9 ms·
Topor is my go-to tool for small boards. I just start with manually tracing power nets, the rest is autorouted. Comparing to other routers, Topor gives results
by omgtehlion 9y ago
Topor is my go-to tool for small boards. I just start with manually tracing power nets, the rest is autorouted.
Comparing to other routers, Topor gives results almost instantaneously. This is really useful when placing parts: you try something, autoroute (no more than tens of seconds), see result, tweak here and there then repeat.
idk about seriously big boards, but they have examples with mammoth BGA on their site, so at least it is capable of routing those boards.
- omgtehlion 9y agoP.S.: near the end of article author lists what autorouter should do and what info (and freedom) we should give to the tool. I think, the first show-stopper for 100% autorouted designs are power nets (of course, not only power, there are a lot of other corner cases, like thermals, but power is what you encounter right out of the door). Router should know which nets handle (somewhat)high currents. And which direction the current flows. You do not want your power amp supply rail routed sequentially. And on the other side, not all power nets should be routed as stars (sometimes there is only small power draw, and sometimes it is only voltage sensing).