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FR(Frequency Range) / Operating Band

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Frequency Range (FR) or Operating Band refers to the range of frequencies over which a particular device, system, or communication link operates. This concept is fundamental in various fields such as telecommunications, radio frequency (RF) engineering, and electronics. I'll explain the technical details involved in understanding and defining the frequency range or operating band.

1. Definition:

  • Frequency: It is the number of cycles of a periodic wave that occur in a unit of time, typically measured in Hertz (Hz).
  • Frequency Range (FR) / Operating Band: This is the span of frequencies over which a device or system is designed to operate effectively.

2. Frequency Bands:

  • Low Frequency (LF): 30 kHz to 300 kHz
  • Medium Frequency (MF): 300 kHz to 3 MHz
  • High Frequency (HF): 3 MHz to 30 MHz
  • Very High Frequency (VHF): 30 MHz to 300 MHz
  • Ultra High Frequency (UHF): 300 MHz to 3 GHz
  • Super High Frequency (SHF): 3 GHz to 30 GHz
  • Extremely High Frequency (EHF): 30 GHz to 300 GHz

3. Wireless Communication Example:

  • Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11):
    • 2.4 GHz Band: 2.4 GHz to 2.4835 GHz
    • 5 GHz Band: 5.15 GHz to 5.875 GHz

4. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID):

  • LF RFID: 125 kHz to 134 kHz
  • HF RFID: 13.56 MHz
  • UHF RFID: 860 MHz to 960 MHz

5. Cellular Networks:

  • 4G LTE Bands: Various bands in the 700 MHz to 2.6 GHz range
  • 5G NR Bands: Sub-6 GHz and mmWave bands.

6. Technical Considerations:

  • Bandwidth: The width of the frequency band occupied by a signal or a channel.
  • Channel Spacing: The separation between adjacent channels in a communication system.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Devices must adhere to regulatory constraints that specify permissible frequency ranges to avoid interference.

7. Device Characteristics:

  • Filters and Tuning: Devices often have filters to select specific frequencies and tuning mechanisms to operate within a particular frequency range.
  • Antenna Design: Antennas are designed to efficiently radiate or receive signals within a specific frequency range.

8. Applications:

  • Different applications may require specific frequency ranges based on factors like signal propagation, atmospheric absorption, and regulatory allocations.

9. Consideration of Environmental Factors:

  • Free Space Path Loss (FSPL): Signal attenuation due to distance and free-space propagation conditions.
  • Interference: Potential interference from other devices operating in the same or adjacent frequency bands.
  • Millimeter-Wave Technology: Expanding into higher frequency bands for increased data rates in applications like 5G and beyond.