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C band
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The C band is a name given to certain portions of the C band

electromagnetic spectrum, as well as a range of wavelengths Frequency range NATO: 500 – 1000 MHz
of microwaves that are used for long-distance radio
IEEE: 4 – 8 GHz
telecommunications. The IEEE C-band - and its slight
variations - contains frequency ranges that are used for many
satellite communications transmissions; by some Wi-Fi
ITU Radio Band Numbers
devices; by some cordless telephones; and by some weather
radar systems. For satellite communications, the microwave 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
frequencies of the C-band perform better in comparison with
Ku band (11.2 GHz to 14.5 GHz) microwave frequencies, ITU Radio Band Symbols
under adverse weather conditions, which are used by
another large set of communication satellites.[1] The adverse ELF SLF ULF VLF LF MF HF VHF UHF SHF EHF
weather conditions all have to do with moisture in the air,
such as during rainfalls, thunderstorms, sleet storms, and NATO Radio bands
snowstorms.
ABC D EF G HI J KLM

IEEE Radar bands

Contents
HF VHF UHF L S C X Ku K Ka Q V W
1 The NATO C-band
2 The IEEE C-band
2.1 C-band variations
3 Other Microwave bands
4 Fiberoptic Communications
5 See also
6 External links
7 Notes

The NATO C-band

The NATO C-band is that portion of the radio spectrum between 500 megahertz (MHz) and 1000 MHz, but this
terminology is rarely used in the two very large NATO members that are located in North America.

The IEEE C-band

The IEEE C-band is a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum in the microwave range of frequencies ranging from
4.0 to 8.0 gigahertz (GHz).[2], but this definition is the one that is followed by radar manufacturers and users, but
not necessarily by microwave radio telecommunications users.

The communications C-band was the first frequency band that was allocated for commercial telecommunications
via satellites. Nearly all C-band communication satellites use the band of frequencies from 3.7 to 4.2 GHz for their
downlinks, and the band of frequencies from 5.925 GHz to 6.425 GHz for their uplinks. Note that by using the
band from 3.7 to 4.0 GHz, this C-band overlaps somewhat into the IEEE S-band for radars.

The C-band communication satellites typically have 24 radio transponders spaced 20 MHz apart, but with the
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adjacent transponders on opposite polarizations. [1] (http://www.lyngsat.com/america.html) Hence, the
transponders on the same polarization are always 40 MHz apart. Of this 40 MHz, each transponder utilizes
about 36 MHz. (The unused 8.0 MHz between the pairs of transponders acts as "guard bands" for the likely case
of imperfections in the microwave electronics.)

The C-band is primarily used for open satellite communications, whether for full-time satellite TV networks or raw
satellite feeds, although subscription programming also exists. This use contrasts with direct broadcast satellite,
which is a completely closed system used to deliver subscription programming to small satellite dishes that are
connected with proprietary receiving equipment.

The satellite communications portion of the C-band is highly associated with television receive-only satellite
reception systems, commonly called "big dish" systems, since small receiving antennas are not optimal for C-band
systems. Typical antenna sizes on C-band capable systems ranges from 7.5 to 12 feet (2.5 to 3.5 meters) on
consumer satellite dishes, although larger ones also can be used.

The C-band frequencies of 5.4 GHz band [5.15 to 5.35 GHz, or 5.47 to 5.725 GHz, or 5.725 to 5.875 GHz,
depending on the region of the world] is used for IEEE 802.11a Wi-Fi and cordless telephone applications, leading
to occasional interference with some weather radars that are also allocated to the C-band.

C-band variations

Slight variations in the assignments of C-band frequencies have been approved for use in various parts of the world,
depending on their locations in the three International Telecommunications Union radio regions. Note that one
region includes all of the Americas; a second includes all of Europe and Africa, plus all of Russia, and the third
region includes all of Asia outside of Russia, plus Australia and New Zealand. This latter region is the most
populous one, since it includes the People's Republic of China, India, Pakistan, Japan, and Southeast Asia.

C-Band Variations Around The World

Transmit Frequency Receive Frequency
Band
(GHz) (GHz)
Standard C-Band 5.850–6.425 3.625–4.200
Extended C-Band 5.850–6.725 3.400–4.200
INSAT / Super-Extended C-Band 6.725–7.025 4.500–4.800
Russian C-Band 5.975–6.475 3.650–4.150
LMI C-Band 5.7250–6.025 3.700–4.000

Other Microwave bands

The microwave spectrum is usually defined as the electromagnetic spectrum that ranges from 1.0 GHz to 30 GHz in
frequency, but some antiquated usages includes lower frequencies. Most common applications are within the 1.0 to
30 GHz range. Microwave frequency bands, as defined by the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB), are shown
in the table below. Note that frequencies above 30 GHz are typically said to be in the "millimeter wave". because
their wavelengths can be conveniently measured in millimeters (mm). The frequency of 30 GHz corresponds quite
closely to a wavelength of 10 mm, or 1.0 centimeter.

L band 1 to 2 GHz
S band 2 to 4 GHz
C band 4 to 8 GHz
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X band 8 to 12 GHz
Ku band 12 to 18 GHz
K band 18 to 26.5 GHz
Ka band 26.5 to 40 GHz
Q band 30 to 50 GHz
U band 40 to 60 GHz
V band 50 to 75 GHz
E band 60 to 90 GHz
W band 75 to 110 GHz
F band 90 to 140 GHz
D band 110 to 170 GHz

Footnote: "P-band" is sometimes incorrectly used for the Ku-band. "P" for "previous" was a radar band used in the
United Kingdom that ranged from 250 to 500 MHz, which is now completely obsolete by the IEEE Standard 521,
see[2] (http://www.radioing.com/eengineer/bands.html) and [3]
(http://www.microwaves101.com/encyclopedia/letterbands.cfm) . For other definitions see Letter Designations of
Microwave Bands (http://www.jneuhaus.com/fccindex/letter.html)

Fiberoptic Communications
In infrared optical communications, C-band refers to the wavelength range 1530 - 1565 nm, which corresponds to
the amplification range of erbium doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs) [3].

See also
Big ugly dish
Communications satellite
Satellite dish
Television receive-only
4DTV

External links
The VSAT Installation Manual Video Presentation shows examples of the arrangement of the Feed for c-
band polarization requirements (http://www.skyvision.net/glossary/c-band)
VSAT Installation Manual with explanation of c-band polarization requirements for a VSAT
(http://www.skyvision.net/sites/default/files/SkyVision%20VSAT%20Installation%20Manual%20(Version%201).pdf)

Notes
1. ^ What is C Band (http://www.tech-faq.com/c-band.shtml) page from tech-faq (accessed Aug. 14, 2008)
2. ^ Peebles, Peyton Z. Jr, (1998), Radar Principles, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., p 20.
3. ^ Optical Fiber Communications (http://www.rp-photonics.com/optical_fiber_communications.html|) article in rp-
photonics' Encyclopedia of Laser Physics and Technology (http://www.rp-photonics.com/encyclopedia.html|)
(accessed Nov. 11 2010)

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