Editing ISM radio band

{{Short description|Radio frequency allocations}}
{{about-distinguish|ISM radio bands|Short-range devices}}
The '''ISM radio bands''' are [[radio band|portions]] of the [[radio spectrum]] reserved internationally for ''industrial, scientific, and medical'' (ISM) purposes, excluding applications in [[telecommunications]].<ref>{{cite web
|url         = http://life.itu.int/radioclub/rr/art1.pdf
|title       = ARTICLE 1 - Terms and Definitions
|date        = 19 October 2009
|work        = life.itu.ch
|publisher   = International Telecommunication Union
|at          = 1.15
|quote       = 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.
}}</ref> 
Examples of applications for the use of [[radio frequency]] (RF) energy in these bands include [[Radio frequency heating|RF heating]], [[microwave oven]]s, and medical [[diathermy]] machines.  The powerful emissions of these devices can create [[electromagnetic interference]] and disrupt [[radio communication]] using the same [[frequency]], 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 for [[Short-range device|short-range]], low-power [[Wireless Communications & Mobile Computing|wireless 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 phone]]s, [[Bluetooth]] devices, [[near-field communication]] (NFC) devices, [[garage door opener]]s, [[baby monitor]]s, and [[Wireless network|wireless computer networks]] ([[Wi-Fi]]) may all use the ISM frequencies, although these low-power transmitters are not considered to be ISM devices.

==Definition==
The ISM bands are defined by the [[ITU Radio Regulations]] (article 5) in footnotes 5.138, 5.150, and 5.280 of the [[Radio regulation in the United States|Radio 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 by [https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=5cd2e563d1078d1d7f4773f791173724&mc=true&node=pt47.1.18&rgn=div5 Part 18] of the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) rules, while [[Part 15 (FCC rules)|Part 15]] contains the rules for unlicensed communication devices, even those that share ISM frequencies. In Europe, the [[ETSI]] develops standards for the use of [[short-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.

=== Frequency allocations ===
The allocation of radio frequencies is provided according to ''Article 5'' of the ITU Radio Regulations (edition 2012).<ref name="ITU-TFA">''[https://search.itu.int/history/HistoryDigitalCollectionDocLibrary/1.44.48.en.101.pdf ITU] Radio Regulations 2020, CHAPTER II – Frequencies, ARTICLE 5 Frequency allocations, Section IV – Table of Frequency Allocations''</ref>

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.

; ITU frequency allocations<ref name=ITU-TFA />:
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!! colspan=2 data-sort-type="number" | Frequency range !! data-sort-type="number" | Center frequency
! data-sort-type="number" | Bandwidth !! Type !! class="unsortable" | Availability !! class="unsortable" | Primary user !! class="unsortable" | Other users
|-
|style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right"| {{sort|6.765|6.765}} MHz || style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right" | 6.795&nbsp;MHz 
| style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right" |{{sort|6.78|6.78}} MHz
| style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right" |{{sort|30|30}} kHz
! A 
| Subject to local acceptance || [[Fixed service]] || [[Mobile service]] 
|-
|style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right"| {{sort|13.553|13.553}} MHz || style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right"|  13.567&nbsp;MHz 
| style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right" |{{sort|13.56|13.56}} MHz
| style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right" |{{sort|14|14}} kHz
! B 
| Worldwide || Fixed || Mobile services except [[Aeronautical mobile (R) service]]
|-
|style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right"| {{sort|26.957|26.957}} MHz ||style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right"| 27.283&nbsp;MHz 
| style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right" |{{sort|27.12|27.12}} MHz
| style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right" |{{sort|326|326}} kHz
! B 
| Worldwide || Fixed & mobile service except [[Aeronautical mobile service]] || [[CB Radio]]
|-
|style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right"| {{sort|40.66|40.66}} MHz ||style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right"| 40.7&nbsp;MHz 
| style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right" |{{sort|40.68|40.68}} MHz
| style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right" |{{sort|40|40}} kHz
! B 
| Worldwide || || Fixed, mobile services & [[Earth exploration-satellite service]]
|-
|style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right"| {{sort|433.05|433.05}} MHz ||style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right"| 434.79&nbsp;MHz 
| style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right" |{{sort|433.92|433.92}} MHz
| style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right" |{{sort|1740|1.74}} MHz
! A 
| only in [[ITU region|Region 1]], subject to local acceptance
| [[Amateur service]] & [[radiolocation service]] || With provisions of footnote 5.280
|-
|style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right"| {{sort|902|902}} MHz || style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right" | 928&nbsp;MHz 
| style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right" |{{anchor|915 MHz}}{{sort|915|915}} MHz
| style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right" |{{sort|26000|26}} MHz
! B
|[[ITU region|Region 2]] only (with some exceptions) || Fixed || Mobile except aeronautical mobile & Radiolocation service; in Region 2 additional Amateur service
|-
|style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right"| {{sort|2400|2.4}} GHz || style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right" | 2.5&nbsp;GHz 
| style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right" |{{sort|2450|2.45}} GHz
| style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right" |{{sort|100000|100}} MHz
! B
| Worldwide || Fixed, mobile, radiolocation || Amateur & amateur-satellite service
|-
|style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right"| {{sort|5725|5.725}} GHz ||style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right"| 5.875&nbsp;GHz
| style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right" |{{sort|5800|5.8}} GHz
| style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right" |{{sort|150000|150}} MHz
! B
| Worldwide || [[Fixed-satellite service|Fixed-satellite]], radiolocation, mobile || Amateur & amateur-satellite service
|-
|style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right"| {{sort|24000|24}} GHz ||style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right"| 24.25&nbsp;GHz
| style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right" |{{sort|24125|24.125}} GHz
| style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right" |{{sort|250000|250}} MHz
! B
| Worldwide || Amateur, [[Amateur-satellite service|amateur-satellite]], radiolocation || Earth exploration-satellite service (active)
|-
|style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right"| {{sort|61000|61}} GHz || style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right" | 61.5&nbsp;GHz 
| style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right" |{{sort|61250|61.25}} GHz
| style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right" |{{sort|500000|500}} MHz
! A
| Subject to local acceptance || Fixed, [[Inter-satellite service|Inter-satellite]], mobile & radiolocation service
|-
|style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right"| {{sort|122000|122}} GHz || style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right" | 123&nbsp;GHz 
| style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right" |{{sort|122500|122.5}} GHz
| style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right" |{{sort|1000000|1}} GHz
! A
| Subject to local acceptance || Earth exploration satellite (passive), fixed, inter-satellite, mobile, [[Space research service|space research (passive)]] || Amateur service
|-
|style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right"| {{sort|244000|244}} GHz ||style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right"| 246&nbsp;GHz 
| style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right" |{{sort|245000|245}} GHz
| style="white-space: nowrap; text-align: right" |{{sort|2000000|2}} GHz
! A
| Subject to local acceptance || radiolocation, [[radio astronomy]] || Amateur & amateur-satellite service
|}

'''Type A''' (footnote 5.138) = frequency bands are designated for ''ISM 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 whose [[radiocommunication service]]s 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&nbsp;MHz (center frequency 433.92&nbsp;MHz) is designated for ''ISM applications''. Radio communication services of these countries operating within this band must accept harmful interference which may be caused by these applications.

{{further|ISM applications}}

==History==
{{Expand section|date=September 2010}}
The ISM bands were first established at the International Telecommunications Conference of the [[ITU]] in [[Atlantic City]], [[1947]]. The American delegation specifically proposed several bands, including the now commonplace 2.4&nbsp;GHz band, to accommodate the then nascent process of microwave heating;<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://handle.itu.int/11.1004/020.1000/4.62.51.en.101| title=Documents of the International Radio Conference (Atlantic City, 1947) - Doc. No. 1-100 - No. 28 R-E| page=464}}</ref> however, FCC annual reports of that time suggest that much preparation was done ahead of these presentations.<ref>{{Cite report|title=Thirteenth Annual Report of the FCC, June 30, 1947|url=http://transition.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Mass_Media/Databases/documents_collection/annual_reports/1947.pdf|pages=8, 50–51|access-date=October 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130621164400/http://transition.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Mass_Media/Databases/documents_collection/annual_reports/1947.pdf|archive-date=June 21, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The report of the August 9th 1947 meeting of the Allocation of Frequencies committee<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://handle.itu.int/11.1004/020.1000/4.62.51.en.108| title=Documents of the International Radio Conference (Atlantic City, 1947) - Doc. No. 701-800 - No. 749 R-E| page=249}}</ref> 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 D [[Citizens Band]], a Part 95 service, was allocated to frequencies that are also allocated to ISM. [1]

In the U.S., the FCC first made unlicensed [[spread spectrum]] available in the ISM bands in rules adopted on May 9, 1985.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.marcus-spectrum.com/documents/81413RO.txt |format=TXT |title=Authorization of Spread Spectrum Systems Under Parts 15 and 90 of the FCC Rules and Regulations |publisher=Federal Communications Commission |date=June 18, 1985 |access-date=2007-08-31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070314063902/http://www.marcus-spectrum.com/documents/81413RO.txt |archive-date=March 14, 2007 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.iep.gmu.edu/UnlicensedWireless.php |title=The Genesis of Unlicensed Wireless Policy |publisher=George Mason University |date=April 4, 2008 |access-date=2008-04-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624025103/http://www.iep.gmu.edu:80/UnlicensedWireless.php |archive-date=June 24, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Many other countries later developed similar regulations, enabling use of this technology. <ref>{{Cite web |last=McNeil |first=Peter |date=2021-12-16 |title=More on ISM Bands Around the World |url=https://blog.pasternack.com/radio-frequency-education-courses/more-on-ism-bands-around-the-world/ |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=Pasternack Blog |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Applications ==
''' Industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) applications (of radio frequency energy)''' (short: '''ISM applications''') are – according to ''article 1.15'' of the [[International Telecommunication Union|International Telecommunication Union's]] (ITU) [[ITU Radio Regulations]] (RR)<ref>ITU Radio Regulations, Section IV. Radio Stations and Systems – Article 1.15, definition: '' Industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) applications (of radio frequency energy) / ISM application''</ref> – defined as «''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 in the United Kingdom|telecommunications]]''.»

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 home [[microwave oven]] operating at 2.45&nbsp;GHz which uses microwaves to cook food.  Industrial heating is another big application area; such as [[induction heating]], microwave heat treating, plastic softening, and [[plastic welding#High frequency welding|plastic welding]] processes.  In medical settings, shortwave and microwave [[diathermy]] machines use radio waves in the ISM bands to apply deep heating to the body for relaxation and healing.  More recently [[hyperthermia therapy]] uses microwaves to heat tissue to kill cancer cells.

However, as detailed below, the increasing congestion of the radio spectrum, the increasing sophistication of [[microelectronics]], and the attraction of unlicensed use, has in recent decades led to an explosion of uses of these bands for short range communication systems for [[wireless device]]s, 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 been [[wireless networking]] ([[Wi-Fi]]). The [[IEEE 802.11ah|IEEE 802.11]] wireless networking protocols, the standards on which almost all wireless systems are based, use the ISM bands. Virtually all [[laptop]]s, [[tablet computer]]s, [[printer (computer)|computer printers]] and [[cellphone]]s now have 802.11 [[wireless modem]]s using the 2.4 and 5.7&nbsp;GHz ISM bands. [[Bluetooth]] is another networking technology using the 2.4&nbsp;GHz band, which can be problematic given the probability of interference.<ref name="Why does Bluetooth still suck?">{{Cite web |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/why-bluetooth-sucks-bad-problems-issues-disconnects-2018-2 |title=Why does Bluetooth still suck? |last=Eizikowitz |first=Grant |date=2018-03-05 |website=Business Insider |access-date=2018-07-15}}</ref> [[Near-field communication]] (NFC) devices such as [[proximity card]]s and [[contactless smart card]]s use the lower-frequency 13 and 27&nbsp;MHz ISM bands.  Other short-range devices using the ISM bands are: [[wireless microphone]]s, [[baby monitor]]s, [[garage door opener]]s, wireless [[doorbell]]s, [[keyless entry system]]s for vehicles, [[radio control]] channels for [[unmanned aerial vehicle|UAVs]] (drones), wireless [[surveillance]] systems, [[radio frequency identification|RFID]] systems for merchandise, and [[animal tracking|wild animal tracking]] systems.

Some [[electrodeless lamp]] designs are ISM devices, which use RF emissions to [[excited state|excite]] [[fluorescent lamp|fluorescent tubes]]. [[Sulfur lamp]]s are commercially available [[plasma lamp]]s, which use 2.45&nbsp;GHz [[magnetron]]s to heat sulfur into a brightly glowing [[Plasma physics|plasma]].

Long-distance [[wireless power]] systems have been proposed and experimented with which would use high-power transmitters and [[rectenna]]s, in lieu of [[overhead power line|overhead transmission lines]] and [[undergrounding|underground cables]], to send power to remote locations. [[NASA]] has studied using [[microwave power transmission]] on 2.45&nbsp;GHz to send energy collected by [[space-based solar power|solar power satellites]] back to the ground.

Also in space applications, a [[Helicon double-layer thruster|helicon double-layer]] [[ion thruster]] is a prototype spacecraft propulsion engine which uses a 13.56&nbsp;MHz transmission to break down and heat gas into plasma.

==Common non-ISM uses==
In recent years ISM bands have also been shared with (non-ISM) license-free error-tolerant communications applications such as [[wireless sensor network]]s in the 915&nbsp;MHz and 2.450&nbsp;GHz bands, as well as [[wireless LAN]]s and [[Cordless telephone|cordless phone]]s in the 915&nbsp;MHz, 2.450&nbsp;GHz, and 5.800&nbsp;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&nbsp;MHz band should not be used in countries outside [[International Telecommunication Union region|Region 2]], except those that specifically allow it, such as Australia and Israel, especially those that use the [[GSM frequency bands#GSM-900, GSM-1800 and EGSM/EGSM-900|GSM-900]] band for cellphones.  The ISM bands are also widely used for [[radio-frequency identification]] (RFID) applications with the most commonly used band being the 13.56&nbsp;MHz band used by systems compliant with [[ISO/IEC 14443]] including those used by [[biometric passport]]s and [[contactless smart card]]s.

In Europe, the use of the ISM band is covered by [[Short Range Device]] regulations issued by [[European Commission]], based on technical recommendations by [[European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations|CEPT]] and standards by [[ETSI]]. In most of Europe, [[LPD433]] band is allowed for license-free voice communication in addition to [[PMR446]].

[[Wireless network]] devices use wavebands as follows:
* [[IEEE 802.11]]/[[Wi-Fi]] 2450&nbsp;MHz and 5800&nbsp;MHz bands
* [[Bluetooth]] 2450&nbsp;MHz band<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8U86p2igDhsC&q=Bluetooth+2450+MHz+band+falls+under+WPAN&pg=PA397|title=International Conference on Emerging Trends in Electronic and Photonic Devices and Systems (ELECTRO-2009), December 22-24, 2009|last=Chakrabarti|first=P.|date=2009|publisher=Macmillan Publishers India|isbn=9780230328518|language=en}}</ref> falls under [[Wireless personal area network|WPAN]]
* [[ANT (network)|ANT]] / ANT+ (originates from Adaptive Network Topology) is a proprietary (but open access) multicast wireless sensor network technology designed and marketed by ANT Wireless. ANT devices may use any RF frequency from 2400MHz to 2524MHz, with the exception of 2457MHz, which is reserved for ANT+ devices.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ANT / ANT+ Defined - THIS IS ANT |url=https://www.thisisant.com/developer/ant-plus/ant-antplus-defined#:~:text=ANT%20devices%20may%20use%20any,is%20reserved%20for%20ANT+%20devices |access-date=2024-04-02 |website=www.thisisant.com}}</ref>
* [[IEEE 802.15.4]]{{dash}}[[Zigbee]] and other personal area networks may use the {{nowrap|915 MHz}} and {{nowrap|2450 MHz}} ISM bands because of frequency sharing between different allocations.

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. [[Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications|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 as [[IEEE 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 the {{nowrap|2.4 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 the {{nowrap|2.4 GHz}} radio spectrum.

Google's [[Project Loon]] used ISM bands (specifically 2.4 and 5.8&nbsp;GHz bands) for balloon-to-balloon and balloon-to-ground communications.

Pursuant to 47 CFR Part 97 some ISM bands are used by licensed [[amateur radio]] operators for communication{{dash}}including [[amateur television]].

== See also ==
* [[Short-range device]]
* [[Frequency allocation]]
* [[Fixed wireless]]
* [[LPD433]]
* [[Electromagnetic interference at 2.4 GHz]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
<references/>

== External links ==
<ref>{{cite web |title=Recommendation ITU-R SM.1896-1 |url=https://www.itu.int/dms_pubrec/itu-r/rec/sm/R-REC-SM.1896-1-201809-I!!PDF-E.pdf |website=ITU |access-date=13 February 2023}}</ref>
*[http://telecom.hellodirect.com/docs/Tutorials/5.8GHzFrequency.1.031903.asp Cordless phone frequencies]
*[http://www.itu.int/ITU-R/terrestrial/faq/index.html#g013 ITU page on definitions of ISM bands]
*[http://www.itu.int/publications/productslist.aspx?lang=e&CategoryID=R-REG&product=R-REG-RR ITU page on Radio Regulations]
*[http://www.efis.dk/ European Radiocommunications Office frequency information system] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090408084417/http://www.efis.dk/ |date=2009-04-08 }}
*In the US, [[United States Code of Federal Regulations|CFR]] [http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx 07/47cfr18 07.html Title 47 Part 18] describes the regulation of the ISM bands. [http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2011-title47-vol1/pdf/CFR-2011-title47-vol1-sec15-247.pdf] contains some of the regulations for wireless LAN devices operating in three of the low power communication, Part 15, bands.

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ism Band}}
[[Category:Bandplans]]
[[Category:Radio regulations]]