Comprehensive Guide to Satellite Frequency Bands : Uplink and Downlink Ranges Explained
Satellite frequency bands are defined by their frequency range and are typically used for various applications like communication, broadcasting, and radar. Here is an overview of the primary satellite frequency bands along with their uplink and downlink ranges.
| Band | Frequency Range (GHz) | Uplink range | Downlink range | Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L band | 1-2 | 1.6 – 1.7 GHz | 1.5 – 1.6 GHz | GPS, mobile satellite services, maritime, and aviation communications. |
| S band | 2-4 | 2.5 – 2.7 GHz | 2.1 – 2.3 GHz | Satellite communications, telemetry, and weather radar. |
| C band | 4-8 | 5.9 – 6.4 GHz | 3.7 – 4.2 GHz | FSS (Fixed Satellite Service),television broadcasting, and telecommunications. |
| X band | 8-12.5 | 7.9 – 8.4 GHz | 7.25 – 7.75 GHz | Military communications, radar systems, and scientific research. |
| Ku band | 12.5-18 | 14.0 – 14.5 GHz | 11.7 – 12.2 GHz | Direct-to-home (DTH) television broadcasting, VSAT systems, and satellite Internet. |
| K band | 18-26.5 | 18.1 – 18.4 GHz, 21.2 – 22.0 GHz | 17.7 – 21.2 GHz | Used in radar systems, satellite communications, and for space research. It overlaps with parts of the Ka-band and Ku-band, and is less commonly used for commercial satellite services due to atmospheric attenuation at certain frequencies. |
| Ka band | 26.5-40 | 27.5 – 31.0 GHz | 17.7 – 21.2 GHz | High-capacity satellite communications, broadband Internet, and military satellite communications. |
| Q band | 33-42 | 33.0 – 36.0 GHz | 36.0 – 42.0 GHz | Experimental and high-frequency satellite communications. |
| V band | 37-50.2 | 47.2 – 50.2 GHz | 37.0 – 42.5 GHz | High-capacity satellite systems and future satellite communication systems. |
| U band | 48.2 - 51.4 | 50.4 – 51.4 GHz | 48.2 – 50.2 GHz | Primarily used in scientific and experimental contexts. |
These frequency bands are selected based on their propagation characteristics and specific application requirements, such as capacity, range, and penetration through atmospheric conditions.
Satellite related links
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Satellite Bands
Satellite Parts
Satellite Orbits
Satellite Services
Satellite Types
Satellite capacity allocations
Satellite network configurations
Satellite Applications
Satellite TTC
Satellite Remote sensing
VSAT System Overview
VSAT RELATED LINKS
Antenna diversity types
VSAT System Overview
SCPC
MCPC
Set Top Box
RF Link Budget
Receiver sensitivity versus receiver selectivity