What is mmWave and the Difference Between 24GHz and 60GHz?

Millimeter wave radar (mmWave Radar) is a high-frequency radio technology that operates in the frequency range of 30 GHz to 300 GHz, categorized as Extremely High Frequency (EHF) and Very High Frequency (VHF). Compared to traditional Wi-Fi technology, which has a maximum working frequency of 6GHz, millimeter waves possess a shorter wavelength and a higher data transmission rate, providing significant advantages in various high-tech applications. However, the transmission distance of millimeter wave radar is limited, mainly due to atmospheric absorption.

Characteristics of Millimeter Waves

⚡ Millimeter wave radar has a very high transmission rate and can transmit large amounts of data in a very short time. 🚗 This capability makes millimeter wave radar widely used in numerous fields, including autonomous driving, smart traffic management, medical monitoring, and air quality assessment. 📶 However, due to its shorter wavelength, millimeter wave technology is more vulnerable to obstacles compared to lower frequency radar, which can affect signal quality. 🔍 Thus, selecting the appropriate millimeter wave frequency band and application scenario is particularly important.

Differences Between 24GHz and 60GHz Millimeter Wave Radars

Frequency Characteristics⚖️

24GHz:

Wavelength: Approximately 12.5 millimeters.
Penetration Ability: Strong, able to penetrate obstacles like rain, fog, and leaves, making it suitable for outdoor environments.
Detection Range: Can detect objects at distances ranging from 20 meters to 200 meters, suitable for long-distance detection needs.
Example: On highways, 24GHz millimeter wave radar can monitor vehicle speeds and traffic flow in real-time, providing crucial data support for traffic management systems.

60GHz:

Wavelength: Approximately 5 millimeters.
Penetration Ability: Performs poorly in rainy or humid conditions, with relatively limited penetration capabilities.
Detection Range: The maximum effective detection range is typically between a few meters to several dozen meters (usually up to 10 meters), suitable for short-range detection.
Example: In home security systems, 60GHz millimeter wave radar can accurately track the movement of people within a room, alerting at the moment of an intrusion.

Application Scenarios💡

24GHz:

🚦 Traffic Monitoring: Used for vehicle speed detection, highway monitoring, and traffic flow analysis. For instance, in urban traffic signal control, 24GHz millimeter wave radar can dynamically adjust the timing of traffic lights to optimize traffic flow and reduce congestion.
🚍 Automotive Radar: Applied in adaptive cruise control, collision warning, and blind spot detection systems. For example, in smart driving, vehicles equipped with 24GHz millimeter wave radar can automatically adjust their speed to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front.
🌧️Aerospace and Surveying: Using 24GHz millimeter wave radar for terrain detection and monitoring tasks helps efficiently gather ground data to support natural disaster monitoring and urban planning. For example, in flood monitoring, aerospace systems can utilize millimeter wave radar to assess current water surface levels and predict disasters.

60GHz:

🔄 Indoor Monitoring: Provides precise environmental sensing for crowd monitoring and security systems. For instance, in large shopping malls, 60GHz millimeter wave radar can monitor foot traffic, optimizing store locations and product layouts.
🏡Smart Homes: Used for person tracking and motion recognition, suitable for home automation and smart assistants. For example, 60GHz millimeter wave radar can recognize household members' movements and adjust lighting and air conditioning for optimal living comfort.
🏥Medical Monitoring: Could be used for health monitoring, including heart rate and respiratory rate detection. In hospitals, 60GHz millimeter wave radar can continuously monitor patients' vital signs, providing essential health data to medical staff and alerting them in case of anomalies.

Advantages and Disadvantages

24GHz:

👍 Advantages: Strong penetration capabilities suitable for various environments; long-distance detection, especially suitable for outdoor applications. It can maintain stable performance in complex and variable weather conditions.

❓ Disadvantages: May not perform as well as 60GHz in high-resolution imaging; relatively lower data transmission rates may not be ideal for applications that require extremely high bandwidth.

60GHz:

👍 Advantages: High resolution and accuracy, with higher data processing capabilities. Particularly suitable for applications that require fast response and high bandwidth, such as high-definition video streaming and real-time data analysis.

❓ Disadvantages: Weaker penetration ability, making it less suitable for complex outdoor environments, and significantly affected by weather conditions.

Conclusion

With its precise detection capabilities and wide range of applications, millimeter wave radar is becoming a core technology of interest in the modern technological world. When selecting the appropriate millimeter wave radar frequency band, it is essential to consider the specific application requirements. The 24GHz millimeter wave radar is more suitable for outdoor scenarios where longer detection distances and strong penetration abilities are needed, while the 60GHz millimeter wave radar provides higher resolution and faster data processing capabilities in indoor applications. As technology continues to evolve, millimeter wave radar is undoubtedly set to play an increasingly important role in the future of intelligent societies.