GIGS: What Is An RF Engineer - Telecom Careers Insider Episode 15

What is an RF Engineer?

In this episode of Telecom Careers Insider, Jeff Mucci from RCR Wireless News takes an insider view of the critical role RF Engineers play in today's wireless world.

According to guest Ben Wilmhoff, Founder of BluFlux, a Louisville, CO based RF Engineering and Test lab, today's ideal RF engineer has experience with each of the following critical components of a wireless communications network, while remembering that the purpose of RF is to deliver data between two points while providing quality customer experience:

1) Antennae

2) RF front end module, which includes amplification, filtering and switching

3) RF transceiver signal processor

With the exponential growth of sensors related to IoT (wearables, connected car, home automation, industry et..) and small cell networks, the demand for qualified engineers will continue to grow.

Ideal RF Engineer can speak to each of the three areas while remembering that purpose of RF device is to deliver data and experience to the user.

When launching a new wireless device or sensor, a hardware product design team will have to:

- select a wireless transceiver module
- prepare board layout
- design and integrate antennas
- submit device to strict OTA and FCC testing along with carrier certification standards

The real challenge for RF engineer designers is knowing what to do when product does not meet test parameters.

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