Millimeter wave propagation: spectrum management implications

The millimeter wave spectrum at 30-300 GHz is of increasing interest to service providers and systems designers because of the wide bandwidths available for carrying communications at this frequency range. Such wide bandwidths are valuable in supporting applications such as high speed data transmission and video distribution. Planning for millimeter wave spectrum use must take into account the propagation characteristics of radio signals at this frequency range. While signals at lower frequency bands can propagate for many miles and penetrate more easily through buildings, millimeter wave signals can travel only a few miles or less and do not penetrate solid materials very well. However, these characteristics of millimeter wave propagation are not necessarily disadvantageous. Millimeter waves can permit more densely packed communications links, thus providing very efficient spectrum utilization, and they can increase security of communication transmissions. This article reviews characteristics of millimeter wave propagation, including free space propagation and the effects of various physical factors on propagation.