Having a good knowledge about testing of RF equipment
and using RF frequencies for applications is very important in current times.
This is especially true as RF technology is changing almost on a daily basis,
and the associated businesses need to adjust accordingly.
There are numerous products and systems available in
the market, which use RF energies for being operational. To ensure that they
properly operate in their environment, businesses need to ensure that they are
appropriately tested before they enter the market. The testing mainly involves
using RF equipment that measures disturbances and emissions produced while being
operational. For RF immunity testing, the devices are exposed to RF
disturbances and fields that have strengths and frequencies that correspond to
the operational environment. For measuring and testing RF emissions, the
devices are monitored for the aforementioned electromagnetic fields (AR World,
WHAT IS RF TESTING? 2017). Apart from equipment testing, there are numerous
applications, which employ the use of radio frequency waves. Some of these
applications are briefly described below.
Telecommunication
Applications
Radio frequency waves are very important for providing
telecommunication services. An RF
switch device is commonly used for testing of telecommunication systems.
These switches are used for changing the direction of a RF signal, as per
requirement. This is important from an operations perspective of devices, which
might need the routing of signals in multiple directions. Television broadcasting,
mobiles, satellite communications, communication systems for police and fire
departments, etc. are some of the main applications where radio frequency waves
are used.
Non-Communicative
Applications
There are few applications do not involve
communication characteristics. For example, microwave ovens use RF frequencies
for operating. Few other non-communicative applications involve heating and
sealing in industrial environments. RF radiation is used to generate heat,
which can be used to process the material that is being packed and sealed.
Apart from this, other non-communicative uses of RF radiations include moulding
plastic materials, gluing wood products, processing food products, etc.
Medical
Applications
Medical applications are another sector, wherein RF
energy is largely used. For example, radio frequency radiations are used to
make cosmetic treatments work such as tightening skin, reduction in fat,
improving healing, etc. MRI, which is also called Magnetic Resonance Imaging,
uses RF waves to generate images of the human body. Radio frequency in controlled amounts can
also destroy cancer cells, thus being an integral part of the treatment
procedures of this disease.
Radar
Applications
An important application of RF frequencies is radio
detection and ranging, more commonly called as RADAR. This technology is
commonly used in sectors such as military operations, traffic control, weather
detection, etc.
Overall, telecommunications, medical sector, radar and
microwave devices are some of the applications where RF equipment such as a solid
state switch is used. Such devices are available from reputed dealers
and businesses which sell testing equipment.
