Even the best simulations can’t account for every real-world variable. RF engineers know the moment of truth often comes during that first power-up and measurement, and sometimes, it doesn’t go as planned.
What usually surprises you most when you test your RF design for the first time?
• Lower-than-expected Tx gain
• Higher Rx noise figure
• Stability or oscillation issues
• Filter or match behaving differently than simulation
Qorvo’s take on the problem:
Even the most carefully simulated RF designs can behave unpredictably during initial testing. It’s common to see lower-than-expected gain, unexpected noise figure shifts, oscillations, or filters not performing as modeled. These surprises often stem from practical factors like mismatched biasing, layout parasitics, thermal variation, or inconsistencies in measurement setup.
At Qorvo, we see these issues frequently in customer labs, and they’re almost always solvable. Reliable RF performance starts with good grounding, bias control, and a clean layout that accounts for real-world PCB effects. Starting from a solid reference design or evaluation board can also help minimize surprises. If you’ve had a first-test moment that made you rethink your design, please share it here and let’s talk about solutions.