Inside Frequency Control

One Size Does NOT Always Fit Well

When it comes to crystal oscillators, one size does not fit all. Different applications have different power requirements, ranges of phase noise, tolerance for acceleration sensitivity, and more. As a result, different types of crystal oscillators have been developed over the years and are all used for many different applications. 

The RF engineering field is an exciting and growing industry, and different firms are always competing to attract that best talent to their teams. But finding the best new employees isn’t as simple as just posting on job boards anymore. To stand out from the crowd, engineering companies use social media to present themselves in the best light to not only their customers but to potential new recruits as well.

For the first 15 years or so of their existence, cell phones were clunky devices which could only be used to make voice calls - which were frequently dropped.

Remember these GIANT things?? ...The Model T of cell phones, The 1983 Motorola Dynatac:

If you'd like to go on a quick side tangent, check out The Evolution of Cell Phones.

Anyway, these first cell phones were considered first-generation or “1G” phones. Then came 2G, which brought us the wonders of text messaging. 3G was a huge leap forward, making internet access completely mobile, and now most of us living in industrialized nations using 4G phones, which bring us the speed we’ve grown accustomed to.

There are big changes coming in the world of RF engineering in the next few years. Major breakthroughs in wireless coverage, military technologies and satellite and space-based systems will mean that radio frequency specialists will be in high demand, and only the best will land the most lucrative contracts.

RF engineering is a massive and growing industry. Over the last quarter-century, it has gone from simple commercial radio, TV and military communication/detection systems to being an indispensable field of technology that is required for the global economy to function. Wi-Fi, satellite communications, 4G networks and more are all made possible by RF technology, and with exciting developments like 5G and “Space 2.0” just around the corner, the demand for skilled RF engineers is only going to increase. So, if you’re an aspiring engineer who wants to get in on the action, where do you start?

One of the most important criteria in determining how well an oscillator performs in a given application is phase noise. It is a somewhat esoteric concept that is not well understood outside of the engineering world, but it affects many of the RF technologies we take advantage of every day, including Wi-Fi and mobile phones, as well as more complex applications like avionics, radar, military communication systems and electronic warfare.

RF engineering is an indispensable part of human space activity. In both the commercial and government spheres, radio frequency signals serve as the backbone of all communication systems between spacecraft, satellites and their control centers on Earth, as well as critical satellite navigation and telecommunications infrastructure used on the surface.

We've compiled a list of our top 7 favorite organizational and productivity tools that we use here on a regular basis at Bliley Technologies. We think they will help you stay more productive, organized, and on time than you've ever been, and therefore, help you to make this a more productive year. Oh and by the way, they're all completely FREE (and even fun) to use!

As an expert in a technical field, you will occasionally be called upon to give a presentation on your work to people who are not very familiar with your field, such as your company's sales and marketing team. You need to be aware of the proper communication techniques to be able to place highly technical facts before your listeners in a manner they can understand.

The Need for "Out-of-this-World" RF Engineers

A Radio Frequency (RF) engineers are responsible for all the wireless communication equipment found aboard a spacecraft. This includes being in charge of: 

• Designing
• Constructing
• Maintaining all the wireless communication equipment

Since the radio frequency signals are the sole means of communication between a spacecraft in orbit and the Earth-based mission control, this is a very important position that entails a great deal of responsibility and scientific expertise.  Want some more details? You got it! We'll cover it all for you in this post!

Hope we have enough SPACE! (Sorry bad joke...moving on!)