Adding Databases to a Board

In PADS I/O Designer you create a database file for each FPGA device, and a Layout Database file in which to perform layout optimization:

FPGA Database (.fpc)

See “FPGA Database Wizard”.

Layout Database (.lpc)

See “Optimizing the I/O Assignments”.

When multiple databases are open, the workspace contains multiple tabs to display concurrently opened databases. The database icon on each tab indicates the database type (FPGA, or layout).

	FPGA database
	Layout database

Databases are created by adding them to designs that reside within a project. Once you have added a database to a board, you can begin building or modifying that component or layout.

You can use the Database Wizard to add a new FPGA database to a board, by doing one of the following:

Select File > Add to Board > New FPGA from Wizard.

Right-click on the Project Window and select Add to Board > New FPGA from Wizard.

See “FPGA Database Wizard”.

You can also add a new database to your project without using the wizard by doing one of the following:

Select File > Add to Board > New FPGA, or New Layout.

Right-click on the Project Window and select Add to Board > New FPGA, or New Layout.

The Save As dialog appears. Enter a name for the new database and save it to your working directory.

The new database opens and is listed under the design in the Project Window. A newly created database contains neither signals nor symbols, but a default FPGA (last used) device is chosen.

You can add existing databases to the project by doing one of the following:

Select File > Add to Board > Existing Database.

Right-click on the Project Window and select Add to Board > Existing Database.