IEEE frequency bands
The Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) has defined as standard IEEE Standard 521-1984, a system of IEEE frequency bands for electromagnetic frequencies used for radio and radar. There is no question that the names of the bands are confusing, and the history is obscure. [1]
The terminology is used widely for radar, especially in civilian systems. The EU-NATO-US frequency bands for a nomenclature that works well in fine-grained radar band discussion, especially in electronic warfare.
The IEEE system is widely used, but lacks some fine granularity needed for discussing detailed radar examples, and only starts at 1 GHz; the designations below for the lower frequencies come from ITU frequency bands. The ITU designations are more useful when discussing radio.
| Frequency range | IEEE band |
|---|---|
| 300KHz-3 MHz | MF |
| 3-30 MHz | HF |
| 30-300 MHz | VHF |
| 300 MHz -3 GHz* | UHF |
| 1-2 GHz | L band |
| 2-4 GHz | S band |
| 4-8 GHz | C band |
| 8-12 GHz | X band |
| 12-18 GHz | Ku band |
| 18-26 GHz | K band |
| 27-40 GHz | Ka band |
| 40-75 GHz | V band |
| 75 to 110 GHz | W band |
Millimeter wave frequencies begin at 18 GHz the K band and extend into the W band. Submillimeter wave start at the upper part of the W band, above 100 GHz; they blur into the longer infrared light frequencies.
References
- ↑ , Frequency letter bands"Microwave Encyclopedia", Microwaves101, 25 April 2008