What is the K Band?

IEEE Radar K Band

The K-band as defined by IEEE is a frequency range from 18 to 27 GHz. IEEE uses letters to signify a range of frequencies from 1 to 170 GHz. The peak resonance frequency of water vapour is 22.24 GHz (1.35 cm) which lines withing the K-Band making it  unusable for long-range transmission.

The K band is used for satellite communications, astronomical observations, and radars. Radars in this frequency range provide short range, high resolution and high throughput.

Click here to see the other IEEE/Radar Letter Frequency Bands.

K Band defined by NATO

NATO had a separate frequency band notation system which is now obsolete. They also had a frequency band represented by the letter K. This band had a frequency range from 20 to 40 GHz and a wavelength from 7.5 mm to 15 mm.