PCBWriter

Create PCB board definitions from 2-D antenna designs

Description

Use the PCBWriter object to create a printed circuit board (PCB) design files based on multilayer 2-D antenna design. A set of manufacturing files known as Gerber files describes a PCB antennas. A Gerber file uses an ASCII vector format for 2-D binary images.

Creation

Syntax

b = PCBWriter(pcbstackobject)

b = PCBWriter(pcbstackobject,rfconnector)

b = PCBWriter(pcbstackobject,writer)

b = PCBWriter(pcbstackobject,rfconnector,writer)

Description

b = PCBWriter(pcbstackobject) creates a PCBWriter object that generates Gerber-format PCB design files based on a 2-D antenna design geometry using PCB stack.

b = PCBWriter(pcbstackobject,rfconnector) creates a customized PCB file using specified rfconnector type.

b = PCBWriter(pcbstackobject,writer) creates a customized PCB file using a specified PCB service, writer.

b = PCBWriter(pcbstackobject,rfconnector,writer) creates customised PCB file using specified PCB service and PCB connector type.

Input Arguments

pcbstackobject — Single feed PCB antenna

pcbStack object

Single feed PCB antenna, specified as a pcbStack object. For more information, see pcbStack.

Example: p1 = pcbStack creates a PCB stack object,p1 a = PCBWriter(p1), uses p1 to create a PCBWriter object a.

writer — PCB service to view PCB design

object

PCB service to view PCB design, specified as PCBServices object.

Example: s =PCBServices.MayhewWriter; a = PCBWriter(p1,s) uses Mayhew Labs PCB service to view the PCB design. For more information on manufacturing services, see PCBServices

rfconnector — RF connector type

object

RF connector type for PCB antenna feedpoint, specified as PCBConnectors object. For information about connectors , see PCBConnectors.

Example: c = PCBConnectors.SMA_Cinch;a = PCBWriter(p1,c) uses SMA_Cinch RF connector at feedpoint.

Output Arguments

b — PCB Board definition of 2.5D antenna design

object

PCB Board definition of 2.5D antenna design, returned as an object.

Properties

UseDefaultConnector — Use default connector

1 (default) | 0

Use default connector, specified as 0 or 1.

Example: a.UseDefaultConnector = 1, where a is a PCBWriter object.

Data Types: logical

ComponentBoundaryLineWidth — Line widths drawn around components on silk screens

8 (default) | positive scalar

Line widths drawn around components on silk screens, specified as a positive scalar in mils.

Example: a.ComponentBoundaryLineWidth = 10, where a is a PCBWriter object.

Data Types: double

ComponentNameFontSize — Font size to label components on silk screen

positive scalar

Font size to label components on silk screen, specified as a positive scalar in points.

Example: a.ComponentNameFontSize = 12, where a is a PCBWriter object.

Data Types: double

DesignInfoFontSize — Font size for design information added outside board profile

positive scalar

Design information text font size added outside board profile, specified as a positive scalar.

Example: a.DesignInfoFontSize = 12, where a is a PCBWriter object.

Data Types: double

Font — Font used for component name and design info

'Arial' (default) | character vector

Font used for component name and design info, specified as a character vector.

Example: a.Font = 'TimesNewRoman', where a is a PCBWriter object.

Data Types: char | string

PCBMargin — Copper free margin around board

0.5e-3 (default) | positive scalar

Copper free margin around board, specified as a positive scalar in meters.

Example: a.PCBMargin = 0.7e-3, where a is a PCBWriter object.

Data Types: double

Soldermask — Add solder mask to top and bottom of PCB

'both' (default) | 'top' | 'bottom' | 'none'

Add solder mask to top and bottom of PCB, specified as 'both', 'top', 'bottom' or 'none'.

Example: a.SolderMask = 'top', where a is a PCBWriter object.

Data Types: char | string

Solderpaste — Generate solder paste files

1 (default) | 0

Generate solder paste files as a part of PCB stack, specified as 1 or 0.

Example: a.SolderPaste = 0, where a is a PCBWriter object.

Data Types: logical

Object Functions

gerberWrite

Generate Gerber files

Examples

Generate Gerber Format Files From PCB Stack Object

Create a coplanar inverted F antenna

fco = invertedFcoplanar('Height',14e-3,'GroundPlaneLength', 100e-3, ...
      'GroundPlaneWidth', 100e-3);

Create a pcbStack object.

p = pcbStack(fco);
show (p);

Generate a Gerber format design file using PCB Writer.

PW = PCBWriter(p)

PW = 
  PCBWriter with properties:

                        Design: [1x1 struct]
                        Writer: [1x1 Gerber.Writer]
                     Connector: []
           UseDefaultConnector: 1
    ComponentBoundaryLineWidth: 8
         ComponentNameFontSize: []
            DesignInfoFontSize: []
                          Font: 'Arial'
                     PCBMargin: 5.0000e-04
                    Soldermask: 'both'
                   Solderpaste: 1

   See info for details

Antenna PCB Design Using SMA Cinch Connector

Create a coplanar inverted F antenna.

fco = invertedFcoplanar('Height',14e-3,'GroundPlaneLength', 100e-3, ...
      'GroundPlaneWidth', 100e-3);

Create a pcbStack object.

p = pcbStack(fco);
show(p)

Create an SMA_Cinch connector using the PCBConnectors object.

c = PCBConnectors.SMA_Cinch

c = 
  SMA_Cinch with properties:

                    Type: 'SMA'
                     Mfg: 'Cinch'
                    Part: '142-0711-202'
              Annotation: 'SMA'
               Impedance: 50
               Datasheet: 'https://belfuse.com/resources/Johnson/drawings/dr-142-0711-202.pdf'
                Purchase: 'https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/cinch-connectivity-solutions-johnson/142-0711-202/J10154TR-ND/3587681'
               TotalSize: [0.0071 0.0071]
           GroundPadSize: [0.0024 0.0024]
       SignalPadDiameter: 0.0017
         PinHoleDiameter: 0.0013
           IsolationRing: 0.0041
    VerticalGroundStrips: 1

   Cinch 142-0711-202 (Example Purchase)

Create an antenna PCB design file using the connector.

PW = PCBWriter(p,c)

PW = 
  PCBWriter with properties:

                        Design: [1x1 struct]
                        Writer: [1x1 Gerber.Writer]
                     Connector: [1x1 PCBConnectors.SMA_Cinch]
           UseDefaultConnector: 0
    ComponentBoundaryLineWidth: 8
         ComponentNameFontSize: []
            DesignInfoFontSize: []
                          Font: 'Arial'
                     PCBMargin: 5.0000e-04
                    Soldermask: 'both'
                   Solderpaste: 1

   See info for details

Antenna Design Files Using Advanced Circuits Writer Service

Create a coplanar inverted-F antenna.

fco = invertedFcoplanar('Height',14e-3,'GroundPlaneLength', 100e-3, ...
      'GroundPlaneWidth', 100e-3);

Create a pcbStack object.

p = pcbStack(fco);
show(p)

Use an Advanced Circuits Writer as a PCB manufacturing service.

s = PCBServices.AdvancedCircuitsWriter

s = 
  AdvancedCircuitsWriter with properties:

               BoardProfileFile: 'legend'
          BoardProfileLineWidth: 1
                 CoordPrecision: [2 6]
                     CoordUnits: 'in'
              CreateArchiveFile: 1
                 DefaultViaDiam: 3.0000e-04
             DrawArcsUsingLines: 0
                 ExtensionLevel: 1
                       Filename: 'untitled'
                          Files: {}
         IncludeRootFolderInZip: 0
                   PostWriteFcn: @(obj)sendTo(obj)
    SameExtensionForGerberFiles: 0
                    UseExcellon: 1

Create an antenna PCB design file using the above service.

PW = PCBWriter(p,s)

PW = 
  PCBWriter with properties:

                        Design: [1x1 struct]
                        Writer: [1x1 PCBServices.AdvancedCircuitsWriter]
                     Connector: []
           UseDefaultConnector: 1
    ComponentBoundaryLineWidth: 8
         ComponentNameFontSize: []
            DesignInfoFontSize: []
                          Font: 'Arial'
                     PCBMargin: 5.0000e-04
                    Soldermask: 'both'
                   Solderpaste: 1

   See info for details

PCB Antenna Design Using Mayhew Manufacturing Service

Create a coplanar inverted F antenna.

fco = invertedFcoplanar(Height=14e-3,GroundPlaneLength=100e-3,...
                  GroundPlaneWidth=100e-3);

Use this antenna to create a pcbStack object.

p = pcbStack(fco)

p = 
  pcbStack with properties:

              Name: 'Coplanar Inverted-F'
          Revision: 'v1.0'
        BoardShape: [1×1 antenna.Rectangle]
    BoardThickness: 0.0013
            Layers: {[1×1 antenna.Polygon]}
     FeedLocations: [0 0.0500 1]
      FeedDiameter: 5.0000e-04
      ViaLocations: []
       ViaDiameter: []
      FeedViaModel: 'strip'
       FeedVoltage: 1
         FeedPhase: 0
         Conductor: [1×1 metal]
              Tilt: 0
          TiltAxis: [1 0 0]
              Load: [1×1 lumpedElement]

figure
show(p)

Use an SMA_Cinch as an RF connector and Mayhew Writer as a 3-D viewer.

c = PCBConnectors.SMA_Cinch

c = 
  SMA_Cinch with properties:

                    Type: 'SMA'
                     Mfg: 'Cinch'
                    Part: '142-0711-202'
              Annotation: 'SMA'
               Impedance: 50
               Datasheet: 'https://belfuse.com/resources/Johnson/drawings/dr-142-0711-202.pdf'
                Purchase: 'https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/cinch-connectivity-solutions-johnson/142-0711-202/J10154TR-ND/3587681'
               TotalSize: [0.0071 0.0071]
           GroundPadSize: [0.0024 0.0024]
       SignalPadDiameter: 0.0017
         PinHoleDiameter: 0.0013
           IsolationRing: 0.0041
    VerticalGroundStrips: 1

   Cinch 142-0711-202 (Example Purchase)

s = PCBServices.MayhewWriter

s = 
  MayhewWriter with properties:

               BoardProfileFile: 'legend'
          BoardProfileLineWidth: 1
                 CoordPrecision: [2 6]
                     CoordUnits: 'in'
              CreateArchiveFile: 0
                 DefaultViaDiam: 3.0000e-04
             DrawArcsUsingLines: 1
                 ExtensionLevel: 1
                       Filename: 'untitled'
                          Files: {}
         IncludeRootFolderInZip: 0
                   PostWriteFcn: @(obj)sendTo(obj)
    SameExtensionForGerberFiles: 0
                    UseExcellon: 1

Create an antenna design file using PCBWriter.

PW = PCBWriter(p,s,c)

PW = 
  PCBWriter with properties:

                        Design: [1×1 struct]
                        Writer: [1×1 PCBServices.MayhewWriter]
                     Connector: [1×1 PCBConnectors.SMA_Cinch]
           UseDefaultConnector: 0
    ComponentBoundaryLineWidth: 8
         ComponentNameFontSize: []
            DesignInfoFontSize: []
                          Font: 'Arial'
                     PCBMargin: 5.0000e-04
                    Soldermask: 'both'
                   Solderpaste: 1

   See info for details

Use the gerberWrite function to generate gerber files from the antenna design files. Send the generated files to the Mayhew writer manufacturing service.

gerberWrite(PW)

The default folder containing the gerber files is named "untitled" and is located in your MATLAB folder. Running this example automatically opens up the Mayhew Labs PCB manufacturing service in your internet browser.

Drag and drop all your files from the "untitled" folder.

Click Done to view your Antenna PCB.

Version History

Introduced in R2017b