## Creating Hierarchical Projects in Composer Schematics

If you wish to create a hierarchical design that contains symbols representing other design files, such as Altera® Hardware Description Language (AHDL) Text Design Files (.tdf), you can create a hollow-body symbol that represents a design file and then instantiate it in your Composer schematic.

To create a hierarchical project in your Composer schematic, follow these steps:

1. Be sure to set up your working environment correctly, as described in Setting Up the MAX+PLUS® II/Cadence Working Environment.

2. Create a Composer schematic and save it in your working directory, as described in Creating Composer Schematics for Use with MAX+PLUS II Software.

   | You can instantiate MegaCore™ functions offered by Altera or by members of the Altera Megafunction Partners Program (AMPP™). The OpenCore™ feature in the MAX+PLUS II software allows you to instantiate, compile, and simulate MegaCore functions before deciding whether to purchase a license for full device programming and post-compilation simulation support.

3. Create the hollow-body symbol <design name> in Composer by typing `icds` from the <working directory> at the UNIX prompt.

4. Choose Library Path Editor (Tools menu) to create the <design name> library. Type <design name> as the Library name and `./source/`<design name> as the Path name. Choose Save (File menu), then choose Exit (File menu) to save the path and exit from the Library Path Editor.

5. Choose Library Manager (Tools menu) to start Composer and create a symbol for your design. Type <project directory name> as the Library name, <lower-level design name> as the Cell name, `symbol` as the View name, and then press .

6. Create a hollow-body symbol that represents the inputs and outputs of your design.

7. Enter input and output pins for the symbol.

8. Save the symbol.

9. To enter the symbol in your higher-level schematic design, choose the Component button and type <project directory name> as the Library name, <lower-level design name> as the Cell name, and `symbol` as the View name.

10. The MAX+PLUS II software uses the cadence.lmf Library Mapping File to map Concept symbols to equivalent MAX+PLUS II logic functions. To use custom symbols, you must create a custom LMF that maps your custom symbols to the equivalent EDIF Input File, Text Design File (TDF), or other design file. You will also need to specify this custom LMF in the EDIF Netlist Reader Settings dialog box before compiling with the MAX+PLUS II software. See Compiling Projects with MAX+PLUS II Software for more information.

11. Continue with the steps necessary to complete your Composer schematic, as described in Creating Composer Schematics for Use with MAX+PLUS II Software.

Installing the Altera-provided MAX+PLUS II/Cadence interface on your computer automatically creates the following sample hierarchical AHDL and Composer schematic file:

- /usr/maxplus2/examples/cadence/example5/fulladd2

Last Updated: August 28, 2000 for MAX+PLUS II version 10.0 |
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