Zone properties configuration in PCB Design - Cell-by-Cell Formula Trace

Sample Data

This data represents configuration settings for two PCB zones: Power Zone and Ground Zone, including their net association, clearance spacing, fill style, and thermal relief status.

Cell	Value
A1	Zone Name
B1	Net
C1	Clearance (mm)
D1	Fill Style
E1	Thermal Relief
A2	Power Zone
B2	VCC
C2	0.25
D2	Solid
E2	Enabled
A3	Ground Zone
B3	GND
C3	0.20
D3	Hatched
E3	Disabled

Formula Trace

IF(E2="Enabled", "Thermal Relief Active", "Thermal Relief Inactive")

Step 1: E2="Enabled"

Step 2: IF(TRUE, "Thermal Relief Active", "Thermal Relief Inactive")

Cell Reference Map

   A          B        C           D             E
1 Zone Name   Net    Clearance   Fill Style   Thermal Relief
2 Power Zone  VCC      0.25       Solid        Enabled  <-- referenced
3 Ground Zone GND      0.20       Hatched      Disabled

The formula references cell E2 to check if thermal relief is enabled for the Power Zone.

Result

   A          B        C           D             E               F
1 Zone Name   Net    Clearance   Fill Style   Thermal Relief   Status
2 Power Zone  VCC      0.25       Solid        Enabled        Thermal Relief Active
3 Ground Zone GND      0.20       Hatched      Disabled       Thermal Relief Inactive

The formula result 'Thermal Relief Active' is shown in column F for the Power Zone, indicating the thermal relief status based on the configuration.

Sheet Trace Quiz - 3 Questions

What does the formula check in cell E2?

A If fill style is solid

B If clearance is less than 0.25

C If thermal relief is enabled

D If net is VCC

Key Result

IF(condition, value_if_true, value_if_false) evaluates condition and returns one of two values accordingly.