TheISM radio bands areportions of theradio spectrum reserved internationally forindustrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) purposes, excluding applications intelecommunications.[1] Examples of applications for the use ofradio frequency (RF) energy in these bands includeRF heating,microwave ovens, and medicaldiathermy machines. The powerful emissions of these devices can createelectromagnetic interference and disruptradio communication using the samefrequency, so these devices are limited to certain bands of frequencies. In general, communications equipment operating in ISM bands must tolerate any interference generated by ISM applications, and users have no regulatory protection from ISM device operation in these bands.
Despite the intent of the original allocations, in recent years the fastest-growing use of these bands has been forshort-range, low-powerwireless communications systems, since these bands are often approved for such devices, which can be used without a government license, as would otherwise be required for transmitters; ISM frequencies are often chosen for this purpose as they already must tolerate interference issues.Cordless phones,Bluetooth devices,near-field communication (NFC) devices,garage door openers,baby monitors, andwireless computer networks (Wi-Fi) may all use the ISM frequencies, although these low-power transmitters are not considered to be ISM devices.
The ISM bands are defined by theITU Radio Regulations (article 5) in footnotes 5.138, 5.150, and 5.280 of theRadio Regulations. Individual countries' use of the bands designated in these sections may differ due to variations in national radio regulations. Because communication devices using the ISM bands must tolerate any interference from ISM equipment, unlicensed operations are typically permitted to use these bands, since unlicensed operation typically needs to be tolerant of interference from other devices anyway. The ISM bands share allocations with unlicensed and licensed operations; however, due to the high likelihood of harmful interference, licensed use of the bands is typically low. In the United States, uses of the ISM bands are governed byPart 18 of theFederal Communications Commission (FCC) rules, whilePart 15 contains the rules for unlicensed communication devices, even those that share ISM frequencies. In Europe, theETSI develops standards for the use ofshort-range devices, some of which operate in ISM bands. The use of the ISM bands is regulated by the national spectrum regulation authorities that are members of the CEPT.
The allocation of radio frequencies is provided according toArticle 5 of the ITU Radio Regulations (edition 2012).[2]
In order to improve harmonisation in spectrum utilisation, the majority of service allocations stipulated in this document were incorporated in national tables of frequency allocations and utilisations which are within the responsibilities of the appropriate national administrations. The allocation might be primary, secondary, exclusive, or shared. Exclusive or shared utilization is within the responsibility of administrations.
| Frequency range | Center frequency | Bandwidth | Type | Availability | Primary user | Other users | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.765 MHz | 6.795 MHz | 6.78 MHz | 30 kHz | A | Subject to local acceptance | Fixed service | Mobile service |
| 13.553 MHz | 13.567 MHz | 13.56 MHz | 14 kHz | B | Worldwide | Fixed | Mobile services exceptAeronautical mobile (R) service |
| 26.957 MHz | 27.283 MHz | 27.12 MHz | 326 kHz | B | Worldwide | Fixed & mobile service exceptAeronautical mobile service | CB Radio |
| 40.66 MHz | 40.7 MHz | 40.68 MHz | 40 kHz | B | Worldwide | Fixed, mobile services &Earth exploration-satellite service | |
| 433.05 MHz | 434.79 MHz | 433.92 MHz | 1.74 MHz | A | only inRegion 1, subject to local acceptance | Amateur service &radiolocation service | With provisions of footnote 5.280 |
| 902 MHz | 928 MHz | 915 MHz | 26 MHz | B | Region 2 only (with some exceptions) | Fixed | Mobile except aeronautical mobile & Radiolocation service; in Region 2 additional Amateur service |
| 2.4 GHz | 2.5 GHz | 2.45 GHz | 100 MHz | B | Worldwide | Fixed, mobile, radiolocation | Amateur & amateur-satellite service |
| 5.725 GHz | 5.875 GHz | 5.8 GHz | 150 MHz | B | Worldwide | Fixed-satellite, radiolocation, mobile | Amateur & amateur-satellite service |
| 24 GHz | 24.25 GHz | 24.125 GHz | 250 MHz | B | Worldwide | Amateur,amateur-satellite, radiolocation | Earth exploration-satellite service (active) |
| 61 GHz | 61.5 GHz | 61.25 GHz | 500 MHz | A | Subject to local acceptance | Fixed,Inter-satellite, mobile & radiolocation service | |
| 122 GHz | 123 GHz | 122.5 GHz | 1 GHz | A | Subject to local acceptance | Earth exploration satellite (passive), fixed, inter-satellite, mobile,space research (passive) | Amateur service |
| 244 GHz | 246 GHz | 245 GHz | 2 GHz | A | Subject to local acceptance | radiolocation,radio astronomy | Amateur & amateur-satellite service |
Type A (footnote 5.138) = frequency bands are designated forISM applications. The use of these frequency bands for ISM applications shall be subject to special authorization by the administration concerned, in agreement with other administrations whoseradiocommunication services might be affected. In applying this provision, administrations shall have due regard to the latest relevant ITU-R Recommendations.
Type B (footnote 5.150) = frequency bands are also designated for ISM applications. Radiocommunication services operating within these bands must accept harmful interference which may be caused by these applications.
ITU RR, (Footnote 5.280) = In Germany, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, North Macedonia, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia and Switzerland, the band 433.05–434.79 MHz (center frequency 433.92 MHz) is designated forISM applications. Radio communication services of these countries operating within this band must accept harmful interference which may be caused by these applications.
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The ISM bands were first established at the International Telecommunications Conference of theITU inAtlantic City,1947. The American delegation specifically proposed several bands, including the now commonplace 2.4 GHz band, to accommodate the then nascent process of microwave heating;[3] however, FCC annual reports of that time suggest that much preparation was done ahead of these presentations.[4]
The report of the August 9th 1947 meeting of the Allocation of Frequencies committee[5] includes the remark:
"The delegate of the United States, referring to his request that the frequency 2450 Mc/s be allocated for I.S.M., indicated that there was in existence in the United States, and working on this frequency a diathermy machine and an electronic cooker, and that the latter might eventually be installed in transatlantic ships and airplanes. There was therefore some point in attempting to reach world agreement on this subject."
Radio frequencies in the ISM bands have been used for communication purposes, although such devices may experience interference from non-communication sources. In the United States, as early as 1958 Class DCitizens Band, a Part 95 service, was allocated to frequencies that are also allocated to ISM. [1]
In the U.S., the FCC first made unlicensedspread spectrum available in the ISM bands in rules adopted on May 9, 1985.[6] The FCC action was proposed by Michael Marcus of the FCC staff in 1980 and the subsequent regulatory action took five more years. It was part of a broader proposal to allow civil use of spread spectrum technology and was opposed at the time by mainstream equipment manufacturers and many radio system operators.[7]
Many other countries later developed similar regulations, enabling use of this technology.[8]
Industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) applications (of radio frequency energy) (short:ISM applications) are – according toarticle 1.15 of theInternational Telecommunication Union's (ITU)ITU Radio Regulations (RR)[9] – defined as «Operation of equipment or appliances designed to generate and use locallyradio frequency energy for industrial, scientific, medical, domestic or similar purposes, excluding applications in the field oftelecommunications.»
The original ISM specifications envisioned that the bands would be used primarily for noncommunication purposes, such as heating. The bands are still widely used for these purposes. For many people, the most commonly encountered ISM device is the homemicrowave oven operating at 2.45 GHz which uses microwaves to cook food. Industrial heating is another big application area; such asinduction heating, microwave heat treating, plastic softening, andplastic welding processes. In medical settings, shortwave and microwavediathermy machines use radio waves in the ISM bands to apply deep heating to the body for relaxation and healing. More recentlyhyperthermia therapy uses microwaves to heat tissue to kill cancer cells.
However, as detailed below, the increasing congestion of the radio spectrum, the increasing sophistication ofmicroelectronics, and the attraction of unlicensed use, has in recent decades led to an explosion of uses of these bands for short range communication systems forwireless devices, which are now by far the largest uses of these bands. These are sometimes called "non ISM" uses since they do not fall under the originally envisioned "industrial", "scientific", and "medical" application areas. One of the largest applications has beenwireless networking (Wi-Fi). TheIEEE 802.11 wireless networking protocols, the standards on which almost all wireless systems are based, use the ISM bands. Virtually alllaptops,tablet computers,computer printers andcellphones now have 802.11wireless modems using the 2.4 and 5.7 GHz ISM bands.Bluetooth is another networking technology using the 2.4 GHz band, which can be problematic given the probability of interference.[10]Near-field communication (NFC) devices such asproximity cards andcontactless smart cards use the lower-frequency 13 and 27 MHz ISM bands. Other short-range devices using the ISM bands are:wireless microphones,baby monitors,garage door openers, wirelessdoorbells,keyless entry systems for vehicles,radio control channels forUAVs (drones), wirelesssurveillance systems,RFID systems for merchandise, andwild animal tracking systems.
Someelectrodeless lamp designs are ISM devices, which use RF emissions toexcitefluorescent tubes.Sulfur lamps are commercially availableplasma lamps, which use 2.45 GHzmagnetrons to heat sulfur into a brightly glowingplasma.
Long-distancewireless power systems have been proposed and experimented with which would use high-power transmitters andrectennas, in lieu ofoverhead transmission lines andunderground cables, to send power to remote locations.NASA has studied usingmicrowave power transmission on 2.45 GHz to send energy collected bysolar power satellites back to the ground.
Also in space applications, ahelicon double-layerion thruster is a prototype spacecraft propulsion engine which uses a 13.56 MHz transmission to break down and heat gas into plasma.
In recent years ISM bands have also been shared with (non-ISM) license-free error-tolerant communications applications such aswireless sensor networks in the 915 MHz and 2.450 GHz bands, as well aswireless LANs andcordless phones in the 915 MHz, 2.450 GHz, and 5.800 GHz bands. Because unlicensed devices are required to be tolerant of ISM emissions in these bands, unlicensed low-power users are generally able to operate in these bands without causing problems for ISM users. ISM equipment does not necessarily include a radio receiver in the ISM band (e.g. a microwave oven does not have a receiver).
In the United States, according to 47 CFR Part 15.5, low power communication devices must accept interference from licensed users of that frequency band, and the Part 15 device must not cause interference to licensed users. Note that the 915 MHz band should not be used in countries outsideRegion 2, except those that specifically allow it, such as Australia and Israel, especially those that use theGSM-900 band for cellphones. The ISM bands are also widely used forradio-frequency identification (RFID) applications with the most commonly used band being the 13.56 MHz band used by systems compliant withISO/IEC 14443 including those used bybiometric passports andcontactless smart cards.
In Europe, the use of the ISM band is covered byShort Range Device regulations issued byEuropean Commission, based on technical recommendations byCEPT and standards byETSI. In most of Europe,LPD433 band is allowed for license-free voice communication in addition toPMR446.
Wireless network devices use wavebands as follows:
Wireless LANs and cordless phones can also use bands other than those shared with ISM, but such uses require approval on a country by country basis.DECT phones use allocated spectrum outside the ISM bands that differs in Europe and North America.Ultra-wideband LANs require more spectrum than the ISM bands can provide, so the relevant standards such asIEEE 802.15.4a are designed to make use of spectrum outside the ISM bands. Despite the fact that these additional bands are outside the official ITU-R ISM bands, because they are used for the same types of low power personal communications, they are sometimes incorrectly referred to as ISM bands as well.
Several brands of radio control equipment use the2.4 GHz band range for low power remote control of toys, from gas powered cars to miniature aircraft.
Worldwide Digital Cordless Telecommunications or WDCT is a technology that uses the2.4 GHz radio spectrum.
Google'sProject Loon used ISM bands (specifically 2.4 and 5.8 GHz bands) for balloon-to-balloon and balloon-to-ground communications.
Pursuant to 47 CFR Part 97 some ISM bands are used by licensedamateur radio operators for communication – includingamateur television.
industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) applications (of radio frequency energy): Operation of equipment or appliances designed to generate and use locally radio frequency energy for industrial, scientific, medical, domestic or similar purposes, excluding applications in the field of telecommunications.
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