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Ka-Band Satellite (26.5–40 GHz)

High-throughput satellite (HTS) internet · Starlink user terminal uplink · O3b MEO

Frequency Range26.5–40 GHz
Wavelength7.5–11.3 mm
ITU / Standard—

Applications

  • →High-throughput satellite (HTS) internet
  • →Starlink user terminal uplink
  • →O3b MEO
  • →Automotive satellite
  • →Military SATCOM

Propagation Characteristics

Severe rain fade — 20–30 dB in heavy tropical rain. Requires adaptive coding and modulation (ACM). Much higher capacity than Ku-band per orbital slot.

Regulatory Notes

FSS: 27.5–30 GHz uplink, 17.7–20.2 GHz downlink. LMDS/5G backhaul: 28 GHz. ITU Article 21 power flux density limits apply.

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