1. Technology as a Policy Enabler
Edmond J. Thomas
Office of Engineering and Technology

2. Spectrum Management
The Law
Jurisdiction
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3. FCC Statutory Mandate for New Technology
47 USC 157. New technologies and services
(a) It shall be the policy of the United States to encourage the provision of new technologies and services to the public. Any person or party (other than the Commission) who opposes a new technology or service proposed to be permitted under this chapter shall have the burden to demonstrate that such proposal is inconsistent with the public interest.
(b) The Commission shall determine whether any new technology or service proposed in a petition or application is in the public interest within one year after such petition or application is filed. If the Commission initiates its own proceeding for a new technology or service, such proceeding shall be completed within 12 months after it is initiated.
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4. Jurisdiction Over The Spectrum
Federal Communications Commission
Non-federal users
Commercial, private, state and local public safety
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (Dept. of Commerce)
Federal government users
Memorandum of Understanding
Joint Use Spectrum
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5. Technology As a Policy Driver
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6. Unlicensed Devices Bluetooth Cordless Phones Spread Spectrum
Wifi/802.11
Baby Monitors
Remote Entry
WLAN
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7. Ultra-Wideband (UWB) 1000 - 3000 MHz Ultra-Wideband Devices 30 kHz
Analog Cellular Voice Channel
6 MHz
TV Channel
MHz
Unlicensed Spread Spectrum Devices
MHz
Ultra-Wideband Devices
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8. Ultra-wideband (UWB) Policy Considerations Interference
Federal vs. Non-Federal Spectrum Management
Licensed vs. Unlicensed
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9. Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Potential UWB Applications
Ground Penetrating Radars
Through-the-Wall Imaging Systems
Vehicular Radar Systems
Peer-to-Peer Communication Systems
Identification tags
Location tracking
Security systems
Short range voice, data and video
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10. Ultra-wideband (UWB)
First Report and Order establishes different technical standards and operating restrictions for three types of UWB devices based on their potential to cause interference
Imaging Systems
Vehicular Radar Systems
Communication Systems
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11. GPRs, Wall Imaging, & Medical Imaging Systems
UWB Emission Limits
GPRs, Wall Imaging, & Medical Imaging Systems
GPS Band
Operation is limited to law enforcement, fire and rescue organizations, scientific research institutions, commercial mining companies, and construction companies.
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12. Vehicular Radar Systems
UWB Emission Limits
Vehicular Radar Systems
GPS Band
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13. Indoor Communications Systems
UWB Emission Limits
Indoor Communications Systems
/MHz
3.1
10.6
1.99
GPS Band
0.96
1.61
Equipment must be designed to ensure that operation can only occur indoors or it must consist of hand-held devices that may be employed for such activities as peer-to-peer operation.
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14. Outdoor Communication Systems Equipment must be hand-held.
UWB Emission Limits
Outdoor Communication Systems
/MHz
3.1
10.6
1.99
3.1
10.6
1.99
GPS Band
0.96
1.61
Equipment must be hand-held.
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15. UWB Testing/Measurement
Measurement of Ambient Emissions: Measure existing ambient RF emissions at typical and representative locations for comparison to UWB limit.
Measurement of Emissions from Existing Consumer Devices: Measure emissions from both intentional and unintentional electromagnetic radiators and compare data to UWB limits.
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16. Initial Results: Ambient Noise Office Space
Ambient levels are elevated by approximately 4-10 dB above the limit equivalent.
Peak
RMS
Equivalent Line
This plot depicts measured emissions in the GPS L1 frequency band ( ± 12 MHz) in the work area of a business that utilizes a large number of personal computers in an open area. Measurements made at FCC Laboratory in Columbia, MD August 2002
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17. Initial Results: Ambient Noise LAN Server Room
Ambient levels vary between 6-18 dB above the limit equivalent.
Peak
RMS
Equivalent Line
This plot depicts measured emissions in the GPS L1 frequency band ( ± 12 MHz) in a mid-sized LAN server room where a high density of computer electronics were operating. Measurements made at FCC Laboratory in Columbia, MD August 2002
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18. Initial Results: Consumer Devices Desktop Computer
RMS
Background Noise
Equivalent Line
This plot depicts the radiated emissions into the registered GPS L1 frequency band ( ± 12 MHz) from a state-of-the art desktop computer that is marketed by a leading manufacturer.
Measurements made at FCC Laboratory in Columbia, MD June 2002
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19. Initial Results: Consumer Devices Electric Drill
Radiated emissions range from 2 dB below the UWB equivalent limit to spikes that are up to approximately 8 dB above the equivalent limit. These emissions are classified as incidental emissions and are observed to be impulsive in nature.
RMS
Equivalent Line
Background Noise
This plot depicts radiated emissions in the GPS L1 frequency band ( ± 12 MHz) from an electric drill at a distance of two meters, employing RMS averaging. UWB emission limit is assumed to be the most restrictive., i.e. limits defined for indoor systems in the MHz band. Measurements made at FCC Laboratory in Columbia, MD August 2002
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20. Cognitive Radios New Capabilities
Functions previously performed in hardware, such as, generation of transmitted radio signal, are performed in software
Can be programmed to operate on or with any frequency, any bandwidth, any modulation or transmission format
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21. Cognitive Radios Characteristics Frequency Agility
Power Emission Flexibility
Detection Capability
Spectrum Efficiency
GPS
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22. Cognitive Radios Policy Considerations
Spectrum can be parceled in time, space, and frequency
In the past, we have licensed in space and frequency
Technology is now providing the time dimension
Facilitate interoperability, ie. Public safety
Promote secondary markets
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23. Power Line Carrier Technology
Possible new option for broadband to the home (“last mile”)
Examine potential rule changes to facilitate deployment
Protect incumbent spectrum users from spurious emissions
Establish rules and test procedures
Notes:
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24. Spectrum Policy Task Force
Led by Office of Engineering & Technology
Public Input
Findings and Recommendations
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25. Spectrum Policy Task Force
June 2002 – Formation of Task Force
June 2002 – Public Notice
August 2002 – Public Workshops
Unlicensed Devices and Experimental Licenses
Interference Protection
Spectrum Efficiency
Spectrum Rights and Responsibilities
November 2002 – Task Force Report Issued
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26. Spectrum Policy Task Force
Principal Findings:
Spectrum access is a much more significant problem than scarcity
Spectrum can be parceled in space/power, frequency, and time
Technology is allowing systems to be much smarter and more tolerant to interference than in the past
Spectrum rights and responsibilities are not always clearly defined
Migrate to an exclusive and commons models whenever possible, except when there are compelling public interest reasons to use the command-and-control model
Notes:
Spectrum Rights and Responsibilities, e.g. interference protection
Example of where Command and Control model may be needed is public safety
Spectrum Policy Task Force Recommendations:
Migrate from current command and control model to more market-oriented exclusive rights model and unlicensed device/commons model
Implement ways to increase access to spectrum (in time, frequency, bandwidth, and space) for both unlicensed and licensed users
Implement new paradigm for interference protection
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27. FCC 2003 Spectrum Task Force Agenda
Unlicensed PN
Receiver Standards NOI
Secondary Markets
Additional 255 MHz. Unlicensed Spectrum @ 5.8 GHz.
Cognitive Radio
Noise Temperature
30 2 GHz. Re-allocation
Notes:
Spectrum Rights and Responsibilities, e.g. interference protection
Example of where Command and Control model may be needed is public safety
Spectrum Policy Task Force Recommendations:
Migrate from current command and control model to more market-oriented exclusive rights model and unlicensed device/commons model
Implement ways to increase access to spectrum (in time, frequency, bandwidth, and space) for both unlicensed and licensed users
Implement new paradigm for interference protection
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28. Questions ???
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