matlab-model-via
Via modeling: pads, antipads, ground return vias, GRV placement, and signal integrity for high-speed layer transitions. TRIGGER: user asks to model a via, design a via transition, place ground return vias, analyze via performance, or check signal integrity through layer transitions. Invoke BEFORE writing code — only viaSingleEnded exists (no viaDifferential), and the location format is non-obvious. SKIP: general signal integrity without vias (use matlab-analyze-em), transmission line design (use matlab-design-pcb-txline), PDN analysis (use matlab-analyze-pcb-pdn), material/stackup setup only (
npx skills add matlab/matlab-agentic-toolkit --skill matlab-model-via --agent claude-code
Same command for any agent — swap --agent for codex, cursor, copilot.
Weekly change comes from our own snapshots, not the repository page — it measures attention, not adoption.
What it does
Models vias through multi-layer PCB stackups with configurable pads, antipads, and ground return vias to analyze signal integrity, via S-parameters, and GRV placement for high-speed layer transitions. It is triggered when the user asks to model a via, design a via transition, place GRVs, analyze via performance, or check signal integrity through layer transitions. It explicitly uses viaSingleEnded (no viaDifferential) and notes non-obvious location formats. It directs users to skip general SI without vias and other analyses to specific MATLAB tools.
How it works
The skill provides a MATLAB-based workflow using the viaSingleEnded object to configure signal and ground layers, substrate, and conductor, then place signal vias and ground return vias with specified locations. It includes properties and commands to set pads, antipads, and vias, view pads/antipads, and customize via geometry. It supports calculating S-parameters, identifying resonances with criticalwavelength, and evaluating GRV distance with gapratedistance. The typical steps are: set substrate with matlab-manage-pcb-material (before), model the via and GRVs with this skill, then cascade with traces and extract results via post-processors (matlab-integrate-pcb-circuit, matlab-optimize-pcb-design). It also provides examples for placing signal vias, defining ports, and visualizing vias with show(via) and layout(via).
When to use it
Use this skill for modeling signal vias through multi-layer PCB stackups, configuring pad/antipad geometry per layer, placing GRVs for signal integrity, and analyzing via S-parameters and GRV placement against a criticalwavelength or gaprade distance. It is not used for transmission line design, PDN analysis, material setup only, or full-wave EM analysis on non-via structures.
What it can touch
It uses the viaSingleEnded object to set: SignalLayer, GroundLayer, Substrate, Conductor, SignalViaLocations, GroundReturnViaLocations, SignalViaDiameter, SignalViaFinishedDiameter, SignalViaPad, SignalViaAntipad, RemoveUnusedPads, and SignalTable. It provides commands to view pads (padsTable(via)) and antipads (antipadsTable(via)), customize pads (getpads, getantipads), and visualize (show(via)). It also includes S-parameters (sparameters(via, freq)) and resonance checks (criticalwavelength(via, freq)) as part of the workflow, and GRV distance checks (gapratedistance(via, freq)).
Caveats
The skill notes that viaSingleEnded uses a behavioral circuit model, not a full-wave MoM mesh, and that functions like mesh, memoryEstimate, and getZ0 are unavailable on this object. It enforces that criticalwavelength requires a frequency argument. It excludes differential via modeling (no viaDifferential class) and requires using other specific tools for related tasks (e.g., matlab-design-pcb-txline for transmission lines, matlab-analyze-em for general SI, matlab-manage-pcb-material for materials).
# Modeling Vias ## When to Use - Modeling signal vias through multi-layer PCB stackups (viaSingleEnded) - Configuring pad and antipad geometry per layer - Placing ground return vias for signal integrity - Analyzing via S-parameters and identifying barrel resonances - Evaluating GRV placement with criticalwavelength and gapratedistance ## When NOT to Use - Designing transmission lines or impedance control — use `matlab-design-pcb-txline` - Building custom PCB structures from shapes — use `matlab-assemble-pcb-layout` - Setting up substrate or conductor materials — use `matlab-manage-pcb-material` - Running full-wave EM analysis on non-via structures — use `matlab-analyze-em` - PDN analysis on imported boards — use `matlab-analyze-pcb-pdn` ## Typical Workflow 1. **Before:** `matlab-manage-pcb-material` — set up substrate and conductor for the stackup 2. **This skill:** Model the via, place GRVs, check signal integrity 3. **After:** `matlab-integrate-pcb-circuit` — cascade via model with trace/connector models → `matlab-optimize-pcb-design` — optimize GRV placement or pad geometry ## Quick Reference | Task | Code | |------|------| | Create via | `via = viaSingleEnded` | | Set signal la
- When to Use
- When NOT to Use
- Typical Workflow
- Quick Reference
- viaSingleEnded Object
- Basic Setup
- Key Properties
- Signal Via Configuration
- Placing a Signal Via
- Via Diameter
- Unit Conversion Helper
- Port Definition (SignalTable)
- Format
- Example: Two-Port Via
What does the matlab-model-via skill do?
Via modeling: pads, antipads, ground return vias, GRV placement, and signal integrity for high-speed layer transitions. TRIGGER: user asks to model a via, design a via transition, place ground return vias, analyze via performance, or check signal integrity through layer transitions. Invoke BEFORE writing code — only viaSingleEnded exists (no viaDifferential), and the location format is non-obvious. SKIP: general signal integrity without vias (use matlab-analyze-em), transmission line design (use matlab-design-pcb-txline), PDN analysis (use matlab-analyze-pcb-pdn), material/stackup setup only (
How do I install it?
Run `npx skills add matlab/matlab-agentic-toolkit --skill matlab-model-via --agent claude-code` — it drops the skill into your project so the agent can pick it up. Swap the --agent value for codex, cursor or copilot if you use one of those.
Where does this skill come from?
From matlab/matlab-agentic-toolkit, a repository with 868 stars. We read it straight from the repository tree rather than a submitted listing, so what you see here is what is actually published.
Is a popular skill a good skill?
Not necessarily. Stars measure attention, not adoption — a repository can trend for a week and be abandoned. That is why we show the weekly change from our own snapshots next to the total, instead of a single flattering number.