December 21, 2016

    Since the dawn of the web, RF and the internet have been hopelessly intertwined. We use RF to access the internet, and the internet to explain RF to friends and family over the holidays — "Oh, you work with microwave ovens?"

    Don't see the connection? Try turning your smartphone to airplane mode and shutting off your Wi-Fi. Though search engines vanish in airplane mode, you can certainly consult a myriad of "old school" resources for answers, including:

    • Encyclopedias (you might need to visit a library for these)
    • A crystal set radio receiver
    • Fellow ham radio operators
    • A CB radio, good buddy
    • A slide rule

    Thankfully, for those answering holiday questions about hinterplexers, the world is digital. There's an app for slide rules, and turning off airplane mode opens up a whole new world of online RF resources for the engineer, the product marketer and the uncle who thinks RF is the newest boy band.

    RF Resources on the Web

    There are as many web-based resources for understanding RF as flavors of GaN. While some provide general information on the industry, companies and products, others focus on standards and regulations critical to future technologies, like 5G.

    Need a place to start? Here are a few online RF resources, and who I’d recommend them for:

    For RF design engineers

    For the RF community

    • LinkedIn RF and Microwave Community — a professional group for sharing new product and business ideas, networking and discussing industry developments.
    • Frequency Matters — a Microwave Journal video series discussing the latest products, merger news and upcoming industry events.

    For RF standards and regulations

    And for explaining RF to friends and family this holiday? Try our For Dummies® books.

    Have a favorite resource not listed here? Be sure to share it in the comments and with us on social media @QorvoInc.

    Happy Holidays!

    This article first appeared in Brent's Musings on Microwave Journal.

     

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    Brent Dietz

    About the Author

    Brent Dietz
    Director of Corporate Communications

    Brent has seen a lot of engineering and technology during 30+ years in the tech industry. His primary role is making geek-speak understandable to the non-geek public, reporters and nontechnical analysts. It's challenging — simplifying without distorting — and it helps to have a sense of humor. Brent does, which he shares with readers from time to time.