RF 101: Program Managers' Guide to RF Engineering Projects
RF Engineering Basics for Program Managers
When it comes to radio frequency (RF) solutions, program managers must make many technology decisions that they may not feel confident about. We’re not engineers or machinists, but it’s imperative we make decisions based on the constraints of what’s possible.
Even though program managers aren’t engineers by trade, we need to speak the language of engineering. At RDG, we know our client might not “speak engineer,” either. Despite this, I still need to understand the project scope to determine how RDG can help.
Specific RF terminology can be difficult to understand - using real-world examples helps:
Gain: Amplification applied to an RF signal at the front end is measured in dB, that is, the signal gains strength.
Loss: The amount of signal lost through transmission, measured in dB, that is, the loss the signal suffers during transmission.
Spectrum: the entire RF spectrum covers 3 kHz to 3,000 GHz, but routinely we refer to the band of spectrum a given device operates in, and knowing which band helps guide us in design–we know both the advantages and limitations.
My easy definitions are simple to understand. But if you need to explain complex RF engineering topics such as antenna polarization, jamming margin, VSWR, return loss, and S-parameters, you may need an engineer’s perspective.
At RDG, we’re lucky. Founder Jim Hendershot is great at communicating RF concepts to the laypeople on his team - I am lucky in this regard, and I'm not sure HOW to explain complex RF without Jim’s insights. A general understanding of the specific RF requirements for our broadcast, live event production, consumer goods, or US Navy & DoD clients helps us deliver honest quotes and timelines.
What does custom engineering cost?
Technological processes and testing take time, and equipment is expensive. It’s important to understand exactly what is needed to keep within budget.
PMs must incorporate known costs (technician & testing labor, equipment, lab time & space, materials) and apply them to the development process for each critical area. The accuracy of the budget depends on how well-known costs are applied, how closely estimated design timelines are, and how successful the initial designs prove to be as developmental stepping stones.
My team and I are here to help you stay within budget constraints. When we’re aligned with the client’s needs, the engineers can do their best work with efficiency.
RF Engineering Product Testing - Simulation Requirements
You must understand regulatory testing requirements, which may include simulations in advance.
We rarely run simulations; instead, we focus on real-world testing and an iterative design process. Many newer trained RF engineers and techs rely on simulations; our approach remains much more "old school."
How long does custom engineering take?
When you’re working with ultra-niche components, it’s vital you understand component requirements, including cost and availability. Some components are thousands of dollars each and may have lead times of 52 weeks.
Keeping engineering teams within time constraints is easier said than done. As program manager for an engineering firm, you are on the hook for scheduling.
Providing clean timelines depends on clear communication of customer needs, followed by equally clear communication of development intent.
People-First Company Culture
Equally important are the known schedule impacts. RDG treats its employees like actual humans, allowing for quality time away with family, travel, and to recharge. Those impacts can significantly affect schedules, and a 2-week Great American Road Trip by a lead engineer can disrupt even the most carefully budgeted project.
Factoring these conflicts with the known schedule impacts from component lead times and off-site testing makes or breaks good schedules.
Fine-Tuning
Specifications, including those pesky and difficult-to-understand RF needs, must be clearly established. Engineering changes (whether from the customer or required for continued development) create schedule slippage, so dialing in the approach from the beginning is critical.
Understanding customer needs, in conjunction with RF-specific development requirements, is key.
Understanding FCC Regulatory Compliance - RF Systems
We know firsthand how tricky regulatory compliance can be.
Program managers need clarity: is what the customer wants legally compliant with domestic radio-frequency laws?
This could be an FCC issue, or a classified specification that isn't known.
Even if the client’s project complies with U.S. law, RF engineers must consider international law. It’s possible the customer wants something that’s perfectly legal in the US, but regulated in other countries.
FCC, UL, and CE are critical approvals that may be required, and denial by any of these governing bodies could have significant cost and schedule implications.
We know firsthand how tricky regulatory compliance can be, and we’re here to help.
Don’t settle for less. We’re the RF Engineering experts.
Maybe you have an idea you believe needs a patent, or you need to extend the life of your critical communications technology by another 15 years. Whatever your RF engineering problem is, we want to help solve it.
When you work with RDG, you skip the chatbots and AI agents. Talk to a real person.
Nick Kanta | Operations & Quality Assurance Manager
If you’re not an engineer, you’re going to have questions about RF project compliance, scope, and scale.
Contact us to discuss your RF product development challenges, or learn more about our RF engineering services.
Want to be sure you always get our News & Stories? Sign up for our newsletter!