2007/9/6, Robert <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: > > > Just to make sure I understand. Connecting pins to an internal layer > > using vias and then filling the plane is not recognized as a > > connection by the connection tool. Is that right? If so, how do I > > know if there are missing connections to the plane? > > Power planes are a bit of a weak point with KiCAD, and my only major > bugbear. Obviously the dozens of power nodes will be scattered all > over the board, and it's a big plus if you can connect them up with > power planes first. This is especially true of double-sided boards, > where you need to ensure you don't end up with isolated islands of power > plane. > > With KiCAD you will need to leave connecting the power nodes until last, > and pray that you spot any isolated islands before it's a real problem > to connect them again. Then you'll need to hook up the power nodes > with tracks so the DRC passes. I'm doing that right now on a > (double-sided) board, and I've elected to use a 5 thou track and 10 thou > grid to do that, so I can squeeze the connections through all the twists > and turns the power plane takes. > > Regards, > > Robert. > >
Hi, Personally, I do not find that it is really a limitation. For questions of electromagnetic compatibility, the ground plane is very important, it should be prevented that connections of GND, which must be close, are done by turnings. For that I start by tracing the connections of GND by using a width track acceptable, thus I have a good vision of netting. Then I trace the other tracks, the DRC are now correct. At the end I generate the zones. Sometimes that needs a few more VIAs on signal tracks. I obtain this way a layout of good quality on EMI level. Just my 2 cents... Regards. -- Danilo Uccelli CH-2400 Le Locle [EMAIL PROTECTED]
