Altium Designer (Protel) network connection mode port and net label detailed

1. Drawing structure
Drawings include two structural relationships: one is a hierarchy of drawings, the connection is vertical, that is, a level of drawings can only be related to the adjacent parent or subordinate, the other is a flat drawing, the connection is horizontal, and any two drawings can establish a signal connection.

2. Network connection mode
Altium Designer provides 6 types of network identities: NET label (Network label), Port (port), Sheet Entry (sheet entry), power port (Power ports), Hidden pin (Stealth pin), Off-sheet Connector (outer sheet connector). The network identity is connected by name, and the signal can be transmitted with the same name. It is important to note, however, that in addition to the "Port" and "Sheet Entry", the network identities of different classes are not connected to each other, even if the identities are the same. For example, net label and port two identification, only through the connection to the two different classes with the same name of the identity link.

3. Scope of "Port" and "Net Label"
The scope of these two network identities can vary and change. By opening the Project\project option\option tab, select one of the four options (Automatic, Flat, Hierarchical, Global) in the net Identifier scope column.
"Automatic" is the default option, indicating that the system detects the contents of the project sheet, which automatically adjusts the scope of the network identity. The process of detection and automatic adjustment is as follows: If the schematic has sheet entry identification, the network identity is adjusted to hierarchical. If there is no sheet entry logo in the schematic diagram. However, with the port identity, the network identity is adjusted to flat. If there is no sheet entry logo in the schematic, and there is no port identifier, the net label scope is adjusted to global.
"Flat" represents a flat sheet structure, in which case the Net label is within a single sheet. The function of port extends to all drawings, and each drawing has the same port name, so it can transmit signal.
"Hierarchical" represents a hierarchical structure, in which case the Net Label,port is within a single sheet. Of course, the port can be connected to the upper sheet entry to pass the signal vertically between the drawings.
"Global" is the most open way to connect, in which case the Net Label, Port's scope extends to all drawings. Each drawing can be signaled as long as it has the same port or the same net Label.

Altium Designer (Protel) network connection mode port and net label detailed