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Radio frequency

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Radio frequency (RF) 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. RF usually refers to electrical rather than mechanical oscillations, although mechanical RF systems do exist (see mechanical filter and RF MEMS).

Special properties of RF current

Electric currents that oscillate at radio frequencies have special properties not shared by direct current or alternating current of lower frequencies. The energy in an RF current can radiate off a conductor into space as electromagnetic waves (radio waves); this is the basis of radio technology. RF current does not penetrate deeply into electrical conductors but flows along their surfaces; this is known as the skin effect. For this reason, when the human body comes in contact with high power RF currents it can cause superficial but serious burns called RF burns. RF current can easily ionize air, creating a conductive path through it. This property is exploited by "high frequency" units used in electric arc welding, which use currents at higher frequencies than power distribution uses. Another property is the ability to appear to flow through paths that contain insulating material, like the dielectric insulator of a capacitor. When conducted by an ordinary electric cable, RF current has a tendency to reflect from discontinuities in the cable such as connectors and travel back down the cable toward the source, causing a condition called standing waves, so RF current must be carried by specialized types of cable called transmission line.

Radio communication

In order to receive radio signals an antenna must be used. However, since the antenna will pick up thousands of radio signals at a time, a radio tuner is necessary to tune in to a particular frequency (or frequency range).[1] This is typically done via a resonator – in its simplest form, a circuit with a capacitor and an inductor forming a tuned circuit. The resonator amplifies oscillations within a particular frequency band, while reducing oscillations at other frequencies outside the band.

Frequencies

Frequency Wavelength Designation Abbreviation[2]
3 - 30 Hz 10^5km-10^4km Extremely low frequency ELF
30 - 300 Hz 10^4km-10^3km Super low frequency SLF
300 - 3000 Hz 10^3km-100km Ultra low frequency ULF
3 - 30 kHz 100km-10km Very low frequency VLF
30 - 300 kHz 10km-1km Low frequency LF
300 kHz - 3 MHz 1km-100m Medium frequency MF
3 - 30 MHz 100m-10m High frequency HF
30 - 300 MHz 10m-1m Very high frequency VHF
300 MHz - 3 GHz 1m-10cm Ultra high frequency UHF
3 - 30 GHz 10cm-1cm Super high frequency SHF
30 - 300 GHz 1cm-1mm Extremely high frequency EHF

In medicine

Radio frequency (RF) energy has been used in medical treatments for over 75 years,[3] generally for minimally invasive surgeries, using radiofrequency ablation and coagulation, including the treatment of sleep apnea.[4] Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses radio frequency waves to generate images of the human body.

RF as a synonym for wireless

Although radio frequency is a rate of oscillation, the term "radio frequency" or its acronym "RF" is also used as a synonym for radio – i.e. to describe the use of wireless communication, as opposed to communication via an electrical connector. Examples include:

See also

References

  1. ^ Brain, Marshall (2000-12-07). "How Radio Works". HowStuffWorks.com. Retrieved 2009-09-11.
  2. ^ Jeffrey S. Beasley (2008). Modern Electronic Communication (9 ed.). p. 4-5. ISBN 9780132251132. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: checksum (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ Ruey J. Sung and Michael R. Lauer (2000). Fundamental approaches to the management of cardiac arrhythmias. Springer. p. 153. ISBN 9780792365594.
  4. ^ Melvin A. Shiffman, Sid J. Mirrafati, Samuel M. Lam and Chelso G. Cueteaux (2007). Simplified Facial Rejuvenation. Springer. p. 157. ISBN 9783540710967.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ ISO/IEC 14443-2:2001 Identification cards — Contactless integrated circuit(s) cards — Proximity cards — Part 2: Radio frequency power and signal interface