So, you want to be an electronics engineer, do you? Well, according to John Edwards (and no, I don’t think this is the former senator from NC and presidential candidate) of Electronic Design, you should be thinking about specializing in RF design. His article, “Ten Top Design Skills for Tough Times”, notes:
Radios are popping up everywhere, even inside devices that usually aren’t associated with the technology, such as picture frames and vending machines. The Wi-Fi explosion, coupled with Bluetooth, radio-frequency identification (RFID), and other radio-enabled technologies, is opening more doors for engineers with RF knowledge.
A good understanding of the fundamentals of RF circuit design, particularly in cellular technologies, such as GSM and CDMA, and wireless systems, including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and WiMAX, is becoming increasingly important for designers working in a variety of different fields. “Engineers in multiple business and consumer areas, not just telecommunications and networking, are encountering RF issues,†Hazen says. “RF design is a skill that’s likely to continue growing in importance.â€
And what better way to gain RF design skills than amateur radio?
The other top design skills are:
- analog design
- radiation hardening
- programming
- optics
- digital signal processing
- emerging power technologies
- quantum physics
- nanotechnology
- mechanical design
So, let’s see. If you are an RF engineer who can program digital signal processing systems for radiation-hardened electrical power systems that use optics or nanotechnology, you should be all set.
Jon Kreski, AB9NN says
Seems to me that kit building would be a good introduction to some elements of design. Another thought is to job shadow someone and see if it something that is really of interest to you.
Jon Kreski, AB9NN