A single continuous electrical node in a circuit schematic and layout. A net represents all the traces, vias, and copper pours that tie a specific group of component pads together at the same voltage potential. The layout software tracks these connections to ensure the physical routing matches the schematic intent.
Heard on the job
The DRC flagged an unrouted net on the I2C bus because the trace stops right before the pull-up resistor.
Insider tip
Grouping nets into classes like power, high-speed, or differential pairs allows the designer to apply specific routing rules to the whole group at once.
Also heard as
- node