The Arizona autorouter allows to route the traces of a PCB Layout automatically.The netlists is given as the input to the autorouter. When this router option is selected, all Non orthogonal traces will be removed and accepts only orthogonal traces as prerouted traces.

Autorouter loads only traces which starts and ends on pads. Any manually routed hanging traces and traces, which end on other traces, will not be loaded by autorouter. Various options such as load Prerouted traces (only orthogonal traces), load copper setting layers etc may be set before autorouting. With these options set, system initiates the routing process. The original project is visible in Layout editor until you update the main project from the autorouter’s. It uses its own temporary project and simplified graphics

Function Tools in Arizona Auto Router

1. Parameters setup

Routing Parameter settings: This option pops up Routing Parameter settings to set routing directions for the selected layer, set clearances between pads, vias and traces, setup routing scheme and wrong layer cost for the design, to set trace width & to select via padstack for Pwr/ signal connections, set fanout routing parameters, setting optimize costs parameters such as Trace right direction, Trace wrong direction and Vias. Toggle ON/OFF routing of Pwr and/or signal connections.

Routing Net parameters : This option pops up Net parameters to set routing parameters for indiviudual nets & net groups

2. Interactive Routing

Selected pad pair : This option allows to route traces for selected pad pair.
Delete & reroute selected trace : This option tool allows to delete a single trace and reroute it again.
Selected component: This option tool allows to route all traces connecting selected component.
Delete traces of selected component : Option to delete all traces connecting selected component.
Fanouts for selected component : Option to preroute fanouts for selected component.
Fanouts for selected net : Option to preroute fanouts for selected net.
Fanouts for selected SMD pad : Option to preroute fanouts for selected SMD pad.

3. Auto routing routines

Fanouts on whole board : This option tool allows to preroute fanouts for whole board.
Start autorouter : Option to start router in full auto mode.
Remove redundant vias : On selecting this tool, the redundant vias are removed and the whole trace gets re-routed in a single layer.
Clean up : Option to clean up the design after routing.After routing, selecting this option tool optimizes the layout project by deleting the unnecessary trace loops or trace segments which have been created.
Test for conflicts : Option to remove clearance and route rules conflicts..
Optimize: Option to optimize routed results taking into consideration, the optimization cost parameters and the weight of the traces which result..
List of unrouted pairs : This option tool displays the list of unrouted pairs in the design..
Miter: Option to miter all orthogonal traces & finish autorouting.

4. Parameters setup

Selected Trace: By selecting this tool , click on any trace which is to be removed from the board. The trace gets deleted immediately.
Delete traces of selected component : Option to delete all traces connecting selected component.
Delete fanouts on whole board : Option to delete escape wires for all the components (for the entire board).
Delete fanouts for selected component : Option to delete fanout for selected component.
Delete fanouts for selected net : Option to delete fanout for selected net.
Delete fanout for selected pad : Option to delete fanout for selected pad.

Auto routing using Arizona Auto router

• Select Auto |Auto Router |Arizona.
• An Auto Router window warns to remove Non orthogonal traces as it accepts only orthogonal traces.

• Another window pop up to Clear traces from Board

• From File menu select Load board to route from project to load the project

• At the time of autorouting specify the layer(s) on which routing should be done. There are options for specifying these layers in the Arizona autorouter.
• Select Parameters Setup (function tool) |Routing Parameter Settings (option tool).Check Solder Layer in the Routing Parameters Settings window.
• By default ,the setting will be as follows: -Component Layer - Horizontal direction (both power and signal lines) Solder Layer - Vertical direction (both power and signal lines)

• Select option tool Start Auto Router from Auto routing routines (function tool) to start router in full auto mode and allow Multipass Routing.

• Arizona Autorouter window shows the percentage of completion of the routing

• Click on OK to view the routed layout

• Selection option Miter from Auto routing routines (function tool) to miter all orthogonal traces & to finish autorouting.
• When this tool is selected, a dialog box pops up to confirm the mitering operation because once it is executed, re-entry to the autorouter is not allowed.
• Click on Yes button to finish routing.This should not be executed between two passes or if re-entry to the autorouter is expected since mitering terminates routing.

• Output after finishing the autorouting is shown below

• To get exit from the Autorouter, Select File menu | Exit ,a window pops up with three options .To save project ,Click on Update Project and Exit.

• The PCB Layout after updating the project is shown below