What data rates does E-Band support?

With 5 GHz channel bandwidth per direction (71-76 GHz for one direction, 81-86 GHz for the other): QPSK: approximately 10 Gbps. 16-QAM: approximately 20 Gbps. 64-QAM: approximately 30 Gbps. 256-QAM: approximately 40 Gbps. These rates are achieved using single-carrier or OFDM modulation with advanced DSP. Practical deployed links typically achieve 10-25 Gbps at 1-2 km range, with higher-order modulation used at shorter distances where SNR is sufficient. Some vendors offer 2x2 MIMO E-Band links doubling capacity to 40+ Gbps. E-Band is the only wireless technology that approaches fiber-like capacity.

What is the link budget for E-Band?

Free-space path loss at 75 GHz over 1 km: FSPL = 20*log10(4*pi*1000/0.004) = 130 dB. Typical link budget: Tx power = +20 dBm (100 mW). Antenna gain (30 cm dish) = +43 dBi. EIRP = +63 dBm. Path loss (1 km) = -130 dB. Rain attenuation (99.99% availability, moderate climate) = -10 dB. Atmospheric absorption = -1 dB. Received power = +63 - 130 - 10 - 1 = -78 dBm. Receiver sensitivity (10 Gbps, QPSK) = approximately -55 dBm. Fade margin = -78 - (-55) = INSUFFICIENT. With 60 cm antennas (+49 dBi): received = -66 dBm, margin = 11 dB (sufficient). Antenna size is critical at E-Band.

How does E-Band compare to V-Band?

V-Band (57-71 GHz): includes the 60 GHz oxygen absorption band (10-15 dB/km attenuation). Limited to short range (<500 m). Often unlicensed. Good for building-to-building in dense urban. E-Band (71-86 GHz): avoids oxygen absorption (atmospheric loss approximately 0.5 dB/km). 1-3 km range. Light-licensed. 10 GHz of spectrum. Better for backhaul. Both are millimeter-wave and share similar component technology (InP, SiGe). E-Band is preferred for 5G backhaul because of longer range and higher capacity. V-Band is preferred for short-range mesh and WiGig (802.11ad/ay).

Frequency Bands

E-Band (71-86 GHz)

/ee-band/

E-Band covers 71-76 GHz and 81-86 GHz, providing 10 GHz of total spectrum for point-to-point millimeter-wave links. Data rates: 10-40+ Gbps. Range: 1-3 km. Avoids the 60 GHz oxygen absorption band. Light-licensed in most countries. The dominant wireless backhaul technology for 5G, approaching fiber-like capacity with wireless flexibility.

Frequency: 71-76 / 81-86 GHz

Bandwidth: 10 GHz total

Capacity: 10-40+ Gbps

Understanding E-Band

E-Band is the sweet spot for high-capacity wireless backhaul. It avoids the heavy oxygen absorption of V-Band (60 GHz), offers 10 GHz of available spectrum (more than all sub-6 GHz bands combined), and enables fiber-like data rates. The small wavelength (4 mm) allows highly directional antennas in compact form factors: a 30 cm dish provides 43 dBi of gain. With 5G deployments requiring 10+ Gbps backhaul at every cell site, E-Band links are often the fastest and most cost-effective alternative to fiber.

mmWave Backhaul Band Comparison

Band	Frequency	BW	Atmos. Loss	Range	Licensing
V-Band	57-71 GHz	14 GHz	10-15 dB/km	<500 m	Unlicensed
E-Band	71-86 GHz	10 GHz	0.5 dB/km	1-3 km	Light-licensed
W-Band	92-114 GHz	22 GHz	0.5-1 dB/km	0.5-2 km	Emerging
D-Band	130-175 GHz	45 GHz	1-5 dB/km	0.3-1 km	Experimental
Microwave (18 GHz)	17.7-19.7 GHz	2 GHz	Negligible	5-15 km	Licensed

Key Equations

Decibel conversion:
Power: dB = 10log(P₂/P₁)
Voltage: dB = 20log(V₂/V₁)

dBm to watts:
P(W) = 10^{(dBm−30)/10}
0 dBm = 1 mW, +30 dBm = 1 W

Wavelength:
λ = c/f = 300/f(MHz) meters

Comparison

Parameter	Lower band	Upper band	Total	Notes
Frequency	71–76 GHz	81–86 GHz	10 GHz	Licensed light-touch
Channel BW	250 MHz	250 MHz	40 ch	ETSI/FCC
Capacity	1–10 Gbps	1–10 Gbps	20 Gbps	Full duplex
Range	1–3 km	1–3 km	—	LOS required
Antenna gain	43–51 dBi	43–51 dBi	—	30–60 cm dish

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Data rates?

QPSK: ~10 Gbps. 16-QAM: ~20 Gbps. 256-QAM: ~40 Gbps. 5 GHz channel per direction. 2x2 MIMO doubles capacity. Only wireless tech approaching fiber-like rates.

Link budget?

FSPL at 75 GHz, 1 km: 130 dB. 30 cm dish: 43 dBi. Rain margin (99.99%): 10 dB. Antenna size is critical. 60 cm dish extends range to 2-3 km. 100 mW Tx power typical.

E-Band vs. V-Band?

V-Band: oxygen absorption (10-15 dB/km), <500 m range, unlicensed. E-Band: 0.5 dB/km, 1-3 km, light-licensed. E-Band for backhaul; V-Band for short-range mesh. Same component technology (InP, SiGe).

Related Terms

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