Updated 9/15/08

Using Cadence for MEMS Layout

Cadence setup in instructional account

Similarly to the matlab setup, you'll need Hummingbird or some other X Windows manager in order to display graphics. See the instructions on the Software page or email me if you have any questions.

I recommend that you create a cadence directory to keep all of your stuff in. From your home directory,

mkdir cadence
cd cadence
Run /share/b/bin/cadence-setup.csh
List the directory you just created /home/cc/n245/sp07/class/n245-ax/cadence (or the same thing it displays except for cadence substituted for ee141)
Copy appropriate display files from my account in order to get the layers that you need.
cp ~n245/cadence/display.drf display.drf (say yes to overwrite)

Opening Cadence

The icfb command opens everything in Cadence. Really all you should need is layout (opened with layout2 &; doesn't check out as many licenses from the license server), but I've just used icfb2 to be safe.
icfb2 &
(if that doesn't work, try /share/b/bin/icfb2&)

This opens the main Cadence window. (The name seems to stand for "IC Front-to-Back".) This window is the main control center. You will do most of your work in other windows, but many error messages show up here. If something you're trying to do doesn't work, check the ICFB window for error messages.

Set up Technology files

In the ICFB window, go to Tools->Technology File Manager
Click New to set up a new technology library
Under name, type polymumps
Select Load ASCII Technology File and enter ~n245/cadence/polymumps.tf
Click OK.

Create a New Library and Attach Tech File

This should open both the ICFB window which keeps a log of everything you do as well as the library manager. There are a lot of libraries already included for the introductory digital circuits class here, but we won't use these. In the library manager, the first thing you want to do is create a new library. The purpose of a library is to catalog the pieces (cells) in your design.

In the library manager, go to File->New->Library
Name your library and make sure the directory is correct
A new window should pop up asking about the technology file for your library
Select Attach to an existing techfile
Select the technology file you just created, polymumps, in the technology library drop down box