The world we live in now is truly exceptional, at least tech-wide, as even some unthinkable things and devices that were only a dream and an idea a few decades ago are now at our disposal. Even some things that we do not pay too much attention to now were much more complicated, if not at all impossible, before, and for many of the devices and gadgets we use for communication today, it is due to radio frequencies. Namely, two types of waves are a must for communication, the already mentioned rf waves and electromagnetic ones. No matter if you are watching your favorite TV show, doing something on the computer, or talking to your significant other via phone, the one thing that makes that possible is radiofrequency waves.
Now, just think about how many devices that work via this wave you have at home, or use on a regular basis, and then think about how many people there are on the planet, and you will get to more than a billion gadgets, but even so, there is no interruption or any other type of dealy. Of course, from time to time, one might occasionally experience some delay of a sort, but nonetheless, we must agree that the sole idea of talking to someone so far away or, as an example, watching live from Kairo something that is being shot in Las Vegas with only a few seconds delay is an awesome thing. But, in order to get to that point where everything works smoothly, there are some things that need to be done, and one of the important things is rf testing, which is why we will further discuss this topic.
What is it and why it is so important
In order for all the devices to work correctly, rf testing is a must thing to do. Like with all other important things, it is not only needed to perform tests before launching something, as it is also of great importance to continue with the tests to check everything regularly. It is the only proven way to be ahead of the problem, as it is the only way to notice even the slightest change or malfunction. The professionals conduct these tests to check if some gadget is working well and within its spectrum range, and they do so by checking whether the signals from the certain device are interacting and intercepting with other waves. The sole test is quite similar for most of the devices we use, like GPS or Wi-fi. The rf field has the magnetic and electric component, and when its current is supplied to the antenna, it creates the electromagnetic field. Certain conditions are also a must in order to get the right results from testing, which is why the environment for these tests needs to be isolated. The test is not only whether the waves of that device are interfering with some other waves, as they also measure the device’s performance.
Testing apps
The usage and application of RF energy is widespread, and we can see it all around us, from medicine to some ordinary things that we use every day. The usage for medical purposes is priceless since it can be used to destroy cancer cells, but besides that, MRI is generating the images of the human body necessary for further diagnosis, which wouldn’t be possible without RF waves. In these times when good looking is important to every person, RF found its place in cosmetical treatments such as reducing fat and skin tightening, and many people rely on it to get their dream look. If we are speaking about telecommunications, RF is irreplaceable because, without it, there wouldn’t be television and radio broadcasting and communication via cellular phones and satellites. The police and firefighters are using crucial radio communication to save lives, and if we are speaking about police, another notable usage of RF is radar, which is necessary for traffic control. Another usage of radar is in military and air traffic and for weather monitoring for predicting weather forecasts. Many of us are using microwaves every day, but only a few of us know that it also wouldn’t be possible without RF energy, which is used to heat food. Since it can heat things, it is also used for industrial heaters, which need to heat things fast to process them further. Because of that characteristic, RF energy has its place in industrial sealing and industries that need to mold or glue some materials.
What to look for
When conducting tests, there are several things we should pay attention to in order to notice some irregularities, and one of the most important ones is surely attenuation. To put it shortly, this term describes some kind of signal blocking, which further causes low power, meaning that the signal is weak. Unfortunately, many of us have experienced this type of problem before, like when we use phone signals where signal coverage isn’t that great or poor wi-fi when going upstairs or basement.
The bottom line
Now, when we know what radio frequency testing really is, what the benefits are, how to administer these tests, and what to look for when conducting them, everything should be much clearer, and the whole point of these tests is to provide the exact results. Only when experienced professionals like Custom Microwave conduct these types of analyses can we be sure that some device is ready for use and that there will be no interference. Once again, it is a complex thing as it needs much patience and a controlled environment, but it is also something without which we will not be able to use our phones, tablets, or watch TV like we are used to. Also, what these tests provide is a result on whether, and if so, how much disturbances some product produces. If it is not working correctly, it can do more harm than good, which is why before devices hit the market, they go under many tests to check their rf emissions.
