Constraints, rule sets and manual routing is how I use Altium.
It's got an autorouter, and if I used it, I might get completed routes
sometimes, but passing FCC/CE would be a nightmare.

As is, two layer boards in plastic boxes with uC, switching PS and radios
get "Is that thing on?" with immunity measured > 192V/m.


On Fri, May 24, 2013 at 7:15 AM, Sean Breheny <shb7@cornell.edu> wrote:

> Hi Bill,
>
> I assume that you are referring to Cisco? I work with a few ex-telecom gu=
ys
> (not from Cicso) who used to design both telephone and network
> switching/routing equipment as recently as two years ago and they all hav=
e
> a generally negative view of autorouters. They will use them for specific=
,
> well-defined tasks like breaking out a large BGA, but not for the majorit=
y
> of the traces between ICs. Their boards used to be like the ones you refe=
r
> to (>100 square inches, >10 layers, many traces with controlled impedance
> and length matching). They think that the best bang for your buck in
> automation in PCB layout is in constraints and rule sets, so the tool wil=
l
> tell you whether the trace you just routed violates any of the requiremen=
ts
> you have set for length matching, etc.
>
> Sean
>
>
>
> On Fri, May 24, 2013 at 1:38 AM, William "Chops" Westfield
> <westfw@mac.com>wrote:
>
> > > In what professional (or not) setting would one
> > > seriously use an autorouter for designing PCBs?
> >
> > I'm pretty sure that the 15x20 inch, 14-layer boards with a couple doze=
n
> > 144pin ICs, that they make back where I used to work, are mostly
> autorouted.
> >
> > BillW
> >
> >
> > --
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> > View/change your membership options at
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> >
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