RF engineering
Encyclopedia
Radio frequency engineering is a subset of electrical engineering that deals with devices that are designed to operate in the Radio Frequency
spectrum. These devices operate within the range of about 3 kHz
up to 300 GHz
.
RF engineering is incorporated into almost everything that transmits or receives a radio wave
, which includes, but is not limited to, Mobile Phones, Radios, WiFi
, and walkie talkies.
RF engineering is a highly specialized field. To produce quality results, an in-depth knowledge of mathematics
, physics
, general electronics
theory as well as specialized training in propagation and microstrip design may be required. Even with this, the initial design of an RF circuit usually bears very little resemblance to the final physical circuit produced, as revisions to the design are often required to achieve intended results.
An RF Engineer at a broadcast
facility is responsible for maintenance of the stations high-power broadcast transmitters, and associated systems. This includes transmitter site emergency power, remote control, main transmission line and antenna
adjustments, microwave radio relay STL
/TSL
links, and more.
In addition, an RF design engineer must be able to understand electronic hardware design, circuit board material, antenna radiation, and the effect of interfering frequencies that prevent optimum performance within the piece of equipment being developed.
Many notable individuals have contributed to the advancement of RF engineering theory and design, including the following:
Guglielmo Marconi
, who transmitted the first radio signal across the atlantic.
Heinrich Hertz, who developed the unit of measure to describe frequency of a wave.
Chris Pinter, who developed a method of improving radio sensitivity through the use of dynamic range software.
Phillip H. Smith, who developed a graphical method of calculating impedances, admittances, reflection coefficients and scattering parameters.
Radio frequency
Radio frequency is a rate of oscillation in the range of about 3 kHz to 300 GHz, which corresponds to the frequency of radio waves, and the alternating currents which carry radio signals...
spectrum. These devices operate within the range of about 3 kHz
Hertz
The hertz is the SI unit of frequency defined as the number of cycles per second of a periodic phenomenon. One of its most common uses is the description of the sine wave, particularly those used in radio and audio applications....
up to 300 GHz
Hertz
The hertz is the SI unit of frequency defined as the number of cycles per second of a periodic phenomenon. One of its most common uses is the description of the sine wave, particularly those used in radio and audio applications....
.
RF engineering is incorporated into almost everything that transmits or receives a radio wave
Radio Wave
Radio Wave may refer to:*Radio frequency*Radio Wave 96.5, a radio station in Blackpool, UK...
, which includes, but is not limited to, Mobile Phones, Radios, WiFi
WIFI
WIFI is a radio station broadcasting a brokered format. Licensed to Florence, New Jersey, USA, the station is currently operated by Florence Broadcasting Partners, LLC.This station was previously owned by Real Life Broadcasting...
, and walkie talkies.
RF engineering is a highly specialized field. To produce quality results, an in-depth knowledge of mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
, physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
, general electronics
Electronics
Electronics is the branch of science, engineering and technology that deals with electrical circuits involving active electrical components such as vacuum tubes, transistors, diodes and integrated circuits, and associated passive interconnection technologies...
theory as well as specialized training in propagation and microstrip design may be required. Even with this, the initial design of an RF circuit usually bears very little resemblance to the final physical circuit produced, as revisions to the design are often required to achieve intended results.
Duties
RF engineers are specialists in their respective field and can take on many different roles, such as design, installation, and maintenance. RF engineers require many years of extensive experience in the area of study. This type of engineer has experience with transmission systems, device design, and placement of antennas for optimum performance.An RF Engineer at a broadcast
Broadcast
Broadcast or Broadcasting may refer to:* Broadcasting, the transmission of audio and video signals* Broadcast, an individual television program or radio program* Broadcast , an English electronic music band...
facility is responsible for maintenance of the stations high-power broadcast transmitters, and associated systems. This includes transmitter site emergency power, remote control, main transmission line and antenna
Antenna (radio)
An antenna is an electrical device which converts electric currents into radio waves, and vice versa. It is usually used with a radio transmitter or radio receiver...
adjustments, microwave radio relay STL
Studio/transmitter link
A studio-transmitter link sends a radio station's or television station's audio and video from the broadcast studio to a radio transmitter or television transmitter in another location....
/TSL
Transmitter/studio link
The transmitter/studio link of a radio station or television station is a return link which sends telemetry data from the remotely-located radio transmitter or television transmitter back to the studio for monitoring purposes...
links, and more.
In addition, an RF design engineer must be able to understand electronic hardware design, circuit board material, antenna radiation, and the effect of interfering frequencies that prevent optimum performance within the piece of equipment being developed.
Many notable individuals have contributed to the advancement of RF engineering theory and design, including the following:
Guglielmo Marconi
Guglielmo Marconi
Guglielmo Marconi was an Italian inventor, known as the father of long distance radio transmission and for his development of Marconi's law and a radio telegraph system. Marconi is often credited as the inventor of radio, and indeed he shared the 1909 Nobel Prize in Physics with Karl Ferdinand...
, who transmitted the first radio signal across the atlantic.
Heinrich Hertz, who developed the unit of measure to describe frequency of a wave.
Chris Pinter, who developed a method of improving radio sensitivity through the use of dynamic range software.
Phillip H. Smith, who developed a graphical method of calculating impedances, admittances, reflection coefficients and scattering parameters.
See also
- Broadcast engineer
- Engineering technicianEngineering technicianAn engineering technician is a specialist who is trained in the skills and techniques related to a specific branch of engineering, with relatively practical understanding of the general engineering concepts...
- Technical operator
- SPLAT!SPLAT!SPLAT! is a free terrestrial Radio propagation model application initially written for Linux but has since been ported for Windows...
A software program for visualizing terrain and performing Longley-Rice path loss and coverage prediction using the Irregular Terrain Model.