1.1: Introduction
- Page ID
- 41163
Radio frequency (RF) systems drive the requirements of microwave and RF circuits, and the capabilities of RF and microwave circuits fuel the evolution of RF systems. This interdependence and the trade-offs required necessitate that the successful RF and microwave designer have an appreciation of systems. Today, communications is the main driver of RF system development, leading to RF technology evolution at an unprecedented pace. Similar relationships exist for national security including radar and sensors used in detection and ranging. Other radio systems have less immediate impact on RF technology but are very important for the smaller number of RF engineers working in the fields of navigation, astronomy, defense, and heating. No longer can many years be put aside for methodical trade-offs of circuit complexity, technology development, and architecture choices at the system level. As relationships have become more intertwined, RF communication, radar, and sensor engineers must develop a broad appreciation of technology, communication principles, and circuit design.
This book is the first volume in a series on microwave and RF design. A central aspect of microwave engineering is distributed effects considered in the second volume of his book series [1]. Here the transmission lines are treated as supporting forward and backward traveling voltage and current waves and these are related to electromagnetic effects. The third volume [2] covers microwave network theory which is the theory that describe power flow and can be used to describe transmission line effects. Topics covered in this volume include scattering parameters, Smith charts, and
| Name or band | Frequency | Wavelength |
|---|---|---|
| Radio frequency | \(3\text{ Hz} - 300\text{ GHz}\) | \(100,000\text{ km} - 1\text{ mm}\) |
| Microwave | \(300\text{ MHz} - 300\text{ GHz}\) | \(1\text{ m} - 1\text{ mm}\) |
| Millimeter (\(\text{mm}\)) band | \(110 - 300\text{ GHz}\) | \(2.7\text{ mm} - 1.0\text{ mm}\) |
| Infrared | \(300\text{ GHz} - 400\text{ THz}\) | \(1\text{ mm} - 750\text{ nm}\) |
| Far infrared | \(300\text{ GHz} - 20\text{ THz}\) | \(1\text{ mm} - 15\:\mu\text{m}\) |
| Long-wavelength infrared | \(20\text{ THz} - 37.5\text{ THz}\) | \(15 - 8\:\mu\text{m}\) |
| Mid-wavelength infrared | \(37.5 - 100\text{ THz}\) | \(8 - 3\:\mu\text{m}\) |
| Short-wavelength infrared | \(100\text{ THz} - 214\text{ THz}\) | \(3 - 1.4\:\mu\text{m}\) |
| Near infrared | \(214\text{ THz} - 400\text{ THz}\) | \(1.4\:\mu\text{m} - 750\text{ nm}\) |
| Visible | \(400\text{ THz} - 750\text{ THz}\) | \(750 - 400\text{ mm}\) |
| Ultravoilet | \(750\text{ THz} - 30\text{ PHz}\) | \(400 - 10\text{ nm}\) |
| X-Ray | \(30\text{ PHz} - 30\text{ EHz}\) | \(10 - 0.01\text{ nm}\) |
| Gamma Ray | \(> 15\text{ EHz}\) | \(< 0.02\text{ nm}\) |
| Gigahertz, \(\text{GHz} = 10^{9}\text{ Hz}\); terahertz, \(\text{THz} = 10^{12}\text{ Hz}\); pentahertz, \(\text{PHz} = 10^{15}\text{ Hz}\); exahertz, \(\text{EHz} = 10^{18}\text{ Hz}\). | ||
Table \(\PageIndex{1}\): Broad electromagnetic spectrum divisions.
matching networks that enable maximum power transfer. The fourth volume [3] focuses on designing microwave circuits and systems using modules introducing a large number of different modules. Modules is just another term for a network but the implication is that is is packaged and often available off-the-shelf. Other topics in this chapter that are important in system design using modules are considered including noise, distortion, and dynamic range. Most microwave and RF designers construct systems using modules developed by other engineers who specialize in developing the modules. Examples are filter and amplifier chip modules which once designed can be used in many different systems. Much of microwave design is about maximizing dynamic range, minimizing noise, and minimizing DC power consumption. The fifth volume in this series [4] considers amplifier and oscillator design and develops the skills required to develop modules.
The books in the Microwave and RF Design series are:
- Microwave and RF Design: Radio Systems
- Microwave and RF Design: Transmission Lines
- Microwave and RF Design: Networks
- Microwave and RF Design: Modules
- Microwave and RF Design: Amplifiers and Oscillators