The frequencies we use in our wireless connection are just a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum since the entire electromagnetic spectrum encompasses other frequencies we interact with daily. The spectrum we see are those colors making up the acronym ROYGBIV and the other part carries the broadcast radio and television serving other functions. There are different bands with characteristics and differences especially when it comes to cellular communication.
Our daily lives today revolve around the use of signals that come from the radio frequency spectrum fueling wireless communication from your smartphone, TV, and your home Wi-fi. Low-band, mid-band, and high-band are the different frequency bands of the RF spectrum which also includes visible light, X-rays, and others.
Different Bands, Frequency range, and Allocation
VLF (very low frequencies) - this ranges from 3 to 30KHz which is used by time signals and standard frequencies.
LF (low frequencies) - this ranges from 30 to 300 kHz and its users are fixed, maritime mobile and navigational systems and radio broadcasting.
MF (medium frequencies) - it ranges from 300-3000KHz, and its users are land, maritime mobile, and radio broadcasting.
HF (high frequencies) - this is also known as shortwaves that range from 3-30 MHz and among its users are fixed, mobile, aeronautical, marine mobile, amateur radio, and radio broadcasting.
VHF (very high frequencies) - it ranges from 30-300 MHz and its users are fixed, mobile, aeronautical, marine mobile, amateur radio, television, and radio broadcasting including radio navigation.
UHF (Ultra high frequencies) - ranges from 300 to 3000 MHz users are the same as VHF but include meteorological and space communication.
SHF (super high frequencies) - it ranges from 3-30 GHz, and users are fixed, mobile, radio navigation and location, space, and satellite communication
EHF (extremely high frequencies) - ranges from 30-300 GHz and its users are amateur radio, satellite, earth, and space exploration.
Importance of Measuring Spectrum
There are only limited resources for spectrum, and it needs to be measured and monitored to enable better understanding and make efficient use of this scarce commodity. The demand for wireless spectrum keeps on increasing due to the emerging technology across every industry and country.
FCC (Federal Communications Commission) is the government agency that keeps track of who's using wireless spectrum and it grants companies licenses for its use. They also decide what certain frequency to be used depending on what purpose like mobile phones must only have between 700 MHz and 2.6 GHz. Since many individuals now are buying smartphones, there is now a 24 times increase in data demand and a greater need for spectrum. However, the FCC is working on ways to free up additional spectrum:
-For government agencies to hand over the spectrum for commercial use
-TV broadcasters to develop incentive auctions to be used on TV stations allowing unused or underused spectrum for sale and getting cut of the proceeds
-Ways to change rules for spectrum blocking for things such as satellite communications so they can be used for mobile broadband services
The convenience of information travel through wireless makes things we used to have now possible. Most IoT systems link networks of sensors via radio waves that can transmit data from one place to another and communication becomes seemingly easier.
Check out more information about wireless spectrum at our website. Just visit https://www.nextelle.net.
