https://transition.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Engineering_Technology/Documents/bulletins/oet70/oet70a.

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https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/will-millimeter-waves-maximize-5g-wireless/

http://www.fiercewireless.com/wireless/millimeter-wave-technologies-show-promise-for-5g-but-
propagation-lte-interoperability

http://www.rcrwireless.com/20160815/fundamentals/mmwave-5g-tag31-tag99

Millimeter Waves
The millimeter-wave region of the electromagnetic spectrum is usually considered to be the
range of wavelengths from 10 millimeters (0.4 inches) to 1 millimeter (0.04 inches). This means
millimeter waves are longer than infrared waves or x-rays, for example, but shorter than radio
waves or microwaves. The millimeter-wave region of the electromagnetic spectrum corresponds
to radio band frequencies of 30 GHz to 300 GHz and is sometimes called the Extremely High
Frequency (EHF) range. The high frequency of millimeters waves as well as their propagation
characteristics (that is, the ways they change or interact with the atmosphere as they travel) make
them useful for a variety of applications including transmitting large amounts of computer data,
cellular communications, and radar.
One of the greatest and most important uses of millimeter waves is in transmitting large amounts
of data. Every kind of wireless communication, such as the radio, cell phone, or satellite, uses
specific range of wavelengths or frequencies. Each application provider (such as a
local television or radio broadcaster) has a unique “channel” assignment, so that they can all
communicate at the same time without interfering with each other. These channels have
“bandwidths” (also measured in either wavelength or frequency) that must be large enough to
pass the information from the broadcaster’s transmitter to the user. For example, a telephone
conversation requires only about 6 kHz of bandwidth, while a TV broadcast, which carries much
larger amounts of information, requires about 6 MHz. (A kilohertz, is one thousand cycles per
second; a megahertz is one million cycles per second). Increases in the amount of information
transmitted require the use of higher frequencies. This is where millimeter waves come in. Their
high frequency makes them a very efficient way of sending large amounts of data such as
computer data, or many simultaneous television or voice channels.
Radar is another important use of millimeter waves, which takes advantage of another important
property of millimeter wave propagation called beamwidth. Beamwidth is a measure of how a
transmitted beam spreads out as it gets farther from its point of origin. In radar, it is desirable to
have a beam that stays narrow, rather than fanning out. Small beamwidths are good in radar
because they allow the radar to “see” small distant objects, much like a telescope. A carefully
designed antenna allows microwaves to be focused into a narrow beam, just like a magnifying
glass focuses sunlight Unfortunately, small beamwidths require large antenna sizes, which can
make it difficult to design a good radar set that will fit, for example, inside a cramped airplane
cockpit.
A radar sensor used in 2003-model Mercedes S-class automobiles. The circuits that transmit and
receive millimeter waves are housed beneath the dome-shaped plastic "radome," which is about
10 cm (4 inches) in diameter. This unit is mounted behind a portion of the car's hood that is made
to be transparent to millimeter-wave energy.
But the use of millimeter-length microwaves has allowed engineers to overcome this antenna
problem. For a given antenna size, the beamwidth can be made smaller by increasing the
frequency, and so the antenna can be made smaller as well. As an example, consider the
collision-avoidance radar available in some cars. Specifications developed by auto manufacturers
require this system to “see” a bicycle at a distance of 100 meters (330 feet). It must also
distinguish the bicycle from other objects such as trees, bridges, roadside signs, and other
moving vehicles. At a high frequency such a system uses an antenna approximately 10 cm (4
inches) in diameter, which automobile designers can tuck away behind the car’s grill or fender or
design into the front end of the vehicle. At a lower frequency the diameter of the antenna
required to achieve the same beamwidth would be 78 cm (31 inches), which would require a
pretty silly looking antenna be mounted on the car.
Certain characteristics of the earth’s atmosphere pose both problems and solutions for millimeter
wave applications. For example, at 60 GHz (5 mm or 0.2 inches wavelength) oxygen molecules
will interact with electromagnetic radiation and absorb the energy. This means 60 GHz is not a
good frequency for use in long-range radar or communications, because the oxygen absorbs the
electromagnetic radiation—and the signal. On the other hand, since the 60 GHz signal does not
travel far before it loses all its energy, this frequency comes in handy for secure short-range
communications, such as local wireless area networks used for portable computers, where it is
important that hackers do not tap into the data stream. Another use for 60 GHz technology is
communications between satellites (called cross-linking) in high earth orbit. Since there is almost
no oxygen in space at the geosynchronous altitudes of 43,000 km or 26,000 miles), 60 GHz
works just fine for communication between satellites.
Although millimeter waves allow large bandwidth, other frequencies, such as infrared and
optical wavelengths, allow the ultimate in high data rates and narrow beamwidths. Unlike
millimeter waves, however, these shorter-wavelength signals suffer from absorption by fog, dust,
and smoke. The solution, where applicable, is to use optical fiber as a wave guiding medium
because it is not affected by fog or other atmospheric conditions. But there are still many
situations where optical fibers cannot be used because the transmitters or receivers are mobile
(such as cell phones or satellite communication) so radio-wave communications, including
millimeter waves, is usually the best
Millimeter wave (MM wave)

Millimeter wave, which is also known as extremely high frequency (EHF) or very high
frequency (VHF) by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), can be used for high-
speed wireless broadband communications. Millimeter wave is an undeveloped band of spectrum
that can be used in a broad range of products and services like high speed, point-to-point wireless
local area networks (WLANs) and broadband access. In telecommunications, millimeter wave is
used for a variety of services on mobile and wireless networks, as it allows for higher data rates
up to 10 Gbps.

Millimeter waves have short wavelengths that range from 10 millimeters to 1 millimeter; they
have high atmospheric attenuation and are absorbed by gases in the atmosphere, which reduces
the range and strength of the waves. Rain and humidity can impact performance and reduce
signal strength, a condition known rain fade. Due to its short range of about a kilometer,
millimeter wave travels by line of sight, so its high-frequency wavelengths can be blocked by
physical objects like buildings and trees.

High-bandwidth point-to-point communication links are used on millimeter wave ranging from
71 Ghz to 76 Ghz, 81 Ghz to 86 Ghz and 92 Ghz to 95 Ghz, and require a license from the
Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Unlicensed short-range data links can be used on
60 Ghz millimeter wave. The IEEE Wi-Fi standard 802.11ad will run on 60 Ghz millimeter
wave.