Custom Geometry and PCB Fabrication

R2026b

Bends, curves, rings, radials, and custom traces; Boolean operations, Gerber file read and write

Use the shape objects to create different designs and complex shapes and create custom printed circuit board (PCB) components to complete PCB designs quickly. Use line interconnects such as bends, curves, mitered edges, and traces to effectively lay out PCB components.

Gerber files are open ASCII vector format files that contain information on each physical board layer of the PCB design. These files also represent circuit board objects, like copper traces, vias, pads, solder mask, and silkscreen images by series of coordinates. Write Gerber files that can be used by PCB manufacturers to translate the details of the design into physical properties of the PCB.

Apps

PCB VIEWER

Import, visualize, inspect, and navigate printed circuit boards (Since R2026a)

Objects

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Shapes

Bends

`bendCurved`	Create curved bend shape on X-Y plane
`bendMitered`	Create mitered bend shape on X-Y plane
`bendRightAngle`	Create right-angle bend shape on X-Y plane

U Bends

`ubendCurved`	Create U-bend with curved edges on X-Y plane
`ubendMitered`	Create U-bend with mitered edges on X-Y plane
`ubendRightAngle`	Create right-angle U-bend shape on X-Y plane

Rings, Curves, and Radial

`ringAnnular`	Create annular ring on X-Y plane
`ringSquare`	Create square ring on X-Y plane
`splitRing`	Create split ring shape on X-Y plane (Since R2023a)
`curve`	Create curved shape on X-Y plane
`radial`	Create radial shape
`delta`	Create delta shape
`dumbbell`	Create dumbbell shape on X-Y plane (Since R2023a)
`racetrack`	Create racetrack shape, of circle or rectangle type, on the X-Y plane (Since R2024a)

Traces

`traceSpiral`	Create even-sided polygon trace in spiral form
`traceRectangular`	Create rectangular trace
`traceTee`	Create tee trace
`traceCross`	Create cross-shaped trace
`traceStep`	Create step trace in XY plane (Since R2022a)
`traceTapered`	Create tapered trace in X-Y plane (Since R2022a)

Custom Traces

`tracePoint`	Create custom line trace based on specified X and Y coordinates
`traceLine`	Create line trace

PCB

`pcbComponent`	Create single or multifeed PCB component
`PCBReader`	Import and update Gerber files
`PCBWriter`	Create PCB board definitions from 2-D PCB designs
`pcbElement`	Create RF Toolbox circuit element
`pcbTraceCustom`	Create custom trace (Since R2025a)
`pcbBendCustom`	Custom bend shape (Since R2025a)
`pcb2D`	2-D cross section of printed circuit board (PCB) (Since R2026a)
`solver`	Access FEM solver settings for electromagnetic analysis (Since R2025a)
`ArbitraryFiniteGapFeed`	Create arbitrary finite gap feed (Since R2024b)
`DeltaGapFeed`	Create delta gap feed (Since R2024b)
`CoaxialFeed`	Create a coaxial feed (Since R2024b)
`FiniteGapFeed`	Create a finite gap feed (Since R2024b)
`EdgeFeed`	Create an edge feed (Since R2024b)
`ProbeFeed`	Create a probe feed (Since R2024b)

Functions

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Fabrication

`gerberRead`	Create `PCBReader` object with specified Gerber files and drill files
`gerberWrite`	Generate Gerber files
`pcbcascade`	Create new component using cascade operation

Shape Operators

`add`	Boolean unite operation on two RF PCB shapes
`subtract`	Boolean subtraction operation on two RF PCB shapes
`plus`	Shape1 + Shape2 for RF PCB shapes
`minus`	Shape1 - Shape2 for RF PCB shapes
`intersect`	Boolean intersection operation on two RF PCB shapes
`and`	Shape1 & Shape2 for RF PCB shapes
`area`	Calculate area of RF PCB shape in square meters

Shape Visualization

show Display PCB component structure or PCB shape

Shape Manipulation

`scale`	Change size of RF PCB shape by fixed amount
`translate`	Move RF PCB shape to new location
`rotate`	Rotate RF PCB shape about defined axis
`rotateX`	Rotate RF PCB shape about x-axis
`rotateY`	Rotate RF PCB shape about y-axis and angle
`rotateZ`	Rotate RF PCB shape about z-axis
`mirrorX`	Mirror shape along X-axis (Since R2022a)
`mirrorY`	Mirror shape along Y-axis (Since R2022a)

Topics

Board Thickness Versus Dielectric Thickness in PCB
This example shows you how to define the BoardThickness of PCB with respect to dielectric thickness of pcbComponent object for different use-cases.

Featured Examples

Create and Analyze Dual Characteristics of Complementary Split Ring Resonators from Gerber Files

Create and analyze of complementary split ring resonators from Gerber files.

Open Live Script

Prototype, Design, and Analysis of SIW based Microstrip Tapered Transmission Line

Design and analyze SIW transmission line.

Open Live Script

Analyzing Crosstalk Between PCB Traces

Analyze crosstalk between PCB traces.

Open Live Script

Create and Analyze PCB Interconnects Using Custom Traces

Create and analyze PCB traces.

Open Live Script

Routing Discipline to Reduce Crosstalk

Analyze surface currents and follow routing discipline on a PCB trace.

Open Live Script

Design and Analyze Compact UWB Low Pass Filter Using pcbComponent

Design and analyze a compact low pass ultra-wide band (UWB) filter based on a U-shaped complementary split ring resonator using the pcbComponent object. The filter is designed to have very low insertion loss over a wide band of frequency from low 0.1 GHz to 10.8 GHz. The design of the filter is taken from the reference [1].

Open Live Script

Design and Analyze Band Stop Filter Using pcbComponent

Design and analyze band stop filter using the pcbComponent object. Design the band stop filter with a fractional bandwidth (FBW) of 1.0 at a midband frequency f0 of 2.5 GHz for the band-edge frequencies of f1 = 1.25 GHz and f2 = 3.75 GHz as defined in Figure 6.11b of reference [1].

Open Live Script

Design and Analyze HighPass Filter Using pcbComponent

Design and analyze highpass filter using the pcbComponent object. A microstrip highpass filter is designed based on a three-pole (n = 3) Chebyshev highpass prototype with 0.1 dB passband ripple and cutoff frequency fc = 1.5 GHz.

Open Live Script