I've tried searching for this but can't seem to find the answer I'm looking for. I'm designing my first PCB and I'm having trouble routing data lines without making the board large.
For example, I have two ICs that need to have 8-12 data lines between them. 7 of the lines line up perfectly and I can rotate the two ICs to support that. But the other lines are becoming difficult to route without enlarging the board.
I can post pictures if needed by my question is more generic.
Based on tutorials I've found, I try to keep my ground traces on the bottom layer and data traces on the top (only a two-layer board, all through-hole).
So I was wondering, if I have a trace that needs to run over another trace on the same layer, is it advisable to put a via in just before it, run it "under" the trace, and then another via back up? Basically a data trace on the top would temporarily go to the bottom layer, cross under the top trace and then back up.
I hope that makes sense.
It is my understanding that this is exactly what vias are for. But I didn't want to use them all over the place if it's bad practice.
Keep in mind that I've rotated the ICs every which way I can.
Oh, for what it's worth, this is an audio board and the two ICs are a 74x595 shift register and a AY-3-8912 audio IC with a max clock speed of 2-4MHz.
Thanks for any suggestions.