Data Performance vs Radio Frequency Band – Independent Radio Communications Consultants

Two Way Radio Wireless Communication Consultants

Data Capabilities In Different Radio Frequency

(RF) Bands

Data Performance Vs Radio Frequency Band

The bandwidth of the radio frequency channel is the major factor that determines the performance capabilities for data transmission and reception and not the actual radio frequency of the radio channel.

There are virtually no differences in the amount of data, or the data speeds that can be transmitted in the same amount of radio frequency bandwidth, regardless of the radio frequency band.

In general, transmitting more data at higher data rates (higher data speeds or data bits per second) requires greater radio frequency bandwidth.

The bandwidth for the various radio frequency bands is limited by government regulations.

The land mobile radio frequency bands are divided into individual radio channels. Each radio channel is limited by government regulations to a specific radio frequency bandwidth, regardless of whether the radio channel is used for voice or for data.

Increasing the allowable radio frequency bandwidth per radio frequency channel will reduce the number of individual radio channels that are available within the same geographic area.

One of the major thrusts of data technology development is to be able to deliver (transmit and receive) faster data speeds over a radio channel within the regulatory bandwidth limitations.

There are new developments in mobile data technology with claims of over a 100 kbps (kilobits per second) in a 20 kHz bandwidth channel. However, the greater data speeds are achieved with sacrifices in other critical mobile data radio performance, such as reduced range (coverage) for reliable reception of the mobile data, compared to slower speed data system performance.

The following table briefly summarizes the bandwidth limitations in the land mobile frequency bands that are imposed by the Federal Communications Commission in the United States, and Industry Canada Spectrum Management and Telecommunications in Canada.

Radio Frequency Band	Radio Frequency Separation Between Radio Channels	Maximum Radio Frequency Bandwidth Per Licensed Radio Channel	Notes
Low VHF Band (30 MHz to 50 MHz)	20 kHz	20 kHz	No longer widely used throughout North America
High VHF Band (150 MHz – 174 MHz)	30 kHz in U.S. & 12.5 kHz in Canada	20 kHz in U.S. & 11.25 kHz in Canada	12.5kHz channels/11.25 kHz bandwidth is mandated in the U.S. by 2013.
220-222 MHz	5 kHz	4 kHz	Not yet available in Canada
UHF Band (406 MHz to 512 MHz in U.S. & 406 MHz to 470 MHz in Canada)	25 kHz in US & 12.5 kHz in Canada	20 kHz in U.S. & 11.25 kHz in Canada	12.5kHz channels & 11.25 kHz bandwidth is mandated by 2013 in the U.S.
800 MHz Band (Public Safety portion)	12.5 kHz	11.25 kHz	Referred to as the NPSPAC (National Public Safety Planning Advisory Committee) band
800 MHz Band (Public Safety and Industrial/Commercial services)	25 kHz	20 kHz
900 MHz band	12.5 kHz	13.6 kHz	The method for establishing the bandwidth in this case results in the bandwidth being greater than the channel spacing

Palidor’s Expertise:

Palidor Radio Communications Consultants analyzes radio transmission activity to:

· Determine the number of individual radio channels required to meet the short, and long-term needs of all mobile data users.

· The total radio frequency bandwidth required for effective and reliable interchange of voice and data communications.

· Assess the performance trade-off, cost, and risks when comparing radio channel requirements for trunking, conventional, and other radio channel configurations and technologies.

Mobile Data Communications

Our data RF bandwidth and data activity analysis models employ proven methods and procedures that we have developed over more than 22 years designing and implementing mobile data communications systems.

Our data message and transmission models accurately predict data latency and throughput for various data protocols and contention schemes, and transmission rates (speeds).

"Your success guarantees our success."