ITU frequency bands
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The International Telecommunications Union has defined a system of terminology for electromagnetic frequencies used for radio and radar. While it is probably the most user-friendly of the three major systems in use, its categories are too coarsely grained for describing radar uses. It is, however, a good set of terms for frequencies used in communications.
See IEEE frequency bands for radar designations used widely in civilian practice, and the EU-NATO-US frequency bands for a nomenclature that works well in fine-grained radar band discussion.
The very lowest bands have no radar applications, but, among other things, have a critical military application in communicating, at a very low data rate, with submerged submarines.
| Frequency range | ITU band |
|---|---|
| 3-30 Hz | ELF |
| 30Hz to 300Hz | SLF |
| 300Hz to 3000Hz | ULF |
| 3kHz to 30kHz | VLF |
| 30-300 KHz | LF |
| 300KHz-3 MHz | MF |
| 3-30 MHz | HF |
| 30-300 MHz | VHF |
| 300 MHz -3 GHz | UHF |
| 3-30 GHz | SHF |
| 30-300 GHz | EHF, "millimeter wave" |