Click on the top“Mechanical and Electronic Engineering Technology”to follow usPCB, or Printed Circuit Board, is an indispensable component of modern electronic devices. It acts like a bridge, connecting various electronic components and ensuring that current and signals can be transmitted smoothly. PCB routing is a key part of building this bridge, directly affecting the performance, stability, and reliability of the circuit board.PCB routing, simply put, is the design and drawing of connection lines between various components on the circuit board. This may seem simple, but it actually hides many complexities. A good routing design can reduce signal interference, improve circuit efficiency, lower power consumption, and make the circuit board more aesthetically pleasing. Conversely, poor routing may lead to signal distortion, circuit instability, and even failures.Before performing PCB routing, we need to understand some basic knowledge. First, routing must follow basic principles such as signal integrity, current carrying capacity, and thermal management. This means we need to ensure that signals are not overly interfered with or lost during transmission, while also ensuring that the lines can handle the expected current load and effectively manage heat distribution on the circuit board.Next, we need to choose appropriate routing tools. Currently, there are many professional PCB routing software options available on the market, such as Altium Designer, Eagle, and KiCad. These software provide rich routing functions and tools, helping us quickly and accurately design circuit boards that meet requirements. Of course, using these software also requires a certain amount of learning and practice.Before routing, adequate preparation work must be done. This includes designing schematics and preparing component libraries. The schematic is the “blueprint” of the circuit board, detailing the connection relationships and current directions between components. The component library contains the packaging information and dimensions of all components we will use on the circuit board. These preparations are crucial for the subsequent routing work.Once we enter the routing phase, we need to master some practical tips and strategies. First, layout optimization is key to improving routing efficiency. By reasonably arranging the positional relationships of components, we can reduce the complexity and length of routing, thus enhancing the overall performance of the circuit board. During layout, we should also avoid mutual interference and blocking between components.When routing, we also need to pay attention to the settings of line width and spacing. Line width determines the current carrying capacity, while spacing relates to signal interference issues. Generally speaking, the wider the line width, the stronger the carrying capacity; the larger the spacing, the less interference. However, overly wide line widths and excessively large spacings can also increase the area and cost of the circuit board. Therefore, we need to balance and choose based on actual needs.Additionally, differential pair routing is a common technique for high-speed signal transmission. A differential pair consists of two closely coupled lines that transmit signals with opposite phases and equal amplitudes. This routing method effectively suppresses common-mode interference and improves the signal’s immunity to interference. When performing differential pair routing, we need to ensure that the lengths of the two lines are consistent, the distances are equal, and avoid crossing interference with other lines.Of course, during the routing process, we also need to pay attention to some common problems and precautions. For example, we should avoid short circuits and open circuits; minimize parallel routing between lines to reduce signal interference; and pay attention to the design of power and ground line routing to ensure they can provide stable current and grounding effects.For special signal routing, we also need to give enough attention. For instance, when routing high-speed signals, we need to consider impedance matching and delay control; when routing high-frequency signals, we need to pay attention to electromagnetic interference and antenna effects. When handling these special signals, we need to design and optimize according to the characteristics and requirements of the signals.Finally, after completing the routing, testing and verification work is also necessary. We can use professional testing equipment to check whether the performance parameters and indicators of the circuit board meet design requirements. If any problems or unexpected situations arise, we need to make timely adjustments and repairs to ensure the quality and reliability of the circuit board.Through the above introduction, I believe everyone has a deeper understanding and knowledge of PCB routing. In practical applications, we need to conduct flexible design and optimization work based on specific needs and situations. As long as we master the correct routing techniques and strategies, and pay attention to details and problem handling, we can certainly design high-quality, high-performance circuit boards.
