U56PCB
JJJ PCROUTEJH
Version 2.102J$
Users ManualJ$
September 16, 1989JJi
byJJ
Douglas E. EhlersJH
Copyright (C) 1989

J 2JH
Table of Contents
_________________J
Notice of Copyright.......................................3JH
Introduction..............................................4JH
Installation..............................................5JH
System Requirements..................................5JH
Software Setup.......................................5JH
Input/Output Menu.........................................6JH
Board Definition Menu.....................................8JH
Chip Definition......................................7JH
Chip Placement.......................................8JH
Interactive Router.......................................13JH
Autorouter...............................................15JH
Board Statistics.........................................16JH
Printer Menu.............................................17JH
Exiting the program......................................17JH
Keyboard control summaries...............................17JH
Brief Tutorial...........................................19JH
Order Form...............................................21

J 3JH
Notice of Copyright
___________________J
This program is protected by a copyright held by me andJH
filed with the United States Government. Although this programJH
is being distributed as Shareware, that does not make it free.JH
You are granted limited use of this program to test it out andJH
see if it will fulfill your needs. If you find that your needsJH
can be satisfied by this program and you decide to use it, youJH
are obligated to pay the 65 dollars to register your copy. YouJH
are allowed and encouraged to give unaltered copies to yourJH
friends to try out. This same agreement applies to them.

J 4JH
Introduction
____________J
PCROUTE, is a computer aided design program for makingJH
circuit boards. It contains board layout routines that shouldJH
prove to be quite adequate for most purposes. It also contains aJH
full featured autorouter that averages around a 93% completionJH
rate. It also supports three of the more popular printers forJH
its output.JH
This program is to my knowledge the first of its type to beJH
released as shareware. Although it lacks several of the featuresJH
of similar products that are commercially available, it alsoJH
lacks a $1000 price tag. JH
Key features include:J$
1. AutoroutingJ$
2. Interactive routingJ$
3. Board layout functionsJ$
4. Flexible pinouts for devicesJ$
5. 2X output for use in making PC boardsJ$
6. Disk functions built into the softwareJ$
7. Sophisticated component and connection J$
entry systemsJ$
8. General statisticsJ$
9. Up to 300 components and 1800 connectionsJ$
10. The authors continued support

J 5JH
Installation
____________JH
Contents of Archive/Disk:
_________________________JH
PCROUTE.EXE - The main programJ$
PCROUTE.DOC - The documentation for PCROUTE.EXEJ$
HPLASER.DAT - Printer data for the HP Laserjet IIJ$
SG10 .DAT - Printer data for the IBM PC printerJ$
PAN1124.DAT - Printer data for the EPSON LQ-2500J$
SMALL .CDT - Sample board that can be edited and routedJ$
DIP24V6.DEF - 24 PIN DIP chip definition-vertical .6 wideJ$
DIP20V3.DEF - 20 PIN DIP chip definition-vertical .3 wideJ$
DIP40V6.DEF - 40 PIN DIP chip definition-vertical .6 wideJ$
PAD .DEF - Definition of a single padJ$
2PAD50V.DEF - 2 PADS 0.5 inches apart-verticalJ$
works well for 1/4 watt resistorsJ$
2PAD15V.DEF - 2 PADS 0.15 inches apart-verticalJ$
2PAD10V.DEF - 2 PADS 0.10 inches apart-verticalJ$
System Requirements:
____________________JH
To run this program requires:J$
1. CGA or better graphicsJ$
2. 640k of memory (must all be available)J$
3. 1 floppy disk driveJ$
4. One of the following printers:J$
a. IBM PC or compatible printerJ$
b. EPSON LQ-2500 or compatible printerJ$
c. Hewlett Packard Laserjet II or compatibleJ$
5. Hard-Disk (not essential but recommended)J$
6. A fast processor is also niceJH
Software Setup:
_______________JH
If you are going to run this program from a floppy diskJ$
system, simply copy all the files that came in the archive or onJ$
the distribution disk onto an empty formatted floppy disk byJ$
using the following command:JH
COPY A:*.* B:JH
Where A: contains the original PCROUTE disk and B: contains theJ$
empty formatted floppy disk. All the files that came on theJ$
diskette are required to run the program except the PCROUTE.DOCJ$
file. The PCROUTE.DOC file may be deleted from the run disk.JH
If you will be using a hard disk to run the program, make aJ$
directory to place the program in. Use the following commands toJ$
accomplish this:J$ 1. cd \J$
2. md pcrouteJ$
3. cd pcrouteJ$
4. copy a:*.*

J 6Jl
Where A: holds the original PCROUTE files.JH
For PCROUTE to run reliably, you must also have a line inJ$
your config.sys file setting files=20. If you are running mostJ$
any major applications program, this command probably exist; butJ$
you should check. To execute the program type PCROUTE from theJ$
dos prompt.J Input/Output Menu
_________________JH
1. Load Data:
_____________J$
This function is used to retrieve from disk theJ$
necessary information to design a printed circuit board.J$
Select this function from the menu and when prompted, enterJ$
the file name. No extension is used, the program will addJ$
the .CDT extension for you. The drive and path should notJ$
be used on the filename itself. There is a function thatJ$
will be discussed later to set the drive and path name.J$
After entering the filename, hit return. The program willJ$
ask if this is the correct name, enter Y or N to answer. IfJ$
the file is not found you will have a chance to reenter theJ$
file name. You can also use the ESC key to jump back to theJ$
main menu while entering the file name.JH
2. Save Data:
_____________J$
This function will save a complete description of theJ$
your designs layout, component list, and connection list.J$
It does not save the information used for deleting traces inJ$
the interactive router which will be discussed later. WhenJ$
prompted, enter the filename. Again do not specify the fileJ$
extension, drive designation, or path name. The programJ$
will ask after entering the file name if everything isJ$
correct, enter a Y or N. If the file exists the programJ$
will ask if you want to overwrite the file. If you say no,J$
it will prompt for a new file name. ESC also works toJ$
return you to the I/O menu while entering the file name.JH
3 Write Autocad file:
______________________J$
This function will write a file that can in turn beJ$
read into and edited with Autocad. The process is one way,J$
you can not read an autocad file back into PCROUTE. CallJ$
this function from the I/O menu and give a name whenJ$
prompted. Here as usual, specify no path or file extension.J$
The extension .scr will be added to the file. Once theJ$
program is done writing the file, you may run Autocad andJ$
use the command "SCRIPT" from the "Command:" prompt.J$
Autocad will ask for the script file name. Specify the sameJ$
name (with path if needed) as the one you used in PCROUTEJ$
and Autocad will read in the file. It may take awhile so be

J 7JH
patient. Autocad will display three layers: solder,J$
component, and silkscreen. You may edit them however youJ$
like and save them as Autocad drawing files. Doing thisJ$
greatly increases the number of printers you can output toJ$
as Autocad supports mega-hardware.JH
4. Erase Data:
______________J$
This routine clears the memory of the program. ItJ$
erases the boards, stacks, component list, and connectionJ$
list. The program will ask if you are sure that you want toJ$
erase the data in memory. Answer Y or N. The program willJ$
respond with "Erasing..." and after a few seconds drop youJ$
back to the I/O menu.JH
5. Disk Directory:
__________________J$
This function displays a directory of the current driveJ$
and path. Use the space bar to view twenty file names at aJ$
time. When no more files exist, the space bar will returnJ$
you to the I/O menu.JH
6. Change drive/path:
_____________________J$
This function changes the current drive and or path.J$
The ESC key will back you out of the function withoutJ$
changing the path. The function will display the currentJ$
drive and path and then prompt for a new one. Just enterJ$
the new one and hit return. You will be returned to the I/OJ$
menu.Jl Define/Edit Board Menu
______________________JH
1. Component Edit/Entry:
________________________J$
This function is used to enter components into the system.J$
Once you have entered this function you will placed in theJ$
entry/editing environment. If no components have been enteredJ$
you will see only two possible commands, if there are componentsJ$
in memory you will have the option to delete, copy and otherJ$
things. JH
New Component Entry:
____________________J$
Hitting an "A" will put you in the enter new components.J$
The program will display the component number being entered andJ$
then prompt for the name. The name is up to 15 characters longJ$
and serves only to remind the designer as to what this device is.J$
ESC can be used at this point to return you to the entry/editingJ$
environment.J$
The next question if for the designation. This is theJ$
unique name that you will give the component and use in theJ$
future to refer to it. Typical names include IC1, R1, IC2, andJ$
A1. The only reserved designation is for vias. (A via is a padJ$
with no device attached to it. It is just to connect a trace fromJ$
one side of the board to the other) Designations that start with

J 8JH
"V" and then have a number after that, are not allowed in theJ$
system. So V1 would not be accepted by VI1 would be. ESC may beJ$
used to back up while entering the designation name to reenterJ$
the component name.J$
Third the program will prompt for the definition file name.J$
This is the name of a file that tells the program how the pins onJ$
the device being entered are situated. The program first shows aJ$
list of possible definition file names at the lower right. AtJ$
the end of the list the program will prompt for a name. Do notJ$
enter a file extension, the program will add it for you. If theJ$
name of the file entered exists, it will read the file, displayJ$
the chip definition to see if it is correct. If you answer yesJ$
that it is the correct definition you will continue to the nextJ$
question. If the file did not exist you will be asked if youJ$
wish to create the definition. If you answer no, the programJ$
will re-prompt for the definition name after showing you theJ$
possible files, otherwise, we make a new definition. ESC may beJ$
used to back up and reenter the component designation.JH
Creating New Definition Files:
______________________________J$
The program needs to know the exact pin layout ofJ$
any components placed on the board. This functionJ$
allows you to create these definitions. Upon entry youJ$
will see a graphic screen with some information at theJ$
bottom and a green square in the middle of the screen.J$
In the top left of the box is your cursor. You use theJ$
cursor keys to move the cursor around to define pinJ$
locations. The pins are entered in the order from 1 toJ$
up to 40. Move the cursor to the position of the firstJ$
pin and hit return to place it. Then move to theJ$
second position and hit return to place pin 2. You mayJ$
also remove pins in the reverse order you placed themJ$
by positioning your cursor over the last pin enteredJ$
and hitting the backspace key. This key will onlyJ$
delete the last entered pin. The information at theJ$
bottom of the screen will tell you what pin you areJ$
entering, as well as your relative location on theJ$
screen. When you have placed 40 pins or are finishedJ$
with the component definition, hit ESC to finish up.J$
The program will ask if you want to reedit. AnsweringJ$
yes will clear the screen and you can start over.J$
Answering no will get you the prompt asking if you wantJ$
to keep it or not. Answering yes will save theJ$
definition for later use, no will give you the list ofJ$
existing definitions on the previous screen. AllJ$
components are moved up to the upper left most cornerJ$
for saving. This is for internal reasons, you canJ$
design the chip anywhere in the square. You will needJ$
to make definition files for all your components. IJ$
would suggest a meaningful system for naming them.J$
Maybe something like DIP16V and DIP16H for 16 pin DualJ$
Inline Package Vertical attitude and Horizontal

J 9JH
attitude respectively.J$
***Note: Most chip dimensions are available in dataJ$
books such as RCA cross reference manuals. Radio ShackJ$
also puts device dimensions on the back of theirJ$
packages.JH
The next question the program will ask is if you everythingJ$
is correct. Answering no will restart this process with re-J$
prompting for the name. Answering yes will get the next prompt.J$
The next prompt is if you wish to keep this device.J$
Answering no will skip the next prompt and ask if you wish toJ$
enter another device. Answering yes gives you the next prompt.J$
This prompt asks if you wish to place the device now.J$
Saying no will allow you to delay this until later. All devicesJ$
must be placed somewhere on the board before they can beJ$
connected up. Placing the chip goes as follows.JH
Placing Chips:
______________J$
When this graphic screen comes up you will see aJ$
representation of the current circuit board with allJ$
other placed components and ground planes shown. TheJ$
chip you are entering now will be shown in the upperJ$
left corner of the board. The arrow keys will moveJ$
this chip around on the board and using a shift-arrowJ$
combination will move the chip around faster. Move theJ$
chip to where you want it and press return. You cannotJ$
overlap chips. This chip is now placed in thisJ$
location. If you change your mind you can hit ESC toJ$
exit without placing the chip. You will be asked ifJ$
you are sure you want to abandon chip placement or not.J$
Yes will drop to the next prompt, and no will put youJ$
right back where you were before hitting ESC.JH
The last prompt is if you wish to enter another chip or not.J$
Answering yes, will put you back up at the name prompt to enterJ$
another chip. No will put you back in the entry/editingJ$
environment.JH
Editing Component Definitions:
______________________________J$
Selecting E from the entry/editing environment will give youJ$
the ability to change any part of each definition. Simply selectJ$
the letter of the item to change. For example, to change theJ$
name, hit A after hitting E and you will be prompted for the newJ$
name. Either enter the new name, or you can hit ESC to leave itJ$
unchanged. When you are done editing, hit the key thatJ$
corresponds to exiting the edit.JH
Deleting Component Definitions:
_______________________________J$
This function allows you to delete a component. TheJ$
component that will be deleted is the one currently displayed onJ$
the screen. Hit D and you will be asked if you are sure if youJ$
want to delete this component or not. Answer accordingly. All

J 10JH
connections that contained the deleted function will also beJ$
deleted.Jl
Copying Components:
___________________J$
This function will let you make copies of a chip definitionJ$
to speed the entry of chips. It will copy everything verbatimJ$
from the displayed definition to a new definition except theJ$
designation from which it will take the alpha part and thenJ$
increment the numerical part to the next available part. It alsoJ$
does not put the chip in the same location. You will be asked ifJ$
you wish to place the chip now or later.JH
Searching for a Component:
__________________________J$
Sometimes finding the component you wish to edit or deleteJ$
can take some time on a large board. This function allows you toJ$
search for components by the designation. When prompted enterJ$
the case to upper for you, if it exists the program will drop youJ$
at that device's number. If it doesn't exist, you will continueJ$
right where you were.JH
Incrementing and Decrementing the displayed Component:
______________________________________________________J$
Using + and - will change the displayed component. +J$
increments and - decrements. The display is circular in nature,J$
therefore hitting + at the last component will put you at theJ$
first and hitting - at the first will put you at the last.JH
Exiting the Entry/Editing Environment:
______________________________________J$
Use the N key to end these functions and return to the boardJ$
definition menu.JH
2. Connection Edit/ Entry:
__________________________J$
This system allows for entry and editing of all theJ$
connections that need to be made between the components in theJ$
system. The functions are very similar to the componentJ$
functions.JH
New Connection Entry:
_____________________J$
Hitting an "A" will put you in the enter new connections.J$
The program will display the connection number being entered andJ$
then prompt for the name of the source designation. The nameJ$
must exist in memory as a component. ESC can be used at thisJ$
point to return you to the entry/editing environment.J$
The next question is for the source chip pin number. EnterJ$
the number of the pin that you want the trace to connect to. ESCJ$
will back you up to the previous prompt. J$
The program will now prompt for the name of the destinationJ$
designation. The name must exist in memory as a component. ESCJ$
can be used at this point to return to the previous prompt.J$
The next question if for the destination chip pin number.J$
Enter the number of the pin that you want the other end of theJ$
trace to connect to. ESC will back you up to the previous

J 11JH
prompt.J$
The program will now ask if this is a priority route or not.J$
By answering yes, this trace will be routed before all other non-J$
priority routes no matter how long it may be and what otherJ$
routes it may block. This might be used for making sure a memoryJ$
access bus is all done in copper instead of using jumpers for aJ$
vital connection.J$
The next question the program will ask is if everything isJ$
correct. Answering no will restart this process with re-J$
prompting for the source designation. Answering yes will get theJ$
next prompt.J$
The next prompt is if you wish to keep this connection.J$
Answering no will skip the next prompt and ask if you wish toJ$
enter another connection. Answering yes gives you the nextJ$
prompt.J$
The last prompt is if you wish to enter another connectionJ$
or not. Answering yes, will put you back up at the sourceJ$
designation prompt to enter another connection. No will put youJ$
back in the entry/editing environment.JH
Editing Connection Definitions:
_______________________________J$
Selecting E from the entry/editing environment will give youJ$
the ability to change any part of each connection. Simply selectJ$
the letter of the item to change. For example, to change theJ$
source designation, hit A after hitting E and you will beJ$
prompted for the new designation. Either enter the newJ$
designation, or hit ESC to leave it unchanged. When you are doneJ$
editing, hit the key that corresponds to exiting the edit.Jl
Deleting Connection Definitions:
________________________________J$
This function allows you to delete a connection. TheJ$
connection that will be deleted is the one currently displayed onJ$
the screen. Hit D and you will be asked if you are sure you wantJ$
to delete this connection or not. Answer accordingly.JH
Searching for a Connection:
___________________________J$
Sometimes finding the connection you wish to edit or deleteJ$
can take some time on a large board. This function allows you toJ$
search for connections by the designation. When prompted enterJ$
the designation sought. The program will change the case toJ$
upper for you. The program will search from the currentJ$
connection to the end. It looks at both the source andJ$
destination designations for a match. If it finds the searchJ$
string the program will drop you at that connection's number. IfJ$
it doesn't exist, you will continue right where you were.JH
Incrementing and Decrementing the displayed Connection:
_______________________________________________________J$
Using + and - will change the displayed connection. +J$
increments and - decrements. The display is circular in nature,J$
therefore hit + at the last connection will put you at the firstJ$
and hitting - at the first will put you at the last.

J 12Jl
Exiting the Entry/Editing Environment:
______________________________________J$
Use the N key to end these functions and return to the boardJ$
definition menu.J$
3. Ground Plane: This function is used to set up a ground
________________J$ plane. The program will display a picture ofJ$
the board. It will prompt for the width ofJ$
the ground plane on all four sides on bothJ$
the component side and solder side of theJ$
board. Each digit entered corresponds to .05J$
actual inches. You may come back and changeJ$
the ground plane sizes at any time. ESC willJ$
also back you out of the first prompt onlyJ$
(top-solder side).J$
*** Please note that this function erasesJ$
any work done in the interactive routerJ$
(discussed later).JH
4. Define Board Size: This function is the first function
_____________________J$ used. It defines the dimensions of theJ$
board. The maximum board size supportedJ$
by PCROUTE is 12" X 7". When promptedJ$
for numbers, you must enter the numbersJ$
as multiples of 5. Each numberJ$
represents .05 of actual size. So anJ$
entry of 100 would correspond to 5".J$
You may change board sizes at any timeJ$
during the design process by calling theJ$
routine. If you make the board smaller,J$
the chips that were outside the newJ$
border will have to be replaced. ESCJ$
will work to back up to the previousJ$
prompt, or back out of the routineJ$
leaving the board size unchanged.JH
5. Spider Web: This function is useful for checking to see if a
______________J$ chip would be more logically placed somewhereJ$
else. By using the + and - keys, you can toggleJ$
through the chips. As each chip is selected, itJ$
as well as all traces to it are highlighted inJ$
red. Once a chip is highlighted, you can select MJ$
to move the chip. After hitting M, the arrow keysJ$
become active and the chip as well as all itsJ$
connections will be rubber banded around theJ$
board. You can hit RETURN to place the chip atJ$
the current location, or hit ESC to not place theJ$
chip and put it back at its original location.J$
The ESC or E key will exit you from this function.J$
*** Please note, if you move any chips, the workJ$
done by the interactive router is erased.

J 13JH
Interactive Router
__________________JH
This board editing system allows you to interactively designJ$
a board. It can be very useful for finding possible routes thatJ$
the autorouter was unable to find. Upon entry to this sectionJ$
the program generates the borders and places the pads of all theJ$
chips. It will also ask you to place all the chips that have notJ$
been placed yet. If you intend to route the entire board thisJ$
way, place your chips and then leave them. Moving them aroundJ$
after placing the chip will distort your board. PCROUTE has noJ$
way of connecting traces up to where the chip was moved to. TheJ$
screen will show all the chips with their designations centeredJ$
amid each components pins. This system has many keys that areJ$
active while in this environment. An explanation of eachJ$
follows.JH
S - switch sides: This function changes the side of the board
_________________J$ displayed. When you enter S, you will beJ$
shown the other side of the board. TheJ$
program supports only 2 sides, solder andJ$
component.JH
E or ESC - end: Hitting E or ESC will exit you from the
_______________J$ interactive router.JH
Cursor Keys: The cursor keys move the solid block around on the
____________J$ board. Each time you press the arrow key, theJ$
cursor will move 1 space. Relative coordinatesJ$
are displayed at the bottom of the screen. UsingJ$
Shift-Arrow moves the cursor 10 spaces. If youJ$
come to the edge of the screen but not the edge ofJ$
the board, the screen will shift the board overJ$
for you.Jl
Function Keys:
______________J$
The function keys numbered F1-F8 do the majority of the workJ$
in PCROUTE. They allow you to place vias, run traces, deleteJ$
traces, blank old traces, and delete vias.JH
F1 - Set Source: By positioning the cursor over a pad and
________________J$ hitting F1 you select that pad as your sourceJ$
location. The bottom status line will tellJ$
you exactly what chip and pin number you haveJ$
selected.JH
F2 - Set Dest.: The function works exactly as the F1 function
_______________J$ but selects the destination pin.JH
F3 - Run Trace: Once you have defined a source and
_______________J$ destination, hitting F3 will attempt toJ$
connect the two pins with a trace. If it is

J 14JH
successful, you will see the trace appear.J$
If it cannot complete the route it willJ$
notify you at the bottom. At this point youJ$
might try putting a via in place and routingJ$
from the source to it on one side and fromJ$
the via to the destination on the other.JH
F4 - Delete Trace: The function will delete traces that have
__________________J$ been routed since the program has been run.J$
If you have just loaded the board up andJ$
decide to delete a trace this function willJ$
not work. Saving the board does not saveJ$
deletion information. Assuming the data isJ$
in memory to perform the delete, the programJ$
will highlight the trace to delete. If theJ$
highlighted trace is the one to be deletedJ$
answer Yes when prompted. Hitting N willJ$
advance to the next trace if it is available.J$
Hitting ESC will drop you back to the cursorJ$
control mode.JH
F5 - Add Via: This function key will add a via at the location
_____________J$ of the cursor. It will be V and then the nextJ$
available number. Use these for multilevel routesJ$
or just extra pads needed. You cannot place a viaJ$
adjacent to an existing pad. You can place oneJ$
diagonally from one though. You also may notJ$
place a via in the middle of a trace. All viasJ$
are deleted by the autorouter when it is invoked.JH
F6 - Del Via: This function deletes the via at the cursor
_____________J$ location if one exists there.JH
F7 - Erase Space: This function will remove the trace piece at
_________________J$ the location of the cursor. This function isJ$
useful if you deleted a series of traces andJ$
left something unconnected. Use thisJ$
carefully.JH
F8 - Check Route: This function will check to see if a selected
_________________J$ pair of pads can be connected. It willJ$
report back as to whether the route can beJ$
completed. This is useful for doing multi-J$
layer routes using vias. Checking for anJ$
available route before laying the actualJ$
trace will save a bunch of deletes if laterJ$
your path is blocked.

J 15JH
Autorouting
___________JH
Selecting this from the menu will enable you to connect allJ$
or most of the connections you desire. The program will firstJ$
draw borders, place pads, and set up the ground planes. If aJ$
component has not been placed, you will be asked to place it.J$
The program requires all chips to be placed before it can route.J$
There are four routing strategies that can be employed. YouJ$
select each strategy by hitting Y or N as the cursor moves toJ$
each option. If you hit Y for single or double via routing youJ$
will also be prompted for the maximum number of tries for each.J$
Just enter a number. Bigger numbers are better for biggerJ$
boards, smaller number for small boards.JH
Single Sided Route: This function will attempt to place all the
___________________J$ routes on the solder side of the board. ItJ$
is the least efficient strategy but is greatJ$
for small projects where ease of making theJ$
board itself is a priority. This functionJ$
cannot be used in conjunction with the nextJ$
three strategies.JH
Double Sided Route: This function will do its routing on two
___________________J$ sides of the board. It has a higherJ$
completion percentage than the single sidedJ$
strategy.JH
Single Via Route: This function requires that the double sided
_________________J$ strategy be select first. This function isJ$
used after the double sided strategy to tryJ$
to complete any uncompleted routes. ItJ$
places a via and tries to do the single routeJ$
with a trace on each side of the board. AJ$
number such as 50 is good for maximum numberJ$
of tries.JH
Double Via Route: This function also requires double sided
_________________J$ routing be selected to work. It uses twoJ$
vias to attempt to complete the route. AJ$
good maximum number of tries is 30 or so.J$
This function can take a great deal of timeJ$
so be patient.

J 16JH
Board Statistics
________________JH
This function displays 3 statistics that may be of some interest.JH
Equivalent Integrated Circuit Count: This function is theJ$
total number of pinsJ$
divided by 16.JH
Board Density: This is the amount of space total that each chipJ$
has to occupy. It is calculated by taking theJ$
area of the board and dividing by the EquivalentJ$
IC count.JH
Total Trace Length: The function gives the total length of allJ$
the traces on the board. The smaller theJ$
number, the better the design.

J 17JH
Printer Menu
____________JH
1. Print Component List: This function will generate a list of
________________________J$ all the components. It can be sorted byJ$
name or designation. JH
2. Print Connections: This function will generate a list of
_____________________J$ all the connections in memory. It canJ$
be sorted by the source or destinationJ$
designation.JH
3. Print Solder Side of Board:
______________________________J$
This function will generate the artwork to make theJ$
printed circuit board. The program will ask if you want toJ$
mirror the board. This may be necessary if your filmJ$
requires printing on a particular side. The mirroring isJ$
done left to right. Next it will ask if you want a negativeJ$
made. This will make the traces white and the backgroundJ$
all black. On the Laserjet II you also have the option ofJ$
making an actual size printout, or the standard 2X size thatJ$
the dot matrix printers print. The ESC key will exit out ofJ$
the printout at any time.JH
4. Print Component Side of Board:
_________________________________J$
This function is identical to number 3 above exceptJ$
that it prints the component side of the board.JH
5. Print a Silkscreen Representation:
_____________________________________J$
This function will generate a pseudo-silkscreen. It isJ$
not the same scale as numbers 3 and 4 but is useful forJ$
remembering where components are to be placed. Select theJ$
printer to be used and watch it go.Jl
Exiting the Program
___________________JH
Selecting 7 from the main menu will drop you from PCROUTEJ$
back to DOS. If you have data in memory you will be asked if youJ$
wish to save it. Answering Yes will prompt you for a file name.J$
Enter the file name as you would in the save data function in theJ$
Input/Output menu. You can hit ESC to abort the save, but itJ$
will not return you to the program. Answering No to the saveJ$
query, will drop you immediately to DOS.

J 18JH
Keyboard Summaries
__________________JH
Chip Placement Screen:
______________________J$
ESC - Option to Abandon PlacementJ$
RET - Place chip at current locationJ$
Cursor Keys - Moves chip one space for each J$
depressionJ$
Shift Cursor Key - Moves chip 10 spaces for each J$
depressionJH
Define Chip Definition:
_______________________J$
ESC - Option to Abandon DefinitionJ$
RET - Place pin at current locationJ$
Cursor Keys - Moves cursor one space for each strokeJ$
BACKSPACE - Removes last placed pinJH
Spider Web System:
__________________J$
M* - Set system to move highlighted chipJ$
Cursor keys - Move chip one space on boardJ$
RET - Place chip at current locationJ$
ESC - Abandon placementJ$
+,-* - Increment and Decrement through chipsJ$
E* - Exit Web SystemJH
* - Denotes that this selection is displayed on screen.JH
Interactive Router:
___________________J$
S - Display other side of boardJ$
E,ESC - Exit interactive routerJ$
F1 - Select source padJ$
F2 - Select destination padJ$
F3 - Attempt to connect source and J$
destinationJ$
F4 - Delete traces connected since system J$
startedJ$
F5 - Place via at cursor locationJ$
F6 - Delete via at cursor locationJ$
F7 - Remove trace piece at cursor locationJ$
F8 - See if route is possible between J$
source and destination pads

J 19JH
Brief Tutorial
______________JH
The following is intended as a method of getting up andJ$
running with the program. It will give a general idea of how theJ$
program works. It is not intended as a "learn all" tutorial.JH
1. Begin by running PCROUTE. This information can be foundJ$
back in the section on setting up PCROUTE for your machine.JH
2. Once at the main menu, hit 3 for define/edit board, and thenJ$
select 4 for define board dimensions. For our purposes weJ$
will use a board size of 80 x 80, which translates into a 4J$
inch square board.JH
3. Select function 1 to enter new components. You will seeJ$
that no data has been entered yet. Hit A to enter data. WeJ$
will put three chips on the board and two resistors. AnswerJ$
each prompt below with the following data. When asked toJ$
place each chip answer Y and place the chip with the cursorJ$
keys. After you have entered the last item, answer N to theJ$
"Enter another component?" prompt.JH
Name: 8051 uP Designation: IC1J$
Definition file: DIP40V6 Placement: Left side of boardJH
Name: 74ls373 Designation: IC2J$
Definition file: DIP20V3 Placement: Upper rightJH
Name: 2716 Designation: IC3J$
Definition file: DIP24V6 Placement: Lower rightJH
Name: 100k resistor Designation: R1J$
Definition file: 2PAD50V Placement: Upper middleJH
Name: 10k resistor Designation: R2J$
Definition file: 2PAD50V Placement: Lower middleJH
N exits you to the board definition menu.JH
4. Next, we want to enter some connections to be made betweenJ$
the chips. Select 2 from the menu to enter the connectionJ$
entry section. Enter the following connections. Answer NJ$
to each prompt of "Is this a priority connection?". WhenJ$
you have entered the last connection answer N to the "EnterJ$
another connection prompt?".JH
Source Device Pin Destination Device Pin
_____________ ___ __________________ ___J$
IC1 2 IC3 2J$
IC1 3 IC2 16J$
IC3 22 IC2 6J$
R1 1 IC2 4J$
R2 1 IC1 8

J 20JH
R2 2 IC3 6J$
R1 2 IC1 31J$
IC2 8 IC3 17J$
IC1 21 IC1 15J$
IC2 8 IC3 8J$
IC2 9 IC3 9J$
IC2 10 IC3 10J$
IC1 14 IC2 9JH
N returns you to the menu.JH
5. Ok, lets autoroute the board. Go back to the main menu andJ$
select 4 to autoroute the board. When prompted to useJ$
single sided routing or not, answer Y. Now hit the ESC keyJ$
and watch the machine route. When it is done is willJ$
display the list of uncompleted connections to the printerJ$
or screen. Select whichever you wish. We will now beJ$
dropped back to the main menu. We can take a look at whatJ$
we have done by selecting number 5 from the menu. You canJ$
cursor around and see a representation of the board on theJ$
screen. Hit ESC when done.JH
Now lets re-route the board using double sided techniques.J$
This time say N to single sided and Y to double sided andJ$
then hit ESC. The machine will route double sided and againJ$
give a list of incomplete connections if any exist. SelectJ$
printer or screen for this list. Lets take a look at theJ$
board again. This time we may also want to use the S key toJ$
change sides of the board that we are viewing. When you areJ$
done hit ESC.JH
6. From the main menu, hit 6 for statistics. Displayed areJ$
three statistics that tell you how good your design is. HitJ$
space when you are done with this.JH
7. Last of all we'll print this baby out. Hit 2 for printerJ$
menu. Now select silkscreen. Select your printer and thenJ$
hit N for mirrored image. Your printer will now print aJ$
quick mockup of the board. This is useful for rememberingJ$
what chip goes where. Now hit 3 to print out the solderJ$
side of the board. Select your printer and answer N to eachJ$
prompt. Your printer will shortly come to life and print outJ$
a 2X print of the copper pattern on your printer. You mayJ$
hit ESC to abort the printout if you are tired of sittingJ$
around.

J 21JH
Order Form
__________J$
Please enclose this form when ordering.
_______________________________________JH
Name: __________________________________________Jl
Address1: __________________________________________Jl
Address2: __________________________________________Jl
City: _________________ State: _______ Zip:_________Jl
Phone Number: (________) ________-______________Jl
Computer name: _____________________________________Jl
Processor: 8086 8088 80186 80188 80286 80386 80386SXJl
Printer type: _____________________________________JH
Suggestions/comments/other information:JH
____________________________________________________JH
____________________________________________________JH
____________________________________________________JH
____________________________________________________JH
____________________________________________________JH
____________________________________________________JH
____________________________________________________JH
____________________________________________________Jl
Please also enclose the $65 check or money order, (do not sendJ$
cash) made payable to:JH Douglas E. EhlersJ$
4520 S. 58thJ$
Lincoln, NE 68516J$
(402) 435-8440
@