Electronics > Beginners
Why should I route traces by hand when I have my autorouter?
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konzill:
Dave has a video about this:

Basically routing is in the class of complex problems that computers are still not that good at. Its just too open ended. Specifying all of the things that a human will consider when routing a board is somewhere between very hard and impossible.

It falls into the same class of problems as the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travelling_salesman_problem, except in this case you are trying to plan routes for many travelling salesman and the routes are not allowed to intersect.
pmercier:

--- Quote from: ataradov on November 20, 2019, 12:47:34 am ---
--- Quote from: pmercier on November 20, 2019, 12:44:21 am ---For low speed circuitry, low power why bother doing it by hand if the autorouter give you satisfaction for your use case ?

--- End quote ---
Because you will never learn to actually do it when the design becomes more complex. Of course if you never expect to run into complex designs, then it is fine.


--- End quote ---

I agree on this one, but everything come in time. No need to rush every competences on a teenager ;)
iamericmin:
Thanks. Attached below is a PCB of a wristwatch I made. It contains two 7-segment LEDs, a Nordic nRF52832, 5 more LEDs, a coin cell, and some passives. It is my most complex project to date. The PCB files are in a zip folder in the Autodesk Eagle .brd and .sch format. I also have screenshots of the schematic and PCB(without silkscreen).

I always place all my components by hand, being conscious of the autorouter and silkscreen artwork. If the autorouter struggles to find a way, I reorient some of my components to make life easier for the computer. But I never route any of the traces myself.

Here is a link to my PCB page from the fabhouse's website: http://dirtypcbs.com/store/designer/details/harambe/6335/time-machine-mk-iv

Thanks!
ataradov:
The layout here is not pretty. But here is the thing. You are using a radio, even if it is just a module. And for radios "works" is different from getting the actual performance. It may or may not matter in your case, or course.

In this case you see traces and a via near the antenna region. Usually this is not great for performance. Typically module manufactures will specify to either keep the area clear of any traces or flood fill it with the ground plane.

Yes, section 2.3. "RF Layout Suggestion (aka Keep-Out Area)" of the module datasheet suggests a proper layout for this module. The requirements are completely disregarded here. Again, it will work, but the range is likely to be compromised.
pmercier:
Seem to be a pretty complex layout. Perhaps choosing the pin assignation on the nrf module differently can simplify it.
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