Emerging Technology -- Millimeter Wave Range

The millimeter range covers the 30 to 300 GHz frequency range. The telecom world uses this range primarily for microwave data communications. The military uses it for a system Active Denial System which concentrates a beam of RF energy on a subject forcing them to flee. security systems at airports make use of the frequency band for detecting weapons on passengers passing through the screening system.

Reuters recently reported that telecom companies are relying increasingly on the microwave range for back haul traffic. While it's been in use for some time, wireline circuits are not able to keep up with the growing demand. Back haul is the term used by the industry for carrying data back to the central office.

In 2001, the FCC set aside 7 bands between 57 and 64 GHz as unlicensed bandwidth. For that reason the 60 GHz frequency range is of interest to researchers today. Research topics include mobile ad hoc networks, modeling the radio channel and optimizing its performance, developing low-power sensor networks, and developing high data rate systems as found here.


Best regards,
Hall T.