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All About the 5G Ka-Band for Mobile Services

Published Date
Author Cadence PCB Solutions

Key Takeaways

  • 5G high-band ranges from 24GHz and beyond and covers the Ka-band frequency of 26 to 40GHz. 

  • The 5G high-band spectrum provides the fastest data transfer rates across short distances and is preferred for densely populated areas.

  • The significant advantage of 5G Ka-band frequencies is that once the signal is unencumbered, the connection speed can reach from 1Gbps to 3Gbps and beyond.

5G

The future of mobile broadband, wireless communication, and IoT deployments is based on cellular technology called the “fifth generation”, or 5G. The 5G spectrum is allocated with three frequency bands and provides a cost-effective, energy-efficient solution with wide global coverage. The 5G Ka-band belongs to the high-band spectrum and offers high-speed data transfer at low latency.

5G: The Newbie in Cellular Technology

The main objectives of 5G cellular technology are to provide high device connectivity, high data transfer rates, low end-to-end latency, high capacity and reliability, and reduced costs. For the end-user, 5G provides expanded bandwidth, low latency, and three very important communication services: enhanced Massive Mobile Bandwidth (eMBB), Ultra-Reliable and Low Latency Communications (URLLC), and massive Machine Type Communications (mMTC).

  • 5G eMBB delivers high-quality internet access even under harsh environmental conditions. 5G eMBB guarantees a gigabit range of mobile broadband speeds and higher data bandwidth. 

  • The URLLC service category ensures end-to-end latency between the device and base station of around 5 milliseconds and latency below the 4-millisecond range. The 5G URLLC service endows end-to-end data security and 99.99% reliability. 

  • 5G mMTC supports device connectivity and uses non-human communication models that prioritize low-rate and uplink-centric transmission. 

These three communication services are employed in numerous use cases: smart cities, healthcare, industrial automation, autonomous driving, and entertainment. 5G cellular technology services are successful due to the allocation of correct frequencies by national regulators. 

Low-Band Spectrum

Frequency bands consist of 600MHz, 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1.5 GHz, 2.1 GHz, 2.3 GHz, and 2.6 GHz, forming the 5G low-band spectrum. The 5G low-band spectrum is employed for traditional coverage applications and specific use cases such as industrial automation, the Internet of Things (IoT), and business-critical systems. The low-band spectrum of 5G forms blanket coverage over a large area at the expense of low data transfer rates of around 50Mbps.

The low-band 5G spectrum finds application in the energy industry for communicating with oil fields, wind farms, mining operations, etc. The smart sensors employed in IoT systems rely on low-band frequencies and support system monitoring from long distances.

Mid-Band Spectrum

To form the balance between coverage and speed, the 5G spectrum introduces the mid-band frequency spectrum ranging from 1.7 GHz to 2.5 GHz. The 5G mid-band offers connectivity over large areas including suburbs and urban regions. The data transfer rate at mid-band frequency is greater than the low-band spectrum and is in the range of 100 to 900 Mbps.

The mid-band spectrum offers the perfect balance between coverage and speed, making it useful for business parks, smart cities, colleges, and academic institutions. The mid-band spectrum provides continuous service to cameras, IoT devices, and all end users.

High-Band or 5G Ka-Band and Beyond

5G high-band ranges from 24GHz and beyond and covers the Ka-band frequency of 26 to 40GHz. The 5G high-band spectrum provides the fastest data transfer rates across short distances and is preferable for densely populated areas. The data transfer speed can reach 10 Gbps.

In business, the high data rate offered by the 5G high-band spectrum along with ultra-low latency permits the transmission of large chunks of data with the highest reliability in real time. IoT sensors utilize the 5G high-band spectrum for real-time environmental and safety insights.

5G Ka-Band Frequency for Mobile Services

The 5G high-band spectrum enters the multi-network wave spectrum to achieve high data rates. The typical frequencies used for mobile services are 26 GHz, 40 GHz, 50 GHz, and 60 GHz. The significant advantage of 5G Ka-band frequencies is that once the signal is unencumbered, the connection speed can reach from 1 Gbps to 3 Gbps and beyond.

Cadence’s suite of PCB design and analysis tools can help you develop circuits for 5G Ka-band mobile services. Leading electronics providers rely on Cadence products to optimize power, space, and energy needs for a wide variety of market applications. If you’re looking to learn more about our innovative solutions, talk to our team of experts or subscribe to our YouTube channel.