cst_pcb_create_trace
Design PCB transmission lines in CST Studio. Automatically compute trace width from target impedance using proven formulas for microstrip and stripline.
Instructions
Create a PCB trace (microstrip, stripline, coplanar waveguide, or grounded CPW) in CST Studio. Optionally calculates trace width from a target impedance using Hammerstad-Jensen (microstrip) or Cohn (stripline) formulas.
Input Schema
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| layer | Yes | Layer name where the trace is placed (e.g. 'Top') | |
| x_start | No | X coordinate of trace start (mm) | |
| y_start | No | Y coordinate of trace start (mm) | |
| width_mm | No | Trace width in mm. If impedance_target is specified, this is ignored and the width is calculated automatically. | |
| direction | No | Trace direction: 'x' for +X, 'y' for +Y, or angle in degrees from +X axis (e.g. '45') | x |
| epsilon_r | No | Substrate relative permittivity. Required when impedance_target is given. | |
| length_mm | Yes | Trace length in mm | |
| trace_type | Yes | Type of transmission line | |
| z_position | No | Z position of the trace bottom surface in mm. If omitted, defaults to 0 (top surface of the board). | |
| impedance_target | No | Target characteristic impedance in ohms. When specified, trace width is auto-calculated. Requires substrate_height_mm and epsilon_r. | |
| copper_thickness_mm | No | Copper thickness in mm (default 0.035 for 1oz) | |
| substrate_height_mm | No | Substrate height between trace and reference plane (mm). Required when impedance_target is given. |