RF and Microwave Engineering: Fundamentals of Wireless Communications

1.1 Radiofrequency and Microwave Applications

Today, at home or on the move, every one of us uses devices that employ wireless technology to an increasing extent. Figure 1.1 shows a selection of wireless communication, navigation, identification and detection applications.

Figure 1.1 (a) Examples of wireless applications (b) RF components and propagation of electromagnetic waves.

In the future we will see a growing progression of the trend of applying components and systems of high frequency technology to new areas of application. The development and maintenance of such systems requires an extensive knowledge of the high frequency behaviour of basic elements (e.g. resistors, capacitors, inductors, transmission lines, transistors), components (e.g. antennas), circuits (e.g. filters, amplifiers, mixers) including physical issues such as electromagnetic wave propagation.

High frequency technology has always been of major importance in the field of radio applications, recently though RF design methods have started to develop as a crucial factor with rapid digital circuits. Due to the increasing processing speed of digital circuits, high frequency signals occur which, in turn, create demand for RF design methods.

In addition, the high frequency technology's proximity to electromagnetic field theory overlaps with aspects of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). Setups for conducted and ...