Cascade PCB components, add lumped elements, export Touchstone, and bridge to eye diagram or antenna array workflows. TRIGGER: user asks to cascade or connect multiple RF PCB components, add lumped R/L/C, export S-parameters to Touchstone, or combine PCB elements into a circuit. Invoke BEFORE writing pcbcascade or circuit code — cascade rules and port matching are non-obvious. SKIP: designing individual components (use the specific matlab-design-pcb-* skill), EM analysis of a single component (u
SkillScore100Maintained
Automatic
◆Coding pack
Last verified 8/17/2026
What it changes
Passed 22 of 22 test cases with the skill, and 9 of 22 without it.
Without skill41%
With skill100%
Checks it passed that the model alone missed
Calls pcbcascade with Interactive set to true
Sets AnalysisPorts to {1, 2} on the pcbElement
Wraps the rat-race coupler PCB object in a pcbElement
and 15 more in the full report
13 fixed9 passed either way0 still failing0 broke
Pass-rate lift
+59 pp
Tokens
+141%
Agent turns
0%
Response time
-59%
Model gemini-3.6-flashMeasured 8/17/2026v222 of 22 cases passed with skill
Tokens, turns and time describe resource use, not a dollar price.
See it in action
One of 13 test cases the skill fixed. Same model, same prompt, with and without the skill.
1 of 13
Prompt
After simulating an RF PCB power divider in MATLAB, I have its S-parameter object `S`. I want to save it as a Touchstone file named `divider.s3p` with frequencies in MHz and parameters represented in magnitude-angle format. What line of MATLAB code performs this export?
What was checked, without and with the skill
Checked
Without skill
With skill
Calls rfwrite passing FrequencyUnit='MHz' and Format='MA'
Missed
Passed
case-12 · gemini-3.6-flash · 8/17/2026 · answers are capped and redacted
What's inside
The instructions your model reads when the skill loads.
SKILL.md465 linessingle file
Cascading and Integrating RF PCB Components
When to Use
Cascading two or more PCB components end-to-end with pcbcascade
Wrapping PCB components as circuit elements with pcbElement for RF Toolbox
Loading internal ports with lumped elements (varactors, terminators)
Exporting S-parameters to Touchstone files via rfwrite
Integrating RF PCB feed networks with antenna arrays
Bridging to Signal Integrity Toolbox for eye diagram analysis
When NOT to Use
Designing individual filters, couplers, or transmission lines — use the respective designing skill
Building custom PCB geometry from scratch — use matlab-assemble-pcb-layout
Running EM analysis on a single component — use matlab-analyze-em
Setting up materials — use matlab-manage-pcb-material
Typical Workflow
Before: Design skills (matlab-design-pcb-filter, matlab-design-pcb-coupler, etc.) or matlab-analyze-em — create and validate individual components
This skill: Cascade components, add lumped elements, export Touchstone, bridge to eye diagram analysis
After:matlab-write-pcb-layout — export final design to Gerber; or feed S-parameters into Signal Integrity Toolbox workflows
Quick Reference
Task
Code
Cascade two components
out = pcbcascade(comp1, comp2)
Cascade with rectangular board
out = pcbcascade(comp1, comp2, 'RectangularBoard', true)