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- Radio frequency, abbreviated as RF (Radio Frequency), mainly refers to the emitted radio waves and is mostly used in wireless communications.
- Microwave, with a higher frequency than RF.
- RF is sometimes referred to as high frequency, which is relative to low frequency.
- The main purpose of RF is to quickly and accurately transmit information to overcome distance barriers, and it is a key technology in wireless communications and a carrier of transmitted information.
(1) The concepts of RF and microwave are relatively in real life. A device that transmits RF signals is called a transmitter, abbreviated as TX, and a device that receives RF signals is a receiver, abbreviated as RX. A device with both TX and RX functions is often referred to as a transceiver, TRX.
(2) The frequency band of microwaves is higher than that of RF, and sometimes waveguide components need to be introduced. RF and microwave communication systems have great similarities. For the sake of convenience in narration, this textbook collectively refers to them as RF.
(3) RF signals refer to radio signals. Wireless digital communication systems use digital modulation, while wireless analog communication systems use analog modulation. Whether it is an analog or digital system, RF signals are always analog.
(4) To understand RF intuitively with an example in daily life. There is a pile of goods to be transported from Shenzhen to Shanghai. It must first be loaded onto a transportation vehicle, such as a train, airplane, car, or ship. After reaching the destination of Shanghai, the goods are unloaded. This process is very similar to a wireless communication system.
• Goods ←→ Information to be transmitted
• Bulk ←→ Analog modulation
• Bundled ←→ Digital modulation
• Loading goods ←→ Modulation
• Unloading goods ←→ Demodulation
• Transportation ←→ RF or microwave, etc.
