Frequency assignment is the authorization of use of a particular radio frequency. In Article 1.18 of the International Telecommunication Union's (ITU)

Radio Regulations Radio regulation refers to the regulation and licensing of radio in international law, by individual governments, and by municipalities. International regulation The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is a specialized agency of the Unit ...

(RR),ITU Radio Regulations, Section IV. Radio Stations and Systems – Article 1.18, definition: ''assignment (of a radio frequency or radio frequency channel)'' the process is defined as "Authorization given by a

frequency administration Spectrum management is the process of regulating the use of radio frequencies to promote efficient use and gain a net social benefit.Martin Cave, Chris Doyle, William Webb, ''Modern Spectrum Management'', Cambridge University Press, 2007 The term ...

for a

radio station Radio broadcasting is transmission of audio (sound), sometimes with related metadata, by radio waves to radio receivers belonging to a public audience. In terrestrial radio broadcasting the radio waves are broadcast by a land-based radi ...

to use a

radio frequency Radio frequency (RF) is the oscillation rate of an alternating electric current or voltage or of a magnetic, electric or electromagnetic field or mechanical system in the frequency range from around to around . This is roughly between the uppe ...

or radio frequency channel under specified conditions".

Daily impact

Every day, users rely on assignment of frequencies for efficient use of such devices as: * cell phone * cordless phone * garage door opener * car key

remote control In electronics, a remote control (also known as a remote or clicker) is an electronic device used to operate another device from a distance, usually wirelessly. In consumer electronics, a remote control can be used to operate devices such as ...

* broadcast television and audio * Standard time broadcast * vehicle-speed

radar Radar is a detection system that uses radio waves to determine the distance ('' ranging''), angle, and radial velocity of objects relative to the site. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, w ...

, air traffic radar, weather radar * mobile radio * Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation * satellite TV broadcast reception; also backend signal dissemination *

Microwave oven A microwave oven (commonly referred to as a microwave) is an electric oven that heats and cooks food by exposing it to electromagnetic radiation in the microwave frequency range. This induces polar molecules in the food to rotate and produce ...

Bluetooth Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology standard that is used for exchanging data between fixed and mobile devices over short distances and building personal area networks (PANs). In the most widely used mode, transmission power is limit ...

Wi-Fi Wi-Fi () is a family of wireless network protocols, based on the IEEE 802.11 family of standards, which are commonly used for local area networking of devices and Internet access, allowing nearby digital devices to exchange data by radio w ...

Zigbee Zigbee is an IEEE 802.15.4-based specification for a suite of high-level communication protocols used to create personal area networks with small, low-power digital radios, such as for home automation, medical device data collection, and ...

RFID Radio-frequency identification (RFID) uses electromagnetic fields to automatically identify and track tags attached to objects. An RFID system consists of a tiny radio transponder, a radio receiver and transmitter. When triggered by an electroma ...

devices such as active badges, passports, wireless gasoline token, no-contact credit-cards, and product tags * toll-road payment vehicle transponders * Citizen's band radio and

Family Radio Service The Family Radio Service (FRS) is an improved walkie-talkie radio system authorized in the United States since 1996. This personal radio service uses channelized frequencies around 462 and 467 MHz in the ultra high frequency (UHF) band. ...

* Radio control, including

Radio-controlled model A radio-controlled model (or RC model) is a model that is steerable with the use of radio control. All types of model vehicles have had RC systems installed in them, including ground vehicles, boats, planes, helicopters and even submarines and ...

aircraft and vehicles * wireless microphones and musical instrument links ''Frequency assignment'' is also a special term, used by national

s. For other terms see table below.

References / sources

International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
{{Telecommunications International Telecommunication Union

Daily impact

See also

References / sources