15.13.1 Overview of Hierarchy Window

The Hierarchy window (as shown in the figure below) provides easy navigation through the Hierarchy. The Logical tab in this window provides a hierarchical overview of the design.

Click the tabs at the bottom of this window to view macros, instances, ports, nets, regions, and logical cones in your design. Additionally, a Block tab will appear in the Hierarchy window if the design contains Blocks.

Figure 15-62. Hierarchy Window
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You can use these tabs to explore each level of the hierarchy and to trace signals. You use the Hierarchy window tabs with ChipPlanner, NetlistViewer, PinEditor, and I/O Attribute Editor to help identify critical paths.

Note: Right-click an object to use its context-sensitive menu.

In all Hierarchy views, you can right-click an object, and select Properties to display its properties.

Each view contains color-coded icons to indicate its logic type and state. These icons are explained in the following table:

Table 15-7. Icons in Hierarchy View
IconColorWhat it Represents
???WhiteThe logic or I/O is unassigned.
???GreenThe logic or I/O is assigned.
???Hashed greenSome instances in the block of logic are assigned.
???Red and blue gridThe region is either inclusive or LocalClock.
???Blue gridThe region is exclusive.
???WhiteThe region is empty.
???Black iconThe logic is handled as one unit and cannot be expanded. This icon appears next to the ARM core logic.
???Cone iconThe object is a Logical Cone.
???Blue checkmarkThe logic is assigned to a region.
???Gray checkmarkSome instances in the block of logic are assigned to a region.
???Blue lockThe entire block of assigned logic is locked to a location.
???Gray lockSome instances in the block of assigned logic are locked to a location.
???Yellow cubeIndicates a block flow.
???BlueIndicates this macro, net, or port only exists in the pre-optimized view.

The Logical tab shown below illustrates that the selected logic is assigned to a region and locked. Only the Logical tab shows the logical hierarchy of the design. The Physical tab shows the physical hierarchy. The other tabs are not hierarchical.

Figure 15-63. Logical Tab - Checkmark and Lock Icons
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Figure 15-64. Block Tab - Locked instances and nets are highlighted
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