L Band Frequency Range and Wavelength
The L band is a part of the electromagnetic spectrum that covers a specific range of frequencies from 1 GHz to 2 GHz. It's range, wavelength, applications, advantages and disadvantages are as follows.
| Frequency Band Designation | Frequency Range | Wavelength | Coverage range (Km) |
|---|---|---|---|
| L Band | 1 to 2 GHz | 30 to 15 cm | Few hundred kilometers up to around 2000 Km (About 1240 miles) from the satellite. |
The L band frequency lies between UHF Band and S Band as shown in the figure-1 below. As mentioned in the table, L band lies from 1 GHz to 2 GHz in the frequency spectrum. L band wavelength lies from 15 centimeters (about 5.9 inches) to 30 centimeters (about 11.8 inches).
The L band range for satellite communications and other applications vary based on several factors such as specific frequency within its band, transmit power, antenna size and atmospheric conditions. For satellite such as Inmarsat using L band frequencies, the typical coverage range extends from few hundred kilometers to several thousand kilometers from the satellite. The lower part of L band (around 1.5 GHz) may have longer range compared to upper part of L band (around 2 GHz).
L Band advantages
Following are the advantages of L Band over other frequency bands.
➨L-band signals have good penetration capabilities which is used in NLOS conditions for communication.
➨L band signals are less susceptible to atmospheric interference which makes them more reliable for
communication and sensing in challenging environmental conditions.
➨Shorter wavelength of L band can make use of relatively compact antennas, which is practical for mobile and
portable communication devices.
➨Many L band systems such as GPS and satellite phones offer global coverage which ensures connectivity in remote and
inaccessible areas.
➨L-band signals are less prone to multipath interference.
L Band disadvantages
Following are the disadvantages of L Band.
➨L band frequencies have limited bandwidth which can restrict data rates achievable in communication
systems compared to high frequency bands.
➨In radar applications, L band frequencies offer lower resolutions compared to higher band frequencies.
This can limit its suitability for some surveillance and imaging tasks.
L Band Frequency Applications
Following are the wide range of applications of L Band Frequency across various industries.
• Their penetration capabilities make them suitable for various applications
where signal penetration through clouds, foliage and buildings is essential.
This is especially valuable for mobile and satellite communication in non-line of sight (NLOS)
conditions. They are also commonly used for global positioning systems (GPSs), satellite phones and
satellite based internet services.
• It is used for aviation communication including air traffic control (ATC) and
aircraft to aircraft communication.
• L band is used for maritime communication systems including navigation and distress signaling.
• L band frequencies are used by military for secure and reliable communication.
• Some radio astronomy observations are conducted in L band to study celestial objects and phenomena.
• L band is used by radar systems for remote sensing applications which include soil moisture measurement,
vegetation monitoring and ocean surface monitoring.
• Weather radar systems often operate in L band to track precipitation and weather patterns.