When to Compare RF Components
- Design-in selection: Choose the best LNA from 3 vendors for a new design
- Second source qualification: Verify alternative vendor meets same specs as approved source
- New component revision: Current vs new version of same part number
- Lot-to-lot consistency: Compare last 5 shipments of the same component
Comparison Workflow in RF View
1. Download .s2p from all competing components (SimSurfing, manufacturer sites) 2. Name consistently: CompA_partnum.s2p, CompB_partnum.s2p, CompC_partnum.s2p 3. Load all 3 (or more) in RF View S-Parameter Plot simultaneously 4. Select S21 view → visual inspection of passband shape 5. Table Marker at f₀ → reads all S21 values simultaneously 6. Move marker to stopband → reads all rejection values 7. Switch to S11 → compare port match for all 8. Switch to Group Delay → compare GD flatness 9. Export Summary CSV → quantitative comparison table
Decision Matrix Example
| Component | IL (dB) | BW (MHz) | Rejection (dB) | S11 (dB) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VendorA_Filter | 1.8 | 40.5 | 52.1 | −15.2 | $0.08 |
| VendorB_Filter | 2.1 | 38.9 | 48.7 | −13.6 | $0.07 |
| VendorC_Filter | 1.6 | 41.3 | 55.4 | −16.8 | $0.12 |
Vendor A wins: best balance of performance and cost. Vendor C is best performance but 50% higher cost.
RF View Comparison: Multi-file overlay + Table Marker + Summary CSV = complete component comparison in minutes on Android. Free on Google Play.