PCBReader

Import and update Gerber files

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Description

Use the PCBReader object to create a printed circuit board (PCB) reader to import Gerber files and to facilitate the creation of an antenna model. A Gerber file is a set of manufacturing files used to describe a PCB antenna. A Gerber file uses an ASCII vector format to describe 2-D binary images.

Creation

You can create a PCBReader object using the following methods:

  • gerberRead — Create a PCBReader object with the specified Gerber and drill files.

  • The PCBReader function described here.

Syntax

B = PCBReader(S)
B = PCBReader(Name,Value)

Description

example

B = PCBReader(S) creates a PCBReader object that imports multilayer PCB antenna design files described in the stackUp object .

Note

The PCBReader object reads RS-274X Gerber files. It does not support RS-274D Gerber files.

example

B = PCBReader(Name,Value) sets Properties using name-value pairs. For example, B = PCBReader('StackUp',S,'Drillfile','ant.txt') imports the layer and drill files into the PCBReader. You can specify multiple name-value pairs. Enclose each property name in quotes. Properties not specified retain their default values.

Input Arguments

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PCB stackup definition, specified as a stackUp object. For more information, see stackUp.

Example: S = stackUp; B = PCBReader(S)

Example: B = PCBReader('StackUp',S)

Properties

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PCB stackup definition, specified as a stackUp object.

Example: S = stackUp; B.StackUp = S;

Example: B = PCBReader('StackUp',S)

Name of Excellon drill file, specified as a character vector or string scalar. You can specify either a DRL or a TXT file.

Example: B.DrillFile = 'ant.drl'

Discretization points on curved segments, specified as a positive scalar.

Example: B.NumPointsOnCurves = 80

Object Functions

pcbStackSingle-feed or multifeed PCB antenna
shapesExtract and modify metal layers from PCBReader object

Examples

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Open Live Script

Create a default PCB stackup definition object.

S = stackUp;

Set the thickness of the dielectric Air in layer 1 and layer 5 of the stackUp object to 0.1 mm. 

S.Layer1.Thickness = 0.1e-3;
S.Layer5.Thickness = 0.1e-3;

Import a top layer Gerber file to layer 2.

S.Layer2 = 'antenna_design_file.gtl';

Import a bottom layer Gerber file to layer 4.

S.Layer4 = 'antenna_design_file.gbl';

Create a PCBReader object, B, using the stackUp object, S.

B = PCBReader('StackUp',S);
Open Live Script

Create a default PCB stackup definition object.

s = stackUp;

Import a top layer Gerber file to layer 2.

s.Layer2 = 'patchMicrostripCircular_design_file.gtl';

Create a PCBReader object using the stackUp object.

p = PCBReader('StackUp',s);

To update the Gerber file, convert the PCBReader object to a pcbStack object. 

p3 = pcbStack(p);

View the pcbStack object.

figure
show(p3)

Update the feed diameter.

p3.FeedDiameter = 0.005;

View the updated pcbStack object.

figure
show(p3)

Plot the current distribution on the antenna.

figure
current(p3,2.4e9)

Open Live Script

Create a PCBReader object.

B = PCBReader;

Import a two-layer design.

st = B.StackUp;
st.Layer2 = 'UWBVivaldi.gtl';
st.Layer4 = 'UWBVivaldi.gbl';
B.StackUp = st;

Extract shapes from the metal layers.

S = shapes(B);

View the top-layer Gerber file.

figure
show(S(1))

View the bottom-layer Gerber file.

figure
show(S(2))

See Also

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Topics

Introduced in R2020b

Antenna Toolbox Documentation

Support