Radio Frequency Engineers

Radio frequency engineering has roots in the development of radio frequency as well as in electronics engineering, of which it is a subset. Radio evolved in the 19^th century, with scientists and inventors of that time discovering electromagnetic waves and magnetic fields that could run through wires. In the early 1900s, Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi introduced wireless broadcasts that soon were used commercially around the world. Inventors then improved upon the devices that transmitted electromagnetic waves so that the equipment could pass electricity through solid materials, called solid-state devices.

From the 1920s through the 1950s, radio broadcasting increased in popularity. Television was introduced in the late 1950s and quickly replaced radio as a top form of media in the U.S. and other countries. However, stereophonic broadcasting, which was developed in the 1960s, helped to sustain radio. Microchips were also created during this time, featuring circuits that were built on small bits of silicon, enabling a great deal of data to be stored. The invention of microprocessors soon followed, which are miniature computers that are used in a variety of products. Initially these mini computers were used in digital watches, microwave ovens, video games, and digital calculators. Now, they are found in almost everything, from personal computers and mobile devices like smart phones and tablets, to the electronic controls in automobiles, MP3 and MP4 players, telecommunications systems, and many other devices and systems

Radio frequency engineers today focus on analyzing and designing high-frequency engineering systems that are still in radio and television, as well as in high-speed digital and analog circuits, cellular communications, radar, and wireless networks.