Millimetric waveband frequency planning

Technology has advanced to the point where commercial exploitation of the millimetric waveband will shortly be a reality. Defining the millimetric band as spanning from 30 GHz up to 300 GHz it can be seen that there will be ten times the spectrum that has been available until recently to satisfy all the telecommunications requirements. The millimetric frequency region is characterised by a series of atmospheric absorption bands interspersed with `windows´ of much lower attenuation. In the windows, although the working range of links will still be limited by the periodic attenuation due to rain, fog etc., frequency planning techniques will change little from current practice. In the absorption bands, however, the working range is quite short but it will be possible to reuse frequencies every few kilometres, opening up exciting opportunities for cordless communications and interactive wideband distribution services. The paper examines various aspects of millimetric wave propagation and exploitation