Advantages and Disadvantages of ISM Band Frequencies

used for consumer and commercial WiFi and WLAN applications as well as for commercial Radio
Frequency Identification (RFID) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)
applications

Typically applications such as SCADA and RFID use the 900 MHz band as the data rate
requirements are lower than applications found in the 2.4-5 GHz frequency

The 900 MHz frequency is better than 2.4 GHz frequency when obstructions such as trees and
leaves are in the Line of Sight (LOS).

The 2.4 GHz frequency is absorbed by water found in trees and leaves which causes path loss of
the 2.4 GHz transmission. 900 MHz is often used in Non-Line-Of-Sight (NLOS) applications.

For the home user and commercial business 2.4 GHz is the primary band one uses for WiFi,
Bluetooth, cordless phone, printer, keyboard, mouse and gaming controller applications. Voice,
video and data communications are typically used in 2.4 GHz systems requiring higher data rates
(up to 300 Mbps for 802.11n applications).

The 5 GHz frequency is often used in commercial WiFi applications. Many times it is used as a
backhaul link connecting two 2.4 GHz systems over some distance

5 GHz is also the frequency used for the emerging standard 802.11ac which will provide up to
1.3 Gbps of wireless data throughput. Additionally 802.11n can use the 5 GHz frequency.

The ISM bands are defined by the ITU Radio Regulations

Industrial, Scientific and Medical Radio Band

(ISM Band)
group of radio bands or parts of the radio spectrum that are internationally reserved for the
use of radio frequency (RF) energy intended for scientific, medical and industrial
requirements rather than for communications. ISM bands are generally open frequency
bands.

The 2.54 GHz ISM band is a commonly accepted band for worldwide operations. Microwave ovens,
cordless phones, medical diathermy machines, military radars and industrial heaters are just some of the
equipment that makes use of this ISM band.

ISM bands are also called unlicensed bands.

The use of ISM equipment generates electromagnetic interference that interrupts radio communications
that make use of the same frequency

In 1985, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission opened the ISM bands for use in mobile
communications and wireless LANs

The HIPERLAN wireless LANs of Europe make use of the same 5 GHz bands known as the Broadband
Radio Access Network.