Intro to RFA brief introduction to RF concepts, terminology, and components.
Intro to RF
A brief introduction to RF concepts, terminology, and components.
What is RF?
The short answer to this question is:
RF or radio frequency is electromagnetic radiation used for wireless communication.
A bit of history
December 8, 1864
Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell presents his paper, A Dynamical Theory of the Electromagnetic Field, to the Royal Society in London, treating light as an electromagnetic wave.
Between 1886 and 1889 German physicist Heinrich Hertz succeeded in demonstrating that light and these electromagnetic waves were both a form of electromagnetic radiation obeying the Maxwell equations.
Electromagnetic waves
Definition
An electromagnetic wave is the propagation of an oscillating electric and magnetic field
When the oscillation frequency is in the peta-hertz range we see this as light
Sound waves in a gas or liquid are longitudinal waves and not transverse waves.
Transverse waves oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer and travel.
Fields and Waves
Fields
electromagnetic radiation involves both electric fields and magnetic fields and the changing of these
Waves
A changing electric field generates a magnetic field, and a changing magnetic field generates an electric field.
This is known as an electromagnetic wave.
Some Math
Don’t groan
Inverse Square law
The energy decreases (divided by 4) as the distance r is doubled
If measured in dB would decrease by 3.01 dB per doubling of distance.
Terms
dB and dBi
Gain is expressed in logarithmic units called decibels (dB).
When gain is calculated with respect to an isotropic antenna, these are called decibels isotropic (dBi)
Isotropic Antenna
An isotropic antenna is a hypothetical antenna radiating the same intensity of radio waves in all directions. It is said to have a directivity of 0 dBi (dB relative to isotropic) in all directions.
In reality, a coherent isotropic radiator of linear polarization can be shown to be impossible.
Path Loss
Path loss may be due to many effects
free-space loss
refraction
diffraction
reflection
absorption
Path loss is also influenced by
terrain contours
environment (urban or rural, vegetation and foliage)
propagation medium (dry or moist air)
the distance between the transmitter and the receiver
the height and location of antennas
Attenuation
The reduction in power density (attenuation) of an electromagnetic wave as it propagates through space
Refraction
The change in direction of a wave passing from one medium to another or from a gradual change in the medium.
Reflection
Reflection is the change in direction of a wavefront at an interface between two different media so that the wavefront returns into the medium from which it originated.
Frequency and Bandwidths
what these mean
Frequency is the oscillation rate of the electric or magnetic field measured in Hertz and denoted as Hz
Bandwidth is the difference between the upper and lower frequencies in a continuous band of frequencies. (usually measured in Hz)
Frequency Modulation
Frequency modulation changes frequency along the bandwidth to encode information
Frequency Modulation
Antennas
Omni-Directional
Omni-Directional Purposes
Omni Directional are the most common
Omni-Directional Caveats
omni directional antennas might be broadcasting or receiving where you don’t want them due to placement
Directional (Yagi)
Directional (Yagi) Purposes
Yagi is for highly directional usage
Directional (Yagi) Caveats
directional antennas have side lobes and can broadcast or receive where you don’t want it