RF Engineering FAQ – Most Common Questions Answered

What Causes High VSWR?

High VSWR (>2:1) indicates impedance mismatch. The 8 most common causes: antenna detu...

S11 vs Return Loss – What Is the Difference?

S11 and return loss describe the same measurement but with opposite sign conventions....

How to Reduce Insertion Loss in RF Circuits

Practical methods to reduce RF insertion loss: use higher-Q inductors (C0G caps), sho...

How to Increase RF Filter Stopband Rejection

Five methods to increase RF filter stopband rejection: increase filter order, use ell...

How to Open a .s2p File

Best ways to open .s2p S-parameter files on Android, PC, and Mac. RF View (Android), ...

What Is a Good S11 Value for an Antenna?

For mobile antennas S11 < -10 dB (VSWR < 1.92) is the minimum standard. Base stations...

Why Is RF 50 Ohm and Not 75 Ohm?

50 ohm is the RF standard because it's a compromise between minimum loss (77 ohm) and...

What Is an SNP File?

SNP files (.s1p .s2p .s3p .s4p) are Touchstone S-parameter data files. Learn the nami...

How to Design a Matching Network Without a VNA

Design RF matching networks without a VNA using manufacturer S-parameter files, imped...

How Accurate Is RF View Circuit Simulation?

RF View circuit simulation accuracy depends on component models. S2P DUT blocks are e...

RF View Circuit Simulator – Guide and Limitations

RF View's circuit simulator supports series/shunt R/L/C, ideal T-line, microstrip T-l...

VSWR vs SWR – What Is the Difference?

VSWR (Voltage Standing Wave Ratio) and SWR (Standing Wave Ratio) describe the same me...

Can a Smartphone Replace a VNA?

A smartphone with RF View cannot replace a VNA for measurements, but it can fully rep...

RF View vs Desktop RF EDA Tools – Comparison Guide

RF View (Android, free) vs Keysight ADS/AWR (desktop, commercial) comparison: RF View...

RF View Supported File Formats

RF View supports .s1p .s2p .s3p .s4p Touchstone files in DB, MA, and RI formats. Also...

How to Design a Matching Network on Android with RF Vie

Complete workflow to design RF impedance matching networks on Android with RF View: l...

How to Analyze RF Components Without a Lab

Analyze RF components without a lab: use manufacturer S-parameter files, NanoVNA, sim...

What Causes Ripple in an RF Filter's Passband?

Passband ripple in RF filters is caused by: Chebyshev design (intentional), multiple ...

Best RF Engineering Apps for Android in 2025

Top RF engineering apps for Android: RF View (S-parameter analysis, matching, simulat...

Professional RF Design on a Mobile Device

Yes — for S-parameter analysis, matching network design, circuit simulation, and SNP ...

How to Download and Install RF View

How to download and install RF View on Android: Google Play Store link, minimum requi...

How to Get RF View on Android

Download RF View free from Google Play: search 'RF View', install (25 MB), open app, ...

How to Import SNP Files into RF View

Import Touchstone .s1p .s2p .s3p .s4p files into RF View: from Android file manager, ...

RF View Frequency Marker Tips and Techniques

Tips and techniques for using RF View's frequency marker system: placing markers, rea...

RF Engineering Skills: What You Need to Know

Overview of skills required for RF engineering: S-parameter analysis, simulation tool...

RF View Android App: Complete Feature Overview

Complete overview of RF View Android app features: SNP file analysis, Smith chart, im...

How RF View Compares Multiple SNP Files: FAQ

Answers to common questions about RF View's SNP file comparison: how many files can b...

Download RF View

Professional RF S-parameter analysis tool — free for Windows and Android.

↓ Windows (.zip)▶ Google Play (Android)

Windows 10/11 · Android 8.0+ · Free Basic · Pro $29.99