gz

Note:
You cannot mix imported Milkyway FRAM data with other physical data,
such as LEF, GDSII, or OASIS data. If you use imported Milkyway FRAM
data, all physical data in the library workspace must come from imported
Milkyway FRAM data.
4. Validate the workspace, as described in Validating the Workspace.
5. Commit the workspace, as described in Committing the Workspace.

See Also
• Building Cell Libraries
• Loading Physical Data from an Existing Library

Specifying Which Blocks to Process

By default, when you load a library source file, the tool processes all of the cells defined in
the file. If you need to process only a subset of the cells, you can
• Exclude cells from processing
◦ Use the lib.workspace.exclude_design_filters application option to specify
the excluded blocks.
or
◦ Load all of the blocks into the library workspace and then remove the unwanted
blocks by using the remove_lib_cell command.
• Read only specific blocks when loading the source files
Use the lib.workspace.include_design_filters application option to specify the
blocks to read when loading the source files.

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Handling Duplicate Physical Blocks

To avoid adding duplicate blocks when reading LEF, GDSII, and OASIS files, use the
following options to specify how to handle these blocks. You can
• Ignore the duplicate block by using the -merge_action ignore option
• Replace the existing block with the new block by using the -merge_action overwrite
option
• Merge the geometries of the new block with the existing block by using the
-merge_action update option

• Add the block with a new name by using the -merge_action add option, which is the
default
• Specify the handling for specific blocks in a block mapping file by using the
-block_map file_name option

The settings in the block mapping file override the -merge_action setting. For
information about the block mapping file syntax, see Block Mapping File Syntax.

Block Mapping File Syntax

The syntax used to specify the block mapping in the block mapping file is
block_name[:rw_type[, flatten][:levels]] [block_type][-fixed_mask]
[-site_name site_name] [-centerline_boundary]

Note:
The read_lef command supports only the block_name and rw_type
arguments; it ignores all other arguments.
The arguments are defined as follows:
• block_name is the name of the block, which is required
You can use regular expressions to specify the block names; the read_lef, read_gds,
and read_oasis commands use glob-style pattern matching to identify the blocks.
When you use a block mapping file with the read_gds or read_oasis command, any
blocks that do not match a pattern in the block mapping file are loaded into the library
workspace as standard cells.

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• rw_type specifies how to load the block into the library workspace
This argument overrides the default behavior specified by the -trace_option option
of the read_gds or read_oasis command for the specified blocks. Valid values for this
argument are
◦ add

Creates a physical representation for the block; if a physical representation already

exists for the block, it creates a physical representation with a new name.
◦ ignore

Does not create a physical representation for the block. The read_gds and
read_oasis commands ignore this setting if the block is a subblock of a
hierarchical block.
◦ overwrite

Creates a new physical representation that replaces the existing physical

representation for the block.
◦ update

Updates the existing physical representation for the block by merging the new data
with the existing data.
◦ retain

Keeps the instance but does not create the reference library cell.
◦ flatten (supported only by the read_gds and read_oasis commands)

Flattens all the instances of the block.

You can specify flatten either as the rw_type argument or as a modifier for the
rw_type argument. If you specify flatten as the rw_type argument, the tool treats
this the same as if you specified add, flatten.
When you specify this keyword, by default, the read_gds and read_oasis
commands perform one level of flattening. To flatten more than one level of
hierarchy, specify the levels argument.
• levels specifies the number of levels to flatten
This argument is valid only when flattening is enabled.
• block_type is the block type; valid values are 3dic, abstract, analog, black_box,
corner, cover, diode, end_cap, feedthrough, fill, filler, flip_chip_driver,

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flip_chip_pad, lib_cell, macro, module, pad, pad_spacer, tsv, vib, and

well_tap.

If you do not specify this argument, the read_gds and read_oasis commands use a
type of lib_cell.
Note:
You can also specify the block type for a library cell by using the cell_type
statement in the cell group in the physical rules file or by using the
set_attribute command to set its design_type attribute

For more information about setting block types, see Specifying the Block Types When
Reading GDSII or OASIS Files.
• -fixed_mask sets the is_mask_shiftable attribute for the block to false

This argument overrides the -mask_fixed option of the read_gds or read_oasis

command for the specified blocks.
• -site_name sets the site_name attribute for the block to the specified value

Each standard cell in a library source file must be associated with a site definition. Use
this option to override the default site definition for a specific cell.
Note:
You can also specify the site definition for a library cell by using the site
statement in the cell group in the physical rules file or by using the
set_attribute command to set its site_name attribute

For more information about setting site definitions, see Specifying the Site Definitions
When Reading GDSII or OASIS Files.
• -centerline_boundary shrinks the default boundary to the center line of the pin
geometries for the block
This argument overrides the -centerline_boundary option of the read_gds or
read_oasis command for the specified blocks.

For more information about adjusting the block boundary, see Defining the Standard
Cell Boundaries.
To include comment lines in the block mapping file, start the line with a semicolon (;).
The following example shows a block mapping file. The comments describe how the
statements affect the behavior of the read_gds and read_oasis commands.

Example 3 Block Mapping File

; Load all blocks with CORE in their name as macro cells
*CORE*:add macro

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; Flatten all blocks with filler in their name

*filler*:flatten

; Flatten all blocks with MEM in their name two levels deep
*MEM*:flatten:2

; Ignore the rest of the blocks, they will be loaded only when they
; happen to be in a *CORE* block’s hierarchy
*:ignore

Physical Rules File Syntax

Stream file loading instructions and physical rules for a cell library are stored in a file called
the physical rules file (PRF). A physical rules file has the following syntax:

library (library_name) {
distance_unit : 1um | 1mm;
length_precision : 1 | 10 | 100 | 1000 | 10000;
unit_site_width : float;

stream_in_instructions () {
type : gds | oasis | both;
exclude_layers("mapping_list");
port_type_map("mapping_list");
text_layer_map("mapping_list");
trace_copy_overlap_shape_from_sub_cell : true | false;
trace_terminal_length : float;
trace_terminal_type : pg | signal | all;
trace_unmapped_text : true | false;
use_only_mapped_text : true | false;
}

site (site_name) {
width : float;
height : float;
type : core | pad;
symmetry ("list_of_symmetries");
is_default: true | false;
}

layer(layer_name) {
routing_direction: unknown | horizontal | vertical |
diagonal_45 | diagonal_135)
number_of_masks: 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4;
}

placement_rules (group_name) {
forbidden_horizontal_site_spacing(label1, label2, min, max);
forbidden_vertical_abutment_pairs(label1, "label1_1,
label1_2, ...");

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cell (cell_name) {
allowable_orientation : ("list_of_orientations");
cell_type : type;
is_mask_shiftable : true | false;

site : site_name;
horizontal_spacing_labels ("left_label, right_label", ...);
vertical_abutment_labels_top ("label_t1, label_t2, ...");
vertical_abutment_labels_bottom ("label_b1, label_b2, ...");

shape ( ) {
shape_use : detail_route;
layer_name : layer_name;
rectangle("llx, lly", "urx, ury");
polygon ("x1, y1", "x2, y2", …, "xn, yn");
}

pin (pin_name) {
direction : inout | input | internal | output;
port_type : signal | tie_high | tie_low | clock | reset |
analog_signal | scan | power | ground | analog_power |
analog_ground | nwell | pwell | deep_nwell | deep_pwell;
pg_type : primary | backup | internal;
is_secondary_pg : true | false;
connect_within_pin : none | via | via_wire;
is_diode : true | false;
is_em_via_ladder_required : true | false;
must_join_group("layer_name1, layer_name2...", group_name);
must_join_pin : pin_name;
pattern_must_join : true | false;

terminal ( ) {
layer_name : layer_name;
rectangle("llx, lly", "urx, ury");
polygon ("x1, y1", "x2, y2", ..., "xn, yn");
}

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distance_unit
The distance_unit statement defines the linear distance unit. Valid values
are 1um or 1mm. The value must correlate with the value specified for the
unitLengthName attribute in the technology file.

length_precision
The length_precision statement specifies the number of database units
per distance unit, thereby defining the precision of distance measurements
stored in the database. Valid values are 1, 10, 100, 1000, and 10000. For
example, if you set distance_unit to 1um and length_precision to 1000, the
database unit is 0.001 micron. Thus, all distance measurements are rounded
to the nearest 0.001 micron. The value must match the value specified for the
lengthPrecision attribute in the technology file.

unit_site_width
The unit_site_width statement specifies the placement site width. This value
is used by the horizontal cell spacing rule. If you specify horizontal cell spacing
rules but do not specify this attribute, the legalizer determines the placement site
width.
stream_in_instructions
The stream_in_instructions group specifies how to process the
information when loading GDSII or OASIS files. You can have at most two
stream_in_instructions groups, one for GDSII (type : gds) and one for
OASIS (type : oasis). The following table describes the statements available
in the stream_in_instructions group.

Figure 6 Statements in the stream_in_instructions Group

Statement Description

exclude_layers Specifies the rules for mapping between metal layers and the
layers that are used to exclude geometries from the specified
layers.
For more information about this statement, see Mapping
Exclude Layers.

port_type_map Identifies the power and ground pins by mapping the pin name
to its type. The mapping applies to all cells in the library source
file.
For more information about this statement, see Identifying
Power and Ground Pins.

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Statement Description

text_layer_map Maps the text layers to the metal layers so that the tool can
associate metal shapes with a net or pin when the text is not on
the same layer as the metal shapes.
For more information about this statement, see Mapping Text
Layers.

trace_copy_overlap_ shape_- Controls whether the commands duplicate a shape in a subblock

from_sub_cell to the top-level block when the shape is overlapped by termi-
nals.

trace_terminal_length Controls whether the commands split long pins on the block
boundary into a terminal and a net shape.
By default (0), the commands do not split long pins.
When set to a positive integer, the commands split pins that are
longer than the specified value. After splitting, the new terminal
is the specified length; the rest of the pin is converted to a net
shape.

trace_terminal_type Specifies the types of long pins that are considered for splitting.
By default, both PG and signal pins are considered.

trace_unmapped_text Controls whether the commands trace all routing layers for text
that is not mapped to any routing layer.

use_only_mapped_text Controls whether the commands use only the text specified by
the text_layer_map statement when tracing ports.

site
The site group defines a new site definition or modifies an existing site
definition. A physical rules file can contain multiple site groups. Each group
must have a unique name. If the site group name matches an existing site
definition in the library, the tool updates the existing definition. Otherwise, it
creates a new definition. To create a new definition, you must specify at least the
height and width statements.

The following table describes the statements available in the site group.

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Figure 6 Statements in the site Group

Statement Site definition attribute Description

Name of the site group name Specifies the name of the site definition.

width width Specifies the width of the site definition. This

statement is required when defining a new
site definition.

height height Specifies the height of the site definition. This

statement is required when defining a new
site definition.

type type Specifies the type of the site definition.

Valid values are core and pad. The default is
core.

symmetry symmetry Specifies whether the site definition is

symmetrical about the X-axis, Y-axis, or a
90-degree rotation.
You can specify one or more of the following
case-insensitive values: x, y, and r90. For
example, "x" or "y r90". By default there is
no symmetry.

is_default is_default Specifies whether the site definition is the

default site definition. There can be only one
default site definition for a library.
Valid values are true and false. The default
is false.

layer
The layer group specifies layer-specific information. The following table
describes the layer attributes you can specify in the physical rules file. The
group’s name must match an existing layer name in the technology data of the
library.

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Figure 6 Statements to Set Layer Attributes

Statement Layer attribute Description

routing_direction routing_direction Specifies the routing direction for the layer.

Valid values are horizontal, vertical, d-
iagonal_45, and diagonal_135. The default
is unknown.

number_of_masks number_of_masks Specifies the number of multipatterning

masks supported on the layer.
Valid values are 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4. The default is
0.

placement_rules
The placement_rules group specifies a placement rule for the library. A
physical rules file can contain multiple placement_rules groups. Each group
must have a unique name.
You can specify the following types of placement rules in the physical rules file:
• Horizontal cell spacing rule
The forbidden_horizontal_site_spacing statement defines a horizontal
spacing rule. You can specify multiple horizontal spacing rules. Each rule is
identified by a unique label. The rules are assigned to specific cells by setting
the horizontal_spacing_labels attribute in the cell group. For detailed
information, see Horizontal Cell Spacing Rule.
• Vertical pin abutment rule
The forbidden_vertical_abutment_pairs statement defines a vertical
abutment rule. You can specify multiple vertical abutment rules. Each rule is
identified by a unique label. The rules are assigned to specific cells by setting
the vertical_abutment_labels attribute in the cell group. For detailed
information, see Vertical Abutment Rule.
cell
The cell group specifies cell-specific information, including library cell
attributes, cell-specific settings for placement rules, and library pin attributes.

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The following topics describe specific attributes and geometries in the physical
rules file syntax:
• Library Cell Attributes
• Routing Shape Geometries
• Library Pin Attributes
• Pin Terminal Geometries

Horizontal Cell Spacing Rule

A horizontal cell spacing rule defines the valid spacing between standard cells.
Horizontal cell spacing rules are implemented by attaching labels, which are similar to
attributes, to the left and right sides of library cells, assuming that the cell is in its north
(R0) orientation, and specifying the invalid spacings between these labels.
To define horizontal cell spacing rules,
1. Add labels to the library cells that have spacing constraints by using the
horizontal_spacing_labels statement in the affected cell groups. This statement
has the following syntax:
horizontal_spacing_labels (left_label, right_label, ...);

You must specify the labels as left-right pairs. If you specify only one pair, the labels
apply to all rows. Otherwise, you must specify the label pairs for all rows, starting with
the bottom row in R0 orientation.
If there is no horizontal spacing requirement on a side, specify NONE as the label. You
can assign multiple labels to a library cell.
For example, to assign a label named X to the right side of the cellA library cell and the
left side of the cellB and cellC library cells and a label named Y to the right side of the
cellC library cell, use the following statements:
cell (cellA) {
horizontal_spacing_labels (NONE, X);
}
cell (cellB) {
horizontal_spacing_labels (X, NONE);
}
cell (cellC) {
horizontal_spacing_labels (X, Y);
}

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2. Define the spacing requirements between the labels by using

forbidden_horizontal_site_spacing statements in the placement_rules group.
This statement has the following syntax:
forbidden_horizontal_site_spacing(label1, label2, min, max);

You must specify exactly two labels in each forbidden_horizontal_site_spacing

statement. You can specify any of the labels defined by the
horizontal_spacing_labels statements. The two labels can be the same or
different.
You must also specify the range of invalid spacings, in number of placement sites. The
max value must be greater than or equal to the min value.
For example, the following statement specifies that there must be at least one
placement site between labels X and Y (they cannot abut):
placement_rules (group1) {
forbidden_horizontal_site_spacing(X, Y, 0, 0);
}

The following statement specifies that there must be at least one placement site
between X labels and any boundary:
placement_rules (group1) {
forbidden_horizontal_site_spacing(X, SNPS_BOUNDARY, 0, 0);
}

The following statement specifies that two X labels cannot have a spacing of two
placement sites:
placement_rules (group1) {
forbidden_horizontal_site_spacing(X, X, 2, 2);
}

The following statement specifies that labels X and Z must have a spacing of less than
two placement sites or more than four placement sites:
placement_rules (group1) {
forbidden_horizontal_site_spacing(X, Z, 2, 4);
}

See Also
• Defining Cell Spacing Constraints for Legalization

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Vertical Abutment Rule

A vertical abutment rule defines illegal site alignments for vertically abutted standard cells
to avoid DRC violations or pin access issues.
Vertical abutment rules are implemented by attaching label patterns to the top and bottom
sides of library cells, assuming that the cell is in its north (R0) orientation, and specifying
pairs of labels that cannot abut.
To define vertical pin abutment rules,
1. Define the illegal label pairs by using forbidden_vertical_abutment_pairs
statements in the placement_rules group. Each statement specifies the labels that
cannot abut a specific label. This statement has the following syntax:
forbidden_vertical_abutment_pairs(label,
"illegal_label1,illegal_label2, ...");

For example, the following statement specifies that sites with label 1 cannot abut sites
with label 1 or 2:
placement_rules (rule2) {
forbidden_vertical_abutment_pairs (1, "1, 2");
}

The following statement specifies that sites with label 2 cannot abut sites with label 2:
placement_rules (rule2) {
forbidden_vertical_abutment_pairs (2, "2");
}

2. Add label patterns to the library cells that have abutment constraints by using the
vertical_abutment_labels_top and vertical_abutment_labels_bottom
statements in the affected cell groups. These statements have the following syntax:
vertical_abutment_labels_top ("label_t1, label_t2, ...");
vertical_abutment_labels_bottom ("label_b1, label_b2, ...");

The number of labels in the pattern depends on the cell width in placement sites. For
example, if a cell is three placement sites wide, the pattern includes three labels. You
can specify multiple patterns for a cell by specifying the statements multiple times.
For example, to assign a pattern of 2 2 0 to the top and bottom of the cellA library cell,
a pattern of 0 0 0 to the top of the cellB library cell, and a pattern of 0 1 1 to the bottom
of the cellB library cell, use the following statements:
placement_rules (rule2) {
forbidden_vertical_abutment_pairs (1, "1, 2");
forbidden_vertical_abutment_pairs (2, "2");
}
...
cell (cellA) {

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vertical_abutment_labels_top ("2, 2, 0");

vertical_abutment_labels_bottom ("2, 2, 0");
}
cell (cellB) {
vertical_abutment_labels_top ("0, 0, 0");
vertical_abutment_labels_bottom ("0, 1, 1");
}

Figure 7 shows some illegal and legal abutments between the cellA and cellB library cells
based on this definition.

Figure 7 Vertical Abutment Rule

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 1
2 2 0 2 2 0 2 2 0

2 2 0 2 2 0 2 2 0
Illegal abutment Illegal abutment Legal abutment

Library Cell Attributes

The following table describes the statements available in the cell group for setting library
cell attributes.

Table 9 Statements to Set Cell Attributes

Statement Library cell attribute Description

allowable_orientation allowable_orientation Specifies the allowable orientations for the

library cell.
Valid values are R0, R90, R180, R270, MX,
MXR90, MY, and MYR90.

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Statement Library cell attribute Description

cell_type design_type Specifies the design type of the library cell.

Valid values are 3dic, abstract, analog, b-
lack_box, corner, cover, diode, end_cap,
feedthrough, fill, filler, flip_chip_d-
river, flip_chip_pad, lib_cell, macro, m-
odule, pad, pad_spacer, tsv, vib, and wel-
l_tap.

is_mask_shiftable is_mask_shiftable Specifies whether the library cell is mask

shiftable.
Valid values are true and false.

site site_name Specifies the site definition associated with

the library cell.
The value must be one of the site definitions
in the technology data for the library. To
report the site definitions in the technology
data, use the report_site_defs command.

Routing Shape Geometries

The following table describes the statements available in the shape group to define routing
shapes. A cell group can contain multiple shape groups.
Note:
The write_physical_rules command outputs the shape group syntax into a
physical rules file only when the shape_use attribute is set to detail_route.
See Writing the Physical Rules File.
The read_physical_rules command ignores the shape group syntax.

Table 10 Statements in the shape Group

Statement Shape attribute Description

shape_use shape_use Specifies the usage of the shape.

The only valid value is detail_route and
specifies that the shape is used for detail
routed signal nets.

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Statement Shape attribute Description

layer_name layer_name Specifies the layer on which the shape

exists.

rectangle Specifies the bounding box of a rectangular

shape.
(llx, lly) are the lower-left coordinates and
(urx, ury) are the upper-right coordinates. A
shape group contains either a rectangle or
a polygon statement.

polygon Specifies the boundary of a rectilinear shape.

(x1, y1), (x2, y2) , …, (xn, yn) are the
polygon coordinates. A shape group contains
either a rectangle or a polygon statement.

Library Pin Attributes

The following table describes the statements available in the pin groups of a cell group
for setting library pin attributes.

Table 11 Statements to Set Cell Pin Attributes

Statement Library pin attribute Description

direction direction Specifies the direction of the library pin.

Valid values are inout, input, internal, or
output.

port_type port_type Specifies the type of the library pin.

Valid values are signal, tie_high,
tie_low, clock, reset, analog_signal, s-
can, power, ground, analog_power, analo-
g_ground, nwell, pwell, deep_nwell, or d-
eep_pwell.

pg_type pg_type Specifies the PG type of the library pin.

Valid values are primary, backup, or int-
ernal.

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Statement Library pin attribute Description

is_secondary_pg is_secondary_pg Specifies whether the library pin is a

secondary PG pin.
Valid values are true and false.

connect_within_pin connect_within_pin Specifies the conditions under which a pin

connection must be made within the pin
shape.
Valid values are none, via, and via_wire.

is_diode is_diode Specifies whether the library pin is a diode

port.
Valid values are true and false.

is_em_via_ladder_required is_em_via_ladder_required Specifies whether the library pin requires an

electromigration via ladder candidate.
Valid values are true and false.

must_join_group must_join_group Specifies the must-join group to which the

pin belongs and the layers on which this
Note: setting applies. To set this attribute on the
This attribute is set on the terminals on all layers, use * as the layer
terminals of the library pin, name.
rather than on the library
pin.

must_join_pin must_join_port Specifies the must-join port of the library pin.

pattern_must_join pattern_must_join Specifies whether the library pin requires a

pattern-must-join connection.
Valid values are true and false.

Pin Terminal Geometries

The following table describes the statements available in the terminal group to define pin
terminal geometries. A pin group can contain multiple termianl groups.
Note:
The read_physical_rules command ignores the terminal group syntax.
The write_physical_rules command can output the terminal group syntax
into a physical rules file. See Writing the Physical Rules File.

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Table 12 Statements to Set Terminal Attributes

Statement Terminal attribute Description

layer_name layer_name Specifies the layer on which the terminal

exists.

rectangle Specifies the bounding box of a rectangular

terminal.
(llx, lly) are the lower-left coordinates and
(urx, ury) are the upper-right coordinates. A
terminal group contains either a rectangle
or a polygon statement.

polygon Specifies the boundary of a rectilinear

terminal.
(x1, y1), (x2, y2) , …, (xn, yn) are the
polygon coordinates. A terminal group
contains either a rectangle or a polygon
statement.

Loading the Physical Rules File

A physical rules file specifies stream-in instructions, library-level rules, and cell- and
pin-level rules and attributes. For details about the syntax of the physical rules file, see
Physical Rules File Syntax.
You must load the data from the physical rules file before performing the step in which the
data is used.
• The stream-in instructions are used when you read GDSII or OASIS files.
• The rules and attributes specified in the physical rules file are applied to the library
when you run the check_workspace command.

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To load the physical rules file,

1. Specify the location of the Library Compiler executable by setting the
file.lib.library_compiler_exec_script application option.

2. Read the physical rules file by using the read_physical_rules command.

For example,
lm_shell> set_app_options \
-name file.lib.library_compiler_exec_script \
-value /LC/linux64/bin/lc_shell
lm_shell> read_physical_rules new.prf

By default, the read_physical_rules command reads the library-level rules and the
cell- and pin-level rules and attributes. You should load this information after loading the
physical data. To control the content loaded by the read_physical_rules command, use
the -include option, which takes one or more of the following values:
• all

Loads all information from the physical rules file.

• cell

Loads only the cell- and pin-level rules and attributes from the physical rules file.
• instructions

Loads only the stream-in instructions from the physical rules file. You must load this
information before reading GDSII or OASIS files.
• layer

Loads only the layer attributes from the physical rules file.
• library

Loads only the library-level rules from the physical rules file.
• pin_attr

Loads the direction, port_type, pg_type, and is_secondary_pg pin attributes.

When you specify the pin_attr value, you must also specify the cell value;
otherwise, the tool issues a warning message.
• placement_rule

Loads only the placement rules from the physical rules file.
• site

Loads only the site definitions from the physical rules file.

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To write the library information from the library workspace into a physical rules file, use the
write_physical_rules command. See Writing the Physical Rules File.

Writing the Physical Rules File

The write_physical_rules command writes the library, cell, and pin-level rules and
attributes in the library workspace into a physical rules file. For details about the syntax of
the physical rules file, see Physical Rules File Syntax.
To control the content written by the write_physical_rules command, use the
-include option, which takes one or more of the following values:

• all

Writes all information into the physical rules file.

• cell

Writes only the cell- and pin-level rules and attributes into the physical rules file.
• instructions

Writes only the stream-in instructions into the physical rules file.
• layer

Writes only the layer attributes into the physical rules file.
• library

Writes only the library-level rules into the physical rules file.
• pin_attr

Writes the direction, port_type, pg_type, and is_secondary_pg pin attributes into
the physical rules file.
• placement_rule

Writes only the placement rules into the physical rules file.
• routing_blockage

Writes only the routing blockage rules into the physical rules file.
• shape

Writes only the routing shapes into the physical rules file.
• site

Writes only the site definitions into the physical rules file.

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• terminal

Writes only the terminals into the physical rules file.

To read the information from a physical rules file into the library workspace, use the
read_physical_rules command. See Loading the Physical Rules File.

Annotating Antenna Properties on Hard Macro Cells

To enable antenna checking on hard macro cells, use one of the following methods to
annotate hierarchical antenna properties on their ports:
• Automatically extract the antenna properties by enabling IC Validator antenna
extraction during the check_workspace command, as described in Automatic Antenna
Property Extraction Using the IC Validator Tool.
• Manually annotate the antenna properties on the hard macro ports by using the
set_port_antenna_property command, as described in Defining Antenna Properties
on Hard Macro Cells.

Automatic Antenna Property Extraction Using the IC Validator

Tool
To enable IC Validator antenna extraction during the check_workspace command,
perform the following tasks before running the check_workspace command:
• Specify the location of the IC Validator executable by setting the ICV_HOME_DIR
environment variable.
You can set this variable in your .cshrc file. To specify the location of the IC Validator
executable, use commands similar to those shown in the following example:
% setenv ICV_HOME_DIR /root_dir/icv
% set path = ($path $ICV_HOME_DIR/bin/AMD.64)

Make sure that the version of the IC Validator executable that you specify is compatible
with the Library Manager version that you are using.
For more information about the IC Validator tool, see the IC Validator documentation,
which is available on SolvNet.
• Set the signoff.antenna.enabled application option to true.
• Set signoff.antenna application options to control the extraction behavior.
For a summary of these options, see Antenna Extraction Application Options.

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Querying the Workspace

To see the contents of a library workspace, use the report_workspace command. By
default, the command reports the following information:
• The workspace name
• The technology file loaded into the workspace
• The logic libraries loaded into the workspace
You can optionally report the PVT and power rail information for each logic library by
using the -panes option.
• The physical library source files loaded into the workspace
• The TLUPlus files loaded into the workspace
• The validation status of the workspace
For example,
lm_shell> report_workspace

Workspace name: mylib

...Checked? No

...Technology file: /usr/LIBRARIES/TECH/my.tf

...DB/Liberty files:
1. /usr/LIBRARIES/DB/my_ff0p95v125c.db
2. /usr/LIBRARIES/DB/my_ff0p95vn40c.db
3. /usr/LIBRARIES/DB/my_ff1p16v125c.db
4. /usr/LIBRARIES/DB/my_ff1p16vn40c.db

...Physical Source files:

1. /usr/LIBRARIES/LEF/my.lef

...TLUP files: /usr/LIBRARIES/TLU/my.tlup

Validating the Workspace

To validate the contents of the library workspace, use the check_workspace command.
lm_shell> check_workspace

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Note:
This step is not required when creating a technology-only library. No checks are
performed when you run this command for a library workspace that contains
only technology data.
In addition to validating the workspace, the check_workspace command performs the
following tasks:
• Generates frame views for the physical cells in the workspace
For information about generating frame views, see Generating Frame Views.
• Sets the is_secondary_pg attribute for PG pins
For information about the secondary PG settings, see Identifying Secondary PG Pins.
• (Optional) Extracts the antenna properties
For information about extracting antenna properties, see Automatic Antenna Property
Extraction Using the IC Validator Tool.
When you run the check_workspace command, the tool performs the checks described in
the following topics:
• Library Checks (includes checks for unique characterization points)
• Cell Checks (includes checks for missing cells, differences in logic function, and
differences in the cell attributes)
• Pin Checks (includes checks for missing pins, and differences in the pin direction, type,
and order)
• PG Rail Checks (includes checks for differences in the number, names, and order)
• Timing Arc Checks (includes checks for missing arcs, incorrect arcs, and differences in
breakpoints)
• Leakage-Power Checks (includes checks for missing leakage-power information and
differences in power conditions)
In many cases, the library manager can automatically fix the issues detected by these
checks.
Note:
The checks performed by the check_workspace command validate the
consistency of the library source files loaded into the workspace; however,

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the workspace might not contain all of the information required to perform
placement and routing.
To generate a cell library from a library workspace, the workspace must pass these
checks. However, in some cases you can generate a cell library using incomplete or
inconsistent source libraries by defining a mismatch configuration, as described in
Allowing Incomplete or Inconsistent Library Data. Cell libraries created with a nondefault
mismatch configuration are not valid for implementation and can be used only for preroute
feasibility analysis; these types of libraries are referred to as prototype libraries.
You can view the messages issued by the check_workspace command in the message
browser, as described in Using the Message Browser Window.
To generate more detailed messages during the validation, use the -details option
with the check_workspace command to specify one or more of the following categories:
arcs_progress, breakpoint_comparisons, combine_physical, leakage_progress,
physical_only_cells, or all.

Note:
Using the -details option can result in a very large log file. In general, you
should run the check_workspace command with the -details option only to
debug a specific issue.

Library Checks
The check_workspace command performs the following library checks:
• At least one physical library source file is loaded into the library workspace
• Each library logic loaded into the workspace has a unique characterization point
(process, voltage, and temperature).
The workspace must pass these checks before it can be committed.

PG Rail Checks
This topic describes the PG rail checks for logic libraries that use the PG-pin syntax. For
information about PG rail checks for older logic libraries that do not use the PG-pin syntax,
see Using Non-PG Logic Libraries.
Note:
You cannot mix logic libraries with and without PG-pin syntax in a library
workspace.
Logic libraries that use the PG-pin syntax define the PG pin connections by using library-
level voltage_map attributes and cell-level pg_pin groups. The voltage_map attributes
define the power rail names. The pg_pin groups define the PG pin connections for a cell;
they use the voltage_name attribute to assign one of the defined power rails to each

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PG pin. The signal pins of a cell are associated with the PG rails by using the pin-level
related_power_pin and related_ground_pin attributes. Example 4 shows the use of
these attributes to define the power connections in a .lib logic library file.

Example 4 Logic Library Example With voltage_map Attributes

library (my_lib) {
...
voltage_map(VDD085, 0.85);
voltage_map(VDD105, 1.05);
voltage_map(VDD120, 1.20);
...
cell(LS_085_105) {
pg_pin (VDDH) {
voltage_name : VDD105;
pg_type : primary_power;
}
pg_pin (VDDL) {
voltage_name : VDD085;
pg_type : primary_power;
}
...
pin (in) {
direction : input;
related_power_pin : VDDL;
related_ground_pin : VSS;
...
}
pin (out) {
direction : output;
related_power_pin : VDDH;
related_ground_pin : VSS;
...
}
...
} /* end cell group*/
...
} /* end library group*/

The check_workspace command verifies that each logic library has the same number of
rails and that the rails have the same names and types. However, the tool ignores rails
that are defined in a voltage_map attribute but not used.
If the rail order differs, the tool automatically updates the order using the information from
the base library.
By default, if a rail name differs between the logic libraries, the tool issues an LM-043
error. If the mismatch is caused only by rail names and positions, and not rail type
differences, you can use the rename_rail command to make the rail names match. For
example, assume logic library A has a voltage_map setting of (VDD1.0, 1.0) and logic

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library B has a voltage_map setting of (VDD1.1, 1.1). You could use the rename_rail
command to align these rails, as shown in the following example:
lm_shell> rename_rail -library A -from VDD1.0 -to VDD
lm_shell> rename_rail -library B -from VDD1.1 -to VDD

In some cases, it might be difficult to find a combination of rename_rail commands that

result in a consistent set of rail names. In these situations, you can have the tool assign
the rail names instead of using the rail names from the logic libraries.
To enable the tool to assign the rail names, set the
lib.logic_model.use_db_rail_names application option to false. In that case, the
tool analyzes the voltage values for all of the power and ground pins on the library cells
in all logic libraries and assigns a rail name to each unique combination. The generated
rail names use the format type_n, where type is the rail type, such as power or ground,
and n is an integer that is incremented to make each name unique. You can use the
rename_rail command to change the generated rail names to names that are more
meaningful to you.
Note:
If the logic libraries contain duplicate rails, the number of rails generated by the
tool will be less than the number of rails in the logic libraries. Because of this
difference, the check_workspace command issues errors; you can ignore these
errors, as they are followed by a message stating that rail mismatches have
been fixed.

Cell Checks
To learn about the cell checks performed by the check_workspace commands, see the
following topics:
• Missing Cell Checks
• Logic Function Check
• Cell Attribute Checks
Missing Cell Checks
The check_workspace command checks for the following types of missing cells:
• A cell that exists in some, but not all logic libraries, and you are using the normal flow
The tool issues an error message if it finds missing or extra cells in a logic library, as
compared to the set of cells in the base library.

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Note:
The cell name checks are case-sensitive. You can create a prototype library
using case-insensitive checks by defining a mismatch configuration, as
described in Allowing Incomplete or Inconsistent Library Data.
To create a cell library, you must do one of the following:
◦ Manually fix the source libraries and then rerun the check_workspace command
◦ Rerun the check_workspace command with the -allow_missing option to enable
the tool to add the missing cells to the generated cell library
The generated cell library will contain all cells that exist in at least one logic
library; if a cell does not exist in a logic library, it will have missing data in the pane
associated with that logic library.
• A cell that exists in the logic libraries, but does not have physical data
If a cell exists in the logic libraries, but does not have any physical data, the tool issues
an error message and you cannot commit the workspace.
To create a cell library, you must either
◦ Set the lib.logic_model.auto_remove_timing_only_designs application option
to true to automatically remove the cells from the workspace
◦ Manually remove the cells from the workspace by using the remove_lib_cell
command
◦ Update the library source files
To create a prototype library that includes placeholder cells for the missing physical
cells, define a mismatch configuration, as described in Allowing Incomplete or
Inconsistent Library Data.
• A physical cell that is not in the logic libraries
If a physical cell is not in any logic library, the tool behavior depends on the flow you
selected.
◦ For the normal flow, the cell is not included in the generated cell library.
◦ For the physical-only flow, the cell is included in the generated cell library.
For detailed information about physical-only cells detected during workspace validation,
specify the physical_only_cells keyword with the -details option.

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Logic Function Check

The check_workspace command verifies that the logic function for a cell is equivalent in
all of the logic libraries.
Cells with the same name in different logic libraries must have an equivalent logic function
and the pin_equal and pin_opposite relationships must match; otherwise, the tool
issues an error message. You must manually correct this error before you can continue
with library preparation. You can correct this error either by updating the library source file
and reloading it, or by using the remove_lib_cell command to remove the cell.
Cell Attribute Checks
The check_workspace command checks the dont_touch, dont_use, and
use_for_size_only attributes for each cell in the logic libraries.

By default, if a cell with the same name in different logic libraries has different values
for any of these attributes, the tool issues a warning message and stores the attribute
value from the base library in the cell library. You can resolve conflicts by using the
set_attribute command to change the attribute values.

To require a cell to have the same value for these attributes in all logic libraries, set the
lib.logic_model.require_same_opt_attrs application option to true.

Pin Checks
To learn about the pin checks performed by the check_workspace commands, see the
following topics:
• Missing Pin Checks
• Pin Definition Checks
Missing Pin Checks
The check_workspace command compares the pins defined for a cell in each logic and
physical library source file against the pins defined for the cell in the base library. If a cell in
the workspace is missing one or more pins as compared to the base library, the tool issues
an error message.
Note:
The pin name checks are case-sensitive. You can create a prototype library
using case-insensitive checks by defining a mismatch configuration, as
described in Allowing Incomplete or Inconsistent Library Data.

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The tool automatically fixes the following issues:

• If a cell in the physical library source file has power or ground pins that are not defined
in the logic libraries, the tool automatically adds these pins to the logic cell.
• If a pin is defined as a signal pin in the logic library, but is defined as a PG pin in the
physical library source file, the tool issues a warning, redefines the pin as a PG pin,
and removes all timing information from the pin.
To create a cell library, you must manually fix any other types of errors in the source
libraries. If the pins are not actually missing, but the pin names differ between libraries, you
can fix this issue by using the set_attribute command to update the name attribute for
the pins.
To create a prototype library that includes placeholder pins for the missing pins, define a
mismatch configuration, as described in Allowing Incomplete or Inconsistent Library Data.
Pin Definition Checks
The check_workspace command checks the following aspects of the pin definition:
• Pin direction
If a pin on any cell in the workspace has a different direction as compared to the base
library, the tool issues an error message, with the following exceptions:
◦ The pin is defined as a bidirectional power or ground (PG) pin in the physical library
source file and is defined as an input or output PG pin in the base library. In this
case, the tool uses the direction defined in the base library.
◦ The pin does not have a direction in the physical library source file, as is the case
when you read GDSII or OASIS files. In this case, the tool uses the pin direction
from the logic libraries.
To create a cell library, you must manually fix the source libraries.
To create a prototype library that uses the pin direction from the base library in the case
of mismatches, define a mismatch configuration, as described in Allowing Incomplete
or Inconsistent Library Data.
• Pin type
The tool automatically fixes the following issues:
◦ If a pin does not have a pin type in the physical library source file, as is the case
when you read GDSII or OASIS files, the tool uses the pin type from the logic
libraries.
◦ If a pin is defined as a signal pin in the logic library, but is defined as a PG pin in the
physical library source file, the tool issues a warning, redefines the pin as a PG pin,
and removes all timing information from the pin.

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To generate a cell library, you must manually fix the following issues:
◦ A pin is defined as a signal pin in all logic libraries, but the bit_width, is_pad,
is_diode, or is_scan attribute setting differs

To fix this issue, you can use the set_attribute command to change the attribute
values.
◦ A pin is defined as a signal pin in one logic library, but is defined as a PG pin in
another logic library
If a pin is incorrectly defined as a signal pin and is not used in the logic function
definition, you can fix this issue by using the set_attribute command to change
the port_type attribute of the pin.
Note:
Changing a pin from a signal pin to a PG pin might cause the tool to
remove timing arcs for that pin.
You can use the set_attribute command only to change a signal pin to
a PG pin; you cannot change a PG pin to a signal pin.
◦ A pin is defined as a PG pin in all logic libraries, but the pg_type attribute differs
To fix this issue, you can use the set_attribute command to change the pg_type
attribute of the pin.
To create a prototype library that uses the pin type from the base library in the case of
mismatches, define a mismatch configuration, as described in Allowing Incomplete or
Inconsistent Library Data.
Note:
The mismatch configuration can only change a signal pin to a PG pin; it
cannot change a PG pin to a signal pin.
• PG pin connection
If the rail name specified for the voltage_name attribute in a pg_pin group is not
defined in a library-level voltage_map attribute or the voltage_name attribute for a PG
pin differs between libraries, the tool issues an error message. To fix this error, you can
use the set_attribute command to change the rail_name attribute. To see the rail
names defined for a library workspace, use the report_workspace -panes command.

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• Related PG pin
Signal pins have a related power pin and a related ground pin; power pins can have a
related bias pin. Typically, these relationships are defined in the logic libraries.
If the logic libraries do not define these relationships, either because they do not define
the PG pins (and the PG pins are inherited from the physical library source file) or they
define the PG pins, but not the relationships, the check_workspace command tries to
derive these relationships as follows:
◦ If a cell has a single power pin and a single ground pin, the tool automatically
derives the related PG pin information.
◦ If a cell has multiple power pins, you must guide the tool to derive the related PG
pin information.
To guide the tool, use the set_attribute command to set the
related_power_pin_hint and related_ground_pin_hint attributes on the pins
with the missing information.
lm_shell> set_attribute [get_lib_pins lib/cell/pin] \
related_power_pin_hint PGpin_name

If the related PG pin information for a pin exists but is incorrect, you can correct
it by using the set_attribute command to set the related_power_pin_name,
related_ground_pin_name, or related_bias_pin_name attribute. For example,
lm_shell> set_attribute [get_lib_pins lib/cell/pin] \
related_power_pin_name PGpin_name

Note:
By default, the check_workspace command ignores missing power
and ground relationships during the workspace validation, which
might affect analysis performed by the implementation tool. To require
signal pins to have at least one related power or ground pin, set the
lib.workspace.allow_missing_related_pg_pins application option to
false before running the check_workspace command.

• Pin order
For each cell, the tool determines the pin order in each logic and physical library source
file that contains the cell, and verifies that it is the same in each library.
In a logic library, the tool determines the pin order from the logic function, followed by
other non-signal pins, such as internal pins, power pins, ground pins, p-well pins, and
n-well pins. In a physical library source file, the pin order is determined by the order in
which they are specified.

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Note:
Although the tool can resolve many pin ordering issues, these issues might
be caused by out-of-date libraries. If the tool reports pin ordering issues, you
should verify that you are using the correct set of libraries before continuing.
If the pin order differs between a logic library and the base library, the result depends
on whether the mismatched pins contribute to the logic function.
◦ If so, the tool issues an error message and does not load the affected cell. You must
manually correct this problem to continue with library preparation.
◦ If not, the tool reorders the pins to match the order in the base library.
If the pin order differs between a physical library source file and the base library, the
tool automatically updates the pin order using the information from the base library.

Timing Arc Checks

For each cell with the same name in different logic libraries, the check_workspace
command verifies that the cell has the same timing arcs as those defined in the base
library, including the timing arcs that specify timing constraints, such as setup and hold.
In the following cases, the tool can often resolve the mismatches:
• The libraries use different representations for the same multimode timing arcs.
A multimode timing arc can be represented as a single arc with multiple modes or as
multiple arcs with a single mode. The tool tries to resolve mismatches of multimode
arcs by considering both of these representations.
• The timing arcs use different breakpoints (indexes into the delay lookup table) in the
various logic libraries.
• The breakpoints for complementary attributes (cell_rise and cell_fall,
rise_transition and fall_transition, rise_setup and fall_setup, or
rise_hold and fall_hold) vary within a library or among libraries.

The breakpoints for complimentary attributes must be functions of the same variables,
such as input_net_transition (Tinp) and total_output_net_capacitance (Cout).
However, if one of the attributes is defined as a function of both variables, but the other
is defined as a function of only one variable, the tool can resolve this difference.
The tool can also resolve differences in the complementary attributes for setup or hold
when one attribute is defined as a function of constrained_pin_transition (Tdat)
and the other is defined as a function of related_pin_transition (Tclk).

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• A timing arc is represented as a table in one library and as a scalar in another.

• A library is missing rise_transition or fall_transition attributes.
The tool resolves this by setting the unspecified transition time equal to the specified
one for the arcs that are missing these attributes.
If the tool cannot resolve the mismatches, it issues the following message in addition to
messages providing information about the timing arc mismatch.
Error: Could not fix all missing arcs (LM-025)

In the messages, the tool represents a timing arc using the following format:
cell from_pin to_pin [related_pin] sense [object_name] [{w:when_cond}]
[MIN] [{m:modes}] [DUPn]

The cell, from pin, to pin, and arc sense are always specified. The other fields are reported
only when relevant. The related pin is reported only when the delay table is dependent
on a related capacitance. If the library specifies a name for the timing group, that name
is reported in the object_name field. The when_cond field is reported for state-dependent
timing arcs and conditional timing checks. The MIN keyword indicates a minimum delay arc
and the DUP keyword indicates a duplicate arc.
For example, a negative-unate timing arc from pin A to pin Z on the NAND3 cell is
represented as “NAND3 A Z negative_unate”.
To pass workspace validation, you must either fix the errors, provide guidance to the tool
about how to handle them, or remove the cell with mismatched timing arcs from all logic
libraries.
If the tool finds missing or extra timing arcs for a cell in a logic library, as compared to
those in the base library, it issues a warning.
To add arcs that are not defined in the base library, but are defined in another logic library,
rerun the check_workspace command with the -allow_missing option. The arcs are
added only if the nodes in the timing graph are the same as in the base library.
Note:
If you choose to override these errors with the -allow_missing option, the cell
library will have missing data for the cell in some panes.
To remove cells with mismatched timing arcs from the logic libraries, use the
remove_lib_cell command. You must remove the cell from all logic libraries; otherwise,
this results in a missing cell error, which is described in Missing Cell Checks.
For detailed messages during the timing arc checks, specify the arcs_progress keyword
with the -details option. For detailed messages during the breakpoint comparisons,
specify the breakpoint_comparisons keyword with the -details option.

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Note:
Using the -details option can result in a very large log file. In general, you
should run the check_workspace command with the -details option only to
debug a specific issue.

Leakage-Power Checks
For each cell with the same name in different logic libraries, the check_workspace
command verifies that it has the same leakage-power information, as defined in the
cell_leakage_power attribute and the leakage_power group.

If the tool finds missing or extra leakage-power information for a cell in a logic library, as
compared to those in the base library, it issues a warning. To get detailed information
about the missing leakage-power information, use the -details leakage_progress
option when you run the check_workspace command. In the messages, the tool
represents leakage-power information using the following format:
cell [related_power_pin] [{w:when_condition}]

To add leakage-power information that is not defined in the base library, but is defined in
another logic library, rerun the check_workspace command with the -allow_missing
option.
Note:
If you choose to override this error with the -allow_missing option, the cell
library will have missing data for the cell in some panes.
If the when statement in the leakage_power group is not identical between logic libraries,
the tool checks the logic equivalence of the conditions.
If the conditions are logically equivalent, the tool uses the condition from the base library.
If the conditions are not logically equivalent, the tool issues an error message and you
cannot commit the workspace.

Identifying Secondary PG Pins

The router uses the is_secondary_pg attribute to identify the PG and bias pins on which
to perform secondary PG pin routing. The check_workspace command sets this attribute
on the pins based on certain pin and block attribute settings.
• For PG pins, the setting is based on the pg_type and std_cell_main_rail attributes
of the PG pin, which are defined in the logic library source files, and the design_type
attribute of the block, which is derived from the physical library source files. Table 13
shows the is_secondary_pg settings for the various combinations of these attributes.
• For bias pins, the setting is based on the pg_type and physical_connection
attributes of the bias pin, which are defined in the logic library source files. Table 14
shows the is_secondary_pg settings for the various combinations of these attributes.

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Table 13 Determining the is_secondary_pg Setting for PG Pins

Logic library PG pin attribute Cell library cell attribute Cell library pin at-
tribute

pg_type std_cell_main_rail design_type is_secondary_pg

primary_power or true all false

primary_ground

primary_power or false or unset all true

primary_ground

backup_power or b- any value all true

ackup_ground

Table 14 Determining the is_secondary_pg Setting for Bias Pins

Logic library PG pin attribute Cell library pin attribute

pg_type physical_connection is_secondary_pg

pwell, nwell, deeppwell, routing_pin true

or deepnwell

pwell, nwell, deeppwell, device_layer false

or deepnwell

Committing the Workspace

After the workspace passes validation with the check_workspace command, you can
commit the workspace, which saves the workspace on-disk as a cell library. To commit
the workspace, use the commit_workspace command. By default, the tool saves the
cell library in a directory named workspace_name.ndm in the current directory using the
current schema revision.
lm_shell> commit_workspace

To override the default behavior, use the following options:

• -output dir_name

This option saves the cell library in the specified directory. For example, to save the cell
library in a directory named mylib.ndm, use the following command:
lm_shell> commit_workspace -output mylib.ndm

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The -output option specifies the name of both the library and its root directory.
If you use this option, both the library and its root directory are named dir_name,
including any specified extension. If you do not use this option, the library name
is workspace_name, while its root directory is named workspace_name.ndm. The
following table shows the library and root directory names for the cell library generated
from the mylib workspace with and without the -output option:

Library name Root directory name

Without -output option mylib mylib.ndm

With -output mylib.ndm option mylib.ndm mylib.ndm

• -version version_string

This option saves the cell library using the schema revision for an older tool version. To
see the available version strings, use the report_versions command.
By default, the command fails if the specified cell library already exists. To overwrite an
existing cell library, use the -force option. For example,
lm_shell> commit_workspace -output mylib.ndm
Error: File 'mylib.ndm' already exists (FILE-009)
lm_shell> commit_workspace -force -output mylib.ndm

To enable all commit_workspace commands to overwrite an existing cell library without

using the -force option, set the lib.workspace.allow_commit_workspace_overwrite
application option to true.
lm_shell> set_app_options \
-name lib.workspace.allow_commit_workspace_overwrite -value true

The views saved in the generated cell library depend on the library preparation flow you
enabled and the settings of the related application options.
• For the normal and ETM library preparation flows, the timing and frame views are
saved
• For the frame-only and physical-only library preparation flows, only the frame views are
saved
• To save the design views, set the lib.workspace.save_design_views application
option to true.
• To save the layout views, set the lib.workspace.save_layout_views application
option to true.
You can have only a single workspace in memory at one time. After you commit a
workspace, it is removed from memory so that you can prepare another cell library.

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Generating Frame Views

If a library workspace passes validation, the check_workspace command creates frame
views for the blocks in the workspace. You do not need to run a separate command to
create the frame views.
The Library Manager tool uses the lib.physical_model application options to control the
frame view generation, as described in the following topics:
• Generating Blockages During Frame View Generation
• Creating Via Regions
• Deriving Must-Join Pins
• Creating Frame Views for Hierarchical Cells
• Creating Colored Frame Views
• Mode-Based Configuration of Frame View Generation Options
Note:
When you create frame views with the create_frame command in an
implementation tool, you control the frame view generation with command
options, which have the same names as the lm_shell application options. For
example, the lib.physical_model.block_all application option in lm_shell
and the create_frame -block_all command option in an implementation tool
have the same behavior.
You must set these application options before running the check_workspace command.
When you commit the workspace, the library manager saves these application option
settings with the cell library.
To update frame views for an existing cell library, such as when the technology file or tool
version is updated, use the process described in Modifying a Cell Library.

See Also
• Building Cell Libraries
• Frame View Generation Application Options

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Generating Blockages During Frame View Generation

A blockage prevents routing or vias within the blockage region. The implementation tools
support the blockage types shown in the following table:

Table 15 Blockage Types

Blockage type Attribute setting Description

Regular blockage is_zero_spacing=false The router treats a regular blockage as real metal
and applies all design rules to the blockage.

Zero-spacing is_zero_spacing=true The router checks zero-spacing blockages only for

blockage overlaps, and does not apply design rules to them.

Design rule via is_design_rule_blockag- Design rule via blockages are similar to zero-spac-
blockage e=true ing via blockages, but they honor the rules defined
for the via blockage layer in the DesignRule sec-
tions of the technology file.

Figure 8 shows an example design view for a standard cell. This example is used to
illustrate the various controls over blockage generation.

Figure 8 Example Design View for a Standard Cell

By default, when the library manager generates a frame view for a standard cell, it
preserves the blockages that exist within the cell and does not generate additional
blockages. Figure 9 shows the resulting frame view for the design view shown in Figure 8,
which includes all metal shapes from the design view.

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Generating Frame Views

Note:
By default, when you create a frame view for a macro by using the
create_frame command in the implementation tool, the tool trims the metal
shapes and regular blockages that touch a pin, as shown inFigure 9 .

Figure 9 Default Frame View for a Standard Cell

Converting Regular Blockages to Zero-Spacing Blockages

In some cases, particularly when a blockage touches a pin, regular blockages can cause
pin access issues. To improve pin access, you can convert regular blockages to zero-
spacing blockages during frame view generation. To enable the conversion, set the
lib.physical_model.convert_metal_blockage_to_zero_spacing application option.
When the tool converts the regular blockage to a zero-spacing blockage, it enlarges
the blockage boundary by a specified amount. You can specify different conversion
parameters for each layer depending on whether the blockage touches a pin. The syntax
to set this application option is
set_app_options
-name lib.physical_model.convert_metal_blockage_to_zero_spacing
-value { {layer1 spacing1 [all|touch_pin|no_touch_pin]}
{layer2 spacing2 [all|touch_pin|no_touch_pin]} ...
{layern spacingn [all|touch_pin|no_touch_pin]} }

Figure 10 shows the frame view, where the purple region represents the zero-spacing
blockage that replaced the regular blockage. The arrows represent the increased size of
the blockage.

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Figure 10 Converting Regular Blockages to Zero-Spacing Blockages

For via blockages, you can convert zero-spacing blockages to design rule blockages on
specific layers by setting the lib.physical_model.design_rule_via_blockage_layers
application option.

Trimming Blockages Around Pins

You can improve pin access by converting portions of metal shapes and regular blockages
near the pins to zero-spacing blockages. This process is called trimming. The trimming
distance is the largest fat table spacing defined for the layer in the technology file.
To trim the metal shapes and regular blockages that touch a pin for all layers, set the
lib.physical_model.preserve_metal_blockage application to false. Figure 11 shows
the resulting zero-spacing blockage.
Note:
When you create a frame view for a macro by using the create_frame
command in the implementation tool, this is the default behavior.

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Figure 11 Trimming Touching Blockages Around Pins

To trim the metal shapes and regular blockages for specific layers, set the
lib.physical_model.trim_metal_blockage_around_pin application option. When
you set this option, you can choose to trim only those metal shapes and regular blockages
that touch the pin (touch) or all metal shapes and regular blockages within the minimum
spacing of a pin (all). The syntax to set this application option is
set_app_options
-name lib.physical_model.trim_metal_blockage_around_pin
-value { {layer1 all|touch|none}
{layer2 all|touch|none} ...
{layern all|touch|none} }

Figure 12 shows the resulting zero-spacing blockages when all metal shapes and regular
blockages in the vicinity of the pin are trimmed.

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Figure 12 Trimming All Blockages Around Pins

Reducing the Physical Data by Generating a Core Blockage

For place and route accuracy, only the shapes around the pins and block boundary are
required. To reduce the size of the frame views, the tool can generate a zero-spacing
routing blockage over the core area (a core blockage). Figure 13 shows the parameters
used to create the core blockage.

Figure 13 Core Blockage

The tool keeps all of the shapes within the halo distance of the cell boundary and does
not create a blockage for this region. The tool creates a zero-spacing routing blockage for
the region deeper than the DRC distance from the cell boundary. The tool keeps all of the

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shapes between the halo distance and the DRC distance. It discards the shapes that are
deeper than the DRC distance and replaces them with a large RC metal shape.
If a pin is closer to the cell boundary than the channel distance, it is considered a shallow
pin; otherwise, it is considered a deep pin. If a shallow pin is within the zero-spacing
blockage, the tool cuts a channel to the pin to enable same-layer routing to the pin.
To enable creation of a core blockage, set the lib.physical_model.block_all
application option to one of the following values:
• true

The tool creates a core blockage on all metal layers, including routing layers and base
layers.
• used_layers

The tool creates a core blockage only on metal layers used by the cell.
• top_layer_name

The tool creates a core blockage on the specified metal layer and all metal layers
below it.
• auto

The tool behavior depends on the design type of the cell.

◦ For analog, black-box, and module design types, the tool creates a core blockage
on all metal layers.
◦ For macro cells, the tool creates a core blockage on the metal layers used by the
cell.
◦ For all other cells, the tool does not create a core blockage.
By default, the halo distance is 0 and the zero-spacing blockages
extend to the cell boundary. To specify the halo distance, set the
lib.physical_model.block_core_margin application option. The syntax to set this
application option is
set_app_options
-name lib.physical_model.block_core_margin
-value { {layer1 halo_distance1}
{layer2 halo_distance2} ...
{layern halo_distancen} }

Note:
If you set the halo distance for a layer, the tool creates a core blockage for
that layer, regardless of the setting of the lib.physical_model.block_all
application option.

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By default, the DRC distance is derived from the largest fat table spacing value
defined for the layer in the technology file. To specify the DRC distance, set the
lib.physical_model.drc_distances application option. The syntax to set this
application option is
set_app_options
-name lib.physical_model.drc_distances
-value { {layer1 drc_distance1}
{layer2 drc_distance2} ...
{layern drc_distancen} }

By default, the channel distance is the minSpacing value plus the minWidth value
specified for the layer in the technology file. To specify the channel distance, set the
lib.physical_model.pin_channel_distances application option. The syntax to set this
application option is
set_app_options
-name lib.physical_model.pin_channel_distances
-value { {layer1 channel_distance1}
{layer2 channel_distance2} ...
{layern channel_distancen} }

To further reduce the number of shapes kept in the frame view, the tool can
• Merge neighboring shapes if the space between them is less than twice the
minSpacing value plus the minWidth value in the technology file (the merging
threshold)
When you set the lib.physical_model.merge_metal_blockage application option
to true, the tool fills the space between neighboring shapes to create a single larger
shape if the space between them is less than the merging threshold.
For example, if the technology file specifies a minSpacing of 2 and a minWidth of 4 for
a layer, the merging threshold is 2*2 + 4 = 8. Therefore, in Figure 14, the tool merges
the geometries on the left to create the blockage area on the right.

Figure 14 Merging Same-Layer Geometries

Geometries Blockage area

• Remove non-pin shapes

By default, the tool keeps the non-pin shapes in the frame view. When you set the
lib.physical_model.remove_non_pin_shapes to all, the tool removes all non-pin

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shapes from the frame view. When you set it to core, the tool removes the non-pin
shapes that are completely within the core area.
Creating Zero-Spacing Blockages Around Pins
When you specify a positive halo distance for the core blockage, it can be difficult for the
router to access the pins between the cell boundary and the core blockage because they
can be accessed only from inside the cell. If these pins are not colored or placed off-track
from the top-level design, routing DRC violations can occur.
To improve the accessibility by enabling access from outside the cell, the tool can create
zero-spacing blockages around the pins. To create zero-spacing blockages around the
pins, set the lib.physical_model.create_zero_spacing_blockages_around_pins
application option. The syntax to set this application option is
set_app_options
-name lib.physical_model.create_zero_spacing_blockages_around_pins
-value { {layer1 blockage_width1}
{layer2 blockage_width2} ...
{layern blockage_widthn} }

If a pin is on the cell boundary or within the DRC distance of the cell boundary it is
considered a shallow pin, and the tool does not create a blockage on the boundary
side. Otherwise, the pin is considered a deep pin, and the tool creates a blockage of the
specified width on all sides of the pin, as shown in Figure 15.

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Figure 15 Zero-Spacing Blockages Around Pins

Creating Zero-Spacing Blockages Around Non-Pin Shapes

If your technology has voltage spacing requirements, you can enforce these requirements
by creating zero-spacing blockages around fixed non-pin shapes in the frame view. The
non-pin shapes include metal shapes, via shapes, and regular blockage shapes.
To create zero-spacing blockages around non-pin shapes, set the
lib.physical_model.keepout_spacing_for_non_pin_shapes application option. The
syntax to set this application option is
set_app_options
-name lib.physical_model.keepout_spacing_for_non_pin_shapes
-value {{layer1
{edge_threshold1 ext_spacing1 corner_keepout_spacing1}}
{layer2
{edge_threshold2 ext_spacing2 corner_keepout_spacing2}}
...
{layern {edge_thresholdn ext_spacingn corner_keepout_spacingn}}
}

The edge_threshold argument defines the threshold for the length of an edge. An edge is
a segment along the contour of a connected non-pin shape whose length is less than or
equal to the specified value, and is not part of a concave corner. All other segments of the

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connected non-pin shape are sides. When generating the frame view, the tool trims sides
by pins, but does not trim edges.
The ext_spacing argument defines the width of the zero-spacing blockage on the top,
bottom, right, and left sides of the non-pin shapes. The corner_keepout_spacing argument
defines the width of the blockages at the corners of the non-pin shapes.
For example, the following command creates the zero-spacing blockage shown in
Figure 16.
lm_shell> set_app_options \
-name lib.physical_model.keepout_spacing_for_non_pin_shapes \
-value {M1 {0.55 0.7 0}}

Figure 16 Zero-Spacing Blockage Around Non-Pin Shape

Note:
To use this feature, you must ensure that core blockage creation is disabled for
the affected layers.

Creating Via Regions

In a frame view, a via region is an area that consists of one or more rectangles, which
might be overlapping, over a pin where the router can make a connection to a port. The

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via region provides guidance to the router about where to drop a via to make a connection
to prevent DRC violations.
By default, the tool
• Generates via regions for cells with the following design types: library cells, diodes, end
caps, fill cells, filler cells, physical-only cells, and well taps
For all other design types, the tool generates pin access edges and directions, which
guide the router to connect to the pins properly on the same layer.
To generate via regions for all design types, set the
lib.physical_model.enable_via_regions_for_all_design_types application
option to true.
• Requires the router to place the via enclosure inside the pin shape when inserting vias
in the via region
This “within-pin” connection ensures that the router will not introduce any DRC
violations in the lower metal layer of the cell being connected.
In certain situations, such as when a pin is small and the minimum enclosure
around the via is large, the “within-pin” connection is too restrictive. To
allow the router to place the via enclosure outside the pin shape, set the
lib.physical_model.connect_within_pin application option to false. When this
option is false and the router cannot fit the lower-metal enclosure within the pin, it
makes the connection anyway, which causes the lower-metal enclosure to extend
beyond the pin shape. This type of connection is said to “change the pin shape.” In
that case, the router must spend time checking for and fixing lower-metal design rule
violations in the cell, which increases routing runtime.
For large pins, you might want to restrict the connection region to a portion of the pin,
which is referred to as the must-connect area. For information about creating must-
connect areas, see Creating Pin Must-Connect Areas.
• Considers only the default vias and their rotations for all ports
To consider nondefault vias when generating the via regions, specify the contact codes
by setting the lib.physical_model.include_nondefault_via application option.
To specify the contact codes to use for specific ports, set the
lib.physical_model.port_contact_selections application option.

• Does not generate via regions for power and ground ports
To generate via regions for specific power and ground ports, specify the ports by
setting the lib.physical_model.include_routing_pg_ports application option.

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Creating Pin Must-Connect Areas

To define a pin must-connect area, use one of the following methods:
• Explicitly Defining a Must-Connect Area
• Specifying Must-Connect Width Thresholds
Explicitly Defining a Must-Connect Area
This method uses shapes drawn on a spare layer to define the must-connect area. During
frame view generation, if a pin shape overlaps the must-connect area, the tool creates
zero-spacing blockages on the pin shapes, except in the must-connect area.
To use this method, define the must-connect area on a spare layer, and then
associate the spare layers with the pin layers. To associate the layers, set the
lib.physical_model.pin_must_connect_area_layers application option.

For example, to associate the spare CB layer with the M2 layer, use the following
command:
lm_shell> set_app_options \
-name lib.physical_model.pin_must_connect_area_layers \
-value { {M2 CB} }

Figure 17 shows the pin shapes on the M2 layer, as well as the must-connect area defined
on a spare layer (the CB layer). Figure 18 shows the resulting frame view, with the zero-
spacing blockages shown in purple.

Figure 17 Pin Shapes and Must-Connect Area

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Figure 18 Frame View With Must-Connect Area

Specifying Must-Connect Width Thresholds

This method uses a width threshold to prevent pin connections on narrow shapes. During
frame view generation, if the width of a pin shape is less than the specified threshold for
that layer, the tool creates zero-spacing blockages on the pin shapes.
To define the width thresholds, set the
lib.physical_model.pin_must_connect_area_thresholds application option.

For example, to specify a width threshold of 0.135 microns for the M2 layer, use the
following command:
lm_shell> set_app_options \
-name lib.physical_model.pin_must_connect_area_thresholds \
-value { {M2 0.135} }

Figure 19 shows the resulting frame view, with the zero-spacing blockages shown in
purple.

Figure 19 Frame View With Must-Connect Threshold

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Deriving Must-Join Pins

When all terminals of a pin must be connected as a single net by the router, the pin is
referred to as a must-join pin and is identified by a pattern_must_join attribute setting of
true.

By default, frame view generation does not consider must-join pins. If you require
that pins with multiple terminals on a layer be routed as must-join pins, set the
lib.physical_model.derive_pattern_must_join application option to one of the
following values:
• true

Sets the pattern_must_join attribute to true on all pins with multiple terminals on the
layer that meet one of the following criteria:
◦ The port_type attribute of the pin is not set to one of the following power-related
values: power, ground, nwell, pwell, deep_nwell, or deep_pwell.
◦ The port_type attribute is set to one of the power-related values and the
is_secondary_pg attribute is set to true.

◦ The port_type attribute is set to one of the power-related values and the pin is
specified in the lib.physical_model.include_routing_pg_ports application
option.
• exclude_pg

Sets the pattern_must_join attribute to true on all pins with multiple terminals on the
layer whose port_type attribute is not set to one of the following power-related values:
power, ground, nwell, pwell, deep_nwell, or deep_pwell.

Creating Frame Views for Hierarchical Cells

By default, when you create a frame view for a hierarchical cell, the tool
• Creates a frame view only for the top-level block
To create frame views for the subblocks, set the
lib.physical_model.create_frame_for_subblocks application option to true.

• Extracts the geometries in the subblocks

To ignore the geometries in the subblocks, set the
lib.physical_model.hierarchical application option to false.

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Creating Colored Frame Views

To enable color-based frame view generation, set the
lib.physical_model.color_based_dpt_flow application option to one of the following
values:
• true

Always use color-based frame view generation.

• auto

Use color-based frame view generation only when the technology file contains double-
patterning rules.
When color-based frame view generation is enabled, the tool represents the RC metal of
each metal layer as color one shapes that are trimmed by both the colored and uncolored
shapes with the maximum spacing specified in the technology file.
For example, Figure 20 shows the design view for a colored cell. Figure 21 shows the
frame view generated for the block without the color-based flow. Figure 22 shows the
frame view generated for the block with the color-based flow.

Figure 20 Design View for Colored Cell

Figure 21 Frame View Without Color-Based Flow

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Figure 22 Frame View With Color-Based Flow

Mode-Based Configuration of Frame View Generation Options

You can configure the frame generation options for the following situations by using the
configure_frame_options command:

• A standard cell contains a non-zero-spacing obstruction that overlaps a pin

In this case, use the preserve_and_convert configuration mode.
• A macro contains a non-zero-spacing obstruction that overlaps a pin or is the minimum
spacing or less from a pin
In this case, use the block_and_trim configuration mode.
• A macro contains an obstruction that you want to keep as-is in the frame view
In this case, use the preserve_all configuration mode.
In all other cases, use the default frame view generation option settings or individually set
the frame view generation options, as needed.
Before using the configure_frame_options command, reset the frame view generation
options to their default settings by using the following command:
lm_shell> reset_app_options -user_default {lib.physical_model.*}

Note that the lib.physical_model.create_frame_for_subblocks application option,

which has a global scope, is not reset by this command.
Table 16 shows the option settings for the supported configuration modes.

Table 16 Frame View Generation Options for Configuration Modes

lib.physical_model applica- Configuration mode

tion option
block_and_trim preserve_and_convert preserve_all

block_all auto false false

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lib.physical_model applica- Configuration mode

tion option
block_and_trim preserve_and_convert preserve_all

block_core_margin {used_layers auto_bloat} {} {}

preserve_metal_blockage false true true

trim_metal_blockage_ a- {layer all} {} {}

round_pin

convert_metal_blockage_- {} {layer min_grid touch_pin} {}

to_zero_spacing

include_nondefault_via auto auto auto

enable_via_regions_for_- true true true

all_design_types

Using the Exploration Flow

The exploration flow automatically analyzes your library source files and generates a script
that you can use to create a cell library.
To use the exploration flow to build a cell library,
1. Define the search path, as described in Defining the Search Path.
2. Create the root library workspace for the exploration flow, as described in Creating a
Library Workspace.
3. Load the logic library source files into the root workspace, as described in Loading the
Logic Data.
4. Load the physical library source files into the root workspace, as described in Loading
the Physical Data.
5. Analyze the library source files to automatically create the subworkspaces, as
described in Performing Automated Library Analysis.
6. (Optional) Edit the subworkspaces.
7. (Optional) Enable aggregate library creation.
To create an aggregate library from the subworkspaces, set the
lib.workspace.explore_create_aggregate application option to true. For
information about aggregate libraries, see Creating an Aggregate Library.

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8. Validate the library workspace and commit it to disk.

Note:
In the exploration flow, library validation always allows missing library
data. The validation behavior is similar to using the check_workspace
-allow_missing command.

You can use either of the following methods to validate and commit the library
workspace when you use the exploration flow:
• Validate and commit the exploration flow library workspace by running the
process_workspaces command on it.

When you run this command, the tool validates each subworkspace in the root
workspace and, if the workspace passes validation, commits it to a cell library.
This command performs the same functions on each subworkspace as the
check_workspace and commit_workspace commands, but uses less peak memory
when processing multiple subworkspaces.
For more information about workspace validation, see Validating the Workspace.
To specify validation options for the process_workspaces command, use the
-check_options option.

For more information about committing a workspace, see Committing the

Workspace. The process_workspaces command accepts the same options as the
commit_workspace command to control the commit process.

• Generate a library preparation script and source it to create the cell library, as
described in Using a Library Preparation Script.
To reduce the runtime of the exploration flow, use the fast exploration flow, as described in
Using the Fast Exploration Flow.

Performing Automated Library Analysis

To analyze the library source files in the root workspace and partition them into a set of
subworkspaces, use the group_libs command.
lm_shell> group_libs

This command partitions the library source files into subworkspaces based on the names
of the library cells. It analyzes the logic libraries to identify both single-cell and multiple-cell
logic libraries. The group_libs command checks only the library cell names; it does not
check the pins, function, or timing arcs of the library cells.
For each subworkspace, the group_libs command adds the physical library source files
that include at least the same set of cells. If the physical library source files contain cells

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that are not in any of the logic libraries, the group_libs command also creates a physical-
only subworkspace.
By default, the group_libs command
• Checks for cell shadowing across subworkspaces, and fixes any detected issues
Cell shadowing occurs when a library cell with the same name exists in multiple cell
libraries. In this case, the tool uses the data from the first cell library in which it finds the
cell, and it ignores that cell’s data in all other cell libraries.
By default, the group_libs command adjusts the grouping such that each cell exists in
only one generated cell library, which includes all the PVT panes for the cell. To disable
these fixes, set the lib.workspace.group_libs_fix_cell_shadowing application
option to false.
• Tries to put as many macro cells as possible into a single subworkspace
When using this strategy, the command groups all macro cells with the same set of
characterization points into a single subworkspace. This strategy creates the smallest
number of subworkspaces.
To create subworkspaces that each contain a single
macro cell with all of its characterization points, set the
lib.workspace.group_libs_macro_grouping_strategy application option to
single_cell_per_lib before running the group_libs command. Using this strategy
can generate a large number of subworkspaces.
• Assigns a name of <root_workspace>_physical_only to the physical-only
subworkspace, if there is one
To specify a name for the physical-only subworkspace, set the
lib.workspace.group_libs_physical_only_name application option.

• Assigns names to the other subworkspaces by using a unique combination of logic

library prefix and suffix characters
To enable other naming strategies, set the
lib.workspace.group_libs_naming_strategies application option.

To report the names of the subworkspaces, use the get_workspaces command. To

change a workspace name, use the rename_workspace command.
Note:
If you change the set of source libraries in the root workspace or change the
contents of any library in the root workspace, you must rerun the group_libs
command to re-create the subworkspaces; otherwise, the subworkspaces might
contain obsolete data.

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Using a Library Preparation Script

When you use the exploration flow, the tool can generate a library preparation script to
create the cell libraries. The generated script file performs the following tasks for each
workspace:
1. Creates the library workspace.
2. Loads the logic and physical library source files into the library workspace.
3. Validates the contents of the library workspace.
4. Commits the library workspace to disk using the name of the first logic library as the
cell library name.
In addition, if you enable aggregate library creation by setting the
lib.workspace.explore_create_aggregate application option to true, the script
creates an aggregate library that contains the cell libraries generated for the workspaces.
Note:
The generated script file also includes any set_app_options and
reset_app_options commands issued in the lm_shell session before running
the write_workspace command.
To use this method to create the cell libraries,
1. Generate the library preparation script by using the write_workspace command.
When you run this command, you must specify how to output the script:
• Generate one script file per workspace
To write one script file per workspace, use the -directory option to specify
the directory in which to save the script files. The tool names each script file
workspace_name.tcl. For example, to save the script files in a directory named
libgen_scripts, use the following command:
lm_shell> write_workspace -directory libgen_scripts

• Generate one script file for all workspaces

To generate a single script file, use the -file option to specify the file name. For
example, to save the script in a file named libgen.tcl, use the following command:
lm_shell> write_workspace -file libgen.tcl

The default behavior of this command depends on the current workspace. If the current
workspace is the root workspace, it generates a script for each subworkspace. If the
current workspace is a subworkspace, it generates a script only for that workspace. To
generate a script for specific workspaces, specify the workspaces as an argument to

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the command. For example, to generate a Tcl script only for the my_lib workspace, use
the following command:
lm_shell> write_workspace -file libgen.tcl my_lib

You should review the generated script files, and modify as necessary to ensure that it
meets your needs before using it to perform your library preparation.
2. Remove the existing root workspace, which also removes all of its subworkspaces, by
using the remove_workspace command.
lm_shell> remove_workspace

3. Create the cell libraries by sourcing the generated script.

lm_shell> source file_name

If the check_workspace command reports any issues, you must resolve the issues
and rerun the script. For information about resolving the issues, see Validating the
Workspace. In addition, you might need to modify the generated script to resolve some
issues.

Using the Fast Exploration Flow

The fast exploration flow reduces the runtime required for the exploration flow by up
to 50X by loading only the information required for library analysis by the group_libs
command.
To enable this flow, set the lib.workspace.fast_exploration application option to true
before loading the logic libraries.
When you use the fast exploration flow, you cannot use the process_workspaces
command to check and commit the workspaces. Instead, you must use the
write_workspace command to create a library preparation script and source this script to
create the cell libraries.
The following script shows the commands used in the fast exploration flow:
set_app_options -name lib.workspace.fast_exploration -value true
read_db {my_db_files}
group_libs
write_workspace -file libprep.tcl
remove_workspace
source libprep.tcl

See Also
• Performing Automated Library Analysis
• Using a Library Preparation Script

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Allowing Incomplete or Inconsistent Library Data

Allowing Incomplete or Inconsistent Library Data

By default, the check_workspace command performs the checks described in Validating
the Workspace. If a library workspace passes these checks, you can commit the
workspace to create a cell library; otherwise, you must fix the reported errors before you
can commit the workspace.
You can relax the workspace verification to enable the tool to generate a cell library even
if the workspace has certain types of incomplete or inconsistent library data by defining
a mismatch configuration. A mismatch configuration specifies the types of workspace
verification errors that can be ignored or fixed by the tool. Cell libraries generated with
this relaxed verification are called prototype libraries; they can be used only for preroute
feasibility analysis.
The library manager provides two predefined mismatch configurations:
• default (the default)

This is the default behavior of the workspace validation and must be used to generate
cell libraries that can be used throughout the implementation flow.
• auto_fix

This mismatch configuration enables the check_workspace command to repair the

mismatches for all of the supported error types, which are shown in Table 17.

Table 17 Mismatch Configuration Error Types

Error type Description

lib_cell_name_case Cell name mismatch due to case-sensitivity.

Supported repairs: Enables case-insensitivity when comparing cell names.
• record_lib_cell_name_case_ i- Uses the cell name from the base library.
nsensitivity

lib_missing_logical_port Logic library cell is missing a signal port that exists in the
Supported repairs: base logic library or physical library cell.
• create_placeholder_logic_ Creates a placeholder port on the logic library cell.
lib_port

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Error type Description

lib_missing_physical_port Physical library cell is missing a port that exists in the base
Supported repairs: logic library.
• create_placeholder_ physica- Creates a placeholder port on the physical library cell. The
l_lib_port placeholder port is added on the M1 layer with a location of
(0, 0). The terminal width and height are both equal to the
minimum width defined for the M1 layer.

lib_missing_physical_reference A cell exists in the logic libraries, but not in any physical
Supported repairs: library source file.
• create_placeholder_physical Creates a placeholder physical cell that has the same
_lib_cell dimensions as the LEF unit site and the same number of
ports as the cell in the logic libraries, but no real physical
information.

lib_missing_rail_pg Logic library cell is missing a signal port that exists in the
Supported repairs: base logic library or physical library cell.
• create_pg_for_rail Creates a placeholder port on the logic library cell.

lib_port_name_case Pin name mismatch due to case-sensitivity.

Supported repairs: Enables case-insensitivity when comparing pin names.
• record_lib_port_name_case_ i- Uses the pin name from the base library.
nsensitivity

lib_port_direction A library cell pin has a different direction than in the base
Supported repairs: library.
• change_lib_port_direction Uses the pin direction from the base library in the case
of signal pin mismatches. Uses the pin direction from the
physical library cell in the case of PG pin mismatches.
Note:
The library manager fixes many types of pin direction
mismatches by default. For details, see Pin Definition
Checks.

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Error type Description

lib_port_type A library cell pin has a different type than in the base library.
Supported repairs: Uses the pin type from the base library in the case of signal
• change_lib_port_type pin mismatches. Uses the pin type from the physical library
cell in the case of PG pin mismatches.
Note:
The library manager fixes many types of pin type
mismatches by default. For details, see Pin Definition
Checks.

If these predefined configurations do not meet your needs, you can define your own
configuration, as described in Creating a Mismatch Configuration.
To set a mismatch configuration, use the set_current_mismatch_config command, as
described in Setting a Mismatch Configuration. To see the mismatches that were identified
and fixed during the check_workspace command, use the report_design_mismatch
command after validating the workspace.

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Creating a Mismatch Configuration

To create a mismatch configuration,
1. Create the configuration by using the create_mismatch_config command.
By default, when you create a user-defined mismatch configuration, it is based on
the default mismatch configuration, and all of the error types are treated as error
conditions. To specify a different mismatch configuration as the basis for the user-
defined configuration, use the -ref_config option.
2. Specify how to handle a specific error type by setting its action attribute for the
configuration.
Specify one of the following values for the action attribute: accept, error, ignore, or
repair. The initial setting of this attribute comes from the reference configuration used
to create the user-defined configuration.
To determine the available error types, use the get_mismatch_types command.
3. If you set the action attribute to repair, specify the repair process to use by setting
the error type’s current_repair attribute for the configuration.
To determine the available repairs for an error type, query the available_repairs
attribute of the error type. The Table 17 table describes many of the error types and
their available repairs.
For example, the following commands create a user-defined mismatch configuration
named user_def that repairs missing physical library cells.
lm_shell> create_mismatch_config user_def
lm_shell> set_attribute \
[get_mismatch_types lib_missing_physical_reference] \
action(user_def) repair
lm_shell> set_attribute \
[get_mismatch_types lib_missing_physical_reference] \
current_repair(user_def) create_placeholder_physical_lib_cell

See Also
• Setting a Mismatch Configuration
• Reporting Mismatch Configurations

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Setting a Mismatch Configuration

By default, the library manager uses the default mismatch configuration. To set a different
mismatch configuration, use the set_current_mismatch_config command. You can
specify one of the predefined mismatch configurations (default or auto_fix) or a user-
defined mismatch configuration.
For example, to set the mismatch configuration to the predefined auto-fix configuration,
use the following command:
lm_shell> set_current_mismatch_config auto_fix

To see all available mismatch configurations, use the report_mismatch_configs -all

command.

See Also
• Creating a Mismatch Configuration
• Reporting Mismatch Configurations

Reporting Mismatch Configurations

You can report mismatch configurations by using the commands described in the following
table:

Command Report

get_current_mismatch_config Reports the name of the current mismatch configura-

tion, such as default or auto_fix.

report_mismatch_configs Reports the details of the current mismatch configura-

tion.

report_mismatch_configs -all Reports all available mismatch configurations

report_mismatch_configs -config_- Restricts the report to specific mismatch configurations.

list list

In the following example, the tool reports the details of the current mismatch configuration,
including the mismatch error types and repair strategies. The report includes mismatch
error types that apply to both the library manager and the implementation tool; only the
error types with a category of library apply to the library preparation process.
lm_shell> report_mismatch_configs
****************************************
Report : Reporting Mismatch Configs

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****************************************

Config : default
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mismatch-Type Category Action Allowed Actions
Strategy Available Strategies
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
lib_missing_physical_reference
library error {repair error accept }
null {create_placeholder_physical_lib_cell }
lib_missing_logical_port
library error {repair error accept }
null {create_placeholder_logic_lib_port }
lib_missing_physical_port
library error {repair error accept }
null {create_placeholder_physical_lib_port }
lib_port_type library accept {accept }
change_lib_port_type
{change_lib_port_type }
lib_port_direction
library accept {accept }
change_lib_port_direction
{change_lib_port_direction }
lib_port_name_synonym
library ignore {repair accept ignore }
null {record_lib_port_name_synonym }
...
lib_cell_name_case
library ignore {repair accept ignore }
null {record_lib_cell_name_case_insensitivity }
lib_port_name_case
library ignore {repair accept ignore }
null {record_lib_port_name_case_insensitivity }
lib_missing_rail_pg
library ignore {repair accept ignore }
null {create_pg_for_rail }
...
1

See Also
• Creating a Mismatch Configuration
• Setting a Mismatch Configuration

Verifying Libraries
The Library Manager tool provides a verification flow to validate the logical information or
frame views of a library. You can use this flow to
• Compare the logical information in a logic library source file and an existing cell library,
as described in Verifying Logical Information in a Cell Library.
• Compare the frame views in two libraries. The libraries can be cell libraries or physical
libraries, as described in Verifying the Frame Views Between Libraries.

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Verifying Logical Information in a Cell Library

The library manager can verify that the following objects are the same in a cell library and
a logic library source file:
• The library-level attributes
• The cells
• The pin information, timing arcs, and power data for each cell
To verify the logical information in a cell library,
1. Open the cell library in a verification workspace by using the create_workspace
-flow verification command.
lm_shell> create_workspace -flow verification mylib.ndm

The cell library opened in the verification workspace is referred to as the base library.
2. Compare the logical information in a logic library source file to the cell library in the
library workspace by using the compare_db command.
lm_shell> compare_db -process_label myprocess mylib.db

The logic library source file is referred to as the comparison library.

The compare_db command uses the following tests to identify the pane (logic library) in
the base library to compare to the comparison library:
• An exact match between the name of the comparison library and the source file
used to generate a pane in the base library
• A matching pane based on process label, process number, temperature, and
voltage
To see the panes in the base library, use the report_workspace -panes
command.
If the compare_db command cannot find a matching pane, the comparison fails. If it
finds a matching pane, it performs the comparison and reports any differences.
3. When you have finished verifying the cell library, remove the library workspace by
using the remove_workspace command.

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Verifying the Frame Views Between Libraries

The library manager can verify that the frame views are the same in two libraries by
comparing the following information:
• The schema version
• The default site
• The number of frame views
• For each frame view, the design type, boundary, port information, number of terminals,
terminal colors, existence of access edges, and via region contact codes
To verify the frame views,
1. Open a physical library or cell library in a verification workspace by using the
create_workspace -flow verification command.
lm_shell> create_workspace -flow verification mylib1.ndm

The library opened in the verification workspace is referred to as the base library.
2. Compare the frame views in another library to the base library by using the
compare_ndm command.
lm_shell> compare_ndm mylib2.ndm

The library opened by the compare_ndm command is referred to as the comparison

library. It can be either a physical library or a cell library.
3. When you have finished verifying the cell library, remove the library workspace by
using the remove_workspace command.

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Modifying a Cell Library

You can modify the technology data and physical cell data, but not functional cell data, for
an existing cell library. In general, modifications to a cell library must be made within an
edit-mode library workspace.
To modify a cell library,
1. Define the search path by setting the search_path variable, as described in Defining
the Search Path.
2. Create a library workspace for the edit flow by using the create_workspace command,
as described in Creating a Library Workspace.
For example, to modify the cell library stored in the my_ref.ndm directory, use the
following command:
lm_shell> create_workspace -flow edit my_ref.ndm

3. Modify the cell library by performing one or more of the following tasks:
• Load new technology data, as described in Loading the Technology Data.
To determine the consequences of loading new technology data into an existing cell
library, use the report_tech_diff command.
• Modify the technology data, as described in Completing the Technology Data.
• Load physical library source files into the library workspace, as described in
Loading the Physical Data.
• Load a physical library or cell library into the library workspace by using the
read_ndm command, as described in Loading Physical Data from an Existing
Library.
Note:
When you load a cell library into an edit workspace, only the physical
information is loaded; the timing information is not used.
• Modify the physical attributes for one or more cells.
In general, you can modify physical cell attributes by using the set_attribute
command. You can also set certain attributes by loading a physical rules file, as
described in Loading the Physical Rules File.
• Update the frame views for one or more cells by using the update_clib_frame
command.

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Note:
You can update frame views directly in the on-disk library, without
creating an edit-flow library workspace. For details, see the man page.
• Rename one or more cells by using the rename_clib_cell command.
Note:
You can rename cells directly in the on-disk library, without creating an
edit-flow library workspace. For details, see the man page.
• Remove one or more library cell by using the remove_clib_cell command.
Note:
You can remove cells directly from the on-disk library, without creating an
edit-flow library workspace. For details, see the man page.
• Update the via regions, as described in Updating Via Regions.
• Define antenna properties, as described in Defining Antenna Properties on
Standard Cells and Defining Antenna Properties on Hard Macro Cells.
• Edit the layout for one or more cells, as described in Editing the Physical Layout.
4. Validate the contents of the library workspace by using the check_workspace
command, as described in Validating the Workspace.
When you validate the library workspace, the tool checks only the modified physical
data. By default, the tool generates updated frame views only for cells with modified
design views. To generate a frame view for a cell whose design view is unchanged, set
the frame_update attribute on the cell to true before running the check_workspace
command.
If you want to use the same frame generation options that were used when the cell
library was created, use the write_frame_options command to generate a Tcl
script with the application option settings, and source this script before running the
check_workspace command.

5. Commit the library workspace to disk by using the commit_workspace command, as

described in Committing the Workspace.
For example, the following script updates the technology file for an existing cell library
named existing.ndm and regenerates the frame views for all of the design views using the
same application option settings that were used to generate the cell library:
write_frame_options -library existing.ndm -output frame_options.tcl
create_workspace –flow edit existing.ndm
read_tech_file new_tech.tf
set_attribute [get_lib_cells */*/design] frame_update true

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source frame_options.tcl
check_workspace
commit_workspace -force -output existing.ndm

Updating Via Regions

A via region provides guidance to the router about where to drop a via to make a
connection to prevent DRC violations. If your technology data changes or you need finer
control of the via regions, use the following methods to update the via regions in the
existing frame views:
• Remove all existing via regions and create new via regions by using the
derive_via_regions command

For details about via region creation and the application options used to modify the
default behavior, see Creating Via Regions.
• Create new via regions by using the create_via_region command
• Remove existing via regions by using the remove_via_regions command
To update the via regions in the existing frame views, you must use the edit flow, as shown
in the following example:
lm_shell> create_workspace -flow edit mylib.ndm
lm_shell> read_tech_file new.tf
lm_shell> derive_via_regions
lm_shell> check_workspace
lm_shell> commit_workspace

Defining Antenna Properties on Standard Cells

The implementation tools use antenna properties annotated on the frame view of the
standard cells to perform antenna checking and fixing.
If the LEF file defines these antenna properties for the standard cells, they are
automatically annotated on the frame view of the cells when you generate the cell library.
Otherwise, you must use the edit flow to annotate these properties on the standard cells
after generating the cell library.
To annotate antenna properties on a standard cell,
1. Open the cell library in edit mode as described in Modifying a Cell Library.
2. Use one of the following methods to set the antenna property attributes:
• Use the set_attribute command to set the attributes directly.

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• Use the read_clf_antenna_properties command to set the attributes by reading

a Cell Library Format (CLF) file.
For information about the antenna property attributes for standard cells, see Antenna
Properties for Standard Cells.
3. Validate the contents of the library workspace by using the check_workspace
command, as described in Validating the Workspace.
4. Commit the library workspace to disk by using the commit_workspace command, as
described in Committing the Workspace.

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Antenna Properties for Standard Cells

A standard cell has antenna properties that define the gate and antenna areas of its input
pins, diode protection value of its output pins, and whether a pin can be used as a diode.
These settings are represented by attributes on the cell pins. You can set these attributes
directly with the set_attribute command or set them by reading a CLF file with the
read_clf_antenna_properties command.

Table 18 Standard Cell Antenna Property Attributes

Attribute Description

gate_area This attribute defines the gate area of an input pin.

• If the library supports a single gate oxide mode, the attribute value
uses the following syntax:
{ {layer_name area_value} ... }
• If the library supports multiple gate oxide modes, the attribute value
uses the following syntax:
{ {oxide_mode layer_name area_value} ... }
Note:
If this attribute is not specified for a pin, the IC Compiler II tool uses
the setting of the route.detail.default_gate_size application
option.

antenna_area These attributes define the antenna area of an input pin. The anten-
antenna_side_area na_area attribute defines the antenna polygon area. The antenna_sid-
e_area attribute defines the antenna sidewall area.
The attribute values use the following syntax:
{layer_name area_value}

Note:
If these attributes are not specified for a pin, the implementation tool
uses the pin shapes to compute the antenna area.

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Attribute Description

diff_area This attribute defines the diode protection value of an output pin.
The attribute value uses the following syntax:
{layer_name area_value}

Note:
If this attribute is not specified for a pin, the implementation tool
uses the setting of the route.detail.default_diode_protectio-
n application option.

is_diode This attribute specifies whether a pin is a diode that can be used by the
implementation tool to fix antenna violations.

Defining Antenna Properties on Hard Macro Cells

The implementation tools use antenna properties annotated on the frame view of the hard
macro cells to perform antenna checking.
If you enable IC Validator antenna extraction during library validation, as described in
Automatic Antenna Property Extraction Using the IC Validator Tool, these properties are
automatically annotated on the frame view of the cells when you generate the cell library.
Otherwise, you must use the edit flow to annotate these properties on the hard macro cells
after generating the cell library.
To annotate antenna properties on a hard macro,
1. Open the cell library in edit mode as described in Modifying a Cell Library.
2. Use one of the following methods to set the antenna property attributes:
• Use the set_attribute and set_port_antenna_property commands to set the
attributes directly.
• Use the read_clf_antenna_properties command to set the attributes by reading
a Cell Library Format (CLF) file.
For information about the antenna property attributes for standard cells, see Antenna
Properties for Hard Macro Cells.
3. Validate the contents of the library workspace by using the check_workspace
command, as described in Validating the Workspace.
4. Commit the library workspace to disk by using the commit_workspace command, as
described in Committing the Workspace.

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Antenna Properties for Hard Macro Cells

A hard macro cell has antenna properties that define the gate area, antenna area, and
antenna ratio of its input ports and the diode protection value of its output ports. You can
set these attributes directly with the set_attribute and set_port_antenna_property
commands or set them by reading a CLF file with the read_clf_antenna_properties
command.
Setting Hard Macro Antenna Properties Directly
To set the hard macro antenna properties directly,
1. Use the set_attribute command to set the diode protection value (diff_area
attribute) on the hard macro output ports.
Use the following syntax to specify this attribute:
{ {layer_name area_value} ... }

For example,
lm_shell> set_attribute mylib/hm1/z diff_area \
{M1 0 M2 0 M3 0 M4 0.0595}

2. Use the set_port_antenna_property command to set the gate area, antenna area,
and antenna ratio properties on the hard macro input ports. This command has the
following syntax:
set_port_antenna_property -port port -data property_settings_list

In the property_settings_list argument, specify the properties for one or more layers
using the following syntax:
{ {metalLayer layer_name gate_size area_value mode1_area mode1_data
mode2_ratio mode2_data mode3_area mode3_data mode4_area mode4_data
mode5_ratio mode5_data mode6_area mode6_data} ... }

where
• layer_name is the name of the metal layer in the technology file

• area_value is the gate area of the port on the specified layer

• mode1_data is the area of the specified metal layer when the connectivity is traced
up to that metal layer
• mode2_data is the maximum internal ratio of the area of the metal layer below the
specified metal layer when the connectivity is traced up to the specified metal layer
• mode3_data is the total metal area

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• mode4_data is the sidewall area of the specified metal layer when the connectivity
is traced up to the specified metal layer
• mode5_data is the maximum internal ratio of the sidewall area of the metal layer
below the specified metal layer when the connectivity is traced up to the specified
metal layer
• mode6_data is the total metal sidewall area

The library manager also supports a simplified syntax that excludes the property
names:
{ {layer_name area_value mode1_data mode2_data mode3_data
mode4_data mode5_data mode6_data} ... }

For example, you can use either of the following commands to set the antenna
properties on the a pin of the hm1 hard macro cell:
lm_shell> set_port_antenna_property -port mylib/hm1/a -data \
{ {metalLayer M1 gate_size 0.3436 mode1_area 6.664
mode2_ratio 2.05346 mode3_area 12.708 mode4_area 17.5392
mode5_ratio 7.04044 mode6_area 12.682}
{metalLayer V1 gate_size 0.3436 mode1_area 6.664
mode2_ratio 2.05346 mode3_area 12.708 mode4_area 17.5392
mode5_ratio 7.04044 mode6_area 12.682} }

or
lm_shell> set_port_antenna_property -port mylib/hm1/a -data \
{ {M1 0.3436 6.664 2.05346 12.708 17.5392 7.04044 12.682}
{V1 0.3436 6.664 2.05346 12.708 17.5392 7.04044 12.682} }

Note:
For the layer below the pin layer, set the hierarchical antenna properties
to 0. Also, if the gate_size value for a metal layer is zero, such as for an
output pin, the mode2_ratio and mode5_ratio values for that layer must be
0.

Creating an Aggregate Library

An aggregate library is grouping of multiple cell libraries into a single cell library for easier
maintenance and distribution.
To create an aggregate library,

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1. Define the search path, as described in Defining the Search Path.

2. Create a library workspace for the aggregate flow, as described in Creating a Library
Workspace.
When you create the library workspace, specify the aggregate library name as the
workspace name. For example, to create an aggregate library named my_agg, use the
following command:
lm_shell> create_workspace my_agg -flow aggregate

3. Load the cell libraries into the library workspace, as described in Opening a Cell
Library.
All of the cell libraries in the library workspace become part of the aggregate library. To
remove libraries from the workspace, use the remove_lib command.
4. Validate the contents of the library workspace, as described in Validating the
Workspace.
5. Set the search order, as described in Setting the Search Order.
6. Commit the library workspace to disk, as described in Committing the Workspace.

See Also
• Aggregate Library
• Modifying an Aggregate Library

Setting the Search Order

The search order specifies the order in which to search the cell libraries comprising the
aggregate library when resolving a cell reference.
To specify the search order, use the set_lib_order command. When the implementation
tool resolves a cell reference, it starts searching in the leftmost cell library in the list and
uses the first matching cell it finds.

Modifying an Aggregate Library

To modify an aggregate library,

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1. Define the search path, as described in Defining the Search Path.

2. Create a library workspace for the edit flow, as described in Creating a Library
Workspace.
When you create the library workspace, specify the library’s root directory as
the workspace name. For example, to modify the aggregate library stored in the
my_agg.ndm directory, use the following command:
lm_shell> create_workspace -flow edit my_agg.ndm

3. Adjust the cell libraries in the library workspace.

When you create a library workspace for an existing aggregate library, its cell libraries
are automatically opened in the library workspace. To see the cell libraries in the
workspace, use the get_libs or report_workspace command.
To change the search order of the cell libraries, set the search order, as described in
Setting the Search Order.
To add cell libraries to the library workspace, open the libraries, as described in
Opening a Cell Library.
To remove cell libraries from the library workspace, close the libraries, as described in
Closing a Cell Library.
4. Validate the contents of the library workspace, as described in Validating the
Workspace.
5. Set the search order, as described in Setting the Search Order.
6. Commit the library workspace to disk, as described in Committing the Workspace.

See Also
• Creating an Aggregate Library

Opening a Cell Library

To query or view the contents of the cell library, you must open it outside of a library
workspace by using the open_lib command.
Note:
To load a cell library into a library workspace, use the read_ndm command, as
described in Loading Physical Data from an Existing Library.
For example, to open the mylib cell library, use the following command:
lm_shell> open_lib mylib.ndm

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Getting Information About Cell Libraries

Note:
The open_lib command takes the path to the cell library rather than the library
name. For libraries created with version N-2017.09 and later versions, this is
the path to the library’s root directory. For libraries created with earlier versions,
this is the path to the library file.
Each time you run the command, you can specify only a single cell library to open; to open
multiple cell libraries, you must run the command multiple times.
You can specify the cell library with an absolute path, a relative path, or no path. If you use
a relative path or no path, the tool uses the search path to find the library.

Getting Information About Cell Libraries

You can report information about the cell libraries and their contents. To learn about these
reporting capabilities, see
• Querying Libraries
• Reporting Libraries
• Reporting the Frame Properties
• Querying Library Objects
• Reporting Library Objects

Querying Libraries
To list the libraries loaded into memory, use the get_libs command.
lm_shell> get_libs
{mylib mylib_lvt mylib_hvt}

If you have opened an aggregate library, the get_libs command returns the cell libraries
within the aggregate library. The cell library names are prefixed with the aggregate library
name.
lm_shell> get_libs
{AGG1|reflib1 AGG1|reflib2 }

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You can specify a pattern to restrict the set of libraries. For example, to include only the
low threshold voltage libraries, enter the following command:
lm_shell> get_libs *lvt
{mylib_lvt}

Reporting Libraries
To report information about a cell library, use the report_lib command. You must specify
the name of an open cell library as an argument. You can run this command both before
and after committing the library workspace.
By default, this command provides information about the library, such as the number of
cells, the power rails, the characterization points (panes), and the operating condition
definitions. Use the following options to report additional information about the cell library:
• -antenna

Reports the library cells that are missing antenna properties and the affected pins.
• -parasitic_tech

Reports the TLUPlus files loaded into the library, if any.

• -physical

Reports the physical characteristics of the cell library.

The reported information includes the site definitions, the layer definitions, the source
file names, the number of each type of cell view (timing, layout, design, and frame) in
the library, the number of each design type in the library, details about each library cell,
the number of each type of library cell pin (ground, power, and signal) in the library, and
details about the pins for each library cell.
• -placement_constraints

Reports missing or improper placement constraints.

Reported issues include improper site definitions and library cells that do not have any
shapes on the placement layers defined in the technology file, such as implant and
diffusion layers. By default, the report includes a maximum of 10 cells with violations.
To report all cells with violations, use the -verbose option.
• -routability

Reports library issues that could impact the routability.

Reported issues include library cell pins that do not have either a via region or access
edges, irregular cut shapes or routing blockages, frame views that are converted from
IC Compiler FRAM views, improper frame generation settings, frame views with many

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obstructions, shorted pins, routing ports without geometry information, ports whose
is_secondary_pg or is_diode attribute differs between the timing view and the frame
view, and fully blocked terminals.
To report details about the cell objects, such as the number of terminals, shapes, and
routing blockages, and to report both fully and partially blocked terminals, use the
-verbose option.

• -timing_arcs

Reports the timing arcs for the library cells.

• -wire_tracks

Reports library issues related to the wire tracks.

Reported issues include cells with off-track or missing via regions and layers without a
preferred direction. By default, the report includes the name and layer for each violating
library cell pin, as well as the issue causing the violation. To report additional details
for the violating library cell pins such as the contact code and bounding box, use the
-verbose option.

By default, the library manager determines the wire tracks from the library being
reported. If the wire track information is stored in a technology library, use the
-technology_lib option to specify the library.

• -wire_track_colors

Reports library issues related to wire track coloring.

Reported issues include tracks without color information, terminals without color
information, and terminals on a track with the incorrect color.
• -min_pin_layer layer

Reports terminals on layers lower than the specified pin layer.

Example 5 shows an example of the default cell library report.

Example 5 Cell Library Report

lm_shell> report_lib mylib
****************************************
Report : library
Library: mylib
****************************************

Full name: /usr/libs/mylib.ndm:mylib

File name: /usr/libs/mylib.ndm
Lib type: cell
Design count: 434
Timing data:

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Power rails:

Index Name Type

0 <default> power
1 V power
2 VL power
3 VSS ground

Pane count: 2

Pane 0:
Process label: (none)
Process number: 1
Voltage rail count: 3
Voltage for rail 0 (<default>): 1.08
Voltage for rail 1 (V): 1.08
Voltage for rail 2 (VL): 1.08
Temperature: 125

Thresholds:
r/f InputDelay: 0.5/0.5 r/f OutputDelay: 0.5/0.5
l/h RiseTrans: 0.1/0.9 h/l FallTrans: 0.9/0.1
TransDerate: 1

Source .db file:

/usr/libs//DB/mylib_125c.db
Pane 1:
...

Source .db libraries:

mylib_125c.db:mylib_125c
mylib_40c.db:mylib_40c

Operating Conditions:

Name Process Temp Voltage Original DB Name

------------------------------------------------------------------------
WORST 1.00 125.00 1.08 mylib_max_hth
BEST 1.00 -40.00 1.32 mylib_min

Reporting the Frame Properties

The library manager extracts frame views of the library cells when you run the
check_workspace command.

To report the frame view properties for one or more library cells, use the
report_frame_properties command. You can run this command only after committing

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the library workspace. You must use the -library option to specify the name of an open
cell library and the -output option to specify the name of the output file.
lm_shell> open_lib mylib
lm_shell> report_frame_properties -library [current_lib] \
-output frame.txt

By default, the command reports the frame view properties for all cells in the cell library.
To report the frame view properties for a specific cell, use the -block option to specify the
cell name. Note that when you use this option, you must explicitly specify the frame view
of the cell.
Example 6 shows an example frame properties report, which was generated by the
following command:
lm_shell> report_frame_properties -library [current_lib] \
-output frame.txt -block mylib/AND2/frame

Example 6 Frame Properties Report

****************************************
Report : frame properties
Library: mylib

****************************************
**********************
Design : AND2
**********************
Total number of row: 1.

* implant_width property *

No implant width property on this block.

* diffusion_width_height property *

No diffusion width height property on this block.

* source_drain annotation *

No source/drain annotation on this block.

See Also
• Frame View Generation Application Options

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Querying Library Objects

You can query the library cells and library cell pins both before and after committing the
library workspace.
• To determine the library cells available in a library, use the get_lib_cells command.
If you run the command without any arguments, it returns all the timing views in the
current library. If the library does not contain any cells with timing views, the command
returns the frame views, if they exist; otherwise, it returns the design views.
If you specify the library cells, use the following format:
library_name/cell_name[/view]
You must specify both the library name and the cell name. You can specify a pattern,
including wildcards for the library name and cell name. If you specify the view, it must
be one of the following keywords: design, frame, layout, or timing.
For example, to return all the frame views in the mylib cell library, use the following
command:
lm_shell> get_lib_cells mylib/*/frame
{mylib/AND2/frame mylib/AND4/frame mylib/AO21/frame ...}

• To determine the pins on a library cell, use the get_lib_pins command.

If you run the command without any arguments, it returns all the library cell pins in the
current library. If you specify the library cells, use the following format:
library_name/cell_name/pin_name
You must specify the library name, the cell name, and the pin name. You can specify a
pattern, including wildcards for the library name, cell name, and pin name.
For example, to return all the pins of the AND2 cell in the mylib cell library, use the
following command:
lm_shell> get_lib_pins mylib/AND2/*
{mylib/AND2/IN1 mylib/AND2/IN2 mylib/AND2/OUT}

Note:
To reduce runtime when you load physical library source files in the physical-
only flow, the tool loads only the cell names, and not detailed information for
the cells. The tool loads the detailed information during workspace validation.
This means that after loading the physical library source files, you can query
the library cell names, but you cannot query other information such as pins,
attributes, and shapes until after workspace validation.

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If you need to examine the cells in detail before workspace validation, load the
physical library source files in the normal flow.

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Reporting Library Objects

You can report information about the library cells, library cell pins, and library timing
arcs. You can generate the library cell and library cell pin reports both before and after
committing the library workspace. You can generate the library timing arc report only after
committing the library workspace.
• To report information about one or more library cells, use the report_lib_cells
command. You must use the -objects option to specify the library cells.
Use the following format to specify the library cells: library_name/cell_name. You must
specify both the library name and the cell name. You can specify a pattern, including
wildcards for the library name and cell name.
By default, the report includes the full name, area, pin count, and design type for the
specified cells, as well as whether the cell is sequential.
For example, to report on the AND2 cell in the mylib cell library, use the following
command:
lm_shell> report_lib_cells -objects mylib/AND2
****************************************
Report : lib_cell
****************************************

full_name area pin_count is_sequential design_type

-------------------- ---------- --------- ------------- ------------
mylib/AND2 11.0005 3 false lib_cell
1

You can customize the report by using the -columns option to specify the information
to report. The following column names are valid for this report: area, design_type,
dont_touch, full_name, is_combinational, is_isolation, is_level_shifter,
is_memory_cell, is_sequential, is_three_state, name, pad_cell, pin_count,
valid_purposes, and view_name. To display all of the available information, specify
-columns all.

• To report information about one or more library cell pins, use the report_lib_pins
command. You must use the -objects option to specify the library cell pins.
Use the following format to specify the library cell pins:
library_name/cell_name/pin_name. You must specify the library name, the cell name,
and the pin name. You can specify a pattern, including wildcards for the library name,
cell name, and pin name.
By default, the report includes the full name and direction for the specified pins.

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For example, to report on all the pins of the AND2 cell in the mylib cell library, use the
following command:
lm_shell> report_lib_pins -objects mylib/AND2/*
****************************************
Report : lib_pin
****************************************

full_name direction
------------------------- --------
mylib/AND2/IN1 in
mylib/AND2/IN2 in
mylib/AND2/OUT out
1

You can customize the report by using the -columns option to specify the
information to report. The following column names are valid for this report:
direction, disable_timing, full_name, function, is_async_pin,
is_clock_pin, is_data_pin, is_pad, is_preset_pin, is_three_state,
is_three_state_enable_pin, is_three_state_output_pin, name, pin_number,
port_type, rail_name, signal_type, and three_state_function. To display all of
the available information, specify -columns all.
• To report information about one or more timing arcs, use the
report_lib_timing_arcs command. You must use the -objects option to specify
the library timing arcs.
The easiest way to specify the timing arcs is to use the get_lib_timing_arcs
command and use the -of_objects option to specify the library cell for which you
want to report the timing arcs.
By default, the report includes the from pin, to pin, sense, when condition, and SDF
condition for the specified timing arcs.
For example, to report on all the timing arcs of the AND4 cell in the mylib cell library,
use the following command:
lm_shell> report_lib_timing_arcs \
-objects [get_lib_timing_arcs -of_objects mylib/AND2]
****************************************
Report : lib_timing_arc
****************************************

from to sense when sdf_cond is_disabled

------ ------ --------------- ---------- --------------- -----------
A1 Y positive_unate false
A2 Y positive_unate false
A1 Y positive_unate false
A2 Y positive_unate false
1

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Exporting Cell Library Content

You can customize the report by using the -columns option to specify the information
to report. The following column names are valid for this report: from, from_lib_pin,
is_disabled, is_user_disabled, sdf_cond, sense, to, to_lib_pin, and when. To
display all of the available information, specify -columns all.

Exporting Cell Library Content

You can export cell library content to several formats for use with other tools. Table 19 lists
the supported formats and the command used to generate the output files.

Table 19 Cell Library Export Formats

Format Command

Technology file write_tech_file

Antenna properties in Cell Li- write_clf_antenna_properties

brary Format (CLF)

LEF write_lef

GDSII write_gds

OASIS write_oasis

Reference library for Design write_dc_fram

Compiler Graphical or Design
Compiler NXT

Closing a Cell Library

To close a cell library that was opened outside of a library workspace, use the close_lib
command. This command decrements the open count of the library and removes it from
memory when no copies of the library remain open.
Note:
To remove a cell library from a library workspace, use the remove_lib
command.
By default, the close_lib command closes the current library. To close a specific library,
specify the library name. To close all libraries, use the -all option.
For example, to close the current library, use the following command:

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lm_shell> close_lib

To close the mylib cell library, use the following command:

lm_shell> close_lib mylib

To close all cell libraries, use the following command:

lm_shell> close_lib -all

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A
Library Manager Application Options
To learn about the application options you can use to control the behavior of the
IC Compiler II library manager, see the following topics:
• Library Manager Application Options
• LEF Input Application Options
• GDSII and OASIS Input Application Options
• Timing View Generation Application Options
• Frame View Generation Application Options
• Antenna Extraction Application Options
• Command-Line Interface Application Options
• Graphical User Interface Application Options

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Library Manager Application Options

Library Manager Application Options

The library manager (lib.workspace) application options control various aspects of the
cell library creation process. Table 20 describes the lib.workspace application options.
If the application option has a data type of Boolean or enumerated string, the valid values
are listed, with the default listed first and shown in purple; otherwise, the data type is
specified along with the default.

Table 20 lib.workspace Application Options

Application option Valid values or data type Description

lib.workspace.allow_commit_ workspa- false | true Controls whether the commit_works-

ce_overwrite pace command overwrites an existing
cell library (true) or issues an error
message if the library already exists
(false).

lib.workspace.allow_missing_related_- true | false Controls whether the check_works-

pg_pins pace command requires signal pins
to have at least one related power or
ground pin.

lib.workspace.create_workspace_tf_ v- true | false When true, the create_workspa-

erbose ce -technology command outputs
detailed information when reading the
technology file.

lib.workspace.enable_secondary_ pg_- true | false Controls whether secondary power

marking and ground pins are annotated on the
frame view.

lib.workspace.exclude_design_filters list (default = ””) Specifies one or more patterns to

match designs to exclude when
loading logic or physical libraries.
This option works with the lib.wor-
kspace.include_design_filters
application option to determine the
set of designs to read.
For more information, see Specifying
Which Blocks to Process.

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Library Manager Application Options

Application option Valid values or data type Description

lib.workspace.explore_create_ aggre- false | true Controls the behavior of the wri-

gate te_workspace and commit_workspa-
ce commands when the exploration
flow creates multiple workspaces.
To create an aggregate library, set
this application option to true.

lib.workspace.fast_exploration false | true Controls whether the fast exploration

flow is enabled.
For more information, see Using the
Exploration Flow.

lib.workspace.group_libs_fix_cell_ s- true | false Controls whether the group_lib-

hadowing s command modifies the grouping
strategy to prevent cell shadowing
issues across subworkspaces.
Cell shadowing occurs when a library
cell with the same name exists in
multiple cell libraries. In this case, the
tool uses the data from the first cell
library in which it finds the cell, and it
ignores that cell’s data in all other cell
libraries, which can result in missing
data for the cell.

lib.workspace.group_libs_macro_ gro- aggregate_single_cell | Controls the macro grouping strategy

uping_strategy single_cell_per_lib used for the subworkspaces created
by the group_libs command.
For more information, see Performing
Automated Library Analysis.

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Library Manager Application Options

Application option Valid values or data type Description

lib.workspace.group_libs_naming_ str- list (default = ””) Controls the naming strategy used for
ategies the subworkspaces created by the g-
roup_libs command.
By default, the tool creates the
subworkspace names by using a
unique combination of logic library
prefix and suffix characters.
For more information, see Performing
Automated Library Analysis.

lib.workspace.group_libs_physical_ o- string (default = ””) Specifies the name of the physical-

nly_name only library group created by the gro-
up_libs command.
If this application option has a
value of “”, the command names
the physical-only subworkspace
<root_workspace>_physical_only.
For more information, see Performing
Automated Library Analysis.

lib.workspace.include_design_filters list (default = ””) Specifies one or more patterns to

match designs to include when
loading logic or physical libraries.
When you set this option, only the
specified designs are read.
This option works with the lib.wor-
kspace.exclude_design_filters
application option to determine the
set of designs to read.
For more information, see Specifying
Which Blocks to Process.

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Library Manager Application Options

Application option Valid values or data type Description

lib.workspace.library_developer_mode false | true Controls whether the technology file

checker works in user mode (the de-
fault) or developer mode.

lib.workspace.remove_frame_bus_ pro- false | true Controls whether the check_works-

perties pace command removes bus prop-
erties that exist in the frame view but
not in the timing view.

lib.workspace.save_design_views false | true Controls whether the commit_wor-

kspace command saves the design
views in the cell library.

lib.workspace.save_layout_views false | true Controls whether the commit_wor-

kspace command saves the layout
views in the cell library.

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LEF Input Application Options

LEF Input Application Options

The LEF input (file.lef) application options control the behavior of the read_lef
command. Table 21 describes the file.lef application options. If the application option
has a data type of Boolean or enumerated string, the valid values are listed, with the
default shown in purple; otherwise, the data type is specified along with the default.

Table 21 file.lef Application Options

Application option Valid values or data Description

type

file.lef.allow_empty_pin false | true Controls whether the read_lef

command allows a PIN statement
that does not have an associated
PORT.

file.lef.auto_rename_conflict_sites false | true Controls whether the read_lef

command automatically renames
conflicting site names.
For more information about this
application option, see Reading LEF
Files.

file.lef.derive_must_join_for_pg false | must_join_- Controls how the read_lef

group | pattern_- command derives must-join pin
must_join connections for PG pins that have
the LEF58_MUSTJOINALLPORTS
property in the LEF file.

file.lef.non_real_cut_obs_mode true | false Controls whether to use zero

minimum spacing for non-real cut
obstructions.

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GDSII and OASIS Input Application Options

GDSII and OASIS Input Application Options

The read_gds and read_oasis commands support similar application options to
control their behavior. Table 22 describes these application options; replace format in
the application option names with gds for the read_gds command and oasis for the
read_oasis command. These application options also affect the trace_connectivity
commands.
In the following table, if the application option has a data type of Boolean or enumerated
string, the valid values are listed, with the default shown in purple; otherwise, the data type
is specified along with the default.

Table 22 file.gds Application Options

Application option Valid values or Description

data type

file.format.create_custom_via false | true Controls whether the commands

create custom vias from the cut
shapes in the library source file.

file.format.exclude_layers list (default = “”) Specifies the rules for mapping

between metal layers and the layers
that are used to exclude geometries
from the specified layers.
For more information about this
statement, see Mapping Exclude
Layers.

file.format.port_type_map list (default = “”) Identifies the power and ground pins
by mapping the pin name to its type.
The mapping applies to all cells in the
library source file.
For more information about this
application option, see Identifying
Power and Ground Pins.

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GDSII and OASIS Input Application Options

Application option Valid values or Description

data type

file.format.text_layer_map list (default = “”) Maps the text layers to the metal
layers so that the tool can associate
metal shapes with a net or pin when
the text is not on the same layer as
the metal shapes.
For more information about this
application option, see Mapping Text
Layers.

file.format.trace_copy_overlap_ sha- false | true Controls whether the commands du-

pe_from_sub_cell plicate a shape in a subblock to the
top-level block when the shape is
overlapped by terminals.

file.format.trace_terminal_length integer (default = Controls whether the commands split

0) long pins on the block boundary into
a terminal and a net shape.
By default (0), the commands do not
split long pins.
When set to a positive integer,
the commands split pins that are
longer than the specified value. After
splitting, the new terminal is the
specified length; the rest of the pin is
converted to a net shape.

file.format.trace_terminal_type default | pg | Specifies the types of long pins that

signal are considered for splitting.
By default, both PG and signal pins
are considered.

file.format.trace_unmapped_text false | true Controls whether the commands

trace all routing layers for text that is
not mapped to any routing layer.

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Timing View Generation Application Options

Application option Valid values or Description

data type

file.format.use_only_mapped_text false | true Controls whether the commands use

only the text specified by the file.f-
ormat.text_layer_map application
option when tracing ports.

Timing View Generation Application Options

The timing view generation (lib.logic_model) application options control the timing view
generation, which is performed by the check_workspace command. Table 23 describes
the lib.logic_model application options. If the application option has a data type of
Boolean or enumerated string, the valid values are listed, with the default shown in purple;
otherwise, the data type is specified along with the default.

Table 23 lib.logic_model Application Options

Application option Valid values or data Description

type

lib.logic_model.auto_remove_ incom- false | true Controls whether the check_wor-

patible_timing_designs kspace command automatically re-
moves cells from the cell library that
have a mismatch between the base li-
brary and additional logic libraries.

lib.logic_model.auto_remove_ timin- false | true Controls whether the check_wor-

g_only_designs kspace command automatically re-
moves cells from the cell library that
do not exist in the physical library.

lib.logic_model.preserve_nldm_ false | true Controls whether the composite cur-

pin_caps rent source (CCS) reciever_cap-
acitance data overwrites the native
nonlinear delay model (NLDM) pin ca-
pacitance when reading the logic li-
braries.

lib.logic_model.relax_pin_equal_ o- false | true Controls whether the check_w-

pposite_attr_check orkspace command requires that
the pin_equal and pin_opp-
osite attributes on a cell must
match between the base library and
additional logic libraries.

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Timing View Generation Application Options

Application option Valid values or data Description

type

lib.logic_model.require_same_ opt_- false | true Controls whether the check_wor-

attrs kspace command requires that the
optimization attributes on a cell must
match between the base library and
additional logic libraries.

lib.logic_model.resolve_voltage_ r- use_base_library Specifies how to handle voltage

ange_differences | require_same range differences across the logic
libraries.

lib.logic_model.use_db_rail_names true | false When true, the commit_workspace

command uses the voltage rail names
from the logic libraries; otherwise, it
generates the names.

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Frame View Generation Application Options

Frame View Generation Application Options

The frame view generation (lib.physical_model) application options control the frame
view generation, which is performed by the check_workspace command. Table 24
describes the lib.physical_model application options. If the application option has a
data type of Boolean or enumerated string, the valid values are listed, with the default
shown in purple; otherwise, the data type is specified along with the default.

Table 24 lib.physical_model Application Options

Application option Valid values or data Description

type

lib.physical_model.block_all auto | false | Controls whether the entire cell,

true | used_layers except for the area around the pins,
| top_layer is treated as a blockage in the frame
view.
If you specify the top_layer argument,
the tool creates a zero-spacing
blockage on the specified layer and all
layers below it; otherwise, the setting
applies to all layers.

lib.physical_model.block_core_ m- list of layer-float pairs Specifies the margin between the core
argin (default = “”) blockage and the macro cell boundary
for each layer in the frame view.
If you specify this option for a layer,
the tool creates a core blockage with
the specified margin regardless of the
setting of the lib.physical_mod-
el.block_all application option.

lib.physical_model.color_based_ auto | true | false Controls whether frame generation

dpt_flow uses the color-based flow.
By default (auto), frame generation
uses the color-based flow when the
technology file contains double-
patterning rules.

lib.physical_model.connect_ withi- true | false Controls whether the via enclosure

n_pin must be within the pin shape. when
dropping a via on the via region.

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Frame View Generation Application Options

Application option Valid values or data Description

type

lib.physical_model.convert_ met- list of layer-dis- Converts metal blockages in the

al_blockage_to_zero_spacing tance-mode triplets design views to zero-spacing routing
(default = “”) blockages in the for the specified
layers. When creating the zero-
spacing routing blockage, the tool
increases the size of the metal
blockage by the distance specified for
that layer.
By default, the specified distance
applies to all metal blockages. To
specify different distances based on
whether the blockage touches a pin,
specify the optional mode argument
as either touch_pin or no_tou-
ch_pin.

lib.physical_model.create_frame_ false | true Controls whether frame view genera-

for_subblocks tion creates a frame view only for the
top-level block (the default) or for the
top-level block and the subblocks.

lib.physical_model.create_zero_ s- list of layer-width pairs Specifies the width of the zero-spacing

pacing_blockages_around_pins (default = “”) routing blockages created around the
pins for each layer in the frame view.
By default, frame view generation
does not create zero-spacing routing
blockages around the pins.

lib.physical_model.derive_ patte- false | true | ex- Controls whether frame view genera-
rn_must_join clude_pg tion sets the pattern_must_join at-
tribute on ports that have more than
one terminal on a metal layer.

lib.physical_model.design_rule_ list of via layers (de- Converts zero-spacing routing block-

via_blockage_layers fault = “”) ages on the via layers of the frame
view to design rule routing blockages.

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Frame View Generation Application Options

Application option Valid values or data Description

type

lib.physical_model.drc_distances list of layer-distance Specifies the distance from the

pairs (default = “”) boundary of blockages within with to
preserve detailed shapes.
By default, the tool uses information in
the Layer section of the technology file
to determine this value for each layer.
The value is computed by adding
the maximum spacing value to the
maximum width threshold from the fat
spacing table.

lib.physical_model.enable_via_ r- false | true Controls whether frame view

egions_for_all_design_types generation creates via regions for all
design types.
By default, frame view generation
creates via regions only for standard
cells.

lib.physical_model.hierarchical true | false Controls whether the tool extracts

pins, vias, and blockages hierarchical-
ly when creating the frame view.

lib.physical_model.include_ nonde- list (default = “”) Specifies the nondefault vias to in-
fault_via clude for via region extraction.

lib.physical_model.include_ routi- list (default = “”) Specifies the PG ports that require
ng_pg_ports via regions and access edges in the
frame view.

lib.physical_model.keepout_ spaci- list of layer-spacings Defines how to create the zero-spac-

ng_for_non_pin_shapes pairs (default = “”) ing routing blockages for the non-pin
shapes on each affected layer.

lib.physical_model.merge_ metal_- false | true Controls whether metal blockages are

blockage merged if they are too close, based
on the minimum width and minimum
spacing for the layer.

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Frame View Generation Application Options

Application option Valid values or data Description

type

lib.physical_model.pin_channel_ d- list of layer-distance Controls the channel distance for each

istances pairs (default = “”) pin layer. If a pin is within the channel
distance of the block boundary, the
tool cuts a channel for the pin when
generating the frame view.

lib.physical_model.pin_must_ con- list of layer-spare layer Specifies the spare layer associated
nect_area_layers pairs (default = “”) with each pin layer. The spare layer
defines the must-area within the pin
geometry.
Use this option to restrict the via
landing area on complex-shaped pins.

lib.physical_model.pin_must_ con- list of layer-threshold Specifies the width threshold used

nect_area_thresholds pairs (default = “”) to determine the must-connect area
within the pin geometry for each
connection layer.
Use this option to restrict the via
landing area on finger-shaped pins.

lib.physical_model.port_contact_ string (default = “”) Specifies custom contact codes for

selections specific ports for via region genera-
tion.

lib.physical_model.preserve_ met- auto | true | false Controls whether metal blockages are
al_blockage trimmed when creating the frame view.
By default, metal blockages are
preserved (not trimmed) for the
following types of cells: library cells,
diode cells, end cap cells, fill cells,
filler cells, physical-only cells, and
well-tap cells.
For all other types of cells, the tool
trims metal blockages that touch a pin.

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Frame View Generation Application Options

Application option Valid values or data Description

type

lib.physical_model.remove_ non_- list of layer-mode pairs Specifies whether to remove non-pin

pin_shapes (default = “”) shapes when generating the frame
view. Valid values for the mode are
• none (the default)
Frame generation does not
remove non-pin shapes.
• all
Frame generation removes all
non-pin shapes on the specified
layer.
• core
Frame generation removes
all non-pin shapes that are
completely within the core on
the specified layer. The core is
determined by shrinking the block
boundary by the DRC distance.
Removing non-pin shapes reduces
the number of blockages in the frame
view. However, to ensure that the
removal of the non-pin shapes from
the frame view does not cause routing
DRC violations, you should create a
core blockage by using the lib.phy-
sical_model.block_all or lib.phy-
sical_model.block_ core_margin
application option.

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Appendix A: Library Manager Application Options
Antenna Extraction Application Options

Application option Valid values or data Description

type

lib.physical_model.source_drain_ string (default = “”) Specifies the name of the input file
annotation containing the source-drain annotation
information for the cells in the library
workspace.

lib.physical_model.trim_metal_ b- list of layer-method Specifies how to trim metal blockages

lockage_around_pin pairs (default = “”) around pins for each layer. Valid
values for the method are touch, all,
and none.
If you specify this option for a layer,
the tool uses the specified method to
trim the metal blockages for that layer
regardless of the setting of the lib.p-
hysical_model. preserve_met-
al_blockage application option.

Antenna Extraction Application Options

The antenna extraction (signoff.antenna) application options control the IC Validator
antenna extraction that occurs during frame view generation by the check_workspace
command. Table 25 describes the signoff.antenna application options. If the application
option has a data type of Boolean or enumerated string, the valid values are listed, with
the default shown in purple; otherwise, the data type is specified along with the default.

Table 25 signoff.antenna Application Options

Application option Valid values or Description

data type

signoff.antenna.contact_layer list (default = “”) Specifies the contact layers (contact

layers are the layers that connect
polysilicon to metal1). Specify the lay-
ers by using the layer names from the
technology file.

signoff.antenna.contact_layers_ bet- list (default = “”) Specifies the contact layers (contact
ween_m0_diffusion layers are the layers that connect
metal0 to diffusion). Specify the lay-
ers by using the layer names from the
technology file.

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Antenna Extraction Application Options

Application option Valid values or Description

data type

signoff.antenna.custom_runset_file string (default = “”) Specifies the custom runset file for
advanced gate layers.

signoff.antenna.diffusion_layer list (default = “”) Specifies the diffusion layers. Specify

the layers by using the layer names
from the technology file.

signoff.antenna.enabled false | true Controls whether the check_works-

pace command performs antenna ex-
traction during frame view generation.

signoff.antenna.exclude_non_mask_ l- false | true Controls whether nonmask layers are

ayers excluded from the antenna extraction
flow.

signoff.antenna.extract_via_anten- false | true Controls whether antenna properties

na_property are extracted for via layers.

signoff.antenna.gate_class1_layers list (default = “”) Specifies the marking layers for gate
thickness class 1. Specify the layers
by using the layer names from the
technology file.

signoff.antenna.gate_class2_layers list (default = “”) Specifies the marking layers for gate
thickness class 2. Specify the layers
by using the layer names from the
technology file.

signoff.antenna.gate_class3_layers list (default = “”) Specifies the marking layers for gate
thickness class 3. Specify the layers
by using the layer names from the
technology file.

signoff.antenna.hierarchical_gate_ c- string (default = “”) Specifies the gate class include file
lass_include_file for advanced gate class marker lay-
ers.

signoff.antenna.m0_layers_for_ diffu- string (default = “”) Specifies the m0 layers for diffusion
sion_connection connection. Specify the layers by us-
ing the layer names from the technol-
ogy file.

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Antenna Extraction Application Options

Application option Valid values or Description

data type

signoff.antenna.m0_layers_for_ poly_- string (default = “”) Specifies the m0 layers for poly con-
connection nection. Specify the layers by using
the layer names from the technology
file.

signoff.antenna.max_gate_class_name string (default = “”) Specifies the maximum gate class

name when the gate class layers are
passed through a custom runset.

signoff.antenna.poly_layer list (default = “”) Specifies the polysilicon layers.

Specify the layers by using the layer
names from the technology file.

signoff.antenna.report_diodes false | true Controls whether the tool reports

the location of generated protection
diodes.

signoff.antenna.top_cell_pin_only false | true Controls whether the tool extracts hi-

erarchical antenna properties only for
nets that connect to pins in the top-
level of the hard macro.

signoff.antenna.treat_source_ drain_- false | true Controls whether the tool treats the
as_diodes MOS source and drain as protec-
tion diodes and considers any MOS
source and drain regions that are
connected to a net to be a part of the
diode protection area available to that
net.

signoff.antenna.user_defined_ options list (default = “”) Specifies additional options for the
IC Validator command line.
The string that you specify in this
option is added to the command line
used to invoke antenna extraction
in the IC Validator tool. The library
manager does not perform any
checking on the specified string.

signoff.antenna.v0_layers_ between_- list (default = “”) Specifies the v0 layers (v0 layers are
m1_m0 the layers that connect metal1 to met-
al0). Specify the layers by using the
layer names from the technology file.

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Appendix A: Library Manager Application Options
Command-Line Interface Application Options

Command-Line Interface Application Options

The shell application options control various aspects of the library manager command-
line interface. Table 26 describes the shell application options. If the application option
has a data type of Boolean or enumerated string, the valid values are listed, with the
default shown in purple; otherwise, the data type is specified along with the default.

Table 26 shell Application Options

Application option Valid values or Description

data type

shell.common.collection_result_ d- integer (default = Specifies the maximum number of results

isplay_limit 100) displayed when the return value is a collec-
tion.

shell.common.enable_line_editing true | false Controls whether line editing mode is en-

abled.

shell.common.line_editing_mode emacs | vi Specifies the line editing mode.

shell.common.man_path string Specifies the search path for the man

pages.

shell.common.report_default_ sig- integer default = Specifies the default number of significant

nificant_digits 2) digits used to display values in reports.

shell.common.single_line_messages false | true When set to true, error, warning, and infor-
mation messages that contain newlines are
output without newlines.

shell.common.tmp_dir_path string (default = / Specifies the directory that the tool uses for
tmp) temporary storage.

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Appendix A: Library Manager Application Options
Graphical User Interface Application Options

Graphical User Interface Application Options

The gui application options control various aspects of the library manager GUI. Table 27
describes the gui application options. If the application option has a data type of Boolean
or enumerated string, the valid values are listed, with the default shown in purple;
otherwise, the data type is specified along with the default.

Table 27 gui Application Options

Application option Valid values or Description

data type

gui.auto_open_layout_windows true | false Controls whether the GUI automatically cre-

ates a block window when the current de-
sign changes.

gui.command_form_close_dialog_ false | true Controls whether a shell command form in-

after_run_or_script voked from a command search closes itself
after the command is successfully executed
or scripted.

gui.command_form_log_options_ w- false | true Controls whether a shell command form in-

ith_default_values voked from command search appends op-
tional command options with default values
to the command string for execution and
logging.

gui.command_form_show_result_ d- false | true Controls whether a shell command form in-

ialog_after_run voked from a command search displays the
results from the command execution in a di-
alog box.

gui.command_form_use_object_ n- false | true Controls the value format for Tcl procedure
ames_for_proc_options options declared as design objects.

gui.custom_setup_files string (default = “”) Specifies the files to source when invoking
the GUI. These files are sourced in addition
to the standard setup files.

gui.enable_custom_setup_files false | true Controls whether the tool sources the cus-
tom setup files specified in the gui.custo-
m_setup_files application option.

gui.file_editor_command string (default = “”) Controls the command used to edit a file.

gui.graphics_system string (default = a- Controls the graphics system used by the

uto) GUI.

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Graphical User Interface Application Options

Application option Valid values or Description

data type

gui.layer_solid_fill_pattern string (default = D- Controls default display of solid filled layers.

ense4Pattern) To see the valid values for this application
option, use the get_app_option_value
-details -name gui.layer_solid_fil-
l_pattern command.

gui.max_cores integer (default = Specifies the maximum number of CPU

0) cores used by the GUI.

gui.name_based_hier_delimiter string (default = /) Specifies the hierarchy delimiter used by

the name-based hierarchy browser.

gui.url_browser_command string (default = “”) Specifies the command used to display a

URL in a web browser.

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B
Working With the Library Manager GUI
The library manager GUI provides a variety of tools for viewing and editing the cells in your
library. The following topics provide an overview of these tools:
• Starting the Tool in the GUI
• Opening the GUI
• Closing the GUI
• Exiting the Tool From the GUI
• Using the Library Preparation Wizard
• Working in the Main Window
• Using the Message Browser Window

Starting the Tool in the GUI

To start the lm_shell tool in the GUI,
1. Set the DISPLAY environment variable to the name of your Linux system display.
2. Include the path to the bin directory in your $PATH variable.
3. Enter the lm_shell command with the -gui option in a Linux shell.
% lm_shell -gui

You can include other options when you start the GUI. For example,
• -f script_file_name to execute a script

• -x command to execute an lm_shell command

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Opening the GUI

When you start the library manager in the GUI, it

1. Runs the commands in the .synopsys_lm.setup and .synopsys_lm_gui/setup.tcl setup
files
The tool first runs the setup files in your home directory followed by the files in the
project directory (the current working directory in which you start the tool).
2. Runs the command specified by the -x option or the script specified by the -f option.
3. Opens a main window that displays the library preparation wizard
By default, the console appears attached (docked) to the main window above the
status bar.

See Also
• Starting the Command-Line Interface

Opening the GUI

If you start lm_shell without the GUI, you can open the GUI at any time by entering the
gui_start command at the lm_shell> prompt.
lm_shell> gui_start

If you want to execute a script before opening the GUI, use the -file option. For
example,
lm_shell> gui_start -file my_gui_setup.tcl

Note:
The GUI uses the DISPLAY environment variable to determine the display
location. Before opening the GUI, ensure that this variable is set to the name of
your Linux system display.
When you open the library manager GUI, it
1. Runs the commands in the .synopsys_lm_gui/setup.tcl setup files
The tool first runs the setup files in your home directory followed by the files in the
project directory (the current working directory in which you start the tool).
2. Runs the script specified by the -file option.

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Appendix B: Working With the Library Manager GUI
Closing the GUI

3. Opens a main window

• If a library workspace or cell library is open, it opens the library browser in the main
window.
The library browser is a hierarchical representation of the library workspace or cell
library.
• If a library workspace or cell library is not open, it opens the library preparation
wizard in the main window.

Closing the GUI

You can open or close the GUI at any time during the session. For example, if you need to
conserve system resources, you can close the GUI and continue the session inlm_shell.
To close the GUI, do one of the following:
• Choose File > Close GUI in the block window.
• Choose Window > Close All Windows (Close GUI) in any GUI window.
• Enter the gui_stop command.
lm_shell> gui_stop

Exiting the Tool From the GUI

To exit the library manager from the GUI, enter the exit or quit command or choose File
> Exit.
Note:
The library manager does not save the view settings when you exit. For
information about saving changed view settings, see the Setting and Saving
View Properties.

See Also
• Exiting the Library Manager Tool

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Appendix B: Working With the Library Manager GUI
Using the Library Preparation Wizard

Using the Library Preparation Wizard

The library preparation wizard is an easy-to-use tool for navigating the library preparation
flow and executing the individual tasks to create and modify your cell libraries. Figure 23
shows the start page of the library preparation wizard.

Figure 23 Library Preparation Wizard

The following topics describe how to use the wizard to perform these tasks:
• Creating a Cell Library
• Modifying a Cell Library
• Viewing a Cell Library

Creating a Cell Library

To use the library preparation wizard to create a new cell library,

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Using the Library Preparation Wizard

1. Click the create icon ( ) or the “Create a new library” link.

The “Set up ‘Exploration’ Workspace” dialog box (Figure 24) appears.

Figure 24 Set up “Exploration” Workspace Dialog Box

2. Select the library preparation flow in the Flow text box.

By default, the exploration flow is selected. To use another flow, select the flow from the
drop-down list.
3. Specify the workspace name in the Workspace text box.
4. Specify the technology data source.
You can specify either a technology file, which must have a file extension of .tf, or a
technology library, which must have a file extension of .ndm. You can either enter the
file path or click to browse for it.

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Using the Library Preparation Wizard

5. Read the library source files.

To read the source files,
a. Click the tab associated with the file type (DB for the logic libraries; LEF, GDS, or
NDM for the physical libraries) and click Add, which opens the Open dialog box.
b. Browse to the directory that contains the library source files, select the files, and
click Open. To select multiple files, hold the Ctrl key.
When you open library source files, they appear in the “Set up ‘Exploration’
Workspace” dialog box.
c. Click Read to read the source files listed in the dialog box.
For details about reading library source files, see Loading the Logic Data and Loading
the Physical Data.
6. Click OK to finish the workspace setup.
The library browser is updated to display the libraries loaded into the library workspace,
as shown in Figure 25.

Figure 25 Library Browser After Loading Source Libraries

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Using the Library Preparation Wizard

7. Configure the PVT filtering.

The library manager displays the current PVT configuration, as well as the filtering
statistics, as shown in Figure 26.

Figure 26 PVT Configuration

To modify the PVT configuration,

a. Select Configure.
The Filter Process/Voltage/Temperature dialog box appears. The dialog box
displays the settings available in the logic libraries loaded in step Step 5.
b. Select the process, voltage, and temperature settings and click OK.
By default, the filtered logic libraries are not shown in the library browser. To display
the filtered logic libraries, select “Show filtered files.” When you select this option,
the library browser displays the filtered files in gray italic text.
For details about configuring PVT filtering, see Filtering Logic Libraries Based on
Operating Corners.
8. Create the subworkspaces by selecting Group Libs and then clicking OK in the Group
Libraries dialog box.
The library browser is updated to display the library groups created by the library
preparation wizard, as shown in Figure 27.

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Using the Library Preparation Wizard

Figure 27 Library Browser After Grouping Libraries

9. Validate the workspace by selecting Process Workspace and then clicking OK in the
Process Workspace dialog box.
The workspace must pass validation before you can create a cell library. For details
about workspace validation, see Validating the Workspace.
10. Create the cell library by selecting Commit Workspace and then clicking OK in the
Commit Workspace dialog box.

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Using the Library Preparation Wizard

Modifying a Cell Library

To use the library preparation wizard to modify an existing cell library,

1. Click the edit icon ( ) or the “Edit a library” link.

The “Set up ‘Edit’ Workspace” dialog box (Figure 28) appears.

Figure 28 Set up “Edit” Workspace Dialog Box

2. Specify the library in the Library text box.

You can either enter the file path or click to browse for it.
3. If you want to update the technology data for the cell library, specify the technology
data source in the Technology text box.
You can specify either a technology file, which must have a file extension of .tf, or a
technology library, which must have a file extension of .ndm. You can either enter the
file path or click to browse for it.

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Using the Library Preparation Wizard

4. Read the physical library source files.

To read the physical library source files,
a. Click the tab associated with the file type you want to read (LEF, GDS, or NDM) and
click Add, which opens the Open dialog box.
b. Browse to the directory that contains the library source files, select the files, and
click Open. To select multiple files, hold the Ctrl key.
When you open library source files, they appear in the “Set up ‘Edit’ Workspace”
dialog box.
c. Click Read to read the source files listed in the dialog box.
For details about reading physical library source files into an edit workspace, see
Modifying a Cell Library.
5. Validate the workspace by selecting Check Workspace in the library browser and then
clicking OK in the Check Workspace dialog box.
The workspace must pass validation before you can create a cell library. For details
about workspace validation, see Validating the Workspace.
6. Save the updated cell library by selecting Commit Workspace and then clicking OK in
the Commit Workspace dialog box.

Viewing a Cell Library

You can use the GUI to list the cells in a cell library, view information about the cells, and
view the layout of the cells.
To use the library preparation wizard to view an existing cell library,

1. Click the folder icon ( ) or the “View an existing library” link.

The Open Library dialog box appears.
2. Select the cell library.

You can either enter the path to the cell library or click to browse for it.
3. If you want to edit the cell library, select “Open reference library for edit.”
4. Click OK.
The library browser opens with the selected cell library.

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Appendix B: Working With the Library Manager GUI
Working in the Main Window

Working in the Main Window

When you start the library manager tool and open the GUI, the main window appears.
Figure 29 identifies the major features of the main window.

Figure 29 Main Window Features

Menus

Library
browser

Console

Command line
(part of console)

Status bar

Typically, you use the main window to

• Run Tcl scripts
• Enter lm_shelll commands, monitor command processing, and view messages in the
console
• Open and close libraries and blocks (library cells or designs)

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Using the Library Browser

• Explore cell libraries in the library browser

• Set application options
• Open other GUI windows
• Close the GUI or exit the tool

Using the Library Browser

You can use the library browser to view the cells in the source logic and physical libraries
in a library workspace or the cells in a cell library.
The library browser shows a hierarchical view of the libraries loaded in memory. If a library
workspace is open, it shows its source libraries; otherwise, it shows the open cell libraries.
You can expand each library to show the blocks (library cells or designs) in the library. You
can expand each block to show the views available for the block. The library browser also
reports the number and types of cell views in the library. Figure 30 shows a library browser
that displays an expanded cell library with one of its cells expanded to show its views.

Figure 30 Library Browser

To sort the blocks displayed in the library browser, click the caret (^) in the browser header.

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Using the Library Browser

To filter the blocks, enter a string in the search box. As you type, the library browser
updates to show only blocks that contain the text you entered. Click the X to the right side
of the text box to clear the filter.
To open a block in a block window to view or modify its layout, select a physical view
(frame, design, or layout) of the block, right-click, and choose Open Layout View. For
information about using the block window, see Working in the Block Window.
To see detailed information about the library cells, display the library browser cell
information.
• To display information for a specific cell, select one of its views and choose Cell
Information from the context-sensitive menu.
• To display information for all cells in the library, click the “Cell info” button, which is
located at the bottom right of the library browser.
Figure 31 shows these features in the library browser. Figure 32 shows an example cell
information report.

Figure 31 Displaying Cell Information in the Library Browser

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Using the Message Browser Window

Figure 32 Cell Information Report

Using the Message Browser Window

After you run the check_workspace or process_workspaces command, you can view the
messages in the message browser. To view the messages,
To view the messages,
1. Open the message browser window by choosing Window > Message Browser Window.
2. Load the message database by choosing File > Open Message Database, and then
selecting the EMS file.
The message browser lists each of the messages (information, warning, and error), as
well as the message status (W:waived, F:fixed, and A:active). To display the man page
for a message, select the message in the browser view. Figure 33 shows an example of a
message browser window.

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Using the Message Browser Window

Figure 33 Message Browser

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C
Using Non-PG Logic Libraries
This topic describes the following workspace checks when using logic libraries that do not
use the PG-pin syntax:
• PG Rail Checks
• PG Pin Connections

PG Rail Checks
For logic libraries that do not use the PG-pin syntax, the power rails and pins are derived
from the library-level power_supply group and cell-level rail_connection attributes.
The power_rail attributes in the power_supply group define the power rail names. The
rail_connection attributes on a cell associate these power rails with the cell’s power
pins. The signal pins of a cell are associated with the PG rails by using the pin-level
input_signal_level and output_signal_level attributes. Example 7 shows the use of
these attributes to define the power connections in a .lib logic library file.

Example 7 Library Example With power_supply Group

library (my_lib) {
...
power_supply () {
default_power_rail : VDD085;
power_rail (VDD085, 0.85);
power_rail (VDD105, 1.05);
power_rail (VDD120, 1.20);
}
...
cell (LS_085_105) {
is_level_shifter : true;
rail_connection (VDDH, VDD105) ;
rail_connection (VDDL, VDD085) ;
...
pin (in) {
direction : input;
input_signal_level : VDDL;
...
}
pin (out) {
direction : output;

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Appendix C: Using Non-PG Logic Libraries
PG Rail Checks

output_signal_level : VDDH;
...
}
...
} /* end cell group*/
...
} /* end library group*/

The tool verifies that each logic library has the same number of rails and they have the
same names; however, if a rail is defined in a power_supply group but is not used, the
tool ignores mismatches involving that rail and does not include the rail definition in the
generated cell library.
If the rail order differs, the tool automatically updates the order using the information from
the base library.
By default, if a rail name differs between the logic libraries, the tool issues an LM-043
error. If the mismatch is caused only by rail names and positions, and not rail type
differences, you can use the rename_rail command to make the rail names match. For
example, assume logic library A has a power_rail setting of (VDD1.0, 1.0) and logic
library B has a power_rail setting of (VDD1.1, 1.1). You could use the rename_rail
command to align these rails, as shown in the following example:
lm_shell> rename_rail -library A -from VDD1.0 -to VDD
lm_shell> rename_rail -library B -from VDD1.1 -to VDD

You can also use the rename_rail command to correct the situation where the
rail_connection attribute for a cell uses the same PG pin name across libraries, but the
rail name differs.

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Appendix C: Using Non-PG Logic Libraries
PG Pin Connections

PG Pin Connections
If the rail name specified for a rail_connection attribute is not defined in the library-
level power_supply group, the tool issues an error message. To fix this error, use the
set_attribute command to change the rail_connection attribute to a valid rail name.
To see the rail names defined for a library workspace, use the report_workspace -panes
command.

Library Manager User Guide 192

Q-2019.12-SP2

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