Re: gEDA-user: Reducing the amount of jumpers

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On 28/11/09 19:36, DJ Delorie wrote:
>> I've designed a circuit that I'm planning to home-fab, and as such,
>> I've had to design my board using only a single layer.
>
> I do 2 and 4 layers at home, no reason why you can't do a double sided
> board.  Are you using sockets for all the ICs, or soldering them
> directly?
>
> The regular autorouter had no problem routing on two layers with 10
> mil traces (one trace between pins), but you get bad power
> distribution.  If you could put a ground/power plane on the top, and
> route the LED signals around the edges on that side, it will leave
> more room for signals on the bottom.  You might be able to get the
> toporouter to route the rest of it then.
>
> You'll have to manually route any component that can't be soldered on
> both sides, but that's not as much of a problem as you think.  Also,
> switching to SMT chips (like SOJ so they're not too small) makes it
> easier to route signals underneath them (i.e. other side of the
> board).  Plus, less holes to drill :-)
>
>
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Thanks for the reply!

I was under the impression multi-layer boards were extremely difficult 
to do properly at home. How would I go about doing that, exactly?

I'm using sockets for the ICs. I'm not skilled enough to be certain I 
don't damage them when I solder directly onto the board. Besides, they 
make replacing parts and reusing ICs from old boards a lot easier. ;)

Unfortunately, electronic components are difficult to get at a 
reasonable price where I live (the Netherlands), and SMD parts even more 
so. Since electronics is just a hobby of mine, it's not something I'm 
eager to spend a huge load of money on. I'm afraid that leaves SMDs out 
of the question, save for the most basic of parts, unless I shot myself 
in the foot by choosing a much more expensive supplier (big chains like 
Digi-Key have everything, but they're expensive when buying in low 
amounts [and I'm not planning on buying 1000 of a component when I need 
6 or so!] and have high shipping costs).

Also, how on Earth could I possibly get 10 mil traces /in between/ IC 
pins at home? Keep in mind that I don't have any ridiculously expensive 
soldering stations, laser printers, or anything to that effect. I'm just 
a poor 19-year-old student aspiring to become a mad scientist! :D


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