A very short introduction to ‘Radio Frequency Engineering’

The term microwaves and RF are used interchangeably. They are used to describe
electromagnetic waves of frequencies ranging from 300 MHz to 300 GHz. The special
frequency range from 30 GHz to 300 GHz having wavelength in the millimeter range, are
generally called millimeter-waves. During World War II, microwave engineering
became a very crucial consideration for deployment of radars capable of detecting enemy
plane ships through narrow beam of electro-magnetic energy. Using microwaves reduced
the wavelength of operation and hence the size of the antenna which is to be carried by
airplanes.
A very important property of RF signal is its ability to carry large amount
information. This is due to the large bandwidth available at high frequencies. For
example, 5% of 100 MHz signal is 5 MHz while 5% of 1 GHz signal is 50 MHz which
can carry 10 times more information. Microwaves travel in line-of-sight condition like
light waves. They are not reflected by ionosphere due to high frequencies. This
facilitates the communication between ground stations and satellites. Also, this helps in
space research.
Conventional low frequency circuit analysis laws like Kirchhoff laws do not
apply at high frequencies. This is because the time taken for propagation of electric
effects from one point in the circuit to another is comparable to the period of oscillations
of currents and charges. Microwaves involve propagation of EM waves having changing
electric and magnetic fields. This forced engineers to develop structures that guide
microwaves like waveguides, co-axial lines, magnetrons, microstrip lines etc.