For this, you have to understand satellite’s wavebands in the electromagnetic spectrum (see below figure), which every country uses for communications by using different-2 ways. C-band and Ku-band fall under microwave frequencies and correspond to different regions within the electromagnetic spectrum, as can be seen from the given below figure.
Ku-Band frequencies or signals are mostly used for satellite communication, like DTH (Direct to home), and live feed.
View Now Spectrum Frequencies | |||
| Band | Meaning | Frequency | Mostly Used for |
| HF Band | High Frequency | 3 to 30 MHz | Radio (Shortwaves) |
| VHF Band | Very High Frequency | 30 to 300 MHz | Walkie-talkies, Wireless Mobile and Terrestrial TV |
| UHF Band | Ultra-high frequency | 300 to 1000 MHz | Digital TV, Analog TV, Wifi, Bluetooth, GPS |
| L Band | 1 to 2 GHz | For Radars, Global positioning systems (GPS), Radio, etc. | |
| S-Band | 2 to 3 GHz | Television Sets, Analog Satellite, Radio, GPS | |
| C-Band | 3 to 4 GHz | Digital Satellite Broadcasting, Radars, Live Feeds | |
| C-Band Extended | 4 to 8 GHz | Satellite TV, Internet, Data | |
| X Band | 8 to 12 GHz | Civil, Military, and government institutions | |
| Ku-Band | 12 to 18 GHz | DTH, Satellite Feed, Data, Internet | |
| K Band | 12 to 27 GHz | Traffic Signals, Routers, and Modem | |
| Ka-Band | 27 to 40 GHz | Radars, Satellite phones, Satellite Internet | |
These are different bands in satellite communication which are categorized based on all the frequencies. From low to high they can be categorized as C, Extended C, and Ku bands.
C-Band: 3.7-4.2 GHz (lower frequency)
Ku-Band: 11.7-12.75 GHz (higher frequency)
Extended LNB: 10.7-12.75 GHz (combines Ku-Band and part of C-Band)
Here is LNB Local Oscillator (L.O) –
C-Band –
L.O. Start from 3.4 GHz to 4.2 GHz – Normal Speed Data Download – Bigger Dish Antenna – No problem with Rain
Extended C-Band –
L.O Start from 3.7 GHz to 5.9 GHz – High-Speed Data Download – Big Dish Antenna – No problem on cloudy days.
Ku-Band –
L.O Start from 9.75 GHz to 12.75 GHz – Very High-Speed Data Download-Small Dish Antenna – Problem with Cloudy seasons.
So now you can understand that the data-carrying capacity increases as we go from lower frequencies to upper frequencies, as well as the size of the antenna and other accessories, decreases as frequencies increase which means the size of the antenna and feed for the Ku band will be much smaller than C band Antenna. But with every pros, there are Cons too. The C band can be used in areas that are prone to heavy cloudy or rainy weather because of the very low effect of Rain. But Ku-Band is more affected by clouds.
FAQs :
What band is HF?
The HF band (Higher Frequency) is a major part of the shortwave band of frequencies used in Radio communication and Broadcasting, so these frequencies are often called shortwave radio.
The radio spectrum is part of the electromagnetic spectrum with frequencies from 30 hertz to 300 GHz.
What is the VHF frequency band?
Very high frequency (VHF) is the ITU designation for the range of radiofrequency electromagnetic waves (radio waves) from 30 to 300 megahertz (MHz), with corresponding wavelengths of ten meters to one meter.
In India and many other parts of the world, VHF Band I was used for the transmission of analog television. As part of the worldwide transition to digital terrestrial television, most countries require broadcasters to air television in the VHF range using digital rather than analog format.
What is the range of the UHF band?
Ultra-high frequency (UHF) is in the range between 300 megahertz (MHz) and 3 gigahertz (GHz), also known as the decimetre band as the wavelengths range from one meter to one-tenth of a meter.
What is the difference between UHF and VHF frequencies?
In India, and in other countries the frequencies used for the systems may be categorized into four general bands:
- Low-band VHF (49-108 MHz)
- High-band VHF (169-216 MHz)
- Low-band UHF (450-806 MHz)
- High-band UHF (900-952 MHz)
What is the L Band?
L band refers to the operating frequency range of 1GHz to 2GHz in the radio spectrum. The wavelength range of the L band is 30–15 cm. The L band is one of the chief operating ranges used by various applications such as radars, global positioning systems (GPS), radio, telecommunications, and aircraft surveillance.
What’s the difference between K and Ka-band?
Ka-band is comprised of radar waves between 33.4 and 36.0ghz. Unfortunately for radar detector users, Ka-band is slightly more complex than the X and K bands. While X and K band police radar guns operate on just one or two frequencies, KA band guns operate on as many as five.
Ku-band occupies approximately 12-18 GHz, while Ka-band is allocated to the 26.5-40 GHz range of the electromagnetic spectrum
What is the difference between the C band and the Ku band?
The C-Band has five digits, one more than C-band frequencies. This is the most noticeable difference. It starts at 3.7 GHz.
The Ku band frequency range is 9.75 – 12.75 GHz (or 9750 to 12750 MHz) Notice how these frequencies are higher than the C band frequency range. Because of the higher frequencies,
