Radio frequency (RF) is a frequency or rate of oscillation within the range of about 3 Hz to 300 GHz. This range corresponds to frequency of alternating current electrical signals used to produce and detect radio waves. Since most of this range is beyond the vibration rate that most mechanical systems can respond to, RF usually refers to oscillations in electrical circuits.

Special properties of RF electrical signals

Electrical currents that oscillate at RF have special properties not shared by direct current signals. One such property is the ease with which they can ionize air to create a conductive path through air. This property is exploited by 'high frequency' units used in electric arc welding, although strictly speaking these machines do not typically employ frequencies within the HF band. Another special property is an electromagnetic force that drives the RF current to the surface of conductors, known as the skin effect. Another property is the ability to appear to flow through paths that contain insulating material, like the dielectric insulator of a capacitor. The degree of effect of these properties depends on the frequency of the signals.

See also

• Frequency allocation
• Plastic Sealing/Welding Technologies
• Radio waves
• RF connector
• Spectrum management
• Ultrasound

External links

• Definition of frequency bands (VLF, ELF … etc.) IK1QFK Home Page (vlf.it)
• Radio, light, and sound waves, conversion between wavelength and frequency
• RF and Telecommunication eBooks
• RF Terms Glossary