Circuit Board Routing via Virtual Grids and Serial Number Grouping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional routing methods for circuit boards rely on worker experience and trial-and-error, lacking standardized steps, which results in significant time wastage when switching non-interleaved traces between layers using via holes.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves creating virtual paths and grid points between contacts, assigning serial numbers, calculating contact serial number differences, and dividing traces into groups to determine via hole locations, allowing for efficient layer switching without interleaving.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional routing method is used, then worker experience and trial-and-error are relied upon, but routing time is significantly increased and standardization is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining virtual paths between first contacts and second contacts before actual routing. Virtual paths are established in advance with predetermined via hole locations, allowing the routing process to follow a standardized sequence rather than requiring trial-and-error during execution. This preliminary planning eliminates time-consuming decisions during routing while maintaining operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces virtual paths as an intermediary element between the physical contacts and the actual traces. These virtual paths serve as a mediator that translates the spatial relationship between contacts into a standardized routing sequence, enabling automated or semi-automated routing processes without relying solely on worker experience. The virtual paths act as a bridge that standardizes the complex routing task.
2Productivity
If traces are switched between layers using via holes, then layer switching is achieved, but complex routing decisions are required without standardized steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the routing process into distinct groups based on contact serial number differences. Traces are divided into first group (positive difference), second group (zero difference), and third group (negative difference), each with specific routing rules. This segmentation transforms the complex decision-making process into a systematic sequence of simple, standardized steps for each group, significantly reducing routing decision complexity while maintaining layer switching efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes by calculating contact serial number differences to determine routing group assignments. This parameter-based classification system transforms complex spatial routing decisions into a straightforward calculation process. By changing the parameter of serial number comparison, the system automatically determines routing rules without requiring complex geometric analysis or worker judgment.
3Ease of manufacture
If via holes are provided on virtual grid points, then trace layer switching is simplified, but virtual path planning is required beforehand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and pre-defining virtual paths and virtual grid points before actual via hole placement. The virtual paths are established in advance based on contact positions and serial numbers, and the virtual grid points are predetermined along these paths. This preliminary planning simplifies the actual via hole placement process to a matter of following predefined locations rather than making real-time decisions, while the planning complexity is contained within the design phase.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a routing method for a circuit board, which is suitable for planning a plurality of traces to connect a plurality of first contacts of a first trace layer and a plurality of second contacts of a second trace layer, and at least includes the following steps: providing a plurality of virtual paths between the first contacts and the second contacts, and providing a plurality of virtual grid points on the virtual paths; setting a plurality of first serial numbers of the first contacts and a plurality of second serial numbers of the second contacts; dividing the traces into a first group, a second group and a third group according to a plurality of contact serial number differences between the second serial numbers and the first serial numbers; and providing a via hole of each trace on the virtual grid point.