title: W band
text: # W band
  
  Radio bands :
  
  ITU :
  
  | 1 (ELF) | 2 (SLF) | 3 (ULF) | 4 (VLF) |
  | - | - | - | - |
  | 5 (LF) | 6 (MF) | 7 (HF) | 8 (VHF) |
  | 9 (UHF) | 10 (SHF) | 11 (EHF) | 12 (THF) |
  
  EU / NATO / US ECM :
  
  A
  
  B
  
  C
  
  D
  
  E
  
  F
  
  G
  
  H
  
  I
  
  J
  
  K
  
  L
  
  M
  
  N :
  
  IEEE :
  
  HF
  
  VHF
  
  UHF
  
  L
  
  S
  
  C
  
  X
  
  $K_u$
  
  K
  
  $K_a$
  
  V
  
  W
  
  mm :
  
  Other TV and radio :
  
  I
  
  II
  
  III
  
  IV
  
  V
  
  VI
  
  VII :
  
  vte :
  
  The W band of the microwave part of the electromagnetic spectrum ranges from 75 to 110 GHz, wavelength ≈2.7–4 mm. It sits above the U.S. IEEE-designated V band (40–75 GHz) in frequency, and overlaps the NATO designated M band (60–100 GHz). The W band is used for satellite communications, millimeter-wave radar research, military radar targeting and tracking applications, and some non-military applications.
  
  ## Radar
  
  A number of passive millimeter-wave cameras for concealed weapons detection operate at 94 GHz. A frequency around 77 GHz is used for automotive cruise control radar. The atmospheric radio window at 94 GHz is used for imaging millimeter-wave radar applications in astronomy, defense, and security applications.
  
  ## Heat ray
  
  Less-than-lethal weaponry exists that uses millimeter waves to heat a thin layer of human skin to an intolerable temperature so as to make the targeted person move away. A two-second burst of the 95 GHz focused beam heats the skin to a temperature of 130 °F (54 °C) at a depth of 1⁄64 of an inch (0.40 mm). The United States Air Force and Marines are currently using this type of Active Denial System.
  
  ## Communications
  
  In terms of communications capability, W band offers high data rate throughput when used at high altitudes and in space. (The 71–76 GHz / 81–86 GHz segment of the W band is allocated by the International Telecommunication Union to satellite services.) Because of increasing spectrum and orbit congestion at lower frequencies, W-band satellite allocations are of increasing interest to commercial satellite operators, although no commercial project has yet been implemented in these bands.
  
  