Qorvo QPC2040EVB01

Overview

QPC2040EVB01 from Qorvo is an evaluation board designed to accelerate development and characterization of the QPC2040 X-Band GaN SPDT RF switch, supporting 8–12 GHz operation with 10 W pulsed RF input power handling, <1.2 dB insertion loss, >30 dB isolation, and −28 V/0 V dual-polarity control. It enables rapid prototyping for radar, electronic warfare, and high-power communications systems.

For engineers reviewing the QPC2040EVB01 datasheet, pinout, applications, or equivalent options, this board provides full RF path access to RFC, RF1, and RF2 ports, dual control voltage biasing (VC/VC_N), thermal management via exposed paddle vias, and verified 50 Ω impedance-matched layout per Qorvo's recommended mounting pattern - all critical for validating high-frequency GaN switch integration in defense-grade RF front-ends.

Technical Context

The QPC2040EVB01 implements the QPC2040 GaN-on-SiC SPDT switch in a 3 × 4.5 mm OVM QFN package with 18 leads, featuring redundant VC and VC_N control lines (pins 1/6 and 5/18), grounded RF common port (RFC, pin 3), and DC-coupled 50 Ω RF paths to RF1 (pin 16) and RF2 (pin 8). The board includes four 1.1 kΩ bias resistors (R1–R4) and follows Qorvo's mechanical layout specification for thermal and RF performance validation.

It supports pulsed RF operation at 85 °C base temperature with 100 µs pulse width and 25% duty cycle, enabling characterization of large-signal compression, IMD3/IMD5 linearity, switching speed (35 ns), and thermal resistance (θJC = 14.75 °C/W) under realistic X-band radar conditions - directly reflecting the QPC2040's operational envelope per Rev D datasheet.

Key Specifications

Availability

QPC2040EVB01 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for radar transceiver development, electronic warfare subsystem validation, and X-band communications link prototyping requiring stable component supply and traceable evaluation hardware.

Supply support for QPC2040EVB01 includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Qorvo is a U.S.-based semiconductor company specializing in RF solutions for defense, aerospace, and infrastructure applications, with leadership in GaN-on-SiC technology.

The QPC2040EVB01 belongs to Qorvo's high-power X-band RF switch evaluation platform family, engineered to de-risk integration of GaN SPDT switches into mission-critical radar and EW systems where thermal stability, isolation integrity, and fast switching are non-negotiable.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the QPC2040EVB01?

The QPC2040EVB01 is an evaluation board specifically designed to support rapid characterization and integration of the QPC2040 GaN SPDT RF switch. It provides direct access to all RF ports (RFC, RF1, RF2), dual control voltage inputs (VC and VC_N), and implements Qorvo's recommended PCB layout, thermal vias, and biasing network - enabling engineers to validate switching performance, linearity, and thermal behavior under real-world X-band operating conditions before committing to custom design.

Does the QPC2040EVB01 require external components to operate the QPC2040 device?

Yes - the QPC2040EVB01 includes four 1.1 kΩ bias resistors (R1–R4) as specified in the Qorvo Bill of Materials, and external DC blocking capacitors or bias tees are required for RF signal injection and control voltage application. The board itself does not integrate active bias circuitry; it relies on user-supplied −28 V/0 V control sources and 50 Ω RF test equipment, consistent with the QPC2040's absolute maximum ratings and recommended operating conditions.

Can the QPC2040EVB01 be used to evaluate both RF1 and RF2 paths independently?

Yes - the QPC2040EVB01 supports full bidirectional evaluation of both switched paths. When VC = 0 V and VC_N = −28 V, RFC connects to RF1 (pin 16); when VC = −28 V and VC_N = 0 V, RFC connects to RF2 (pin 8). The board's layout preserves 50 Ω impedance matching and low-inductance grounding for both configurations, and its mechanical drawing confirms symmetrical RF routing per Qorvo's datasheet Figure 16 (PCB Mounting Pattern).

What thermal performance can be expected from the QPC2040EVB01 during high-power testing?

When mounted per Qorvo's recommended pad configuration - including multiple thermal vias to the internal ground plane beneath the exposed paddle (pin 19) - the QPC2040EVB01 enables measurement of the QPC2040's published thermal resistance θJC = 14.75 °C/W at TBASE = 85 °C. This allows accurate channel temperature estimation (TCH = 112 °C) during 10 W pulsed RF operation (PW = 100 µs, DC = 25%), as validated in the datasheet's thermal and reliability section.

Is the QPC2040EVB01 compatible with standard RF test equipment and probing setups?

Yes - the QPC2040EVB01 features edge-mounted SMA connectors for RFC, RF1, and RF2 ports, fully aligned with industry-standard 50 Ω test fixtures. Its compact 3 × 4.5 mm footprint and documented pad configuration (per datasheet page 17) ensure compatibility with vector network analyzers, signal generators, and spectrum analyzers operating up to 13 GHz. All RF traces are impedance-controlled, and the board meets J-STD-020 reflow standards for reliable lab and production use.