Paired Band
(Paired Spectrum)
A paired unit of radio frequency spectrum (either a band or a block) is treated as one unit, but technically consists of two parts: one range of frequencies for base stations (towers) to transmit to terminals (phones), and a second range of frequencies for terminals to transmit to base stations.
Most cell phone networks used paired bands.
This is also known as FDD.
See: FDD
For example, in the US, all of the "PCS" band is paired. The "A block" of the PCS band consists of 1850 - 1865 MHz paired with 1930 - 1945 MHz. Phones transmit on the lower half, while towers transmit on the upper half.
Paired spectrum is an easy way to keep transmissions in one direction from interfering with transmissions in the other direction.
See: Band
See: Block
Last updated Jul 13, 2012 by Rich Brome
Editor in Chief Rich became fascinated with cell phones in 1999, creating mobile web sites for phones with tiny black-and-white displays and obsessing over new phone models. Realizing a need for better info about phones, he started Phone Scoop in 2001, and has been helming the site ever since. Rich has spent two decades researching and covering every detail of the phone industry, traveling the world to tour factories, interview CEOs, and get every last spec and photo Phone Scoop readers have come to expect. As an industry veteran, Rich is a respected voice on phone technology of the past, present, and future.
