Radio frequency

Radio frequency (RF) is the oscillation rate of an alternating electric current or voltage or of a magnetic, electric or electromagnetic field or mechanical system in the frequency range from around twenty thousand times per second (20 kHz) to around three hundred billion times per second (300 GHz). This is roughly between the upper limit of audio frequencies and the lower limit of infrared frequencies; these are the frequencies at which energy from an oscillating current can radiate off a conductor into space as radio waves. Different sources specify different upper and lower bounds for the frequency range. ELF 3 Hz/100 Mm 30 Hz/10 MmSLF 30 Hz/10 Mm 300 Hz/1 MmULF 300 Hz/1 Mm 3 kHz/100 kmVLF 3 kHz/100 km 30 kHz/10 kmLF 30 kHz/10 km 300 kHz/1 kmMF 300 kHz/1 km 3 MHz/100 mHF 3 MHz/100 m 30 MHz/10 mVHF 30 MHz/10 m 300 MHz/1 mUHF 300 MHz/1 m 3 GHz/100 mmSHF 3 GHz/100 mm 30 GHz/10 mmEHF 30 GHz/10 mm 300 GHz/1 mmTHF 300 GHz/1 mm 3 THz/0.1 mm Radio frequency (RF) is the oscillation rate of an alternating electric current or voltage or of a magnetic, electric or electromagnetic field or mechanical system in the frequency range from around twenty thousand times per second (20 kHz) to around three hundred billion times per second (300 GHz). This is roughly between the upper limit of audio frequencies and the lower limit of infrared frequencies; these are the frequencies at which energy from an oscillating current can radiate off a conductor into space as radio waves. Different sources specify different upper and lower bounds for the frequency range. Electric currents that oscillate at radio frequencies (RF currents) have special properties not shared by direct current or alternating current of lower frequencies. The radio spectrum of frequencies is divided into bands with conventional names designated by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU): Frequencies of 1 GHz and above are conventionally called microwave, while frequencies of 30 GHz and above are designated millimeter wave.More detailed band designations are given by the standard IEEE letter- band frequency designations and the EU/NATO frequency designations. Radio frequencies are generated and processed within very many functional units such as transmitters, receivers, computers, and televisions to name a few. Radio frequencies are also applied in carrier current systems including telephony and control circuits. Radio frequency (RF) energy, in the form of radiating waves or electrical currents, has been used in medical treatments for over 75 years, generally for minimally invasive surgeries using radiofrequency ablation including the treatment of sleep apnea.