Yes both inductors and capacitors have non ideal and frequency depending impedance that must be handled, at least for GHz-frequencies. That is why I included brand and type of inductor for above matching network.S-parameters for components should always be used when calculating discrete matching networks for best result, both as virtual and real network, as can bee seen in linked video above. Using real impedance for discreet components is an integrated part of my VNA software, AnTune, which automatically finds optimized component values for any wideband antenna tuning, using real component impedance.Using real impedances are faster an simpler way get expected result at first try.
Remaining problems are mainly losses related to non ideal pads and lossy PCB ground impedance which may need one or two trial and error to find optimal network values, good enough for most antenna tuning jobs.
However, these PCB shown at linked Berkeley page, I am not surprised if RF performance not is at top. PCB looks single side as well. The good thing is that it is from the problems knowledge is added. Also I have done similar PCB with trace routing done in MSPaint.
Certain tuning typologies are more tricky to tune for expected result, component value tolerances are more critical and can cost much higher resistive losses compared to alternative topology and component type, even if both alternatives results in a similar tuning result.
Above example shows two alternative solutions to get almost same final impedance.
What topology to prefer, what types of components to avoid have no absolute rules. It is something which is best learnt by experience but assume it also can be easy evaluated in ADS if using S-parameters in similar way that AnTune can present result based on alternative components types, such as say 0402 film relative wire inductor for a certain brand and value.
Using AnTune gives the advantage that you get these results live presented based on VNA measurements for both for real and virtual networks and a even as a mix of both, mixing virtual and real components for same tuning circuit.ps. HP and Agilent is supported by AnTune out of box, no configuration needed
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