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In electronic design, schematic node names, also known as net labels or node labels, are textual identifiers assigned to specific electrical connections or nets in a schematic diagram. Each node name represents an electrical node, which is a point in the circuit where two or more components or wires are connected together.

Schematic node names serve several important purposes in the design process:

Uniqueness: Each node name must be unique within the entire schematic diagram. This uniqueness ensures that each electrical connection is uniquely identified, making it easier to understand the circuit and avoid confusion.

Connectivity: Node names help establish electrical connections between different components and nets. By assigning the same node name to multiple points, those points are electrically linked, indicating that they are part of the same electrical net.

Cross-Referencing: Node names facilitate cross-referencing between different parts of the schematic and can be used to identify connections between different sheets in a multi-sheet design.

Design Rule Checking (DRC): Schematic node names are essential for design rule checking (DRC) in Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools. DRC verifies that there are no errors, such as unconnected nets or floating wires, by ensuring that all components and connections are correctly labeled.

Signal Naming: Node names are often used to represent signals in the circuit, such as clock signals, data signals, control signals, etc.

Test Points: Node names can be used to identify test points or specific points in the circuit where measurements need to be taken during testing and troubleshooting.

Node names are typically represented as text labels attached to a wire or connection point in the schematic. They can be placed at the midpoint of a wire or near a component pin to indicate the electrical connection between them. In most schematic design tools, you can manually assign node names to connections or use automatic net naming features to generate node names based on predefined rules.

Properly labeled nodes help ensure accurate representation and understanding of the circuit, making the design process more efficient and reducing the likelihood of errors during layout and manufacturing.