What is the primary role of an RF amplifier in a receiver?

The primary role of an RF amplifier in a receiver is to improve the receiver's noise figure. The noise figure is a measure of how much noise the receiver adds to the signal during the amplification process. By amplifying weak incoming radio frequency signals without significantly increasing the noise, the RF amplifier enhances the overall performance of the receiver, making it capable of detecting and processing weaker signals that might otherwise be lost in the background noise. This function is crucial in ensuring that the signals can be effectively demodulated and converted to audio output later in the processing chain, thereby contributing to the overall sensitivity and efficacy of the receiver.