Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Understanding ISM Band - 2.4GHz and 5GHz -- PART III


What is 5 GHz Band?

As the 2.4 GHz band becomes more crowded, many users are opting to use the 5 GHz ISM band. This band not only provides more spectrum, but it is not as widely used 2.4 GHz band.
           
5 GHz spectrum are broken into four bands providing a 555 MHz of spectrum, with 23 non-overlapping channels.

Band A (Lower)          :           UNII-1 (The Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure)
Band A (Middle)         :           UNII-2 (The Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure)
Band B (Extended)      :           UNII-2 (The Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure)

Band C (Upper)          :           UNII-3 (The Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure)


Table: overlapping Channel Classification of 5 GHz Band

Band (Domain)

Channel
Range (in MHz)
from Lower to upper frequency
Center Frequency                (in MHz)
Band A, UNII-1, Lower
38
       5170-5210
5190
Band A, UNII-1, Lower
42
5170-5250
5210
Band A, UNII-1, Lower
46
5210-5250
5230
Band C, UNII-3, Upper
165
5815-5835
5825




Graphical representation of channels in 5 GHz ISM band

Fig-6: Graphical representation of 5 GHz band channels non-overlapping
* Channel 116 & 132 are Doppler Radar channel that may be used in some cases



Table: Non overlapping Channel Classification of 5 GHz Band


Band
(Domain)

Channel
  
Range (in MHz)

 
Center Frequency (in MHz)
Bandwidth
(20 MHz channel Planning)
Bandwidth
 (40 MHz  channel Planning)

Consumer  or Enterprise

Restrictions

Band A
UNII-1
Lower
36
5170-5190
5180
20 MHz
40 MHz
Consumer

40
5190-5220
5200
20 MHz
Consumer

44
5210-5230
5220
20 MHz
40 MHz
Consumer

48
5230-5250
5240
20 MHz
Consumer


Band A
UNII-2
Middle
52
5250-5270
5260
20 MHz
40 MHz
Enterprise
DFS
56
5270-5290
5280
20 MHz
Enterprise
DFS
60
5290-5310
5300
20 MHz
40 MHz
Enterprise
DFS
64
5310-5330
5320
20 MHz
Enterprise
DFS



Band B
UNII-2
Extended
100
5490-5510
5500
20 MHz
40 MHz
Enterprise
DFS
104
5510-5530
5520
20 MHz
Enterprise
DFS
108
5530-5550
5540
20 MHz
40 MHz
Enterprise
DFS
112
5550-5570
5560
20 MHz
Enterprise
DFS
116
5570-5590
5580
20 MHz
40 MHz
Enterprise
DFS
120
5590-5610
5600
20 MHz
Enterprise
Radar
124
5610-5630
5620
20 MHz
40 MHz
Enterprise
Radar
128
5630-5650
5640
20 MHz
Enterprise
Radar
132
5650-5670
5660
20 MHz
40 MHz
Enterprise
DFS
136
5670-5690
5680
20 MHz
Enterprise
DFS
140
5690-5710
5700
20 MHz

Enterprise
DFS

Band C
UNII-3
Upper
149
5735-5755
5745
20 MHz
40 MHz
Consumer

153
5755-5775
5765
20 MHz
Consumer

157
5775-5795
5785
20 MHz
40 MHz
Consumer

161
5795-5815
5805
20 MHz
Consumer



DFS: Dynamic Frequency Selection



Which ISM Band to be used?


Conditions
Suitable Radio Frequency Band
Choice 1

If you want faster speeds
then, 5GHz is usually a better choice than 2.4 GHz.
Choice 2


If wireless range is more important

then, 2.4 GHz is usually a better choice than 5GHz.

Choice 3

If you have a lot of devices that use 2.4 GHz and you are experiencing interference issues


then, 5 GHz is probably a better option to choose.



Brief Differences Between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz


Band/ Features
2.4 GHz
5 GHz

Channel
Total 14 channels,  in which three (3) are non-overlapping channels
Total 27 channel in which 23 are non-overlapping channels

IEEE 802.11 Standard

Wireless-80.11 b/g/n
Wireless-802.11 a/n/ac

Network Coverage 

Wider Range


Shorter Range

Interference


Higher

Lower

Date Rate
2.4GHz offers coverage for long distances, but may perform at slower speeds

5GHz provides faster data rates at a shorter distance
Bandwidth
(Faster transmission of data)

Downloading, Uploading and video streaming is slower as compare to 5 GHz
Downloading, Uploading and video streaming is faster




List of unlicensed frequencies in India for Wireless usage [5]
S. No.
Frequency Range
Carrier Bandwidth
                          Uses Description
1.      
865-867 MHz
200 kHz
Low power RFID equipment or any other low power wireless devices or equipment

2.      
2.4-2.4835 GHz
10 MHz or Higher
Low power equipment, cordless phones, wireless medical telemetry equipment

3.      
5.150-5.350 GHz,
5.725 - 5875 GHz
1 MHz
Low power equipment for Cellular telecom systems including Radio Local Area Networks, Indoor applications

4.      
5.825 to 5.875 GHz
10 MHz or Higher
Low power equipment for Cellular telecom systems including Radio Local Area Networks, Indoor applications

5.      
26.957-27.283 MHz
10 MHz or Higher
Wireless equipment intended to be used while in motion or during halts

6.      
335.7125 MHz,
335.7375 MHz,
335.7625 MHz, 335.7875,
335.8125 MHz
and
335.8375 MHz
10 kHz
Low power equipment’s for the remote control of cranes



References:
[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_frequency
[2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISM_band
[3]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEEE_802.11
[4]: https://yourstory.com/2015/07/unlicensed-spectrum-broadband-revolution/       
[5]: http://www.indiasemiconductorforum.com/wirelesss/321-list-licence-free-frequencies-india-wireless-usage.html
[6]: http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/wireless/3700-series-access-point/data_sheet_c78-729421.html