W band
# W band

Radio bands :

ITU :

| 1 (ELF) | 2 (SLF) | 3 (ULF) | 4 (VLF) |
| - | - | - | - |
| 5 (LF) | 6 (MF) | 7 (HF) | 8 (VHF) |
| 9 (UHF) | 10 (SHF) | 11 (EHF) | 12 (THF) |

EU / NATO / US ECM :

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N :

IEEE :

HF

VHF

UHF

L

S

C

X

$K_u$

K

$K_a$

V

W

mm :

Other TV and radio :

I

II

III

IV

V

VI

VII :

vte :

The W band of the microwave part of the electromagnetic spectrum ranges from 75 to 110 GHz, wavelength ≈2.7–4 mm. It sits above the U.S. IEEE-designated V band (40–75 GHz) in frequency, and overlaps the NATO designated M band (60–100 GHz). The W band is used for satellite communications, millimeter-wave radar research, military radar targeting and tracking applications, and some non-military applications.

## Radar

A number of passive millimeter-wave cameras for concealed weapons detection operate at 94 GHz. A frequency around 77 GHz is used for automotive cruise control radar. The atmospheric radio window at 94 GHz is used for imaging millimeter-wave radar applications in astronomy, defense, and security applications.

## Heat ray

Less-than-lethal weaponry exists that uses millimeter waves to heat a thin layer of human skin to an intolerable temperature so as to make the targeted person move away. A two-second burst of the 95 GHz focused beam heats the skin to a temperature of 130 °F (54 °C) at a depth of 1⁄64 of an inch (0.40 mm). The United States Air Force and Marines are currently using this type of Active Denial System.

## Communications

In terms of communications capability, W band offers high data rate throughput when used at high altitudes and in space. (The 71–76 GHz / 81–86 GHz segment of the W band is allocated by the International Telecommunication Union to satellite services.) Because of increasing spectrum and orbit congestion at lower frequencies, W-band satellite allocations are of increasing interest to commercial satellite operators, although no commercial project has yet been implemented in these bands.

