A PackageDef can be used in one of two ways. First, it can be used to define a simple template for a Package, consisting of package pin definitions (PinDefs) and possibly shapes defining its boundary. Secondly, it may be used to define a Macro template, which is a collection of PinDefs, Buffers and TraceDefs. The latter is typically used as a piece of repeatable circuitry in a larger PackageDef. (flipchip layout) In fact, a PackageDef can be any mixture of the two, but these are the two most common configurations. In this way, PackageDefs may be infinitely nested to create a whole hierarchy of circuitry.

(PackageDef
 (Name 'simple die')
 (BasePoint 0 0)
 (Rotation 0)
 (PinDef)
 (Buffer)
 (TraceDef)
 (Macro)
 (Shape)
)

PinDef

The PinDef object defines the template for a PackagePin, which will appear in each instance of the PackageDef.

(PinDef
 (Name 'Pin-1')
 (Location 0 0)
 (Rotation 0)
 (Pad 'SQ-50')
 (Number '1')
 (Interface 'PCI-1')
)
  

Name

A name we assign to the pin. Name should be unique for each pin in the package.

Location

the insertion point w.r.t. the package definition base point.

Rotation

measured CCW from the X axis in degrees. if not present defaults to 0.

PAD

A pad used for this pin.

Number

similar to the name.

Interface

usually a name to associate a group of pins with a common IO interface such as PCI, SCSI etc...

The Number property is an optional property which is more flexible than the Name. It is required when referring to an object to use its name, not its number. Interface is a property which groups together the functionality of a number of PinDefs. Most likely it would be used for a die pad pin if the interface property is known.

Buffer

A Buffer is similar to a PinDef except it lacks a Number or Interface property. The Buffer object represents a direct interface to a chip and we added to AIF III in order to better support flipchip design. A release version of AIF v3.0 will include some kind of package type property to identify which PackageDefs may contain Buffers.

(Buffer
 (Name 'IC-1')
 (Location 0 0)
 (Rotation 0)
 (Pad '240x60')
)

For now, the Buffer object is quite simple: only a single boundary. In the future we will add connection points to the buffer definition and additional properties (such as voltage ...)