Frequently Asked Questions
More FAQs
Q. What is RF?
A. RF stands for radio frequency, and is a shorthand term for radio waves, and as a descriptor for all things radio. Radio and RF are also frequently described by the term “wireless.”
Q. What is RF used for?
A. It would almost be easier to ask what it’s not used for! RF has become ubiquitous, impacting so many areas of life and technology that it is virtually impossible to imagine a world without it. Some common uses of RF include:
• Cellular phones
• GPS
• AM and FM broadcasting
• Television
• Remote controls
• Two way radio
• Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth
The list goes on and on. It’s hard to imagine life without a technology that has been around a little more than a century.
Q. Is RF Safe?
A. Generally, the answer is yes, RF is quite safe. Of course, exposure to high levels of RF can be dangerous, just like exposure to high levels of heat, laser light and other energy sources can be dangerous.
What about my smartphone and other personal devices?
To prevent over exposure, many RF devices (such as cellphones) have rules limiting the amount of transmit power, in order to prevent harmful levels of exposure. RF safety is a top priority for wireless device manufacturers.
Q. How do you design with RF?
A. At its core, RF design is based on a set of basic principles. The technology for implementing those principles changes all the time. Realize that the iPhone is still, in terms of it’s age, a teenager, but look at the advances in the years since its creation.
For RF engineers, design includes the basics, plus keeping up on the latest technological advances. A good dose of experience helps too!
Q. Who regulates RF?
A. In the United States, civilian use of the RF spectrum is regulated by the Federal Communications Commission, more commonly referred to by its three letter acronym, FCC. Non-civil use of the spectrum is handled by the National Telecommunications Information Administration, or NTIA. Other countries have similar agencies, and there is an international body that handles RF on a worldwide basis, the International Telecommunications Union, or ITU.
Q. How can I learn more about RF?
There are a number of websites that are good educational sources for those interested in radio. Among them:
• The American Radio Relay League, at arrl.org
• RF Wireless World, at rfwireless-world.com
• Microwaves 101 at microwaves101.com
In addition, a Google search using terms like RF tutorial will yield a host of good resources. There are also a number of paid courses available on the Internet as well. For a more general discussion, you can also check out some of our blog posts.
Q. What do RF ENgineers do?
A. RF engineers are electronic engineers whose focus is in the area of Radio Frequency (RF) circuit and system development. However, even in this seemingly narrow definition, there are a great many sub-disciplines to be found. For example, we have RF engineers whose specialty is antenna design. Others specialize in digital signal processing, and still others work with the mechanical aspects of RF design. The common aspect of RF engineering is that all of us work specifically with an eye towards the realization of a product that uses radio frequency or wireless signals.
Q. Who Designed the first Radio?
A. Tricky question! While Guglielmo Marconi is frequently credited with the invention of radio (he worked out the first practical radio telegraph system), the truth is much more complicated. A great many inventors contributed over many years to the field of radio. The list is long, and includes several notable names, such as Heinrich Hertz, Nikola Tesla, Reginald Fessinden, Hedy Lamarr (yes, the actress), Edwin Armstrong among many others. There was even a Russian, Vladimir Zworykin, who invented technology crucial to television. The history of Radio is long and fascinating. Wikipedia is a good source for some of that history, as is the Antique Wireless Association.
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