Why is RF Filtering so Important?

Why is RF filtering so important? Simply put, filters reduce the interference in the environment that affects the performance of the communication system, and reduce the interference caused by the communication system. The lack of RF filtering can affect the performance of the UAS in a number of ways:

• Communication range is reduced due to the desensitization of the radio receiver by RF signals in the environment. This interference may be caused by a multitude of sources, including other aircraft operating in the area, dense WiFi activity (especially for 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz systems), or other communication systems on the UAS platform.
• Interference produced by the communication system desensitizes other communication systems on the UAS platform, reducing the communication range of those systems.
• Interference produced by the communication system may interfere with the reception of GPS signals by the UAS platform, reducing the accuracy of the GPS tracking, or worst case, causing total loss of GPS reception.
  

  Figure 1. An example of an effective RF filter is NuWaves’ C-Band Cavity Filter. This filter only allows signals in the 5.8 GHz frequency band to pass through, reducing out-of-band interference received by a receiver, or radiated by a transmitter.

RF filters reduce both the interference from other systems and the interference produced by the communication system itself by blocking RF energy outside the frequency range of operation.

Think of it as trying to hold a conversation in a crowded room with several other conversations occurring at the same time. It is difficult to hear the person you are speaking to with all the noise. You have to raise your voice to be heard by the other person, which adds to the volume of noise in the room. If you take your conversation to another room away from the crowd, it is much easier to hear the other person and there is no need to shout to be heard – this is the affect that filtering has on your communications system.

If your UAS communication system is not meeting the expected performance, consider adding filters to your design. Filters are easy additions to the system: filters can be small and lightweight, do not require electrical power to function, and are generally low-cost items. Filtering can make a significant difference in the performance of your UAS.

NuWaves RF Solutions has developed a wide variety of off-the-shelf RF amplifiers with rich features to support mission-critical CONOPS in telemetry, ISR, and tactical communication systems applications. Frequency ranges are available from UHF through C-band with output power levels ranging from 5 to 50 W.

All NuPower PAs are designed, built and tested in-house under NuWaves’ Quality Management System (QMS) certified to AS9100:2016 and ISO 9001-2015 standards, which ensures that each product arrives on-time and defect-free. Most models are in-stock. NuWaves also boasts a full suite of state-of-the-art design and simulation tools, test and measurement equipment, prototyping equipment and a full-scale production facility to provide custom solutions to your specifications. Contact NuWaves today to extend the range of your communications systems and don’t forget to check out our RF Power Amplifiers.