matlab/matlab-agentic-toolkit/matlab-assemble-pcb-layout

Name: matlab-assemble-pcb-layout
Author: matlab

Claude Code and agent skill by matlab/matlab-agentic-toolkit

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By matlab
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matlab/matlab-agentic-toolkit
skills-catalog/rf-and-mixed-signal/matlab-assemble-pcb-layout/SKILL.md
Updated 31 Oct 2026
Version 1.0.12 versions recorded

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Build custom PCB structures with pcbComponent, shapes, Boolean ops, feeds, and multi-layer stackups for non-catalog geometries. TRIGGER: user asks to build, modify, or customize a pcbComponent — add/remove shapes, edit polygons, place feeds, add metal layers, cut slots, or create non-catalog RF structures. Also when modifying geometry of an existing catalog-designed component (e.g., adding pads, removing elements, editing vertices). Invoke BEFORE writing pcbComponent code — layer/shape/feed API…

Install

npx vskill@latest install matlab/matlab-agentic-toolkit/matlab-assemble-pcb-layout

SKILL.md

Assembling Custom PCB Components

When to Use

Building custom PCB structures that aren't covered by catalog objects (microstripLine, coupledMicrostripLine, etc.)
Constructing multi-layer stackups with custom metal shapes on each layer
Combining shape primitives with Boolean operations (union, subtract, intersect)
Creating defected ground structures (DGS) by etching patterns into ground planes
Placing feed ports, vias, or using advanced FeedDefinitions (coaxial, edge, delta-gap)
Assembling stripline or shielded enclosure structures

When NOT to Use

Designing standard transmission lines — use matlab-design-pcb-transmission-line
Importing layouts from Gerber, ODB++, or Allegro — use matlab-read-pcb-layout
Defining dielectric or metal materials — use matlab-manage-pcb-material
Running EM analysis after assembly — use matlab-analyze-em
Cascading or connecting multiple pcbComponents — use matlab-integrate-pcb-circuit

Typical Workflow

Before: matlab-manage-pcb-material — set up substrate and conductor
This skill: Build the custom PCB structure using pcbComponent, shapes, and feeds
After: matlab-analyze-em — validate S-parameters → matlab-optimize-pcb-design — tune dimensions → matlab-write-pcb-layout — export Gerber

Quick Reference

Task	Code
Create pcbComponent	`pcb = pcbComponent`
Assign layers	`pcb.Layers = {signal, substrate, ground}`
Set board shape	`pcb.BoardShape = ground`
Set thickness	`pcb.BoardThickness = 1.6e-3`
Place feeds	`pcb.FeedLocations = [x1 y1 1 3; x2 y2 1 3]`
Feed diameter	`pcb.FeedDiameter = W/2`
Set conductor	`pcb.Conductor = metal("Copper")`
Add vias	`pcb.ViaLocations = [x y topLayer botLayer]`
Visualize	`show(pcb)`
Layout view	`layout(pcb)`
Boolean union	`shape = s1 + s2`
Boolean subtract	`shape = s1 - s2`
Boolean intersect	`shape = s1 & s2`

pcbComponent Anatomy

pcbComponent is the universal container for custom RF PCB structures.

Minimal 2-Layer Microstrip

matlab

pcb = pcbComponent;
substrate = dielectric("FR4");
substrate.Thickness = 1.6e-3;
 
signal = traceRectangular(Length=20e-3, Width=3e-3);
ground = traceRectangular(Length=30e-3, Width=20e-3);
 
pcb.Layers = {signal, substrate, ground};
pcb.BoardShape = ground;
pcb.BoardThickness = substrate.Thickness;
pcb.Conductor = metal("Copper");
pcb.FeedDiameter = 1.5e-3;
pcb.FeedLocations = [-10e-3 0 1 3; 10e-3 0 1 3];
show(pcb);

5-Layer Stripline Structure

matlab

pcb = pcbComponent;
sub = dielectric(Name="FR4", EpsilonR=4.4, LossTangent=0.02, Thickness=0.8e-3);
 
topGnd = traceRectangular(Length=40e-3, Width=20e-3);
signal = traceRectangular(Length=30e-3, Width=2e-3);
botGnd = traceRectangular(Length=40e-3, Width=20e-3);
 
pcb.BoardThickness = 2 * sub.Thickness;          % Set BEFORE Layers
pcb.Layers = {topGnd, sub, signal, sub, botGnd};
pcb.BoardShape = topGnd;
pcb.Conductor = metal("Copper");
pcb.FeedLocations = [-15e-3 0 3 1; 15e-3 0 3 5];
pcb.FeedDiameter = 1e-3;
show(pcb);

Key Properties

Property	Format	Description
`Layers`	Cell array	Alternating: metal shape, dielectric, metal shape, ...
`BoardShape`	Shape object	Outer boundary of the PCB
`BoardThickness`	Scalar (m)	Must equal sum of dielectric thicknesses
`FeedLocations`	N×4 matrix	`[x, y, signalLayer, groundLayer]` per port
`FeedDiameter`	Scalar (m)	Diameter of feed via/probe
`ViaLocations`	M×4 matrix	`[x, y, topLayer, bottomLayer]` per via
`ViaDiameter`	Scalar (m)	Via barrel diameter
`FeedViaModel`	String	`'strip'`, `'square'`, `'octagon'`, `'hexagon'`
`Conductor`	metal object	Conductor for all metal layers
`SolverType`	String	`'MoM'` or `'FEM'`

Shape Primitives

Rectangular Traces

matlab

rect = traceRectangular(Length=20e-3, Width=5e-3, Center=[0 0]);

Line Traces (multi-segment with bends)

matlab

tl = traceLine;
tl.Length = [10 5*sqrt(2) 10]*1e-3;
tl.Angle = [0 45 0];
tl.Width = 3e-3;
tl.Corner = 1;          % 1 = Miter, 2 = Smooth (default: Sharp)
show(tl);

Point-Defined Traces

matlab

tp = tracePoint;
tp.TracePoints = [0 0; 10e-3 0; 15e-3 5e-3; 25e-3 5e-3];
tp.Width = 2e-3;
tp.Corner = 2;          % 2 = Smooth

Spiral Traces

matlab

sp = traceSpiral;
sp.NumTurns = 3;
sp.InnerDiameter = 4e-3;
sp.Spacing = 0.5e-3;
sp.TraceWidth = 0.5e-3;
show(sp);

Tapered Traces

matlab

tt = traceTapered;
tt.Length = 10e-3;
tt.InputWidth = 1e-3;
tt.OutputWidth = 3e-3;

Bends

Bend Width is a 2-element vector [w1 w2] for the two arms:

matlab

bc = bendCurved;
bc.Width = [2e-3 2e-3];
bc.CurveRadius = 5e-3;
 
bm = bendMitered;
bm.Width = [2e-3 2e-3];
 
br = bendRightAngle;
br.Width = [2e-3 2e-3];

U-Bends

U-bend Width is a 3-element vector [arm1 bottom arm2]:

matlab

uc = ubendCurved;
uc.Width = [2e-3 2e-3 2e-3];
uc.CurveRadius = 3e-3;
 
um = ubendMitered;
um.Width = [2e-3 2e-3 2e-3];

Other Shapes

matlab

d = delta;
d.OuterRadius = 5e-3;                           % Triangle/delta
 
db = dumbbell;
db.SideLength = 6e-3;                           % Head size (square Type, default)
db.ArmLength = 10e-3;
db.ArmWidth = 0.5e-3;                           % Dumbbell (for DGS)
% Note: Type='Square' uses SideLength; Type='Circle' uses Diameter
 
rt = racetrack;
rt.Length = 15e-3;
rt.Width = 5e-3;                                % Racetrack
 
rd = radial;
rd.OuterRadius = 5e-3;
rd.Angle = 60;                                  % Radial sector
 
ar = ringAnnular;
ar.InnerRadius = 1e-3;
ar.Width = 4e-3;                                % Annular ring (InnerRadius must be > 0)
 
sr = splitRing;
sr.RingDiameter = 10e-3;
sr.TraceWidth = 0.5e-3;
sr.SplitGap = 0.5e-3;                           % Split ring resonator

Boolean Operations

Combine shapes using operators to build complex geometries.

Union (+)

matlab

left = traceRectangular(Length=10e-3, Width=5e-3, Center=[-5e-3 0]);
right = traceRectangular(Length=10e-3, Width=5e-3, Center=[5e-3 0]);
combined = left + right;
show(combined);

Subtraction (-)

Create slots, gaps, or etched patterns:

matlab

base = traceRectangular(Length=20e-3, Width=10e-3);
slot = traceRectangular(Length=15e-3, Width=1e-3);
slotted = base - slot;
show(slotted);

Intersection (&)

matlab

ring = ringAnnular;
ring.InnerRadius = 1e-3;
ring.Width = 9e-3;
rect = traceRectangular(Length=15e-3, Width=15e-3);
clipped = ring & rect;

Complex Example: U-CSRR Filter

matlab

% Create feeding microstrip
ZA = traceRectangular(Length=4e-3, Width=4e-3, Center=[-7e-3 0]);
Cell = traceRectangular(Length=5e-3, Width=5e-3, Center=[-2.5e-3 0]);
LeftSection = ZA + Cell;
 
% Create slots using traceLine
s1 = traceLine(StartPoint=[-2.5e-3-0.1e-3, -1.9e-3], ...
    Angle=[-180 -270 0], Length=[1.75e-3 3.8e-3 1.75e-3], Width=0.2e-3);
s2 = traceLine(StartPoint=[-2.5e-3+0.1e-3, -1.9e-3], ...
    Angle=[0 90 180], Length=[1.75e-3 3.8e-3 1.75e-3], Width=0.2e-3);
 
% Subtract slots from base
LeftSection = LeftSection - s1 - s2;
 
% Mirror for right section
RightSection = copy(LeftSection);
RightSection = mirrorY(RightSection);
 
% Complete filter
filter = LeftSection + RightSection;
show(filter);

Feed Placement

FeedLocations Format

Each row: [x, y, signalLayerIndex, groundLayerIndex]

Layer indices are odd numbers (1, 3, 5, ...) for metal layers in the Layers cell array
Layer 1 = first metal (top), Layer 3 = second metal, etc.

matlab

% 2-port microstrip (signal on layer 1, ground on layer 3)
pcb.FeedLocations = [-10e-3 0 1 3;    % Port 1: left edge
                      10e-3 0 1 3];    % Port 2: right edge

4-Port Coupled Trace

matlab

pcb.FeedLocations = [0 0 1 3;         % Port 1
                     40e-3 0 1 3;      % Port 2
                     40e-3 -5e-3 1 3;  % Port 3
                     0 -5e-3 1 3];     % Port 4

Feed Diameter

matlab

pcb.FeedDiameter = traceWidth / 2;  % Must fit within the trace

Internal Ports (for lumped elements)

Define extra feed locations for internal connections to lumped components (see matlab-integrate-pcb-circuit skill for pcbElement with PortNumber/PortValue).

DGS — Defected Ground Structures

Etch patterns into the ground plane using the dgs method:

matlab

ms = microstripLine;
ms.Length = 20e-3;
ms.Width = 3e-3;
 
% Create a dumbbell DGS under the trace
dgsShape = dumbbell;
dgsShape.SideLength = 4e-3;       % Head size (default Type='Square')
dgsShape.ArmLength = 8e-3;
dgsShape.ArmWidth = 0.5e-3;
ms = dgs(ms, {dgsShape});   % Must capture return value — does not modify in place
show(ms);
memoryEstimate(ms, 10e9, 'RetainMesh', true);  % Check mesh before solving
sp = sparameters(ms, linspace(1e9, 10e9, 51), 'SweepOption', 'interp');
rfplot(sp);

DGS adds bandstop characteristics and can improve coupler directivity or filter rejection.

Shielded Enclosures

Add a conductive lid for shielded analysis:

matlab

pcb = pcbComponent;
% ... set up layers ...
pcb.IsShielded = true;   % Adds PEC enclosure walls and lid
show(pcb);

For filter-in-enclosure problems, shielding affects resonant frequencies and coupling.

Shape Manipulation

matlab

shape = translate(shape, [dx, dy, 0]);  % Translate
shape = rotateZ(shape, angle);          % Rotate about z-axis (degrees)
shape = rotateX(shape, angle);          % Rotate about x-axis
shape = mirrorX(shape);                 % Mirror about x-axis
shape = mirrorY(shape);                 % Mirror about y-axis
shapeCopy = copy(shape);                % Deep copy
shape = scale(shape, factor);           % Uniform scaling
a = area(shape);                        % Shape area (m²)

For catalog objects, extract shapes by layer with shapes():

matlab

s = shapes(obj);              % Struct of shapes by layer name
boardArea = area(s.GroundPlane);

For pcbComponent, shapes are in Layers and BoardShape:

matlab

boardArea = area(pcb.BoardShape);

Discovering Available Methods

Use methods(obj) to list all available operations on any object:

matlab

methods(pcb)                  % List all pcbComponent methods
methods(traceRectangular)     % List all shape methods

Visualization

matlab

show(pcb);          % 3-D structure view
layout(pcb);        % Top-down layout with feeds and vias
mesh(pcb);          % Mesh visualization
info(pcb);          % Print structure summary

Advanced Feed Setup (FeedDefinitions API)

By default, pcbComponent uses FeedLocations (XY coordinates + layer) for simple probe feeds. For advanced feed types — coaxial, edge, delta-gap, finite-gap — switch to the FeedDefinitions API:

matlab

pcb = pcbComponent;
pcb.FeedFormat = 'FeedDefinitions';     % Enable FeedDefinitions mode

Feed Types

Feed Type	Use When	Key Properties
`ProbeFeed`	Vertical via probe (patch antennas)	`SignalLocations`, `SignalLayers`, `GroundLayers`, `ViaDiameter`, `ViaModel`
`CoaxialFeed`	Probe with explicit pad/antipad geometry	`PadShape`, `AntipadShape`, `SignalLayers`, `GroundLayers`
`EdgeFeed`	Stripline-style edge excitation	`SignalLocations`, `SignalLayers`, `GroundLayers`, `SignalWidths`
`DeltaGapFeed`	Internal port with current direction	`SignalLocations`, `SignalLayers`, `SignalWidths`, `CurrentDirection`
`FiniteGapFeed`	Internal gap port (signal + ground)	`SignalLocations`, `GroundLocations`, `SignalLayers`, `SignalWidths`
`ArbitraryFiniteGapFeed`	Coplanar port with full control	`SignalLocations`, `GroundLocations`, `SignalWidths`, `GroundWidths`, `SignalLayers`, `GroundLayers`

ProbeFeed (Most Common)

This is the start of the file. Read the full SKILL.md on GitHub.

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Source

SKILL.md in the repositoryCheckingskills-catalog/rf-and-mixed-signal/matlab-assemble-pcb-layout/SKILL.md

Popularity

Repository stars: 1,029
Repository forks: 128
7-day trend score: 35

Stars and forks are for the whole GitHub repository, not this skill alone. Refreshed 25 Aug 2026, 2 months ago.

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