Re: gEDA-user: pcb: All v. Any pin connectivity

[Vanessa Ezekowitz <vanessaezekowitz@xxxxxxxxx>]

On Wed, 03 Feb 2010 06:47:19 -0500
Ethan Swint <eswint.ramu@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> On 02/03/2010 03:33 AM, timecop wrote:
> >> At the very least, it seems that there should be a way to specify that
> >> "any" pin with the same number satisfies the connection. 
> > fairly ridiculous assumption especially with ICs, many of which
> > specifically say something like "all GND/VCC pads must be connected".
> >    
> In which case, the pins have unique numbers, if not names.

I ran into the same thing four times within the last week, just tinkering with some old projects:

* A common four-pin SPST momentary button with two pairs of electrically connected pins,
* A DB25 connector had its metal metal shield/shell connected to the two primary mounting holes,
* A four-pin fuse holder had two pairs of electrically connected pins with the fuse between the pairs,
* A DIN connector had its two primary mounting holes electrically connected through the shield.

Routing signals through those internal connections would have been no issue at all, though I wouldn't have thought to actually do so in the projects in question (and adding the extra copper to satisfy the netlist was no big deal).

To that end, if I had to make a suggestion, it would be if the component can't handle the possibility of signals flowing through its internal connections (unsafe, won't work, etc.), then the footprint should get unique pin numbers and the existing policy should apply.

Otherwise, give each of the pins in an electrically-connected set the same number, and PCB should simply assume they're electrically equivalent.  PCB should also further assume that connecting two such pins together with a copper trace does not violate the netlist.

Seems pretty straightforward to me.

("Yeah, that's fine Vanessa, but who's going to write all the code to implement it?" :-) )

-- 
"There are some things in life worth obsessing over.  Most
things aren't, and when you learn that, life improves."
http://starbase.globalpc.net/~ezekowitz
Vanessa Ezekowitz <vanessaezekowitz@xxxxxxxxx>


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