Radio Frequency Interference (RFI)

Have you ever wondered why the interference that you receive on the radio communications bands can
sometimes disrupt the intended signals?  Interference probability is based on the potential power transfer
densities involved due to the proximity of equipment and antenna systems; the various transfer
mechanisms, and equipment performance. The electromagnetic transfer mechanisms may vary
depending on modes of operation, propagation conditions, and other variables.  The propagation paths
that exist for signal transfer from the transmitters to a receiver within the RF environment of a radio
communications band can be numerous.  Antenna-to-antenna coupling parameters may vary depending
on antenna gain, directivity, beam width, side lobes, polarization, separation, propagation conditions of
the path (path loss), etc.    The receiver characteristics which influence performance include noise,
dynamic range, sensitivity, selectivity (RF, IF), desensitization, adjacent signal susceptibility,
intermodulation, cross modulation and spurious response susceptibility.  Once a particular type of
interference is determined to be likely, any analysis should be limited to its most predominate effects. 
The following types of interference are applicable to Radio Frequency (RF) communications equipment.

1.0 Receiver Co-Channel Interference

This is defined as undesired signals with frequency components that fall within the receiver’s RF
passband and are translated into the Intermediate Frequency (IF) passband via the mixer stage.  The
interfering signal frequency is equal to the sum of the receiver’s tuned frequency and one half of the
narrowest IF bandwidth.  These signals are amplified and detected through the same process as the
desired signals; therefore, a receiver is very susceptible to these emissions even at lower levels. 

Results:  Receiver desensitization, signal masking, distortion. 

2.0 Receiver Adjacent Signal Interference

This is defined as undesired signals with frequency components which fall within or near the receiver’s RF
passband and are translated outside of the IF passband via the mixer stage.  These signals must be of
sufficient amplitude to produce non-linear effects within the receiver’s RF amplifier or mixer stages.  Some
of the resulting non-linear response signals may be converted to the IF passband frequency via the mixer
stage where they are amplified and detected through the same process as the desired signals.  These
become similar to co-channel interference signals at this point. The undesired emissions which are
translated outside of the IF passband may still pass through the remaining receiver stages, if at high
enough levels to survive the out-of-passband attenuation.  They may then be processed by the detector. 
The predominant response for this case is desensitization. 

Results:  Non linear effects in the RF or mixer stages producing receiver desensitization, intermodulation
and cross modulation. 

3.0 Receiver Out of Band Interference

This is defined as undesired signals with frequency components that are significantly removed from the
receiver’s RF passband.  High level signals may produce spurious responses in the receiver if mixed with
local oscillator (LO) harmonics to produce a signal falling within the IF passband.  The spurious
responses result from the mixing of an undesired signal with the receiver’s LO.  The amplitude of these
responses is directly proportional to the level of the undesired signals prior to mixing with the LO.  The
spurious responses in a receiver usually occur at specific frequencies.  Any other out of band signals are
attenuated by the IF selectivity. 
Results:  An undesired response created by the mixing of an undesired signal with the LO.  The
undesired signals which mix with the LO and are capable of being translated to the IF stages are the
spurious response frequencies.  These frequencies and their interference power levels are a function of
the receiver’s susceptibility to these responses. 

4.0 Transmitter Fundamental Emissions

The transmitter’s fundamental output signal includes characteristics of the power distribution over a range
of frequencies around the fundamental frequency.  These are determined by the base-band modulation
characteristics and are represented by a modulation envelope function.  The primary parameter
associated with the modulation envelope is the transmitter’s nominal bandwidth (3dB).  This may be
derived from the transmitter modulation characteristics (by Fourier analysis), measured, or from the
manufacturer’s specifications.  The power distribution in the modulation sidebands may be represented by
a modulation envelope function showing the variation of power with frequency. 

5.0 Transmitter Harmonic Emissions

The main concern with a transmitter’s harmonic emissions is the undesired signal outputs which are
harmonically related to the fundamental signal rather than to other oscillator circuits.  The relative power
associated with the harmonic emissions may be modeled using data for the particular transmitter type. 
However, since harmonic output power can vary considerably from one transmitter to another for the
same type and model, it should be represented statistically.  Harmonic emission models may be derived
from statistical summaries of measured data or from manufacturer’s equipment specifications. 
Transmitter spurious emission models for prediction of frequencies above the fundamental are based on
harmonic emission levels.  The modulation envelope must be represented for harmonics as was done for
the fundamental. 

6.0 Transmitter Noise

Transmitter noise includes the output spectrum that is a result of the thermal noise generated in the driver
and final amplifier stages as well as the synthesizer noise from lower level stages.  This is a broad-band
noise; however, it usually does not cover the immediate modulation sidebands.  The level may be
specified as the power per bandwidth as a function of frequency (dBm/Hz). 

7.0 Transmitter Intermodulation

These are the undesired signals that result from the local mixing of a transmitter’s output emission with
that of another transmitter.  The mixing usually occurs in the non-linear circuits of a transmitter whose
antenna receives a high level of RF from another transmitter antenna in close proximity.  The mixing
products are radiated by the transmitter’s antenna as possible co-channel or adjacent signal interference
signals.