Tutorial

How to Check RF Filter Against Specification

Systematically verify all RF filter specifications from S-parameter data: passband IL, port match, stopband rejection, group delay, shape factor, and temperature drift. RF View workflow.

Complete Filter Specification Checklist

ParameterSourcePass CriterionRF View Method
Center frequency f₀S21 peakf₀_spec ± ΔfBW Marker reads f₀
Passband ILS21 at f₀< IL_maxSingle marker at f₀ → read S21
Passband rippleS21 within BW< ripple_maxDelta marker min-to-max within BW
3 dB bandwidthS21BW_min to BW_maxBW Marker
Input return loss S11S11> RL_minBW Marker on S11 with RL_min threshold
Output return loss S22S22> RL_minSame as S11
Stopband rejection (TX)S21 at f_TX> reject_minSingle marker at f_TX
Stopband rejection (other)S21 at f_other> reject_minMultiple markers at all stop freqs
Group delay rippleGroup delay< GD_ripple_maxDelta marker on GD plot
Shape factorS21BW₋₄₀/BW₋₃ < SF_maxBW Marker at −3 dB and −40 dB

Step-by-Step Verification Procedure

  1. Load filter .s2p → S21 dB view
  2. BW Marker → reads f₀, IL, 3dB BW → record all values
  3. Move single marker to TX band center → read S21 rejection
  4. Move marker to other stopband frequencies → record each
  5. Switch to S11 view → BW Marker at −14 dB threshold → reads VSWR<1.5 bandwidth
  6. Switch to Group Delay → delta marker over passband → record GD ripple
  7. Compare all recorded values against specification table → mark Pass/Fail

Documentation Template

  Filter: Murata SFECF1G8CB0A0A (LTE Band 3 RX SAW)
  Date: 2025-01-15, Unit: S/N 12345, Condition: 25°C, 50Ω

  Parameter          Spec       Measured   Pass?
  f₀                 1843 MHz   1844 MHz   ✓
  IL (max)           2.5 dB     1.83 dB    ✓
  3dB BW (min)       70 MHz     75.2 MHz   ✓
  S11 RL (min)       10 dB      14.7 dB    ✓
  TX rejection (min) 50 dB      52.3 dB    ✓
  GD ripple (max)    100 ns     82 ns      ✓
  ALL PASS: Yes
RF View Filter Verification: Load filter .s2p → systematically check all spec parameters using BW Marker, single markers, delta markers, and Group Delay view. Export measurement summary to CSV for documentation. Free on Android.

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