RF (radio frequency) refers to the use of electromagnetic radiation for transferring information between two circuits that have no direct electrical connection.
According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), RF waves emanating from an antenna are generated by the movement of electrical charges in the antenna.
Electromagnetic waves can be characterized by a wavelength and a frequency. The wavelength is the distance covered by one complete cycle of the electromagnetic wave, while the frequency is the number of electromagnetic waves passing a given point in one second.
The frequency of an RF signal is usually expressed in terms of a unit called the “hertz” (abbreviated “Hz”). One Hz equals one cycle per second. One megahertz MHz equals 1 million cycles per second.
Different forms of electromagnetic energy are categorized by their wavelengths and frequencies. The RF part of the electromagnetic spectrum is generally defined as that part of the spectrum where electromagnetic waves have frequencies in the range of about 3 kilohertz (3 kHz) to 300 gigahertz (300 GHz).
Microwaves are a specific category of radio waves that can be loosely defined as radiofrequency energy at frequencies ranging from about 1 GHz to 30 GHz.
A radio frequency (RF) engineer’s primary responsibilities are to collect data, research radio frequency, and analyze gathered information to improve radar design.
Radio Frequency technology is critical to many aspects of modern electronics. This is because RF engineering is incorporated into almost everything that transmits or receives a radio wave across the whole of the RF spectrum (3 KHz to 300 GHz), including mobile phones, radios and Wi-Fi.
In recent years, the surging demand for RF engineers has been driven by the evolution of 5G architecture and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Today’s ideal RF engineer has experience with critical components of a wireless communications network and understands that the primary purpose of RF is to deliver data between two points while providing quality customer experience. These critical components include:
- Antenna
- RF front end module, which includes amplification, filtering and switching
- RF transceiver signal processor
Want to learn more? Radio frequency training in all its applications is a specialty of Tonex, which offers over two dozen Basic and Advanced RF Training Courses. Some of the courses available include:
The Fundamental Physics of Electromagnetic Waves (2 days)
Modeling and Simulation RF Systems Training (3 days)
RF Optimization Training (2 days)
For more information, questions, comments, contact us.