Microwave Engineering Expert Witness Services

Microwave engineering plays a pivotal role in many legal cases involving electronics, telecommunications, RF safety, and GPS-based evidence. Discovery Engineering offers expert witness services rooted in real-world electrical engineering experience, with specialized knowledge in microwave and RF systems. Whether analyzing a malfunctioning microwave circuit, evaluating RF exposure claims, or interpreting GPS data, Discovery Engineering provides credible, technically sound opinions that stand up in court.

What Is Microwave Engineering?

Microwave engineering focuses on the study and application of electromagnetic waves typically in the frequency range of 300 MHz to 300 GHz. These frequencies are foundational to wireless communication, radar, satellite systems, and modern consumer electronics. In legal contexts, microwave technology becomes relevant in product liability disputes, safety claims, interference analysis, and cellular or GPS-based investigations.

Mark McFarland of Discovery Engineering is a trusted electrical engineering expert who brings decades of consulting and litigation experience to cases involving microwave systems. His ability to translate complex engineering principles into clear, courtroom-ready testimony makes him a valuable asset to attorneys, insurers, and corporate clients.

Areas of Expertise in Microwave Engineering

RF and Microwave Signal Analysis

RF signal analysis is critical when evaluating interference, propagation anomalies, or compliance with emissions standards. Discovery Engineering has provided detailed assessments for cases involving rooftop cellular equipment, residential RF exposure, and base station emissions. Through precise RF signal analysis, our team identifies issues such as signal reflection, attenuation, or electromagnetic interference.

Mark’s analysis is aligned with industry guidelines from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), which publishes many of the key standards governing RF system design and operation.

Product Liability and Component Failure

Microwave devices often contain complex components like antennas, waveguides, mixers, and power amplifiers. Failures in these systems can result from poor design, thermal damage, environmental exposure, or software mismanagement. In one notable case, Discovery Engineering investigated mobile phone electronics affected by extreme cold and provided a comprehensive opinion on functionality failure.

Our experience in microwave component failure supports litigation involving consumer products, automotive systems, and industrial control equipment. When a case requires deeper insight, we consult standards set by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) to evaluate design safety and compliance.

RF Exposure and Safety Compliance

Claims involving RF exposure—whether from Wi-Fi, smart meters, or cellular base stations—often hinge on compliance with health and safety regulations. Discovery Engineering evaluates these cases by measuring exposure levels, modeling field strength, and comparing results to federal or international thresholds.

For example, in a case involving a rooftop antenna installation, we reviewed the RF mitigation plan and validated the emission predictions based on current standards. This analysis included guidance from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), which sets key benchmarks for electrical safety in buildings.

Our assessments often reference international guidelines, including those from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), ensuring a thorough review of electromagnetic safety thresholds across jurisdictions.

Cellular, GPS, and Telecommunications Data

Microwave frequencies underpin many modern communication technologies, including 5G, LTE, and satellite navigation. Discovery Engineering applies its microwave expertise to the analysis of cellular and GPS data in criminal and civil cases. By aligning cellular tower records with GPS data analysis, we help determine a device’s location, movement, or communication activity during key timeframes.

In one case, we used Snapchat GPS records and Google Location History to evaluate a subject’s movements in a criminal investigation. These analyses require not only technical skill but also deep knowledge of data formats, timestamp synchronization, and signal timing protocols.

As a recognized telecommunications expert, Mark can assess communication technologies from both a hardware and software perspective, making Discovery Engineering uniquely qualified for data-intensive litigation.

Representative Case Applications

Mark McFarland has served as an expert in a wide range of microwave-related disputes. Examples include:

• Reviewing cellular base station emissions in a municipal zoning case
• Investigating residential RF concerns through field-based electromagnetic interference measurements
• Providing opinions on mobile phone usability in extreme environments involving product liability expert witness assessments
• Analyzing electrical failure analysis for appliances and circuits allegedly affected by RF interference
• Supporting accident investigations by correlating signal data with GPS data analysis

These case studies demonstrate the breadth of microwave issues that can arise in litigation and the role Discovery Engineering plays in resolving them.

Regulatory Standards and Compliance

Microwave engineering intersects with a wide range of electrical and safety regulations. In legal cases, it’s critical to understand which standards apply and whether the systems in question meet those standards. Discovery Engineering routinely references:

• FCC Part 15 and Part 97 for RF emissions
• OSHA guidelines on workplace exposure
• IEEE and NFPA safety standards
• IEC field strength guidelines
• NEMA equipment ratings
• National Fire Protection Association’s full list of codes and standards

By grounding testimony in recognized codes and standards, Mark ensures that opinions are objective, authoritative, and admissible in court.

Litigation Support Services

Discovery Engineering supports attorneys, insurers, and corporate legal teams with a range of litigation services tied to microwave systems:

• Technical analysis and expert declarations
• On-site RF field measurements and emissions modeling
• Review of compliance documentation and design schematics
• Evaluation of GPS, cellular, and wireless logs
• Trial testimony and deposition support

As an electrical engineer expert witness, Mark provides both technical clarity and legal insight, ensuring each opinion is fully documented, well-reasoned, and courtroom-ready.

Why Work with Discovery Engineering?

Discovery Engineering is distinguished by its deep expertise in both electrical engineering and litigation. Mark’s background spans decades of consulting, applied research, and testimony across cases involving electronics, RF, telecommunications, and location data. His ability to communicate highly technical concepts in plain language makes him a trusted partner for high-stakes litigation.

Our firm also maintains a network of forensic and laboratory professionals who can assist when detailed testing or destructive analysis is required.

If your case involves microwave engineering, RF safety, GPS evidence, or electronic device failure, Discovery Engineering is ready to assist.