Fanout Options

The Fanout Options dialog

Summary

This dialog allows you to specify fanout and escape routing options. Typical fanout behavior is for used inner pads to first be fanned out using the traditional dog-bone (a short route with a via on the end) to access another layer, and then from the via, they are escape-routed out just beyond the edge of the device, working through the available routing layers until all pads have been escape-routed. Ultimately, this makes routing connections to them much easier.

Access

The dialog is accessed from the PCB Editor in one of the following ways:

• Use any of the commands on the Route » Fanout sub-menu.
• Right-click over a placed component in the design space then choose the Component Actions » Fanout Component command from the context menu.

Options/Controls

Choose Fanout Properties

• Fanout Pads Without Nets - enable this option to fanout pads from the component even if they have no nets assigned to them. When this option is disabled, only pads with nets assigned will be fanned out.
• Fanout Outer 2 Rows of Pads - enable this option to fanout pads from the component including the outer two rows (which are usually easily routed).

• Include escape routes after fanout completion - enable this option to add escape routing to each fanout. Escape routing places tracks onto the fanout vias and component pads, bringing them out to the edges of the component, to make routing connections to them easier.

BGA Escape Route Options

The options in this region of the dialog only become available when the Include escape routes after fanout completion option is enabled.

• Update fanout using Blind Vias (BGA escape routing only) - enable this option to drop blind vias between configured drill-pair layers in the layer stack. When this option is disabled, only through-hole vias will be dropped regardless of drill-pair layer settings.

• Escape differential pair pads first if possible (same layer, same side) - enable this option to fanout and escape route any assigned differential pair nets together, and before performing other fan out operations, effectively keeping their routes together. The fanout will place escape routing tracks on to the same layer and as adjacent as possible.