Why routing connects the circuit physically in PCB Design - Formula Trace Breakdown

Sample Data

This table shows components, their pins, and the nets they belong to in a PCB design. Nets represent electrical connections that routing must physically connect.

Cell	Value
A1	Component
B1	Pin
C1	Net
A2	U1
B2	1
C2	Net1
A3	U2
B3	2
C3	Net1
A4	U1
B4	3
C4	Net2
A5	U3
B5	1
C5	Net2

Formula Trace

Routing connects pins that share the same net physically on the PCB

Step 1: Identify pins sharing the same net

Step 2: Create physical copper traces between pins of the same net

Step 3: Verify continuity of each net's physical connection

Cell Reference Map

    A       B       C
1 |Component|Pin    |Net   |
2 |U1       |1      |Net1  |
3 |U2       |2      |Net1  |
4 |U1       |3      |Net2  |
5 |U3       |1      |Net2  |

The table shows which pins belong to which nets. Routing uses this information to connect pins physically.

Result

PCB Layout:
U1-1 ---- copper trace ---- U2-2  (Net1)
U1-3 ---- copper trace ---- U3-1  (Net2)

The routing physically connects pins that share the same net with copper traces on the PCB, enabling electrical connectivity.

Sheet Trace Quiz - 3 Questions

Why must routing connect pins that share the same net physically?

A To allow electrical signals to flow between pins

B To make the PCB look neat

C To reduce the number of components

D To increase the size of the PCB

Key Result

Routing connects pins physically if they share the same net to enable electrical connectivity.