M band

This article is about the radar band. For other uses, see M band (disambiguation).

NATO M band

Frequency range	60 - 100 GHz
Wavelength range	5 – 3 mm
Related bands	V / W (IEEE) EHF (ITU)

M band can refer to two different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, in the radio and near-infrared.

Radio

The NATO M band is the obsolete designation given to the radio frequencies from 60 to 100 GHz (equivalent to wavelengths between 5 and 3 mm) during the cold war period. Since 1992 frequency allocations, allotment and assignments are in line to NATO Joint Civil/Military Frequency Agreement (NJFA).

However, in order to identify military radio spectrum requirements, e.g. for crises management planning, training, Electronic warfare activities, or in military operations, this system is still in use.

The NATO M band is also a subset of the EHF band as defined by the ITU. It intersects with the V (50–75 GHz) and W band (75–110 GHz) of the older IEEE classification system.

NATO Radio spectrum designation
LATEST SYSTEM			ALTERNATIVE SYSTEM
BAND	FREQUENCY (MHz)		BAND	FREQUENCY (MHz)
A	0 – 250		I	100 – 150
B	250 – 500		G	150 – 225
C	500 – 1 000		P	225 – 390
D	1 000 – 2 000		L	390 – 1 550
E	2 000 – 3 000		S	1 550 – 3 900
F	3 000 – 4 000		C	3 900 – 6 200
G	4 000 – 6 000		X	6 200 – 10 900
H	6 000 – 8 000		K	10 900 – 36 000
I	8 000 – 10 000		Ku	10 900 – 20 000
J	10 000 – 20 000		Ka	20 000 – 36 000
K	20 000 – 40 000		Q	36 000 – 46 000
L	40 000 – 60 000		V	46 000 – 56 000
M	60 000 – 100 000		W	56 000 – 100 000

Infrared astronomy

Atmospheric windows in the infrared. The M band is the transmission window centred on 4.7 micrometres

In infrared astronomy, the M band refers to an atmospheric transmission window centred on 4.7 micrometres (in the mid-infrared).