How to Validate Information For Your RF Idea and Know Good Advice From Bad
Informed Decisions in Radio Frequency Technology
It seems like everything is wireless these days. Radio frequency (RF) devices are becoming more common, and increasingly woven into the fabric of our lives. Sooner or later, almost everyone in a business environment winds up having to make decisions about some sort of wireless or RF system. It may be which cellular network to use, what kind of wireless device to buy, or even an investment in a technology that offers the promise of being the next iPhone.
The big challenge is making the right decision in a field that has so much specialized knowledge. Even within the general field of RF, there are so many specialized areas that no one engineer can know everything about all of it. To paraphrase Richard Feynman, a famous quantum physicist: anyone who tells you they understand everything about RF is lying. There’s just so much to know, that no one knows all of it.
“Anyone who tells you they understand everything about RF is lying.”
So how do you tell the difference between reasonably correct information, and total bull? There is so much hype in the high-tech world out there (witness Theranos) that you could just as easily be handed a pile of manure as the real thing. So here are a few pointers that may help you sort the wheat from the chaff.
Navigate the Wireless RF World with Confidence
Educate Yourself
Before you dive into RF, get educated. There are many online tutorials covering almost every area of RF. I’ve used many of these myself. In addition, there are a variety of trade publications, and more trade shows that specialize in various areas of RF than you can imagine. While I realize that getting educated takes time and effort, a reasonable amount, based on the magnitude of the decisions you have to make, will be worth your time and effort.
Get Definitions
Ask the presenter to define their terms. Start with acronyms, and then move on to more complex terms. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about things that seem obvious. Even as an RF engineer, I have had to ask people to define what they mean. In the process, I have not only learned about new ideas and techniques, but discovered that some people’s definitions of what I thought were common terms are vastly different from mine. If in doubt, ask!
Apply Common Sense
The old saying “if something is too good to be true…” applies here. I once read a piece on a new technology that seemed to violate basic physics. One of the key parts was a “negative group delay filter.” In filters, group delay is a measurement of how long a signal takes to get from the input to the output of the filter. A negative group delay implies that the signal leaves the filter before it arrives at the input. Hmmm… I want one of those hooked up to the Dow Jones Industrial Average index so I can know what the market will look like one day from now! Clearly, this kind of claim, examined in the light of common sense, is complete garbage. Of course, as one of my friends always says, “common sense is so rare these days, it should be considered a superpower.”
Look For Contradictions
When you hear contradicting statements, take note and point them out to the presenter. In RF, there are sometimes things that are, at least a little bit, contradictory. On the other hand, major facts that are at odds with each other should be a warning sign. Think about the negative delay example previously mentioned. How can something leave a filter before it arrives? That’s a contradiction, and a pretty obvious one, too!
Ask Probing Questions
When someone is talking to you about RF, and you don’t understand, ask questions. Don’t be shy or embarrassed that you don’t know or don’t understand something. Ask! Use detailed, probing questions that will get you an answer that helps you really “get it.” As Richard Feynman also used to say, “If you really know something, you should be able to deliver a freshman lecture on the subject.” If the person you’re talking to cannot explain it so you can understand it, he probably doesn’t understand it either. Full disclosure: There are lots of things about RF I don’t understand either, and I work in RF!
Get A Second Opinion
Finally, if you have any doubts about making a decision, get a second opinion. Find someone who knows RF, and ask for their thoughts. It’s especially helpful to find someone who has no financial interest in your decision, so that they remain completely unbiased. That person may be hard to find, but the effort will be worth it. RDGI offers RF Consulting services, including evaluation, technical review, and validation, so we are always ready to help you decide if your project is viable.
RF Solutions, Simplified
So there you have it! While this may not be an exhaustive list of things to consider when talking to someone about radio and wireless things, it’s a good start. If you need someone to look at an RF idea or proposal, schedule a no-cost no-obligation consultation with us today! We love bringing the seemingly impossible RF project ideas to life!