FREQUENCY SPECTRUM

Figure 1, which follows, depicts the electromagnetic radiation spectrum and some of the commonly used or known
areas. Figure 2 depicts the more common uses of the microwave spectrum. Figure 3 shows areas of the spectrum which
are frequently referred to by band designations rather than by frequency.
Section 7-1 provides an additional breakdown of the EO/IR spectrum.
To convert from frequency (f) to wavelength (8) and vice versa, recall that f = c/8, or 8 = c/f;
where c = speed of light.
8meter '

3x10 8
3x105
300
0.3
'
'
'
f Hz
f kHz
f MHz
f GHz

or

f Hz '

3x10 8
8meter

f kHz '

3x105
8meter

Some quick rules of thumb follow:

Metric:
Wavelength in cm = 30 / frequency in GHz
For example: at 10 GHz, the wavelength = 30/10 = 3 cm
English:
Wavelength in ft = 1 / frequency in GHz
For example: at 10 GHz, the wavelength = 1/10 = 0.1 ft

Figure 1. Electromagnetic Radiation Spectrum

2-3.1

f MHz '

300
8meter

f GHz '

0.3
8meter

0.3

0.4

0.5 0.6

0.8

1.0
GHz

1m

10
GHz

20

30

10 cm

40

50 60

80

100
GHz

1 cm

Figure 2. The Microwave Spectrum

FREQUENCY (MHz)
20

30

100

200

300

FREQUENCY (GHz)

500

1.5 2

3 4 5 6 8 10 15 20 30 40
12 18 27

60 80 100

200 300 400

110

VHF

HF

UHF

K*u K

K*a

U.S. INDUSTRY STANDARD BANDS (IEEE Radar Designation)

7 (HF)

8 (VHF)

9 (UHF)

10 (SHF)

11 (EHF)

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD BANDS

250

H I

MILITARY STANDARD BANDS

* "u" stands for unabsorbed or under K; "a" stands for absorption region or above K

Figure 3. Frequency Band Designations

2-3.2

Millimeter

12