Activity 5: Work with signals on a circuit board

In this activity, you explore signals on a circuit board design. This allows you to verify length and properties of the airwire.

Prerequisites

Steps

  1. In SmartMeter schematic design of SmarttMeter project, click Design > Switch > Switch to PCB document. The SmartMeter PCB design tab opens.

  2. In the Design Manager panel, on the Browser tab, select Signals from View drop-down list, and click default in Net Classes group.

  3. In Signals list, select N$3. Verify that the signal is highlighted on the canvas. In the Trace column of Signal list shows length value 2381 mil (2.381 inches) and 0 mil in Airwire column.

    Signal table

    Note: Zoom in until you see the N$3 labels on the wires. Follow the signal from a blue bottom-side wire, through a via to a red top wire, through another via to another blue bottom wire.

    Airwire

  4. In Signals list, select N$4 to check all properties of airwire.

    1. The list here shows 0 mil in Traces column, but a 295 mil (0.295 in.) length in Airwire column. The signal airwire will show as zoomed in white selection rectangle on the canvas.

      Airwire

    2. In the Inspector panel. On Properties of Airwire group, see the From and To coordinates for the airwire, Length, and Angle.

      Properties

      Note: Similar to nets on the schematic design, you can check the From and To coordinates by placing the pointer on the end points. Verify the values that show at the top of the design workspace.
  5. Use QuickRoute Multiple to route signals from IC1 to IC2.

    1. Click Design > Quick Route > QuickRoute Multiple QuickRoute icon.

    2. Click and hold to draw a line across the set of four pads on one side of IC1.

      QuickRoute1

    3. Right-click one of the airwires to route the four signals.

      QuickRoute2

    4. Click Done or press Esc.

Activity 5 summary

In this activity, you explored signals in the PCB design. You checked the length of a signal, the airwire length, and the properties of the airwire. You also used QuickRoute Multiple to route signals.