2401 MHz Band Overview

The 2401 MHz frequency lies within the globally recognized 2.4 GHz ISM (Industrial, Scientific, and Medical) band, making it a cornerstone of modern wireless communication, IoT, and consumer electronics. From Wi-Fi to Zigbee and Bluetooth, this frequency powers a vast ecosystem of unlicensed low-power technologies.

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📶 Frequency Range and Band Placement

Center Frequency: 2401 MHz
Band: 2.4 GHz ISM
Frequency Range: 2400–2483.5 MHz
ITU Allocation: Globally harmonized ISM band
Wavelength: ~12.5 cm

2401 MHz typically represents Channel 1 in many Zigbee and 802.15.4-based devices and is close to the lower edge of the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi range.

🌍 Regional Use Summary

🌐 Region	Allocation	Primary Uses	License Type
🌍 Region 1	ISM applications (unlicensed)	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee	License-exempt
🌎 Region 2	ISM applications (unlicensed)	Remote controls, sensors, drones	License-exempt
🌏 Region 3	ISM applications (unlicensed)	Smart home, healthcare, telemetry	License-exempt

All ITU regions support license-free use, provided devices meet local emission and power constraints (e.g., ETSI in Europe, FCC in the US).

📱 Common Applications of 2401 MHz

Technology	Description
Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz)	Near Channel 1, common for older routers and long-range coverage
Bluetooth	Part of the frequency-hopping spread spectrum pool
Zigbee / IEEE 802.15.4	Channel 11 uses 2405 MHz; 2401 MHz is close to its lower edge
Proprietary RF Protocols	Used in industrial, drone, and telemetry systems
Wireless Game Controllers	Many use fixed or agile transmissions near 2401 MHz

🔐 Licensing and Regulations

Region	Regulatory Body	Standard	Notes
US	FCC	Part 15 Subpart C	Max 1 W for spread spectrum
EU	ETSI	EN 300 328	Max 100 mW e.i.r.p.
Japan	MIC	ARIB STD-T66	Similar to FCC rules

Devices must:

Use spread spectrum or low-duty-cycle narrowband transmissions
Adhere to maximum power and bandwidth limits
Accept interference and not cause harmful interference

⚙️ Technical Specs at a Glance

Parameter	Typical Value
Center Frequency	2401 MHz
Modulation	DSSS, FHSS, OFDM, OQPSK
Typical Bandwidth	1–22 MHz (depending on protocol)
Max EIRP (FCC)	1 W (Wi-Fi); 10 mW (Bluetooth Class 2)
Antenna Length	~3.1 cm (quarter-wave monopole)

🛰️ Related Spectrum and Adjacent Bands

Band	Frequency Range	Use Case
2300–2400 MHz	S-band (some regions)	LTE Band 40, telemetry
2400–2483.5 MHz	ISM Band	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, drones
2483.5–2500 MHz	SRD / LTE uplink	LTE Band 41 edge, sometimes restricted

🔁 Interference Considerations

2.4 GHz band is crowded, especially in urban areas
Coexistence managed via:
- Frequency hopping (Bluetooth)
- Adaptive channel selection (Wi-Fi)
- Low duty cycles (Zigbee)
Overlap with microwave ovens (~2450 MHz) and other ISM noise sources
Interference mitigation through robust modulation and error correction

🧠 Summary Table

Attribute	Details
Frequency	2401 MHz
Band	2.4 GHz ISM
Primary Uses	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, IoT
License	Exempt (Part 15 / EN 300 328)
Max Power (FCC)	1 W (spread spectrum)
Typical Antenna	PCB trace, dipole, monopole
Global Availability	Universally available ISM band