Ku band
The Ku band ("kay-yoo" kurz-under band) is a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum in the microwave range of frequencies ranging from 12 to 18 GHz.
Ku band is primarily used for satellite communications, particularly for satellite backhauls from remote locations back to a television network's studio for editing and broadcasting.
Ku band is split into multiple segments that vary by geographical region by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Several highly used segments in the Americas (ITU Region 2) are:
- The 11.7 to 12.2 GHz band is allocated to the FSS (fixed satellite service, uplink 14.0 to 14.5 GHz). There are more than 22 FSS Ku-band satellites orbiting over North America, each carrying 12 to 24 transponders, 20 to 120 watts per transponder, and requiring a 0.8-m to 1.5-m antenna for clear reception.
- The 12.2 to 12.7 GHz segment is allocated to the BSS (broadcasting satellite service). BSS/DBS direct broadcast satellites normally carry 16 to 32 transponders of 27 MHz bandwidth running at 100 to 240 watts of power, allowing the use of receiver antennas as small as 18 inches (450 mm).
Several highly used segments in Europe and Africa (ITU Region 1) are:
- The 11.45 to 11.7 and 12.5 to 12.75 GHz bands are allocated to the FSS (fixed satellite service, uplink 14.0 to 14.5 GHz).
- The 11.7 to 12.5 GHz segment is allocated to the BSS (broadcasting satellite service).
Other ITU allocations have been made within the Ku band to the Fixed Service (microwave towers), Radio Astronomy Service, Space Research Service, Mobile Service, Mobile Satellite Service, Radiolocation Service (radar), Amateur Radio service, and Radionavigation. However, not all of these services are actually operating in this band and others are only minor users.
Ku-band signals can be affected by rain attenuation.
NBC was the first television network to uplink a majority of its affiliate feeds via Ku band in 1983.
