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1989-12-13
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PCROUTE
Version 2.210
Users Manual
September 16, 1989
by
Douglas E. Ehlers
Copyright (C) 1989
2
Table of Contents
Notice of Copyright.......................................3
Introduction..............................................4
Installation..............................................5
System Requirements..................................5
Software Setup.......................................5
Input/Output Menu.........................................6
Board Definition Menu.....................................8
Chip Definition......................................7
Chip Placement.......................................8
Interactive Router.......................................13
Autorouter...............................................16
Board Statistics.........................................17
Printer Menu.............................................18
Exiting the program......................................18
Keyboard control summaries...............................19
Brief Tutorial...........................................20
Order Form...............................................22
3
Notice of Copyright
This program is protected by a copyright held by me and
filed with the United States Government. Although this program
is being distributed as Shareware, that does not make it free.
You are granted limited use of this program to test it out and
see if it will fulfill your needs. If you find that your needs
can be satisfied by this program and you decide to use it, you
are obligated to pay the 65 dollars to register your copy. You
are allowed and encouraged to give unaltered copies to your
friends to try out. This same agreement applies to them.
4
Introduction
PCROUTE is a computer aided design program for printed
circuit boards. It contains board layout routines that should be
quite for most purposes. It also contains a full featured
autorouter that averages around a 93% completion rate. It also
supports three of the more popular printers for its output.
This program is to my knowledge the first of its type to be
released as shareware. Although it lacks several of the features
of similar products that are commercially available, it also
lacks a $1000 price tag.
Key features include:
1. Autorouting
2. Interactive routing
3. Board layout functions
4. Flexible pinouts for devices
5. 2X output for use in making PC boards
6. Disk functions built into the software
7. Sophisticated component and connection
entry systems
8. General statistics
9. Up to 300 components and 1800 connections
10. The authors continued support
5
Installation
Contents of Archive/Disk:
PCROUTE .EXE - The main program
PCROUTE .DOC - The documentation for PCROUTE.EXE
HPLASER .DAT - Printer data for the HP Laserjet II
SG10 .DAT - Printer data for the IBM PC printer
PAN1124 .DAT - Printer data for the EPSON LQ-2500
SMALL .CDT - Sample board that can be edited and routed
DIP24V6 .DEF - 24 PIN DIP chip definition-vertical .6 wide
DIP20V3 .DEF - 20 PIN DIP chip definition-vertical .3 wide
DIP40V6 .DEF - 40 PIN DIP chip definition-vertical .6 wide
PAD .DEF - Definition of a single pad
2PAD50V .DEF - 2 PADS 0.5 inches apart-vertical
works well for 1/4 watt resistors
2PAD15V .DEF - 2 PADS 0.15 inches apart-vertical
2PAD10V .DEF - 2 PADS 0.10 inches apart-vertical
PRINTDOC.BAT - Prints the documentation stored on disk
System Requirements:
To run this program requires:
1. CGA or better graphics
2. 640k of memory (must all be available)
no other memory residents can exist as they may
lock up the system, you'll have to experiment
on this part.
3. 1 floppy disk drive
4. One of the following printers:
a. IBM PC or compatible printer
b. EPSON LQ-2500 or compatible printer
c. Hewlett Packard Laserjet II or compatible
5. Hard-Disk (not essential but recommended)
A fast processor is also nice.
Software Setup:
If you are going to run this program from a floppy disk
system, simply copy all the files that came in the archive or on
the distribution disk onto an empty formatted floppy disk by
using the following command:
COPY A:*.* B:
Where A: contains the original PCROUTE disk and B: contains the
empty formatted floppy disk. All the files that came on the
diskette are required to run the program except the PCROUTE.DOC
file. The PCROUTE.DOC file may be deleted from the run disk.
If you will be using a hard disk to run the program, make a
directory in which to place the program. Use the following
6
commands to accomplish this:
1. cd \
2. md pcroute
3. cd pcroute
4. copy a:*.*
Where A: holds the original PCROUTE files.
For PCROUTE to run reliably, you must also have a line in
your config.sys file setting files=20. If you are running most
any major applications program this command probably exists, but
you should check. To execute the program type PCROUTE from the
DOS prompt.
Input/Output Menu
1. Load Data:
This function is used to retrieve from disk the
necessary information to design a printed circuit board.
Select this function from the menu and when prompted, enter
the file name. No extension is used, the program will add
the .CDT extension for you. The drive and path should not
be used on the filename itself. There is a function that
will be discussed later to set the drive and path name.
After entering the filename, press Return. The program will
ask if this is the correct name, enter Y or N to answer. If
the file is not found you will have a chance to reenter the
file name. You can also use the ESC key to jump back to the
main menu instead of entering the file name.
2. Save Data:
This function will save a complete description of the
design layout, component list, and connection list. It does
not save the information used for deleting traces in the
interactive router which will be discussed later. When
prompted, enter the filename. Again do not specify the file
extension, drive designation, or path name. PCROUTE will
ask after entering the file name if everything is correct,
enter a Y or N. If the file exists the program will ask if
you want to overwrite the file. If you say no, it will
prompt for a new file name. ESC also works to return you to
the I/O menu instead of entering the file name.
3 Write Autocad file:
This function will write a file that can in turn be
read into and edited with Autocad. The process is one way,
you can not read an autocad file back into PCROUTE. Call
this function from the I/O menu and give a name when
prompted. Here as usual, specify no path or file extension.
7
The extension .scr will be added to the file. Once the
program is done writing the file, you may run Autocad and
use the command "SCRIPT" from the "Command:" prompt.
Autocad will ask for the script file name. Specify the same
name (with path if needed) as the one you used in PCROUTE
and Autocad will read in the file. It may take awhile so be
patient. Autocad will display three layers: solder,
component, and silkscreen. You may edit them however you
like and save them as Autocad drawing files. Doing this
greatly increases the number of printers you can output to
as Autocad supports mega-hardware.
4. Erase Data:
This routine clears the memory of the program. It
erases the boards, stacks, component list, and connection
list. The program will ask if you are sure that you want to
erase the data in memory. Answer Y or N. The program will
respond with "Erasing..." and after a few seconds drop you
back to the I/O menu.
5. Disk Directory:
This function displays a directory of the current drive
and path. Use the space bar to view twenty file names at a
time. When no more files exist, the space bar will return
you to the I/O menu.
6. Change drive/path:
This function changes the current drive and or path.
The ESC key will back you out of the function without
changing the path. The function will display the current
drive and path and then prompt for a new one. Just enter
the new one and press Return. You will be returned to the
I/O menu.
Define/Edit Board Menu
1. Component Edit/Entry:
This function is used to enter components into the system.
Once you have entered this function you will placed in the
entry/editing environment. If no components have been entered
you will see only two possible commands, if there are components
in memory you will have the option to delete, copy and perform
other functions.
New Component Entry:
Hitting an "A" will allow you to enter new components. The
program will display the component number being entered and then
prompt for the name. The name is up to 15 characters long and
serves only to remind the designer of what the device is. ESC
can be used at this point to return you to the entry/editing
environment.
8
The next question is for the designation. This is the
unique name that you will give the component and use in the
future to refer to it. Typical names include IC1, R1, IC2, and
A1. The only reserved designation is for vias. (A via is a pad
with no device attatched to it. It is just to connect a trace
from one side of the board to the other) Designations that start
with "V" and then have a number after that, are not allowed in
the system. So V1 would not be accepted by VI1 would be. ESC
may be used to back up while entering the designation name to
reenter the component name.
Third the program will prompt for the definition file name.
This is the name of a file that tells the program how the pins on
the device being entered are situated. The program first shows a
list of possible definition file names at the lower right. At
the end of the list the program will prompt for a name. Do not
enter a file extension, the program will add it for you. If the
name of the file entered exists, it will read the file for you,
and display the chip definition for you to see if it is correct.
If you answer yes that it is the correct definition you will
continue to the next question. If the file did not exist you
will be asked if you wish to create the definition. If you
answer no, the program will re-prompt for the definition name
after showing you the possible files. Otherwise it makes a new
definition. ESC may be used to back up and reenter the component
designation.
Creating New Definition Files:
The program needs to know the exact pin layout of
any component placed on the board. This function
allows you to create these definitions. Upon entry you
will see a graphic screen with some information at the
bottom and a green square in the middle of the screen.
In the top left of the box is your cursor. You use the
cursor keys to move the cursor around to define pin
locations. The pins are entered in the order from 1 to
up to 40. Move the cursor to the position of the first
pin and hit return to place it. Then move to the
second position and hit return to place pin 2. You may
also remove pins in the reverse order you placed them
by positioning your cursor over the last pin entered
and hitting the backspace key. This key will only
delete the last entered pin. The information at the
bottom of the screen will tell you what pin you are
entering, as well as its relative location on the
screen. When you have placed 40 pins or are finished
with the component definition, hit ESC to finish. The
program will ask if you want to reedit. Answering yes
will clear the screen and you can start over. By
answering no you will receive the prompt asking if you
want to keep the definition or not. Answering yes will
save the definition for later use, no will give you the
list of existing definitions on the previous screen.
9
All components are moved to the upper left most corner
for saving. This is for internal reasons; you can
design the chip anywhere in the square. You will need
to make definition files for all your components. I
would suggest a meaningful system for naming them.
Maybe something like DIP16V and DIP16H for 16 pin Dual
Inline Package Vertical attitude and Horizontal
attitude respectively.
***Note: Most chip dimensions are available in data
books such as RCA cross reference manuals. Radio Shack
also puts device dimensions on the back of their
packages.
The next question the program will ask is if everything is
correct. Answering no will restart this process with re-
prompting for the name. Answering yes will get the next prompt.
The next prompt is if you wish to keep this device.
Answering no will skip the next prompt and ask if you wish to
enter another device. Answering yes gives you the next prompt.
This prompt asks if you wish to place the device now.
Entering no will allow you to delay this until later. All
devices must be placed somewhere on the board before they can be
connected. Placing a chip goes as follows:
Placing Chips:
When this graphic screen comes up you will see a
representation of the current circuit board with all
other placed components and ground planes shown. The
chip you are entering will be shown in the upper left
corner of the board. The arrow keys will move this
chip around on the board. By using a shift-arrow
combination the chip can be moved faster. Move the
chip to where you want it and press return. You cannot
overlap chips. The chip is now placed in this
location. If you change your mind you can press ESC to
exit without placing the chip. You will be prompted if
you are sure you want to abandon chip placement or not.
Yes will go to the next prompt, no will put you right
back where you were before hitting ESC.
The last prompt is if you wish to enter another chip or not.
Answering yes will put you back up at the name prompt to enter
another chip. No will put you back in the entry/editing
environment.
Editing Component Definitions:
Selecting E from the entry/editing environment will give you
the ability to change any part of each definition. Simply select
the letter of the item to change. For example, to change the
name, hit A after hitting E and you will be prompted for the new
name. Either enter the new name, or you can press ESC to leave
it unchanged. When you are done editing, press the key that
10
corresponds to exiting the edit.
Deleting Component Definitions:
This function allows you to delete a component. The
component that will be deleted is the one currently displayed on
the screen. Press D and you will be asked if you are sure if you
want to delete this component or not. Answer accordingly. All
connections that contained the deleted function will also be
deleted.
Copying Components:
This function will let you make copies of a chip definition
to speed the entry of chips. It will copy everything from the
displayed definition to a new definition except for the
designation from which it will take the alpha part and then
increment the numerical part to the next available part. It also
does not put the chip in the same location. You will be asked if
you wish to place the chip now or later.
Searching for a Component:
Sometimes finding the component you wish to edit or delete
can take some time on a large board. This function allows you to
search for components by the designation. When prompted enter
the designation, PCROUTE will change the case to upper for you.
If it exists the program will display that device's number. If
it doesn't exist, you will continue right where you were.
Incrementing and Decrementing the displayed Component:
Using + and - will change the displayed component. +
increments and - decrements. The display is circular in nature,
therefore hitting + at the last component will put you at the
first and hitting - at the first will put you at the last.
Exiting the Entry/Editing Environment:
Use the N key to end these functions and return to the board
definition menu.
2. Connection Edit/ Entry:
This system allows for entry and editing of all the
connections that need to be made between the components in the
system. The functions are very similar to the component
functions.
New Connection Entry:
Typing an "A" will allow you to enter new connections. The
program will display the connection number being entered and then
prompt for the name of the source designation. The name must
exist in memory as a component. ESC can be used at this point to
return you to the entry/editing environment.
The next question is for the source chip pin number. Enter
the number of the pin that you want the trace to connect to. ESC
will back you up to the previous prompt.
11
The program will now prompt for the name of the destination
designation. The name must exist in memory as a component. ESC
can be used at this point to return to the previous prompt.
The next question if for the destination chip pin number.
Enter the number of the pin that you want the other end of the
trace to connect to. ESC will back you up to the previous
prompt.
The program will now ask if this is a priority route or not.
By answering yes, this trace will be routed before all other non-
priority routes no matter how long it may be and what other
routes it may block. This might be used for making sure a memory
access bus is all done in copper instead of using jumpers for a
vital connection.
The next question the program will ask is if everything is
correct. Answering no will restart this process by reprompting
for the source designation. Answering yes will bring up the next
prompt.
The next prompt is if you wish to keep this connection.
Answering no will skip the next prompt and ask if you wish to
enter another connection. Answering yes gives you the next
prompt.
The last prompt asks if you wish to enter another
connection. Answering yes, will put you back up at the source
designation prompt to enter another connection. No will places
you back in the entry/editing environment.
Editing Connection Definitions:
Selecting E from the entry/editing environment will give you
the ability to change any part of each connection. Simply select
the letter of the item to change. For example, to change the
source designation, hit A after hitting E and you will be
prompted for the new designation. Either enter the new
designation, or press ESC to leave it unchanged. When you are
done editing, press the key that corresponds to exiting the edit.
Deleting Connection Definitions:
This function allows you to delete a connection. The
connection that will be deleted is the one currently displayed on
the screen. Press D and you will be asked if you are sure you
want to delete this connection. Answer accordingly.
Searching for a Connection:
Sometimes finding the connection you wish to edit or delete
can take some time on a large board. This function allows you to
search for connections by the designation. When prompted enter
the designation sought. PCROUTEwill change the case to upper for
you. PCROUTE then will search from the current connection to the
end. It looks at both the source and destination designations
for a match. If it finds the search string the program will
display that connection's information. If it doesn't exist, you
continue right where you were.
12
Incrementing and Decrementing the displayed Connection:
Using + and - will change the displayed connection. +
increments and - decrements. The display is circular in nature,
therefore hit + at the last connection will put you at the first
and hitting - at the first will put you at the last.
Exiting the Entry/Editing Environment:
Use the N key to end these functions and return to the board
definition menu.
3. Ground Plane: This function is used to set up a ground
plane. The program will display a picture of
the board. It will prompt for the width of
the ground plane on all four sides on both
the component side and solder side of the
board. Each digit entered corresponds to .05
actual inches. You may come back and change
the ground plane sizes at any time. ESC will
also back you out of the first prompt only
(top-solder side).
*** Please note that this function erases
any work done in the interactive router
(discussed later).
4. Define Board Size: This function is the first function
used. It defines the dimensions of the
board. The maximum board size supported
by PCROUTE is 11" X 8". When prompted
for numbers, you must enter the numbers
as multiples of 5. Each number
represents 0.05" of actual size. So an
entry of 100 would correspond to 5".
You may change board sizes at any time
during the design process by calling the
routine. If you make the board smaller,
the chips that were outside the new
border will have to be replaced. ESC
will back up to the previous prompt, or
jump out of the routine leaving the
board size unchanged.
5. Spider Web: This function is useful for checking to see if a
chip would be more logically placed somewhere
else. By using the + and - keys, you can toggle
through the chips. As each chip is selected, it
as well as all traces connected to it are
highlighted in red. Once a chip is highlighted,
you can select M to move the chip. After pressing
M, the arrow keys become active and the chip as
well as all its connections will be rubber banded
around the board. You can hit RETURN to place the
chip at the current location, or hit ESC to not
13
place the chip and put it back at its original
location. The ESC or E key will exit you from
this function.
*** Please note, if you move any chips, the work
done by the interactive router is erased.
Interactive Router
This board editing system allows you to interactively design
a board. It can be very useful for finding possible routes that
the autorouter was unable to find. Upon entry to this section
the program generates the borders and places the pads of all the
chips. It will also ask you to place all the chips that have not
been placed yet. If you intend to route the entire board this
way, place your chips and then leave them. Moving them around
after placing the chip will distort your board. PCROUTE has no
way of connecting traces up to a chips new location. The screen
will show all the chips with their designations centered amid
each components pins. This system has many keys that are active
while in this environment. An explanation of each follows.
S - switch sides: This function changes the side of the board
displayed. When you enter S, you will be
shown the other side of the board. The
program supports only 2 sides, solder and
component.
E or ESC - end: Pressing E or ESC will exit you from the
interactive router.
Cursor Keys: The cursor keys move the solid block around on the
board. Each time you press the arrow key, the
cursor will move 1 space. Relative coordinates
are displayed at the bottom of the screen. Using
Shift-Arrow moves the cursor 10 spaces. If you
come to the edge of the screen but not the edge of
the board, the screen will shift the board over
for you.
Function Keys:
The function keys numbered F1-F8 do the majority of the work
in PCROUTE. They allow you to place vias, run traces, delete
traces, blank old traces, and delete vias.
F1 - Set Source: By positioning the cursor over a pad and
hitting F1 you select that pad as your source
location. The bottom status line will tell
you exactly what chip and pin number you have
selected.
F2 - Set Dest.: This function works exactly as the F1
14
function but selects the destination pin.
F3 - Run Trace: Once you have defined a source and
destination, hitting F3 will attempt to
connect the two pins with a trace. If it is
successful, you will see the trace appear.
If it cannot complete the route it will
notify you at the bottom. At this point you
might try placing a via and routing from the
source to it on one side and from the via to
the destination on the other.
F4 - Delete Trace: This function will delete traces that have
been routed since the program has been run.
If you have just loaded the board up and
decide to delete a trace this function will
not work. Saving the board does not save
deletion information. Assuming the data is
in memory to perform the delete, the program
will highlight the trace to delete. If the
highlighted trace is the one to be deleted
answer Yes when prompted. Hitting N will
advance to the next trace if it is available.
Hitting ESC will drop you back to the cursor
control mode.
F5 - Add Via: This function key will add a via at the location
of the cursor. It will be V and then the next
available number. Use these for multilevel routes
or just extra pads needed. You cannot place a via
adjacent to an existing pad. You can place one
diagonally from one though. You also may not
place a via in the middle of a trace. All vias
are deleted by the autorouter when it is invoked.
F6 - Del Via: This function deletes the via at the cursor
location if one exists there.
F7 - Erase Space: This function will remove the trace piece at
the location of the cursor. This function is
useful if you deleted a series of traces and
left something unconnected. Use this
carefully.
F8 - Check Route: This function will check to see if a selected
pair of pads can be connected. It will
report back as to whether the route can be
completed. This is useful for doing multi-
layer routes using vias. Checking for an
available route before laying the actual
trace will save a bunch of deletes if later
your path is blocked.
15
F9 - Manual Route: This function allows you to manually route
traces. Place the cursor on the starting pad
or trace and press F9. If the cursor is not
on a valid starting point, nothing will
happen. Now use the cursor control keys to
route your trace. Every time you move, your
trace is lengthened. When you are done, you
can either stop in and open space and press
F9 or you can stop on a trace or pad and hit
F9, the correct connecting piece will be
added to make the connection. Please note
that if you go over an existing trace,
PCROUTE will cut that trace in favor of the
new path. This works well for putting short
jumpers on the board. This is very useful
for routing traces that would normally block
other routes if they were not placed this
way. As my autorouter algorithm gets
"smarter" hopefully we won't need this.
16
Autorouting
Selecting this from the menu will enable you to connect all
or most of the connections you desire. The program will first
draw borders, place pads, and set up the ground planes. If a
component has not been placed, you will be asked to place it.
The program requires all chips to be placed before it can route.
There are four routing strategies that can be employed. You
select each strategy by hitting Y or N as the cursor moves to
each option. If you hit Y for single or double via routing you
will also be prompted for the maximum number of tries for each.
Just enter a number. Bigger numbers are better for bigger
boards, smaller number for small boards.
The PCROUTE system is totally re-entrant. The first
question you are asked is if you wish to clear all traces.
Answering yes clears anything currently on the board. No would
keep what was on the board such as work done by the interactive
router. You can hit ESC during any routing strategy to exit that
routine and the autorouter. The program will then show the list
of all unconnected routes still existing. If the router has not
completed one run-through and you have routed before, traces may
have been completed by the earlier route and still be reported as
unconnected. You can do a design check to see which routes in
you connection list have not been connected either by hand or by
autorouter by running the autorouter and not erasing the current
traces. Just select the double or single sided route system. It
will report any routes that are incomplete. Any route that was
completed before will be marked as complete and not reported.
The program will report whatever routes weren't done and the ones
it couldn't complete.
Single Sided Route: This function will attempt to place all the
routes on the solder side of the board. It
is the least efficient strategy but is great
for small projects where ease of making the
board itself is a priority. This function
cannot be used in conjunction with the next
three strategies.
Double Sided Route: This function will do its routing on two
sides of the board. It has a higher
completion percentage than the single sided
strategy.
Single Via Route: This function requires that the double sided
strategy be select first. This function is
used after the double sided strategy to try
to complete any uncompleted routes. It
places a via and tries to do the single route
with a trace on each side of the board. A
number such as 50 is good for maximum number
of tries.
17
Double Via Route: This function also requires double sided
routing be selected to work. It uses two
vias to attempt to complete the route. A
good maximum number of tries is 30 or so.
This function can take a great deal of time
so be patient.
Board Statistics
This function displays 3 statistics that may be of some interest.
Equivalent Integrated Circuit Count: This function is the
total number of pins
divided by 16.
Board Density: This is the amount of space total that each chip
has to occupy. It is calculated by taking the
area of the board and dividing by the Equivalent
IC count.
Total Trace Length: The function gives the total length of all
the traces on the board. The smaller the
number, the better the design.
18
Printer Menu
1. Print Component List: This function will generate a list of
all the components. It can be sorted by
name or designation.
2. Print Connections: This function will generate a list of
all the connections in memory. It can
be sorted by the source or destination
designation.
3. Print Solder Side of Board:
This function will generate the artwork to make the
printed circuit board. The program will ask if you want to
mirror the board. This may be necessary if your film
requires printing on a particular side. The mirroring is
done left to right. Next it will ask if you want a negative
made. This will make the traces white and the background
all black. On Laser printers you also have the option of
making an actual size printout, or the standard 2X size that
the dot matrix printers print. The ESC key will exit out of
the printout at any time.
4. Print Component Side of Board:
This function is identical to number 3 above except
that it prints the component side of the board.
5. Print a Silkscreen Representation:
This function will generate a pseudo-silkscreen. It is
not the same scale as numbers 3 and 4 but is useful for
remembering where components are to be placed. Select the
printer to be used and watch it go.
Exiting the Program
Selecting 7 from the main menu will drop you from PCROUTE
back to DOS. If you have data in memory you will be asked if you
wish to save it. Answering Yes will prompt you for a file name.
Enter the file name as you would in the save data function in the
Input/Output menu. You can hit ESC to abort the save, but it
will not return you to the program. Answering No to the save
query, will drop you immediately to DOS.
19
Keyboard Summaries
Chip Placement Screen:
ESC - Option to Abandon Placement
RET - Place chip at current location
Cursor Keys - Moves chip one space for each
depression
Shift Cursor Key - Moves chip 10 spaces for each
depression
Define Chip Definition:
ESC - Option to Abandon Definition
RET - Place pin at current location
Cursor Keys - Moves cursor one space for each stroke
BACKSPACE - Removes last placed pin
Spider Web System:
M* - Set system to move highlighted chip
Cursor keys - Move chip one space on board
RET - Place chip at current location
ESC - Abandon placement
+,-* - Increment and Decrement through chips
E* - Exit Web System
* - Denotes that this selection is displayed on screen.
Interactive Router:
S - Display other side of board
E,ESC - Exit interactive router
F1 - Select source pad
F2 - Select destination pad
F3 - Attempt to connect source and
destination
F4 - Delete traces connected since system
started
F5 - Place via at cursor location
F6 - Delete via at cursor location
F7 - Remove trace piece at cursor location
F8 - See if route is possible between
source and destination pads
F9 - Enters and exits the manual router
20
Brief Tutorial
The following is intended as a method of getting up and
running with the program. It will give a general idea of how the
program works. It is not intended as a "learn all" tutorial.
1. Begin by running PCROUTE. This information can be found
back in the section on setting up PCROUTE for your machine.
2. Once at the main menu, hit 3 for define/edit board, and then
select 4 for define board dimensions. For our purposes we
will use a board size of 80 x 80, which translates into a 4
inch square board.
3. Select function 1 to enter new components. You will see
that no data has been entered yet. Hit A to enter data. We
will put three chips on the board and two resistors. Answer
each prompt below with the following data. When asked to
place each chip answer Y and place the chip with the cursor
keys. After you have entered the last item, answer N to the
"Enter another component?" prompt.
Name: 8051 uP Designation: IC1
Definition file: DIP40V6 Placement: Left side of board
Name: 74ls373 Designation: IC2
Definition file: DIP20V3 Placement: Upper right
Name: 2716 Designation: IC3
Definition file: DIP24V6 Placement: Lower right
Name: 100k resistor Designation: R1
Definition file: 2PAD50V Placement: Upper middle
Name: 10k resistor Designation: R2
Definition file: 2PAD50V Placement: Lower middle
N exits you to the board definition menu.
4. Next, we want to enter some connections to be made between
the chips. Select 2 from the menu to enter the connection
entry section. Enter the following connections. Answer N
to each prompt of "Is this a priority connection?". When
you have entered the last connection answer N to the "Enter
another connection prompt?".
Source Defice Pin Desitination Device Pin
IC1 2 IC3 2
IC1 3 IC2 16
IC3 22 IC2 6
R1 1 IC2 4
R2 1 IC1 8
21
R2 2 IC3 6
R1 2 IC1 31
IC2 8 IC3 17
IC1 21 IC1 15
IC2 8 IC3 8
IC2 9 IC3 9
IC2 10 IC3 10
IC1 14 IC2 9
N returns you to the menu.
5. Ok, lets autoroute the board. Go back to the main menu and
select 4 to autoroute the board. When prompted to use
single sided routing or not, answer Y. Now hit the ESC key
and watch the machine route. When it is done is will
display the list of uncompleted connections to the printer
or screen. Select whichever you wish. We will now be
dropped back to the main menu. We can take a look at what
we have done by selecting number 5 from the menu. You can
cursor around and see a representation of the board on the
screen. Hit ESC when done.
Now lets re-route the board using double sided techniques.
This time say N to single sided and Y to double sided and
then hit ESC. The machine will route double sided and again
give a list of incomplete connections if any exist. Select
printer or screen for this list. Lets take a look at the
board again. This time we may also want to use the S key to
change sides of the board that we are viewing. When you are
done hit ESC.
6. From the main menu, hit 6 for statistics. Displayed are
three statistics that tell you how good your design is. Hit
space when you are done with this.
7. Last of all we'll print this baby out. Hit 2 for printer
menu. Now select silkscreen. Select your printer and then
hit N for mirrored image. Your printer will now print a
quick mockup of the board. This is useful for remembering
what chip goes where. Now hit 3 to print out the solder
side of the board. Select your printer and answer N to each
prompt. Your printer will shortly come to life and print out
a 2X print of the copper patern on your printer. You may
hit ESC to abort the printout if you are tired of sitting
around.
22
Order Form
Please enclose this form when ordering.
Name: __________________________________________
Address1: __________________________________________
Address2: __________________________________________
City: _________________ State: _______ Zip:_________
Phone Number: (________) ________-______________
Computer name: _____________________________________
Processor: 8086 8088 80186 80188 80286 80386 80386SX
Printer type: _____________________________________
Suggestions/comments/other information:
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Please also enclose the $65 check or money order, (do not send
cash) made payable to:
Douglas E. Ehlers
4520 S. 58th
Lincoln, NE 68516
(402) 435-8440
