TECHNIQUE FOR ROUTING CONDUCTIVE PATHS

A technique is provided for routing paths (22) between selected pairs of test points (18) and probe points (20) on the exposed major surface of a fixture (10). The first step in the technique is to simulate a set of non-intersecting spokes (28) which link each test point to at least one arbitrary probe point (20). Next, a set of tracks (32) is superimposed on the spokes (28) such that each track is everywhere generally orthogonal to each spoke, thereby creating a grid in which the spokes and tracks intersect each other. A path (22) between a selected test point and probe point is then routed along at least a portion of the spokes and tracks in the grid by the use of a network flow technique.