pcbComponent

Create single or multifeed PCB component

Since R2021b

Description

Use the pcbComponent object to create a multiport PCB component consisting of metal and dielectric layers.

Creation

Syntax

pcb = pcbComponent

pcb = pcbComponent(PropertyName=Value)

pcb = pcbComponent(catalogcomponent)

Description

pcb = pcbComponent creates a default PCB component.

pcb = pcbComponent(PropertyName=Value) sets Properties using one or more name-value arguments. For example, pcb = pcbComponent(Name='PCBWilkinson') creates a PCB component named 'PCBWilkinson'. Properties not specified retain their default values.

pcb = pcbComponent(catalogcomponent) creates a pcbComponent object from a PCB Components Catalog component. For example, pcb = pcbComponent(microstripLine) creates a pcbComponent from a microstripLine catalog component.

Properties

Name — Name of PCB component

'MyPCB' (default) | character vector | string scalar

Name of the PCB component, specified a character vector or string scalar.

Example: component = pcbComponent(Name='PCBsplitter')

Data Types: char | string

Revision — Revision details

'v1.0' (default) | character vector | string scalar

Design revision details of the PCB component, specified as a character vector or string scalar.

Example: component = pcbComponent(Revision='v2.0')

Data Types: char | string

BoardShape — Shape of PCB

traceRectangular (default) | object

Shape of the PC board, specified as a shape object. You can specify any one of the shapes from Custom Geometry and PCB Fabrication.

Example: trace = tracerectangular; component = pcbComponent(BoardShape=trace) creates a rectangle shaped trace on a PCB.

Data Types: char | string

BoardThickness — Height of PCB component

0.0016 (default) | positive scalar

Height of the PCB component, specified as a positive scalar in meters. To understand more about BoardThickness, see Board Thickness versus Dielectric Thickness in PCB.

Example: component = pcbComponent(BoardThickness=0.0026)

Data Types: double

Layers — Metal and dielectric layers

{[1×1 traceRectangular] [1×1 dielectric] [1×1 traceRectangular]} (default) | cell array of metal and dielectric layers

Metal and dielectric layers, specified a cell array of metal and dielectric layers. You can specify one metal shape or one dielectric substrate per layer starting with the top layer and proceeding downward.

Data Types: cell

FeedLocations — Feed locations on PCB component

[2×4 double] (default) | N-by-3 array | N-by-4 array

Feed locations on the PCB component in Cartesian coordinates, specified as either an N-by-3 or N-by-4 array with N representing the number for ports on the PCB component. You can place the feed inside the board or at the edge of the board. The arrays translate into the following:

• N-by-3 – [x, y, Layer]

• N-by-4 – [x, y, SigLayer, GndLayer]

Example: component = pcbComponent(FeedLocations=[-0.0187 0 1 2])

Data Types: double

FeedDiameter — Diameter of center pin of feed connector

0.0025 (default) | positive scalar

Diameter of center pin of the feed connector, specified as a positive scalar in meters.

Example: component = pcbComponent(FeedDiameter=2.000e-04)

Data Types: double

ViaLocations — Electrical short locations on PCB component

real vector of size M-by-4 array

Electrical short locations on the PCB component in Cartesian coordinates, specified as a real vector of size M-by-4 array. The array translates into the following:

• M-by-4 – [x, y, SigLayer, GndLayer]

Example: component = pcbComponent(ViaLocations=[0 -0.025 1 2])

Data Types: double

ViaDiameter — Diameter of electrical shorting pin used between metal layers

positive scalar | positive vector

Diameter of electrical shorting pin used between metal layers, specified as a positive scalar in meters for a single pin or a positive vector in meters for multiple pins. Number of values specified in this property must match the number of pins.

Example: component = pcbComponent(ViaDiameter=1.0e-3)

Data Types: double

FeedViaModel — Model used for feed

'strip' (default) | 'square' | 'hexagon' | 'octagon'

Model used for approximating the feed and the via, specified as one of the following:

• 'strip' – A rectangular strip approximation to the feed and via cylinder. This approximation is the simplest and results in a small mesh.

• 'square' – A four-sided polyhedron approximation to the feed and via cylinder.

• 'hexagon' – A six-sided polyhedron approximation to the feed and via cylinder.

• 'octagon' – An eight-sided approximation to the feed and via cylinder.

Example: component=pcbComponent(FeedViaModel='square')

Data Types: string | char

Conductor — Type of metal material used in conducting layers

metal('PEC') (default) | metal object

Type of metal used in conducting layers, specified as a metal object. For more information see metal.

Example: m=metal('Copper'); component=pcbComponent(Conductor=m)

Data Types: metal object

Load — Lumped Elements

[1x1 lumpedElement] (default) | lumped element object handle

Lumped elements added to the PCB component feed, specified as a lumped element object handle. For more information, see lumpedElement (Antenna Toolbox).

Example: p=pcbComponent;p.Load=lumpedElement;

Tilt — Angle of component tilt around the Z-axis

0 (default) | scalar

Angle of component tilt, specified in degrees, around the Z axis.

Example: component=pcbComponent(Tilt=30)

Data Types: double

TiltAxis — Tilt axis of a PCB Component

[0 0 1] (default) | 'Z'

Tilt axis of a PCB component, specified as [0 0 1] or 'Z'.

Note

Only the Z axis is currently supported.

Example: pcb.TiltAxis = 'Z'

Data Types: double

FeedFormat — Specifies the input format used for feed setup

FeedLocations (default) | FeedDefinitions

Specifies whether the FeedLocations property, or the FeedDefinitions property is used to configure the feeds of the pcbComponentobject.

Example: p=pcbComponent;p.FeedFormat='FeedDefinitions'

Data Types: char | string

FeedDefinitions — Specifies feeds in terms of FeedDefinitions objects

ArbitraryFiniteGapFeed | CoaxialFeed | DeltaGapFeed | EdgeFeed | FiniteGapFeed | ProbeFeed

Specifies feed types used in a pcbComponent object.

Feed Definitions

Type	Applications	Usage
ArbitraryFiniteGapFeed		Construct a complicated feed in which one or more signal locations must be excited positively with respect to one or more ground locations.
ProbeFeed	Microstrip patch antennas; vertical launch feed	Construct a via of cross section specified by ViaModel and diameter specified by viaDiameter centered on SignalLocations(x,y) that runs from GroundLayer to SignalLayer. Apply excitation at the GroundLayer level.
EdgeFeed	Microstrip elements whose signal originates on the PCB edge with one ground plane. Stripline elements with two ground planes.	Define a positive feed edge on the metal edge passing through SignalLocations(x,y) on the SignalLayer; define negative feed edges on all metal edges passing through Location (x, y) on all specified GroundLayers.
DeltaGapFeed	Balanced structures, dipole antennas, lumped loads	Create a delta-gap feed of width SignalWidths at SignalLocations(x,y) on the specified SignalLayers, with the created feed edge normal to CurrentDirection. CurrentDirection may also take on the value "auto", in which case the feed will attempt to orient itself to best bisect the metal layer on which it resides.
CoaxialFeed	Higher-fidelity version of a probe feed	Create a via of arbitrary shape specified by PadShape that runs from GroundLayer to SignalLayer. Define the positive feed edge along the entire perimeter of PadShape and the negative feed edge along the entire perimeter of AntipadShape on the GroundLayer. The PadShape and AntipadShape must coincide exactly with shapes already present on the GroundLayer The PadShape and Antipadshape must have the same number of edges , and each edge in padShape must be parallel to a corresponding edge in AntipadShape.
FiniteFeedGap	Coplanar multi-ground edge feeds, finite-width delta-gap feeds	On the layer specified by SignalLayer, place positive feed edges at each of the N metal edge sites specified by SignalLocations. On the same layer, place negative feed edges at each of the N metal edge sites specified by GroundLocations. Feed n (ε 1:N) has width SignalWidths(n).

Note

FeedDefinitions objects are only accessible when the FeedFormat property is set to 'FeedDefinitions'

Example: p=pcbComponent;p.FeedFormat='FeedDefinitions';p.FeedDefinitions=DeltaGapFeed('SignalLocations',[0 0],'SignalWidths',p.Layers{1}.Width,'SignalLayers',1);

Data Types: FeedDefinitions object

SolverType — Type of solver used for analysis

'MoM' (default) | 'FEM'

The type of solver used for component analysis, specified as a string: either method of moments ('MoM'), or finite element method ('FEM'). For more information on solvers see Overview of Solvers.

Example: component=pcbComponent(SolverType='FEM')

Note

To enable FEM solver required for the metal shield property, download the Integro-Differential Modeling Framework for MATLAB. To download this add-on:

1. In the Home tab Environment section, click on Add-Ons. This opens the add-on explorer. You need an active internet connection to download the add-on.

2. Search for Integro-Differential Modeling Framework for MATLAB and click Install.

3. To verify if the download is successful, run

   matlab.addons.installedAddons

   in your MATLAB^® session command line.

4. On Windows, to run the IDMF add-on, you must install the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). To install WSL, see Install Linux on Windows with WSL.

   The Windows Defender Firewall can block the PostgreSQL server when using the IDMF add-on. To resolve this issue, you can allow the server to communicate on desired networks if the firewall prompts. Alternatively, you can manually add the executable file of the PostgreSQL server located in <matlabroot>\sys\postgresql\win64\PostgreSQL\bin\postgres.exe. For more information, see https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/risks-of-allowing-apps-through-windows-defender-firewall-654559af-3f54-3dcf-349f-71ccd90bcc5c.

Note

Use the solver object to set the properties of the FEM solver. SolverType must be specified as'FEM'.

Data Types: string

Connector — Type of RF connector

RFConnector (default) | RF connector object

Connector specifies the type of RF connector assembled at the feed locations of the pcbComponent, as a RFConnector object. The SolverType must be set to 'FEM' to enable this property.

Example: component=pcbComponent(SolverType='FEM', Connector=RFConnector)

Data Types: RFConnector object

IsShielded — Flag to add metal shielding

false or 0 (default) | true or 1

Flag to add a metal shielding to the PCB component, specified as a logical 0 or logical 1. The default value is logical 0.

Example: IsShielded = true or 1 add a metal shield.

Note

To enable FEM solver required for the metal shield property, download the Integro-Differential Modeling Framework for MATLAB. To download this add-on:

1. In the Home tab Environment section, click on Add-Ons. This opens the add-on explorer. You need an active internet connection to download the add-on.

2. Search for Integro-Differential Modeling Framework for MATLAB and click Install.

3. To verify if the download is successful, run

   matlab.addons.installedAddons

   in your MATLAB session command line.

4. On Windows, to run the IDMF add-on, you must install the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). To install WSL, see Install Linux on Windows with WSL.

   The Windows Defender Firewall can block the PostgreSQL server when using the IDMF add-on. To resolve this issue, you can allow the server to communicate on desired networks if the firewall prompts. Alternatively, you can manually add the executable file of the PostgreSQL server located in <matlabroot>\sys\postgresql\win64\PostgreSQL\bin\postgres.exe. For more information, see https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/risks-of-allowing-apps-through-windows-defender-firewall-654559af-3f54-3dcf-349f-71ccd90bcc5c.

Data Types: boolian

Shielding — Metal shielding

Read-only: shape.Box object

This property is read-only.

Metal shield for the PCB component, specified as a shape.Box object. The length and width of the box must be equal to the length and width of the ground plane. The center of the box is at [0 0 Shielding.Height].

Dependencies

To enable the Shielding property, set the IsShielded property to true or 1.

Object Functions

current	Calculate and plot current distribution
charge	Calculate and plot charge distribution
feedCurrent	Calculate current at feed port
gerberWrite	Generate Gerber files
layout	Plot all metal layers and board shape
mesh	Change and view mesh properties of metal or dielectric in PCB component
meshconfig	Change mesh mode of PCB component or shape structure
sparameters	Calculate S-parameters for RF PCB objects
show	Display PCB component structure or PCB shape
pcbcascade	Create new component using cascade operation
solver	Access FEM solver settings for electromagnetic analysis

Examples

Create Default PCB Component and Plot S-Parameters

Create a PCB component using default properties.

pcb = pcbComponent;

View the PCB component.

show(pcb)

Calculate S-parameters over 10 frequencies from 1-5 GHz.

s=sparameters(pcb,linspace(1e9,5e9,10));

Plot the S-parameters.

rfplot(s)

Create PCB Component with Lid on Top

Create a PCB component with a lid at a distance of 2 cm above the component.

p = pcbComponent;
pcblid = traceRectangular(Length=p.Layers{1}.Length,Width=p.Layers{3}.Width); 
dAir = dielectric('Air');
dAir.Thickness = 2e-2;
p.BoardThickness = p.BoardThickness + dAir.Thickness;
p.Layers = {pcblid,dAir,p.Layers{1},p.Layers{2},p.Layers{3}};
p.FeedLocations(:,3:4) = [3 5;3 5];
show(p)

Calculate the S-parameters over the 10 frequencies from 1-5 GHz.

s = sparameters(p,linspace(1e9,5e9,10));
rfplot(s)

Version History

Introduced in R2021b

R2024b: Feed definitions

Use the FeedFormat and FeedDefinitions properties to define and create six types of feeds.