S Band Frequency Range and Wavelength
The S band is a part of the electromagnetic spectrum that covers a specific range of frequencies from 2 GHz to 4 GHz. It's range, wavelength, applications, advantages and disadvantages are as follows.
| Frequency Band Designation | Frequency Range | Wavelength | Coverage range (Km) |
|---|---|---|---|
| S Band | 2 to 4 GHz | 15 to 7.5 cm | Several thousand kilometers to transcontinental or even global coverage |
The S band frequency lies between L Band and C Band as shown in the figure-1 below. As mentioned in the table, it lies from 2 GHz to 4 GHz in the frequency spectrum. S band wavelength lies from 7.5 centimeters to 15 centimeters. Though it requires antenna of larger diameter, there are few advantages of it.
The S band range for satellite communications vary as per few parameters such as specific frequency within its band, antenna size, transmit power and atmospheric conditions. S band frequencies used by Geostationary communication satellites generally offer coverage ranges that extend from a few thousand kilometers to transcontinental or even global coverage, depending on satellite design and other parameters. Th higher part of S band (around 4 GHz) may have slightly shorter range compared to lower part of the band (around 2 GHz).
S Band advantages
Following are the advantages of S Band :
➨S band offers good balance between resolution and range in radar systems which make them
versatile for various surveillance and detection applications.
➨S band systems are known for their reliability and resistance to signal interference which makes them suitable for
critical applications in aviation and maritime industries.
➨S band radar provides more accurate data due to their relatively smaller wavelengths
which is used for weather forecasting and air traffic control (ATC).
➨Satellite communication systems operating in S band offer global coverage which ensure connectivity in
remote and other underserved areas.
S Band disadvantages
Following are the disadvantages of S Band :
➨S-band frequencies can be affected by rain attenuation particularly in heavy rainfall areas.
This may require additional mitigation measures for reliable communication.
➨S band systems often require larger antennas compared to L band systems.
This may be a limitation in certain applications where antenna size and weight is a major concern.
S Band Frequency Applications
Following are the applications of S Band Frequency.
• S band offers good compromise between resolution and range.
This makes them suitable for various radar applications such as weather radar, ATC (air traffic control) radar and
surveillance radar. It is used for both military and civilian purposes.
• Some satellite communication systems use S-band for telemetry and tracking applications.
It is used for uplink communication (Ground to Satellite) in some satellite TV broadcasting systems.
• S band frequencies are used in aviation communication and navigation systems which include
radar altimeters and collision avoidance systems.
• S band radar is used for maritime surveillance, navigation and collision avoidance especially in coastal and harbour areas.
• S band is used for data collection and analysis in some scientific research applications such as radio astronomy and
atmospheric studies.
• Some Earth observation and remote sensing satellites may employ S band frequencies to transmit data back to the Earth.
• Mobile satellite services such as Inmarsat use S band for communication with mobile terminals and devices.
• Multimedia applications in mobile TV & satellite radio
• Consumer electronic appliances e.g. microwave oven, bluetooth headphones etc.
• Optical communications in 1460 to 1530 nm wavelength