Radio Frequency (RF) SHIELDING

UNDERSTANDING RF (RADIO FREQUENCY)

Radiofrequency (RF), a form of electromagnetic radiation, is non-ionizing and has low energy. It is made up of electric and magnetic fields that travel through space as waves, falling within the longer wavelength range of the EMR spectrum, from 3 kHz to 300 GHz.

RF technology provides wireless communication for voice, internet and data, versatility across various industries, and support for mobility, scalability, and real-time communication. While facing challenges like interference and limited range, RF technology continues to advance and remains essential for IoT and 5G networks. However, it’s important to note that interference from other electronic devices can affect the quality and reliability of RF signals, potentially leading to security risks and decreased performance as the number of wireless devices utilizing the RF spectrum increases.

WHAT ARE RADIO FREQUENCIES?

At their core, radio frequencies are simply electrical currents.  Like sound waves, electrical currents pulse, or oscillate, at certain speeds; the rate, at which a current pulses, in cycles per second, is called its frequency (or Hertz, abbreviated Hz).    The range of frequencies usually being referred to when one speaks of radio frequencies, or RF, is between approximately 3,000 Hz (3 kHz) and 300,000,000,000 Hz (300 GHz).  It should be noted that this range includes much more than your standard AM/FM radio, which operates between approximately 300 kHz and 300 MHz.  Radio frequencies, and the specific uses allowed at each frequency, are regulated by the government.

The Importance of RF Energy

Energy that falls into the spectrum described above, or RF Energy, has a number of special properties.  For our purposes, the most important property is that the energy in an RF current can radiate from a conductor into free space as electromagnetic waves (radio waves).  While this concept is the basis for directed wireless communication (your AM\FM radio, Wi-Fi, Cell phone, etc.), RF energy is also created in many other ways.

RF energy is generated by most standard equipment used in today’s workplace.  Computer chips (microprocessors), monitors, printers, wires: all generate signals that can be monitored, recorded, and reconstructed.  Computers are already an indispensable part of the modern world; as they become smaller, lighter, and more capable, the signals that they can generate are also receiving more scrutiny.

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INTERNAL VS EXTERNAL

The federal government of the United States has recognized the threat posed by RF energy emanating from equipment inside office space and work facilities.  Modern eavesdroppers do more than stand around the corner listening to your conversation; sophisticated agents can monitor electronic communications from a great distance.  For this reason, government facilities are required to protect themselves through a variety of technical security countermeasures designed to reduce or eliminate the ability of RF energy generated inside the facility to leak out and thus be exploited.

Problems caused by RF energy are not one way concerns.  Sensitive electronic equipment can be interfered with by external signals; directed energy can be used to “flood” an area for eavesdropping purposes; and exceptionally high levels or direct contact can induce sickness or burns in humans.  For this reason, many companies who operate such equipment, or who electronically store and process sensitive information, often choose to survey the potential location(s) before building a new facility.

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SIGNALS DEFENSE AND RF WINDOW FILM

Signals Defense was founded over 22 years ago by designing an innovative, optically clear, RF / IR window shielding technology that provides extremely high levels of Radio Frequency (RF) shielding and Infrared (IR) protection.

Initially, our main clients were the most sensitive agencies for the US government involving the use of highly classified material, but as internet use and technology became more widely spread, our business expanded to include all types of commercial, governmental, and private clients. Having been at the forefront of RF shielding technology for two decades, we now have a full suite of products to keep your office building or home safe from cyber intrusions:

ELECTROMAGNETIC SHIELDING

Electromagnetic shielding is the practice of reducing the electromagnetic field in a space by blocking the field with barriers made of conductive or magnetic materials. Shielding is typically applied to enclosures to isolate electrical devices from their surroundings, and to cables to isolate wires from the environment through which the cable runs. Electromagnetic shielding that blocks radio frequency electromagnetic radiation is also known as RF shielding.

The shielding can reduce the coupling of radio waves, electromagnetic fields and electrostatic fields. A conductive enclosure used to block electrostatic fields is also known as a Faraday cage. The amount of reduction depends very much upon the material used, its thickness, the size of the shielded volume and the frequency of the fields of interest and the size, shape and orientation of apertures in a shield to an incident electromagnetic field.

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