RFX-Ray vs Millimeter Wave: A Detailed Comparison of Technologies
x-ray
millimeter wave
wireless communication
medical imaging
radio frequency
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This article compares X-Ray and millimeter wave (mm-wave) technologies, highlighting their key differences.
Features Comparison
| Features | X-Ray | Millimeter Wave |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | The term X-Ray is derived from X-radiation. It’s a form of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths longer than Gamma rays and shorter than UV rays. | Millimeter waves occupy the EM spectrum from 30 GHz to 300 GHz. They are radio frequency waves which travel at the speed of light. |
| Wavelength | 0.01 to 10 nanometers | 1 mm to 10 mm |
| Frequency | 30 petahertz to 30 exahertz (i.e., Hz to Hz) | 30 GHz to 300 GHz |
| Transmit Power | About 0.1 Watt to 1 Watt (or 20 to 30 dBm), depending on the X-ray machine type and application. | EIRP of about 40 dBm for the 57 GHz to 71 GHz frequency range. |
| Cost | Analog X-Ray units cost 80K, while Digital X-Ray units cost 235K. | Millimeter wave scanners, used at airports for full body scanning, cost about $180K. |
| Advantages | Low radiation compared to CT scans. Not absorbed much by air. Helps diagnose tumors easily without surgery. Widely used by radiologists to identify cracks or injuries in bones. | Used for low power, short-distance communication. Allows the use of high EIRP. Widely used in wireless communication (e.g., 802.11ad, wirelessHD, 5G NR) due to high bandwidth and data rates. 3D images can be obtained using mm-wave scanners. |
| Disadvantages | Does not provide 3D information. Radiation can mutate cells, causing ionization and potentially cancer. * Bones can block significant diagnostic data due to radiation absorption. | Absorbed significantly in the air due to water molecules and oxygen particles. Cannot penetrate through walls. |
| Applications | Medical imaging, cancer treatment, cosmos exploration, bone imaging for cracks or fractures. | mm-wave therapy is used in medical processes at wavelengths of 7.5 to 4.3 mm to treat various diseases and pain. Millimeter waves are also used in motion sensors, radars, intrusion alarms, automatic doors, collision avoidance systems, and millimeter wave wireless systems like WiGig and 5G NR. |
