A topology function is a normal function with the "topology" representation type. For the display of Topology functions, there are additional symbol libraries with special topology symbols. These symbol libraries provide topology symbols of suitable size for the page scales 1:1, 1:20, 1:50, and 1:100. On the basis of the different symbol libraries you have the possibility to select enlarged topology symbols which can still be recognized on pages with a reduced scale. If a symbol has a topology connection point, the "Topology" representation type is assigned automatically when this symbol is inserted.
If a multi-line function is placed with the "Topology" representation type (e.g., via the popup menu items Place > Topology in the device navigator), the appropriate symbol with the "Topology" representation type will be located and placed according to the function definition. For this, there is a symbol each per function category in the topology symbol libraries.
Each device may contain only one function of the "Topology" representation type. Terminal strips are an exception; these may contain several topology functions. In topology the main function of the device is placed. The auxiliary functions are managed in the connection point patterns.
Topology connection points
Topology connection points are used only to set up the routing path network; they are not evaluated as normal function connection points, and there is no autoconnecting between topology connection points.
Usually each topology symbol has only one topology connection point per symbol variant. Topology connection points and normal connection points must not be mixed in a symbol. Even if the symbol has only topology connection points, the topology function still also has logical function connection points. These function connection points, however, are visible only in the connection point pattern of the function.
Topology connection points are connected with routing paths. However, routing connections are connected to the function connection points in the connection point pattern of the topology function.
Cable definition lines
If a cable definition line is inserted on a topology page, it will be assigned the "Topology" representation type automatically, as well as the "Topology cable" function definition. Cable definition lines do not have topology connection points. No DT adoption occurs for connections intersected by the cable definition line.
Topology interruption points
A routing path can be continued on another project page by means of a topology interruption point. The topology interruption point behaves like any normal interruption point.
The symbol can have a maximum of one topology connection point; per default the insertion point is used as connection point.
Terminal strips
Only terminal strips can be managed as topology functions, but not the individual terminals. The terminals are managed in the connection point patterns of the terminal strips.
A terminal strip with the "Topology" representation type may occur in several routing path networks, but only once within the same routing path network.
If a terminal strip occurs in several routing path networks, the connection point pattern will be extended automatically during routing. Only connection points which are connected with topology functions within the routing path network will be placed in the connection point pattern at the terminal strip.
The connection point pattern at terminal strips is always local. When updating the connection point data by means of the Update connection point pattern action in the properties dialog of the terminal strip, the connection point pattern is made up of all terminals of the terminal strip with their parts. Then there is no direct relationship to the individual terminal parts any more.
If the terminals do not have a connection point designation, the connection point logic will be taken into account during routing (internal / external connection point).
Plugs
Plugs can contain several devices in one device. The individual devices are mapped by the plug definitions. For example, one plug definition can exist for male pins and one for female pins, with the same DT. Only plug definitions can be managed as topology functions, but not the individual pins. The pins are managed in the connection point patterns of the plug definitions. A corresponding topology function must exist for each device (i.e. each plug definition).
See also