At 05:06 PM 1/13/03 -0500, you wrote:

>I'm using UltiBoard, and it's auto router does a fantastic job - but you
>need 10 mil traces to be able to go between pins on ICs.

Hunh? If you use 55 mil pads with 31 mil holes (12 mil annular ring), you
can use 15 mil = (100 - 55)/3 traces and spaces (just an example).

>  On one layout, I
>manually increased the size of some of the traces to 20 mils, but it was on
>a 4" by 4" board. I had to change the size to be able to fit the enclosure
>I was able to get.
>
>I'll play around with increasing selected traces.

You should manually route the power traces first on a two or fewer layer
board. Maximize the width and minimize the enclosed area (put them on
overtop of each other on opposite sides if possible). Place bypass caps
close to the microcontroller and other chips that require it. Copper pour
on the power connections if your package supports it, but make sure the
layout is good first. Make sure that any high current stuff has its own
path back. Avoid having digital supply current and signals flowing
through analog circuitry.

Best regards,

Spehro Pefhany --"it's the network..."            "The Journey is the reward"
speff@interlog.com             Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com
Embedded software/hardware/analog  Info for designers:  http://www.speff.com

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