Radio Frequency Interference is a phenomenon common to telecommunication devices. Certain devices emit radio frequency radiation impacting the proper functioning of devices around it. For example toaster ovens or electrical motors operating in the same areas will be impacted by electromagnetic induction and electrostatic coupling. Here we take a look at how this phenomenon can be controlled by use of barriers. We also take a quick look at surface-resistance enhancing techniques like physical vapor deposition.
What is Radio Frequency Interference?
When the working of an electrical circuit is disturbed by external sources due to different frequencies, it is called Radio frequency interference (RFI). These sources can be electromagnetic induction or electrostatic coupling, or conduction.
What are the Effects of RFI?
RFI or Radio Frequency Interference can cause electronic or electrical devices to produce noise that interferes with the functioning of an adjacent device. But the biggest effect is preventing the broadcasting of a signal from a device or preventing the reception of a signal. Certain kinds of interference manipulate signals or corrupt them. The cause of RFI can be transmitters that are in the device vicinity at the same or similar frequency the device is operating, The most common scenario are radio frequency devices like baby monitors, radio, cordless phones in the same area. When two or more of these devices are using the same frequencies, there is interference with the working of other devices, resulting in an unknown radio noise. .
RFI can also be caused by two or more radios, each on different wireless networks, using the same frequency. Other sources of RFI include: 802.11 and non-802.11 devices, Microwave ovens, bluetooth and wireless telephones are the commonly affected devices.
The impact of RFI are:
- Degraded performance
- Loss of data
- Equipment damage
There are many ways by which RFI is controlled. For example, RFI on phones can be controlled by moving away from the area. Electromagnetic fields drop off quickly, so keeping a cell phone just 4 or 5 feet from vulnerable speakers or amplifiers. Shielding is another method, where the common metal RF shielding materials include copper, aluminum, nickel Elastomers and textile fibers can also be used as an RF shielding material by making them conductive first by adding metal fillers and coating.
Physical Vapor Deposition: What is the need for it?
What is the need for physical vapor deposition? The phenomenon of physical vapor deposition ( PVD) is coating surfaces with thin films of appropriate materials to improve the working of such surfaces. There are different methods by which such coating is applied. It involves vaporizing a solid material in a vacuum, then depositing it on a substrate as a thin film.
The advantage of this method is that it can be used in nanofabrication. As a part of, it is carried out in a vacuum chamber at high vacuum (10–6 torr) using a cathodic arc source. The other commonly used PVD techniques are sputtering and thermal evaporation. The PVD process is easy to use and hence part of a direct deposition process where the surface is prepared for "reactive" use by vapor/plasma phase.
The other advantages of PVD Coatings are:
- Improving hardness
- Increasing wear resistance
- Increasing oxidation resistance
- Reducing friction
- Increasing productivity
PVD coatings are nontoxic and hypoallergenic, and are suitable for use in the food industry.
Conclusion
The RFI felt by radio frequency devices leads to faulty functioning and loss of production in industrial scenarios. Thus a number of shields are used to prevent Radio Frequency Interference. Similarly, the use of physical vapor deposition is a method to transition a material from condensed phase to vapor phase and hardening the film condensed phase in a thin layer. There are a number of methods by which such physical vapor depositions are made.
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