K band (IEEE)

IEEE K band

Frequency range	18 – 27 GHz
Wavelength range	1.67 – 1.11 cm
Related bands	J / K bands (NATO) SHF (ITU)

The IEEE K band is a portion of the radio spectrum in the microwave range of frequencies ranging between 18 and 27 GHz. K band between 18 and 26.5 GHz is absorbed easily by water vapor (H₂O resonance peak at 22.24 GHz, 1.35 cm).

Subdivisions

The IEEE K band is conventionally divided into three sub-bands:

• K_a band: K-above band, 26.5–40 GHz, mainly used for radar and experimental communications. NASA's Kepler spacecraft is the first NASA mission to use K_a band DSN communications.^[1]
• K-band 18–27 GHz
• K_u band: K-under band, 12–18 GHz, mainly used for satellite communications, terrestrial microwave communications, and radar, especially police traffic-speed detectors.

Amateur radio

The Radio Regulations of the International Telecommunication Union allow amateur radio and amateur satellite operations in the frequency range 24.000 GHz to 24.250 GHz, which is known as the 1.2-centimeter band. It is also referred to as the K band by AMSAT.

References

1. http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/kepler/news/keplerm-20110617.html#.VK7w_SeE0fo