Radio Frequency Generator: How It Works and Its Different Types
What is it?
A radio frequency (RF) generator is an electronic device that produces radio frequency alternating current (AC) which can be used for various purposes like powering transmitters, wireless communication, scientific experiments, medical procedures and industrial processes.
Working Principle of RF Generator
An RF generator produces radio waves by converting DC power from a power source into high frequency alternating current. Inside an RF generator, there is an oscillator circuit which consists of active electronic components like transistors or vacuum tubes. This oscillator circuit is driven electronically with DC power and produces sinusoidal output at radio frequencies ranging from around 3 kHz to 300 GHz.
The oscillator can use different circuit topologies like crystal oscillator, Hartley oscillator or Colpitts oscillator. Radio Frequency Generator In crystal oscillator, a quartz crystal resonator is used which vibrates at a precise frequency when electric field is applied across it. This precisely controlled frequency is then amplified further by transistors to produce RF output power. The generated sinusoidal RF waveform is then given some filtering and amplification before delivering it to the load or antenna.
Types of RF Generators
There are different types of RF generators available in the market based on their frequency range, power output and usage:
Low Power RF Generators
These generators produce power in the range of milliwatts to few watts. They are commonly used for scientific and lab experiments, educational demos, electronics testing and similar applications which do not require high power RF signals.
Medium Power RF Generators
As the name suggests, these generators have output power ranging from few watts to hundreds of watts. They find usage in applications like RF heating, plasma generation, wireless charging, medical therapy devices and other industrial processes which need moderately high RF power.
High Power RF Generators
Capable of producing power in kilowatts, high power RF generators are majorly used to drive high power transmitters for broadcasting radio, television signals or for other wireless communication systems. Military radar systems also use high powered RF sources to generate and transmit strong radar pulses.
Swept Frequency RF Generators
Instead of producing a constant carrier frequency, swept frequency RF generators are capable of smoothly varying their output frequency within a specific band. They are used for applications that require frequency sweeps like antenna and amplifier testing, EMI/EMC testing and plasma research.
pulsed RF Generators
As the name indicates, pulsed RF generators generate RF pulses of precise amplitudes, widths and repetition rates instead of a continuous waveform. They find usage in radar transmitters, pulsed lasers, magnetic resonance imaging and scientific pulse measurement experiments.
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