printed circuit board (PCB) routing techniques are a bit like a piece of artwork. There is an engineering component -- the load of various circuit and solder paths cannot intersect or interfere with the load running through a nearby circuit or solder path, and the overall space recommendations of the circuit board and the device that it is being placed into cannot be exceeded or the board will not work, or will not fit into the finished product, which would make the whole point of the printed circuit board moot. There are a number of different techniques for properly laying out printed circuit boards so that they are as small as possible and as efficient as possible.
Software Design Program
One technique for proper printed circuit board routing is to use a printed circuit board design software program. These programs will calculate all of the various issues that come into play with a printed circuit board design,and will automatically return the most efficient and effective design. They can even print the circuit board solder paths on to the circuit board material so that you can begin the process much more simply than if you have to etch the board yourself.
CAD Program
Another method of printed circuit board routing is to use a computer-aided design (CAD) program. Similar to the software design program, the CAD program will design and test for conflicts in your printed circuit board routing and will then go one step further than a regular design program, in that it will allow you to route the printed circuit board after designing it. These programs are more expensive than conventional design programs, and they do require a bit more skill than a regular printed circuit board design software program.
Hand Drawing
Drawing by hand still remains a great PCB routing technique. You can do this by drawing it first on paper and then transmitting it to a printed circuit board that you have made by a design firm, or you can use special inks to print on the circuit board material and then use a home etching kit to make the circuit board once you have done the basic design and layout work by hand.
Manual Routing vs. Autorouter
When using a CAD or software program, you generally have a choice of manual routing or autorouting. Manual routing requires you to place components yourself while the software or CAD program does much of the work for you in autorouting. Often, a combination of manual and autorouting is used, but in some applications -- such as when surfaces are shorter, like in transmission lines or clocks -- manual routing may be preferred.
