User Guide

Hierarchical Design Methods
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Hierarchical Design Methods
You can create a hierarchical drawing in either of two
ways:
• Create a block and later assign a schematic to the block
(top-down method).
• Create a schematic and turn it into a symbol to be used
in a higher level design (bottom-up method).
Top-down method
By creating one or more blocks and wiring them together,
you can establish a functional block diagram. The block
diagram can be used as a top-level sketch for your design.
After you have mapped out the block circuitry, you can
push into each block and start drawing a new schematic,
or assign an existing schematic to the block.
You can also set the view that each schematic will
represent (such as a PCB or a transistor).
Bottom-up method
If you already have a schematic that you would like to use
in larger designs, you can create a hierarchical symbol to
represent the schematic. The hierarchical symbol can then
be electrically connected in another design.
Hierarc
h
ica
l
d
esign is a use
f
u
l
way to
structure large projects, especially those
starting from a block diagram and those
w
ith multiple occurrences of common
circuitry. Use the method of design that
best fits your design needs for each circuit
you create.