Super High Frequency (SHF)
Key Takeaways
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The radio frequency spectrum is used in telecommunication applications.
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SHF waves with short wavelengths can be easily directed into narrow beams by aperture antennas.
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Super high frequency signals are utilized for fixed line-of-sight communication systems such as radio communication, mobile communication, satellite communication, etc.
Among radio waves, the super high frequency (SHF) band is widely used in wireless LAN communications and radio astronomy
Radio waves are used for satellite, mobile, space, and broadcast communications. Radio wave propagation is utilized in various communication systems where wired connections are not feasible or turn out to be too expensive. Among radio waves, the super high frequency (SHF) band is widely used for high-speed digital communications. However, the super high frequency band is badly affected by atmospheric attenuation, which limits its utilization for terrestrial applications.
Super High Frequency (SHF)
Radio frequencies ranging from 3-30 GHz are referred to as super high frequency (SHF). SHF belongs to the centimeter wavelength range and is called a centimeter wave or band. The wavelength of SHF ranges from 1 to 10 cm.
The SHF belongs to the microwave band of the electromagnetic spectrum. SHF waves with short wavelengths can be easily directed into narrow beams by aperture antennas. The narrow beamforming feature of SHF signals makes them suitable for point-to-point communication. SHF waves are preferred for most modern radar applications and high-speed data links.
Drawbacks of Super High Frequency
Super high frequencies are vulnerable to rain fading and may undergo atmospheric attenuation, which degrades the quality of the signal. In addition to fading and atmospheric attenuation, penetration loss is a major problem affecting the use of super high frequencies. During propagation, super high frequencies penetrate building walls and showcase high losses that are not permissible in terrestrial communication applications.
Super High Frequency Applications
Even though super high frequency usage is limited due to the above-mentioned drawbacks, super high frequency is used in many applications, including:
- Inter-satellite communication
- Satellite radio navigation
- Radar transmission
- Wireless LAN
- Microwave radio relay links
- Satellite phones
- Aeronautical radio-services
Super High Frequency Antennas
Super high frequencies are used in radar applications, communication, electronic warfare, and navigation. Super high frequency applications depend on high directional gain antennas for narrow beamforming. The focus on narrow beam formation brings into the system high gain antennas of a half to five-meter diameter. However, super high frequency communication is suitable for long distances as well.
Super High Frequency and Line-of-Sight Communication
The super high frequency band is best suited for line-of-sight communication. Super high frequency signals are utilized for fixed line-of-sight communication systems such as radio communication, mobile communication, satellite communication, etc.
Super High Frequency (SHF) and the Ku-Band
The Ku-band frequency belongs to super high frequencies. The Ku band frequency ranges from 12-18 GHz and is primarily used for fixed and broadcast satellite services, aircraft navigation, remote sensing, and radio astronomy.
Other Options in the Radio Frequency Spectrum
There are other options if super high frequency (SHF) doesn’t meet the requirements for your application. Below are details about other available frequency bands.
|
Frequency Band |
Frequency Range |
Wavelength |
Application |
|
Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) |
3-30 Hz |
100000-10000 km |
Submarine communications |
|
Super Low Frequency |
30-300 Hz |
10000-1000 km |
Submarine communications |
|
Ultra Low Frequency (ULF) |
300-3000 Hz |
1000-100 km |
Submarine communications, mine communications |
|
Very Low Frequency (VLF) |
3-30 kHz |
100-10 km |
Submarine communications, navigation, geophysics applications, wireless heart rate monitoring |
|
Low Frequency (LF) |
30-300 kHz |
10-1 km |
Amateur radio, navigation, RFID, AM long wave broad broadcasting |
|
Medium Frequency (MF) |
300-3000 kHz |
1000-1.00 m |
Amateur radio, AM broadcasts |
|
High Frequency (HF) |
3-30 MHz |
100-10 m |
Amateur radio, RFID shortwave broadcasts, radar communications, marine and mobile radio communications |
|
Very High Frequency (VHF) |
30-300 MHz |
10-1 m |
Weather radio, television broadcasting, FM, amateur radio, maritime communications, and land mobile communications |
|
Ultra High Frequency (UHF) |
300-3000 MHz |
1-0.1 m |
Bluetooth, GPS, microwave ovens, television broadcasting, satellite radio, and amateur radio |
|
Super High Frequency (SHF) |
3-30 GHz |
100-10 mm |
Satellite radio, amateur radio, radio astronomy, radars, communication satellites, wireless LAN |
|
Extremely High Frequency (EHF) |
30-300 GHz |
10-1 mm |
Wireless LAN, microwave remote sensing, radio astronomy, and amateur radio |
|
Terahertz (THz) |
300-3000 GHz |
1-0.1 mm |
Terahertz computing, remote sensing, ultrafast molecular dynamics |
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