Help for Computer-Aided Design (CAD) tools on Lyle Engineering Computers
The Lyle servers have various CAD tools that we use in course
assignments and research projects. This page provides links to information on
tools used by our students for electronic design automation.
Lyle Unix Account
In order to run the tools on the Lyle servers, you will need to set up
a Lyle Unix account. Note that it may take up to 48 hours for a new
account to be activated, so plan accordingly. Information on how to
set up a new account can be found at https://www.smu.edu/OIT/Services/genuse.
The servers are called "genuse" (General Use) machines. The list of machines can be found at https://www.smu.edu/OIT/Services/genuse#general-use-linux-machines
If this is your first time with Unix (or need a review), please visit this
page.
X-Windows Emulators
After you have set up your account, you will also need to set up
X-Windows emulation to run the CAD tools. The type of emulator to use
will depend on your PC platform (Windows or Mac).
- For Windows machines, use Xming. Click here for
information on installing and using Xming (PDF).
- For Macs, use the program "X11"
(Applications/Utilities/X11.app). If this program is not currently
installed on your Mac, it is available on the OS X installation DVD
that came with your computer -- install this program. To enable
forwarding, run the X11.app before starting the Terminal.app. You may
close the xterm window that pops up and use Terminal.app, or you may
use this X11 terminal instead. Once X11 is running, when you log into
remote UNIX servers (using the -Y option to ssh above), you should be
able to display remote graphics. For more information, follow the link
http://faculty.smu.edu/reynolds/unixtut/osx.html.
Verilog - Cadence Xcelium
Verilog is a hardware description language (HDL) for developing and
modeling circuits. The Cadence Xcelium tool will help you simulate
circuits that have been developed in Verilog. Click here for more
information.
RTL Compiler - Synopsys Design Compiler
After you have simulated and verified that your Verilog code is
working properly, you can compile the Verilog modules to produce a
circuit that is optimized for various criteria (area, timing, power).
The Synopsys Design Compiler (SDC) is available on the Lyle machines.
Set up X-Windows access as you did for the Cadence Verilog tool to run
SDC. Then, click here for tutorial information..
Place & Route - Cadence Innovus
A synthesized Verilog file (produced by an RTL compiler) can be
placed and routed. Placement arranges the standard cells of the
design into rows on a chip, while routing determines how to wire the
interconnections (nets) of the design. The Cadence Innovus Place &
Route tool is available on the Lyle machines. Set up X-Windows access
as you did for the SDC to run Innovus. Then, click here for tutorial information..
T. Manikas
Last update 2021 Apr 5