RF Design Considerations

RF hardware design is complex and oftentimes a challenge for embedded designers. For instance, parasitic effects that are not typically a concern in low frequency applications can have a major impact on radio frequency performance as you move into higher frequency ranges. Different wireless hardware designs also require special certification requirements and designing and testing wireless hardware takes a special set of skills and equipment. These are only a few factors that must be considered.

This white paper explores some of the key components of RF design and their implications on system performance. Topics include a review of RF and the characteristics engineers should be aware of, basic components and potential parasitic effects, PCB design characteristics including impedance matching, transmission line, and antenna selection and placement, and DFX considerations.